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What is there to do in Minnesota in November?

November in Minnesota is when the holiday lights switch on: Northern Lights at the Arboretum in Chaska opens Nov 20, Bentleyville in Duluth (free) on Nov 21, and Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato (free) on Nov 27. Add Disney On Ice in St. Paul (Nov 19-22), Glensheen Christmas Tours from Nov 13 and Wild Mountain’s projected ski opening on Nov 20. Dates are as of October 2026, read on each organizer’s own site on Oct 22, 2026.

By the It’s Minnesota Editorial Team (who writes this). Last reviewed 22 October 2026.

What is happening in Minnesota in November 2026?

Event Where November dates Cost
Glensheen Christmas Tours Duluth Daytime tours from Nov 13; evening Candlelight Tours from Nov 27 Ticketed (see Glensheen)
Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul Nov 19-22 (first show Thu Nov 19, 7 p.m.) Ticketed
Northern Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Chaska Nightly from Nov 20, 4:30-9:30 p.m. (closed Nov 26) Members $25, non-members $35
Wild Mountain winter opening Taylors Falls Projected Fri Nov 20 (weather permitting) Lift tickets
Bentleyville Tour of Lights Duluth From Nov 21; Sun-Thu 5-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m. Free
Mill City Farmers Market, indoor winter market Mill City Museum, Minneapolis First and third Saturdays (Nov 7 and Nov 21), 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free to browse
Kiwanis Holiday Lights Sibley Park, Mankato From Nov 27; Sun-Thu 5-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m. Free (donations accepted)
Christmas City Express North Shore Scenic Railroad, Duluth Weekends from Fri Nov 27 Coach from $42 adults, $38 kids

When do the Christmas lights open in Minnesota?

The three big displays open in the second half of November. Northern Lights at the Arboretum opens Friday, Nov 20, and runs nightly to Jan 3, 2027, closed Nov 26, Dec 24 and Dec 25. Bentleyville opens Saturday, Nov 21, and runs to Dec 26; it calls itself America’s largest free walk-through lighting display. Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato opens Friday, Nov 27, and runs to Dec 31.

Where are the best Christmas lights in Minnesota?

Three displays stand out, and two are free: Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Duluth (free, from Nov 21), Northern Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska (from Nov 20; $25 for members, $35 for non-members) and Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Sibley Park, Mankato (free, from Nov 27). Dates and prices are as each organizer listed them on Oct 22, 2026, and none of the three is open yet.

What can families do in Minnesota in November?

Is there anything free to do in Minnesota in November?

Yes. Bentleyville in Duluth and Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato are both free; Kiwanis accepts cash and non-perishable food donations at the entrances. The Mill City Farmers Market moves indoors to the Mill City Museum lobby on the first and third Saturdays from November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Can you ski in Minnesota in November?

Sometimes. Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls gives Friday, Nov 20, 2026 as its projected opening day and says it depends on the weather. Check the resort’s own site before you drive.

What should you book ahead?

Dates and prices are the organizers’ and can change. For everything else on the calendar, see all Minnesota events, Twin Cities events and Duluth and North Shore events.

Sources

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Cite this page: It's Minnesota, “What is there to do in Minnesota in November?”, itsminnesota.com/answers/what-is-there-to-do-in-minnesota-in-november/ (updated ). By the It's Minnesota editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.