Bentleyville Tour of Lights

View on map
Nature & SeasonDuluth
DatesDates TBA · Usually DecemberCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsBentleyville's defining feature is that
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Duluth

Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a free, walk-through holiday lighting display at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota, running nightly from late November through December 26. Founded by Nathan Bentley in 2001 as a single decorated home in Esko, Minnesota, it has grown into one of the country's largest free light displays, offering hot chocolate, fire pits, and nightly visits from Santa Claus.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights began in the most ordinary way a holiday tradition can: one homeowner decided to put up more lights than his neighbors.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Bentleyville's defining feature is that everything is free: admission, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, popcorn, and marshmallow roasting at fire pits are all offered at no charge, funded through sponsorships and donations rather than ticket sales

02

The mystery stays covered

What began in 2001 as Nathan Bentley's home light display in Esko grew so large it outgrew two private properties and required school buses to shuttle visitors, before the City of Duluth invited it to relocate to Bayfront Festival Park in 2009

03

The city starts moving

Bentley remains personally involved every night of the season

04

The water draws everyone in

The Santa Hat Program, giving every visiting child twelve and under a knit hat and cookies, distributes tens of thousands of hats each year, and the event is credited with tens of millions of dollars in economic impact on Duluth's winter tourism economy

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Signature traditions include the nightly Santa Hat Program

Water and renewal

Living ritual

in which children twelve and under who visit Santa receive a knit Bentleyville hat and a bag of cookies

The sacred route

Living ritual

free marshmallow roasting at fire pits along the route

The local code

Living ritual

Tuesday Animal Nights

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a helicopter arrival for Santa

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and a fireworks display on closing night that ends the season

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually December

Getting around

Expect wet routes, blocked streets, and slower movement around river, beach, or water zones.

What to wear

Full winter gear is essential: insulated boots, a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and warm layers, since Duluth's late-November-through-December evenings routinely sit well below freezing with wind...

Safety

Keep photography restrained at Bentleyville Tour of Lights; give people room and treat community moments as more than scenery.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Duluth you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.78 N, 92.11 WOpen in Google Maps

Duluth, MN

Nearest airportDLH — Duluth
TransportExpect wet routes, blocked streets, and slower movement around river, beach, or water zones.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Duluth you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Duluth via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Duluth, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearFull winter gear is essential: insulated boots, a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and warm layers, since Duluth's late-November-through-December evenings routinely sit well below freezing with wind off Lake Superior. Comfortable, waterproof footwear matters most, since the route is walked outdoors on packed snow or ice.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Bentleyville Tour of Lights?

Bentleyville Tour of Lights is listed for Past edition: 27 December 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Bentleyville Tour of Lights take place?

The festival is listed in Duluth, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Duluth, MN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhappeningnext.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually December
Source statusOfficial source linked
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