12 ways to spend the holidays in Duluth
There are many festive events happening in Duluth and the rest of the Twin Ports. Photo by Morgan Pint
With Thanksgiving done, now is the time many people, especially Duluth citizens and students, become invested in the winter holidays. Many people may want to find ways to celebrate the festive season.
Here are 12 ways people in Duluth can spend the winter holiday season.
1. Bentleyville Tour of Lights
More Details: “Duluth’s mega Christmas-light spectacular is the largest walk-through display of lights in America. Guests are invited to stroll under the glow of over 4 million lights in a 20-acre park on the shores of Lake Superior. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, will be on hand for photos and handing out candy canes,” according to Perfect Duluth Day.
When: Nov. 21 to Dec. 26
Time: Sundays-Thursdays: 5-9 p.m.
Fridays-Saturdays: 5-10 p.m.
Where: Bayfront Festival Park
Cost: Free
2. Glensheen Christmas Tours
Cost: Free tours for University of Minnesota Duluth students. $5-$30 for others and tickets can be found on Glensheen’s website.
More Details: Christmas trees and other holiday decorations are put in Glensheen and all the tours are related to Christmas. There is also a Christmas display outside the mansion.
When: Nov. 23 to Jan. 6
Time: Sundays-Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays-Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Glensheen
3300 London Rd.
Duluth, MN 55804
3. Pepperkakebyen: Gingerbread City Duluth 2018
Cost: Free with a $5 donation recommended
More Details: Gingerbread houses were decorated on Nov. 10 and they are on display for Duluth’s seventh annual Norwegian Gingerbread Village Nov. 24. These houses will be displayed on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 17 to Dec. 8.
When: Nov. 24
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Where: Nordic Center
23 N. Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
4. Christmas City Express
Cost: Adults $18, children 3 years old and older $16, children age 2 and younger free
Buy tickets on their website or call (218) 722-1273
More Details: “Tickets include the performance of the Christmas City Express, live music, the train ride, a visit from Santa Claus, hot cocoa and cookies and a magical souvenir ornament to take home,” according to Perfect Duluth Day.
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Nov. 23 to Dec. 22
Time: Fridays-Saturdays: 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m.
Sundays: 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m.
Where: Northshore Scenic Railroad at Lake Superior Railroad Museum
5. Duluth Winter Village 2018
The Duluth Winter Village is one of the many events going on at Glensheen in December. The mansion also features a Christmas display outside that visitors can walk through, especially at night with the lights lit up. Photo by Morgan Pint
When: Dec. 1-2
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Glensheen
3300 London Rd.
Duluth, MN 55804
Cost: Free
More Details: “Tour the mansion and peruse your favorite local shops surrounded by the warmth of the holidays,” according to Glensheen. Tours of the mansion are free to University of Minnesota Duluth students, and tickets for others can be found on Glensheen’s website.
6. 3rd Annual Holiday Shopping Expo
More Details: The DECC will have over 100 vendors with more than 100 prizes being handed out. There will be a food concessions and a blood drive where the people who donate blood will be entered into a special drawing. Santa Claus will also be there from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
When: Dec. 1
Time: 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.
Where: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
Cost: $2 advanced tickets found on Facebook or Eventbrite
$4 at the door of the event
7. Holiday Marketplace
Cost: Free admission and free parking
More Details: “Nice Girls of the North is hosting a Special Holiday Marketplace on December 1st & 2nd. Featuring Duluth Flower Farm with seasonal greens and hot cocoa & cookies around the fire. Locally made Arts and Crafts with Artists on hand to help you pick out the perfect gift for everyone on your list,” according to their Facebook event.
When: Dec. 1-2
Time: 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Where: Second Saturday Marketplace
106 N. 54th Ave. E.
Duluth, MN 55804
More events in Duluth can be found on Facebook or Perfect Duluth Day. Photo by Morgan Pint
8. Wreath Making at Glensheen
When: Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Glensheen
3300 London Rd.
Duluth, MN 55804
Cost: $20 cash or check, but not credit cards. Participants will pay at the door at the night of the event.
More Details: Making a wreath is first come first serve, and will fill up at 50 participants. People attending the event will make a holiday wreath at Glensheen and the proceeds go to educational programing at Boulder Lake.
9. Celtic Christmas with Katie McMahon
Cost: Adults $20, seniors and students $15, children $10
More Details: “The College of St. Scholastica hosts singer Katie McMahon for her annual ‘Celtic Christmas’ performance of Christmas carols backed by her band. The show also features high-stepping Irish dancers,” according to Perfect Duluth Day.
When: Dec. 7
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mitchell Auditorium at the College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Ave.
Duluth, MN 55811
10. Minnesota Ballet’s Nutcracker
Cost: $15-$44 Tickets found on the DECC’s website
More Details: Minnesota Ballet presents a ballet for the Nutcracker.
When: Dec. 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
11. One Christmas Carol
Cost: $18/$20 Tickets and show times found on their website
More Details: A one-man show called One Christmas Carol. This is the story of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens but with only one actor, Rick Breuer.
When: Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 19-23
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Encore Performing Arts Center and Gallery
2035 Highway 33 S.
Cloquet, MN 55720
12. A Holiday Spectacular Extravaganza Pageant
Cost: $5
More Details: A holiday celebration with performances by Renegade Improv, Colder By The Lake, Superior Shorts on the Teatro Stage, Beer & Hymns, and others.
When: Dec. 18
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Zeitgeist Teatro
222 E. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802