Pack 7+ Uniquely Duluth Experiences - ALL in ONE 3-Day Weekend
Whether you’re a local or just paying us a visit, you’re in luck:
Duluth offers SO many exciting activities to celebrate the holiday season. And there are plenty of enjoyable attractions for all ages, budgets, and interests.
We at Destination Duluth have curated a helpful itinerary (with options!)– so you don’t have to!
Here is everything you need to plan your BEST. EVER. Duluth Holiday Weekend!
- THURSDAY EVENING (November 23 – December 28): America's Largest and #1 Free Public Holiday Lights Display, famously known as Bentleyville
- FRIDAY MORNING: Skiing/Snowboarding/Tubing at Spirit Mountain (After Thanksgiving, conditions permitting)
- FRIDAY AFTERNOON (November 22 – January 5th): Christmas at Glensheen Mansion (39 Rooms, 27 Christmas trees, and more!)
- FRIDAY OR SATURDAY EVENING (December 6-21): Explore the Zoo Lights (and meet the critters) at the Lake Superior Zoo
- SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING (November 30 - December 22): See SCUBA Santa at 11 AM the Great Lakes Aquarium
- SATURDAY AFTERNOON or FRI-SAT EVENING (December 6-22): The Duluth Playhouse presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
- SATURDAY EVENING (November 29 - December 21): Take a train ride on the Christmas City Express
- SUNDAY AFTERNOON (December 13 – 15): A ballet performance of The Nutcracker
Here are the details on each of these uniquely Duluth holiday attractions and events.
THURSDAY EVENING: – Bentleyville
With so much to do, you'll want to take Friday off and make your first stop Bentleyville! Thursdays are an excellent choice because it's not quite as busy as the weekends.
Bentleyville is a must-do holiday event in Duluth. Photo by Dennis O'Hara - northernimages.com
For 2024, the centerpiece 128 ft tree has ALL NEW LIGHTS.
“This is the largest makeover in the past 15 years that we have had on the tree,” said Nathan Bentley, the founder of Bentleyville.
The annual walk-through holiday light display features over five million lights, live characters, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, s’mores, special events and a large variety of themed displays. Children under 10 can visit Santa and get a stocking hat. Best of all, admission, refreshments, and hats for kids are ALL FREE! (Parking nearby is $10)
Bentleyville typically welcomes an astonishing 300,000+ visitors per year. While many are local residents, others, including global tourists, visit Bentleyville from far and wide.
Founder, creator, and "Mayor of Bentleyville" Nathan Bentley, shared what’s new this year:
- The iconic Bentleyville tree, the center piece of Bentleyville, is celebrating its 15th season of shining bright and with that a makeover. All 150,000 existing LED net lights were removed and new RGB lights were installed on the 128’ tree. “This is the largest makeover in the past 15 years that we have had on the tree,” Bentley said.
- A new apple cider building will be located near the firepits. For $2.00, guests can stop to get a fresh cup of apple cider with a touch of cinnamon.
- A 60th anniversary Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer display, including an Island of Misfit Toys display.
- 12 new places for photo opportunities have been added, including a life-size gingerbread house.
- New gnome displays.
- Bentleyville’s 4,000 square foot gift shop has a new grand entrance, as well as an expanded variety of Bentleyville merchandise.
- A life size “Bumble” character will be available to greet guests.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving by helicopter this year on November 23rd between 4:50 – 5:00 pm
Bentleyville Tour of Lights opens November 23rd, and runs through December 28th. The event is open from 5-9 PM Sundays - Thursdays, and 5-10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Fireworks will happen BOTH opening and closing nights - Saturday, November 23rd (at 5:30 pm), and the final night, Saturday, December 28th - at 5:30 pm.
They provide a planning guide and tips at bentleyvilleusa.org. In case of inclement weather, announcements are made on the Bentleyville Facebook page.
For a story on the history (including why it's called Bentleyville), finances, and heart-warming stories, go to our story 2024 Bentleyville is Bigger, Brighter, and Better than Ever
Just Announced! Bentleyville #1 Light Display in America for third consecutive year!
