55 Holiday Light Displays in the South Metro (2026 Guide)

TL;DR

I tracked down 55 light displays across 11 south metro cities, plus the big community lighting events.
Biggest: Trista Lights at Sever's in Shakopee (new team, new prices, $15 to $50 per car), Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes, and Shakopee Winter Wonderland (900,000 lights last year, and you can walk through it).
Most displays: Inver Grove Heights, with 14 home displays.
Hidden gems: Farmington's 12 Homes of Christmas, where a whole cul-de-sac syncs to one song, and Lights on Mushtown in Prior Lake (60,000+ lights, opens Nov. 27).
Heads up: a lot of homeowners don't post dates until Thanksgiving week. Displays marked "2026 dates TBA" show last year's dates and hours. I'll update this guide as new dates come in.

If you live in the south metro and you're wondering where the good light displays are this year, this is the list.

I found 55 of them across Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington, Shakopee, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Prior Lake, Savage, Rosemount and Hastings. Each one has the address, the hours, the radio station if it's synced to music, and whether Santa shows up.

How to read this guide:

✅ Confirmed for 2026 means the display or organizer has posted this year's dates.
⏳ 2026 dates TBA means it hasn't posted yet. I've listed last year's dates and hours so you know what to expect. Most home displays turn on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 26–29 this year).

Looking for last year's list? Here's the 2025 South Metro Holiday Lights guide.

Quick Picks: Where to Start

The biggest displays

Trista Lights at Sever's (Shakopee). This is the big change this year. The Trista Lights team from Minnetrista took over the Sever's holiday display, and it's now a 2-mile drive-thru that they say has triple the lights. Tickets run $15 to $50 per car depending on the night. Details in the Shakopee section below.

Shakopee Winter Wonderland. Last year this home display had 900,000 lights, and you can get out and walk through it. It's listed as returning for 2026.

Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes (Eagan). A drive-thru at the Vikings' campus that opens Nov. 20. November tickets are the cheapest.

Free and impressive

Inver Grove Heights has more displays than any other south metro city: 14 home displays this year. Coffey Family Christmas is confirmed with 50,000 lights and a garden railroad train. Last year, the Soldiers 6 display had Santa, the Grinch and Rudolph on weekends, and every kid got a certificate for a free Raising Cane's kids meal. Soldiers 6 hasn't posted its 2026 plans yet, and I'll update this when it does.

Hidden gems

The 12 Homes of Christmas (Farmington): the entire cul-de-sac syncs its lights to the same music.
Lights on Mushtown (Prior Lake): 60,000+ lights synced to the radio and a 19-foot snowflake. Opens Nov. 27.
Lights on Preserve (Savage): Monday through Thursday, you can pick the songs.
Funderburk Family Very Metal Christmas (Rosemount): exactly what it sounds like. Christmas lights set to heavy metal.

Where to see Santa

Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony: Santa and Mrs. Claus, Nov. 25 at 6 PM
Christmas in the Village (Farmington): St. Nicholas, Dec. 5–6 and 12–13
Holidays in the Heights (Inver Grove Heights): Skate with Santa Dec. 4, Breakfast with Santa Dec. 12
Christmas Wonderland Walk-Through (Savage): Santa and Mrs. Claus most Friday and Saturday nights (last year)
Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley): Holiday Breakfast with Santa, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 12 and 19
Shakopee Winter Wonderland, Soldiers 6 (IGH) and Bremer Farms (Hastings): all had Santa last year. 2026 schedules TBA.

Apple Valley

More Apple Valley news.

Ray's Holiday Light Show ✅

📍 12845 Eveleth Ave.
📅 Nov. 23–Jan. 3 | Hours TBA (last year: 5–10 PM Mon–Thurs, 5–11 PM Fri–Sat)
💡 35,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

Ray's nearly tripled its light count from last year's 12,000. It's a free drive-by, and buses and limos are welcome.

Porter's Holiday Light Show ⏳

📍 13596 Hollins Ct.
📅 Usually starts late November | 5–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–10 PM Fri–Sat
💡 20,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

Martinson's Holiday Lights ⏳

📍 15381 Drexel Way
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Jan. 2 | 5–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–10 PM Fri–Sat
💡 10,000 lights synced to music on 91.9 FM

Lights on Lower Guthrie ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 14440 Lower Guthrie Ct.
📅 Last year: Dec. 10–Jan. 11 | 5–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–9:30 PM Fri–Sat
💡 10,000 lights synced to music on 88.9 FM (or through the PulseMesh app)

Making Spirits Bright ⏳

📍 12728 Durham Way
📅 Last year: Dec. 1–Jan. 2 | 5 PM–1 AM daily
💡 3,000 lights synced to music on 90.5 FM

A fun mix of synced lights, classic blow-molds and giant inflatables. It runs late, so it's an easy stop after dinner.

