Saint Paul's Best Holiday Light Displays
An insider guide on where to catch the most stunning light displays this holiday season.
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit this winter by taking a journey through Saint Paul’s best light shows. From Summit Avenue to the East Side, these displays are sure to dazzle you with all of their festive glory.
Rice Park
The switch for Rice Park will be flipped on November 15, 2025, turning the park into a twinkling winter wonderland. Don’t let the season pass you by without making plans to experience this festive scene in downtown Saint Paul.
Mears Park
Take a stroll through the colorful lights at Mears Park, a beautiful and beloved park.
Union Depot
Just down the block from Mears Park you’ll find Union Depot’s giant holiday tree, the perfect backdrop for the ultimate winter photos! Along with Instagram-worthy pictures, don't miss strolling through the 2025 European Christmas Market, which runs on the weekends from November 28 to December 21.
Summit Avenue
Home to the Minnesota Governor's Residence and some of the state’s most historic homes, the 4.5-mile stretch of Summit Avenue is a great destination for a cool winter walk or for those looking to experience the lights from the warmth of their cars.
Experience the Twin Cities All is Bright Holiday Lights Tour
Bundle up for this open-air fun bus tour — with a covered top and open sides, it’s the perfect way to view twinkling lights along brightly decorated streets in a festive way. Choose your date and time slot to book the bus for your private party of up to 13. This holiday tour runs on select nights from November 28 to December 23, 2025.
York Avenue
Make a stop at 1526 York Ave. to see 90,000 lights choreographed to “Rockin’ Rudolph” on 91.5 FM. The display is put on by the Schultz Family and runs nightly from 5-10 p.m., November 28 to December 31, 2025. Don’t forget to bring some canned goods — the site supports the Greater East Side by collecting food for the Merrick Food Shelf.
GLOW Holiday Festival
This brilliant event for the whole family is a walk-through wonderland with a dozen seasonal scenes featuring over a million holiday lights, a massive tunnel covered in lights, the Tremendous Tree, animal sculptures, and other attractions. The festival runs from November 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
Illuminate Festival of Lights
Illuminate Festival of Lights invites the whole family into an indoor wonderland featuring hundreds of glowing lanterns, stunning photo zones, and unique themed weekends. Watch the AmeriKing Yan Dong Chinese Acrobats perform every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in this magical celebration of light held November 17 - December 31, 2025.
Saint Paul Park
While the judging of Saint Paul Park’s annual holiday lights contest typically runs in mid-December (with lights on each night), you can enjoy the views all season long. Keep an eye on the city’s website for a complete list of nominated homes. Check back for more details about the holiday lights contest.
We'd love to see where you're checking out the lights this season. Share your holiday cheer with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL!
Main image by @jsmphotographymn on Instagram.