Bentleyville has won back-to-back 1st Place Reader's Choice USA Todays 10Best Public Holiday Light Displays and it was announced last week that they were voted the #1 Light Display in the USA for 2024! Read the USA Today article: Where to find the best holiday light displays in the US
FRIDAY MORNING – Winter Fun at Spirit Mountain
(Beginning after Thanksgiving, conditions permitting)
Tubing is a thrilling way to enjoy winter in Duluth. Courtesy of Spirit Mountain
Spirit Mountain offers 22 Alpine runs, 175 acres of skiable terrain, a 700' vertical drop, five chair lifts, and three surface lifts.
They also offer fat-tire biking, tubing (ages three and up), and the largest terrain park and half-pipe in the Midwest, with fabulous views of Lake Superior from all runs.
For cross-country skiers, Spirit’s Upper Nordic center features 22km of groomed Cross-country ski trails (classic tracks and skating) that are mostly intermediate and run through dense hardwood forest.
For more information and tickets, go to Spiritmt.com
FRIDAY AFTERNOON - Christmas at Glensheen
Glensheen decorates for Christmas in the same fashion as when the Congdon family lived there. Courtesy of Glensheen
Christmas at Glensheen Mansion is an immersive experience, perfect for all ages. Mike Mayou, Marketing Manager at Glensheen, shared several highlights:
- 27 beautifully lit Christmas trees
- Many original ornaments from the Congdon family will be on display
- This year, there will be a few exciting new additions: Six of Glensheen’s rooms will be themed to match six classic Christmas tales: The Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Elves and the Shoemaker, The Snow Queen, and 12 Days of Christmas.
“It’s a really magical time of year,” Mayou said. “Especially after a fresh snowfall. Guests can wander around the grounds and then come in and see the mansion where it’s warm and cozy inside.”
Christmas tours at Glensheen will take place from November 22nd – January 5th. Read the Destination Duluth feature on Christmas at Glensheen.
Information on hours, tickets, and more can be found at glensheen.org.
FRIDAY EVENING: - Lake Superior Zoo
Larger than Life Zoo Lights at the Lake Superior Zoo. Photo courtesy of Lake Superior Zoo.
This year, the Lake Superior Zoo will host their fourth annual Zoo Lights event!
Guests will enjoy a magical walk-through experience featuring holiday light displays, larger-than-life animal inflatables, free s'mores, visits with Santa, and more! LS Zoo’s main building and Primate Conservation Center will be open to see the animals and warm up on a cold night. Local schools will be featured each night, singing carols or playing holiday music. Guests will also enjoy a special free craft activity each night!
Zoo Lights is open 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in December through 12/21.
To learn more, please visit Lake Superior Zoo, or search for Lake Superior Zoo on Facebook.
SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING - Great Lakes Aquarium
SCUBA Santa is making his annual holiday visit at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Photo submitted
The folks at Great Lakes Aquarium shared that they will have two interesting highlights during the holiday season this year.
SCUBA Santa will be making his appearance on-site at the Aquarium every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am from November 30 - December 22. You can find SCUBA Santa in the Isle Royale exhibit.
And the Aquarium’s annual holiday membership drive begins November 25 and runs through the end of the year. During this time, the Aquarium will offer perks and bonuses for new or renewing members. Special bonuses and incentives include passes to the Duluth Children’s Museum and bonus bucks to the Aquarium’s Explorers’ Cove gift store.
To learn more, please visit Great Lakes Aquarium or follow them on Facebook
SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING – Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - Dec 6-22 at the historic NorShor Theater
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a classic performance the whole family will enjoy. Courtesy Duluth Playhouse.
With a hilarious new script by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, this contemporary adaptation invites audiences to build a better, kinder world together. Featuring a sweeping score by Rodgers & Hammerstein that includes “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” this romantic Broadway musical is guaranteed to warm the hearts of audiences of all ages.
For all the show times and tickets, go Cinderella at Duluth Playhouse.
SATURDAY EVENING – Take the Christmas City Express by North Shore Scenic Railroad
Courtesy North Shore Scenic Railroad
The Christmas City Express is a storybook experience recommended for families with children under 10 … and for the young at heart. Photo Courtesy North Shore Scenic Railroad.
The performance begins in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, where you’ll be treated to a book reading of the new Christmas City Express story. Guests will also enjoy carolers and a visit from a special guest.
Then, guests will climb aboard the train for a 30-minute ride up to Lake Superior. Once onboard, guests will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday tunes.
Space is very limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged.
More info and tickets are available at Christmas City Express .
Start Making Plans Today!
There you have it! A packed three-day holiday weekend tour with memories that will last a lifetime!
Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.
