From the First City on the Mississippi to the First City of Lights!
Celebrate the magic of the season in a setting that is built for creating “Great Moments.” Bemidji glows with over one million lights across its lakefront, historic downtown, and south shore. The display features the world’s largest pixel gift box and the Midwest's largest 360-pixel tree! Starting November 27, 2026 the holidays kick off with Santa in his workshop at the Tourist Information Center followed by the Night We Light Parade, where thousands welcome Santa to town. The night continues with a traditional lighting ceremony and countdown to illuminate the city, followed by a dynamic fireworks display over the waterfront.
Bemidji shines as a community with a downtown window display contest and tours of the most illuminated homes in the area. The Christmas city of the north provides unique boutique shops, lodging accommodations and dining opportunities that will take your taste buds on a trip around the world. Bemidji has over 400 lakes within a 25-mile radius, 400 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, 80 miles for cross-country skiing and downhill skiing the continental divide at the Buena Vista Ski Area. Bemidji will surely provide you with those magical Christmasy moments.
Book your stay today and visit Minnesota’s merriest town!
Night We Light Celebration
Night We Light brings Bemidji together for a day of holiday magic, starting with Santa’s Workshop, an illuminated parade, and a traditional lighting ceremony. Families can enjoy s’mores, make ornaments, meet Santa, enjoy wagon rides throughout downtown, firepits, vendors, and join thousands of other spectators for an amazing fireworks display over Paul Bunyan Park where.
Larger-Than-Life Holiday Displays
After the parade, head to the lakefront for the lighting ceremony, where more than one million lights illuminate the night. See the Midwest’s largest Christmas pixel tree and the world’s largest pixel gift box along with 16 other larger than life displays, including the debut of three new displays, the “Peace on Earth Globe”, the “Ultimate Present Spectacular”, and the “Northstar Diamond!”
Holiday Traditions
The festival also brings a sense of competition to the area with the annual Reindeer Run, the downtown Christmas window display contest, and the Tour of Homes, which takes spectators on a tour of the most illuminated homes in the area.
A Spirit of Giving
Giving is at the heart of Bemidji’s holiday celebration. Toys and food donations are collected at Santa’s Workshop at the Tourist Information Center for local families, while outside the illuminated “Giving Ornament of Dreams” connects visitors with local charities. The Holiday Light Exchange adds another way to give back while brightening the season for those in need where guests to Santa’s Workshop are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or a bag of non-perishable food items and in exchange will receive five strands of LED Christmas lights free!
Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town Finalist
Bemidji is one of 25 finalists in Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Towns Contest, showcasing the holiday spirit, traditions, and community that make Bemidji a special place to celebrate the season.
Supporting Bemidji’s Holiday Traditions
Learn more about the First City of Lights and the 30th Annual Night We Light Celebration, its schedule, upcoming events, holiday displays, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities that help bring Bemidji’s holiday celebrations to life.