North Dakota is a winter lover's paradise. Seriously, with as much snow as this little state gets, you'd think we know how to make winter a great time - and you'd be right. There are countless charming Christmas towns in North Dakota, all worthy of one's holiday bucket list. There are also many wonderfully fun Christmas lights displays in North Dakota, all of which are excellent for families, first dates, and even solo outings. Come out and enjoy North Dakota's Christmas lights traditions while the nights are chilly and the days are short!
1. Holiday Lights at the Red River Zoo - Fargo
The annual Holiday Lights at the Red River Zoo attracts throngs of folks to North Dakota every year. With amazing lights all over the place, an elf scavenger hunt, sledding, s'mores, animal encounters, and more, this is one Christmas lights display in Fargo, North Dakota you won't soon forget. Let this one be your new favorite tradition!
2. HollyDazzle Festival of Lights - Grand Forks
The jaw-droppingly magical HollyDazzle Festival of Lights typically goes on in mid-November and offers a day of awesome holiday fun for the whole fam. This is probably one of my favorite holiday traditions in North Dakota, and I suspect it'll become one of yours, too!
3. Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds - West Fargo
This wonderful Christmas lights display in West Fargo, North Dakota is everything that's wonderful about the holiday season. It's a popular, much-loved drive-thru with tunnels, animated displays, and so much more. Tune in to 101.9 or 97.9 to listen to synched-up holiday music, too!
4. Mandan Holiday Lights on Main - Mandan
This brand-new Christmas lights display in ND is a must-do for everyone this year. Participating places in town include Dykshoorn Park along with Heritage Park, the Mandan Depot, Beanery, and Mandan/Morton Public Library. All will be decorated to the nines in celebration of the season, and this year's festivities include 15 amazing lights displays. Best of all, it's free!
5. Chmielewski's Christmas Corner - Bismarck
This ridiculously charming neighborhood Christmas lights display is a labor of love put on by the Chmielewski family every year. The display runs from Thanksgiving until one week after Christmas, leaving plenty of time to return again and again! Personally, I'm not even sure which is more magical: the whole town all decked out for the holidays, or the individual families that go to tremendous lengths to bring us joy every year. It's just so much more personal.
6. Just A Light Walk - Buxton
Just A Light Walk isn't only fun for everyone and immensely charming, it's also got a delightful pun for a name, so I'm automatically in. With cocoa, Christmas lights, and all the cookies your little heart could ever long for, this is one annual tradition that doesn't seem to get the love it so rightfully deserves. Come out to the little town of Buxton and experience this one for yourself!
7. Spring Lake Park Holiday Lights Drive - Williston
With thousands of lights, take-and-go crafts for the kiddos, elf on the shelf bingo, and more, this underrated holiday lights display in North Dakota is a must-do for families, couples, church groups... anyone you think might love this certainly will. Visit the official Visit Williston website for the most up-to-date hours and dates.
There you have them: seven stunning Christmas lights displays in North Dakota that you can't go the whole season without! Need to know what to pack for a winter in North Dakota you'll be comfortable throughout? Check out our ultimate winter packing list! Need more ideas? Check out all the best things to do in North Dakota during the winter.
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