Will A Huge Minnesota Light Display Win “Best in the Country” Again?

Every year I look around for all of the great light shows for the holidays. Both on homes and also the commercial light tours and shows.

WINNER LAST YEAR - HOPEFULLY AGAIN THIS YEAR

One of the biggest light shows for the holidays is Bentleyville in Duluth.  Last year, USA Today has ranked the best holiday displays in the country. And Bentleyville is ranked at number one! And this year they are celebrating 22 years of the holiday display!

Bentleyville "Tour of Lights," one of America’s largest free walk-through lights displays, invites visitors to stroll among over 5 million lights throughout a 20-acre park on the shores of Lake Superior. Guests can get their photo taken with Santa and enjoy cocoa, cookies, roasted marshmallows, and popcorn.

WHEN WILL THEY BE OPEN

Bentleyville is set to open on November 22nd this year.  Hours for the walking tour are Sundays through Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from they will be open an extra hour until 10pm. Pro Tip: if you don't want to deal with a ton of people at the light display, go later in the evening on either Friday or Saturday.  The crowd seems to be much smaller at that time.  If you go to their website, you can see the "Crowd-O-Meter" and check to see how busy it is.

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There are a couple of ways to enjoy the light tour.  If you are really kind of a wuss (I say that nicely because I'm like that) and would like to stay warm, there is a helicopter tour that you can take and fly over Bentleyville. But that one will cost ya!

BE PREPARED

Most people will opt to just bundle up and walk through, see the lights, drink some hot chocolate or a hot toddy (your choice) and take in all of the light displays on your own time.  From previous experience, make sure to dress warmly if you are going to do the walking tour.  I went when it was just under 30 degrees.  Relatively warm for Minnesota in December, right?  I was not dressed warmly enough.  I did the whole hat, boots, gloves and a winter coat. I needed some snow pants too... or something.  Cold legs and butt!  But the light displays were awesome!  Just prepare yourself. dress warmer than you might think you have to. Plus, pay attention to the wind factor.  A windy evening will make it feel so much colder than the temperature may reflect.