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 powered by xcel energy in Saint Paul](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice_park_powered_by_xcel_energy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=ed12834ca1483361eecb31435cc434db 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice_park_powered_by_xcel_energy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=789d8d0ab4234a872e212b3174d628b5 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice_park_powered_by_xcel_energy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=a3753528f8d5ea69f91edaf315f517d6 720w)
1. Rice Park
The switch for Rice Park will be flipped, 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.
2. Mears Park
Take a stroll through the colorful lights at this beautiful and beloved park.
![trees covered in Christmas lights at Mears Park in Saint Paul](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=247d7d00d8564cc99ebccd5b62b630ff 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4342cd8dbc6bd4d40bf783ab8af1648e 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ad1eeeaa959cfc2544c2043d24089acd 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=39d9e27c0674eed55c7691820267f96c 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c361ea454003c2632b8f37c1c4f8ea09 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3e3e75d732ab9129ebacd99a96c1a934 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c27c67eeefb583107eb48c5c07d7aefa 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mears_park_holiday_lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=9724c4f6dec577582eed527fdb6fdb4f 1983w)
3. Union Depot
Just down the block from Mears Park you’ll find Union Depot’s giant holiday tree, the perfect backdrop for some socially distanced photos!
4. Summit Avenue
Home to the Minnesota Governor's Residence and some of the state’s most historic homes, the 4.5-mile stretch is a great destination for a cool winter walk or for those looking to experience the lights from the warmth of their cars.
5. 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 fun safe way. Choose your date and time slot to book the bus for your private party of up to 13. Every weekend through Dec. 26.
6. York Avenue
Make a stop at 1526 York Ave. to see 60,000 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., Nov. 26 to Dec. 31. Don’t forget to bring some canned goods — the site supports the Greater East Side by collecting food for the Merrick Food Shelf.
![aerial view of Rice Park illuminated in hundreds of Christmas lights](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=85f1dfcee9d1c7fb55d360fc70902f4b 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4e850d6d0e954a119debdb38536e2f66 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cca5f5fef81f3acdeee4811ff424ba9c 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6a2c635f9fd3acbb7afd5d797343a489 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=823dde986716c65b19f7e04f0c89b9d4 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f11f6a43635ba0ef8ab96312d5dba899 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/rice-park-winter-lights.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=cc1778e18864891ad415afa76be09700 1920w)
7. 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, sELFie Plaza, three-story ice palace, bike-powered tree and other attractions. The festival runs through the New Year.
8. Nature Illuminated
Minnesota Zoo has a magical world waiting for you with Nature Illuminated, a one-of-a-kind experience featuring stunning light work and larger-than-life animal art installations. The display is up through Jan. 16.
9. Saint Paul Park
While the judging of Saint Paul Park’s annual holiday lights contest only runs from Dec.16-20 (with lights on each night from 5-10 p.m.), you can enjoy the views all season long. Keep an eye on the city’s website for a complete list of nominated homes.
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!
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.
More to explore
Related Content:
Rice Park
109 4th St. W. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 632-5111 Downtown Website >
Union Depot
214 4th St E, Suite 300 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 (651) 202-2700 Lowertown Website >
Minnesota Governor’s Residence
1006 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 201-3464 Grand/Summit Avenue Website >
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd Apple Valley, Minnesota 55124 (952) 431-9200 Twin Cities Metro Area Website >