All Decked Out ⏳

📍 7624 157th St. W
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 | 5–11 PM daily

Lakeville

More Lakeville news. The city hasn't posted its 2026 holiday lights map yet. Last year's went up in mid-November.

PiXeL Paradise USA ⏳

📍 17954 Hydra Ct.
📅 Last year: Dec. 7–27 | 5:30–9:30 PM Mon–Thurs, 5:30–10:30 PM Fri–Sun
💡 50,000 lights synced to music on 98.9 FM

Lakeville Lights ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 16619 Imperial Way
📅 Last year: Dec. 1–Jan. 2 | 4:30–10 PM daily
💡 30,000 lights synced to music on 89.5 FM

Lights on Iteri ⏳

📍 19739 Iteri Pl.
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Jan. 4 | 5:30–10 PM daily
💡 25,000 lights synced to music on 98.9 FM

They ran a Halloween show this fall, so expect them back for Christmas.

Dodd Crossing Light Show ⏳

📍 5624 162nd St. W
📅 Last year: Nov. 26–Dec. 26 | 4:30–10:30 PM daily
💡 20,000 lights synced to music on 96.1 FM
🎁 Collected cash donations for Toys for Tots last year

169th Street Light Show ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 5969 169th St. W
💡 About 11,000 lights synced to music on 90.1 FM

Farmington

More Farmington news. The city's Holiday Lights Tour is back. Homes can register through Nov. 17, and the city will publish a map once the lights are up (decorations are due by Dec. 1).

The 12 Homes of Christmas ⏳

📍 198th Ct. W
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 1 | 5:30–10 PM daily
💡 26,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

Every home in this cul-de-sac syncs to the same music, so the whole street plays as one giant show. Last year they collected toys for Farmington's Toys for Town and food for the Farmington Food Shelf.

Christmas in the Village ✅

📍 Dakota City Heritage Village, 4008 220th St. W
📅 Dec. 5–6 and Dec. 12–13 | 3–8 PM Saturdays, 3–7 PM Sundays
💵 $5 cash at the gate (tickets also sold online), kids under 5 free
🎅 St. Nicholas arrives at the tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 PM, then visits at the Depot. There's a letters-to-Santa station too.

An old-fashioned Christmas in a historic village on the Dakota County Fairgrounds. Heads up: Sunday hours end an hour earlier than last year.

Let it Glow ⏳

📍 18878 Exclusive Path
📅 5–10 PM daily (start date TBA)
💡 Now two homes and about 50,000 lights
🎁 Last year: donations for Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue, plus a mailbox for letters to Santa

Hyperactive Holiday Lights ⏳

📍 609 Park Dr.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 5 | 5–9:30 PM Mon–Thurs, 5–10 PM Fri–Sat
💡 15,000 lights synced to music on 91.9 FM

The owners posted in August that work on the 2026 show is underway.

Caravel Christmas Blow Up ⏳

📍 19416 Caravel Ct.
📅 Last year: Nov. 30–Jan. 4 | 4:30–11 PM daily

Dover Drive ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 Dover Dr., between Embers Ave. and the cul-de-sac

About 25 decorated homes in a row on last year's city tour. Easy to roll through slowly.

Shakopee

More Shakopee news.

Trista Lights at Sever's ✅

📍 3121 150th St. W
📅 Nov. 26–Jan. 3, every night (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) | Open 5–10 PM, last arrival 9 PM
💡 A 2-mile drive-thru route. The new team says it's triple the lights.
💵 Per vehicle, before tax:
- Tuesdays: $15, any size vehicle
- Sun., Mon., Wed. and Thurs.: $25 standard, $35 large (more than 8 passengers)
- Fri., Sat., Dec. 20–24 and Dec. 27: $35 standard, $50 large

This is the old Sever's Holiday Lights, now run by the Trista Lights team from Minnetrista. You have to buy tickets ahead of time, and sales reportedly open Nov. 14. Tuesdays are the cheapest night by far.

Shakopee Winter Wonderland ✅

Returning for 2026, dates TBA
📍 921 Shakopee Ave. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Dec. 31 | 5–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–10 PM Fri–Sat
💡 900,000 lights last year
🎅 Last year: Santa visits on select nights in December

You can get out and walk this one. Last year there were crafts, cookies and hot chocolate in the garage. It's the biggest home display in the south metro.

Shak the Halls! Holiday Lights Contest ✅

📅 Entries: Nov. 20–Dec. 17 (4:30 PM deadline) | Voting on the City of Shakopee Facebook page
💰 Prizes: $100 first place, $50 second, $50 third

Free to enter. Submit a nighttime photo of your own lights or a neighbor's (with permission), and the city adds it to the holiday lights map for the community to enjoy.

Burnsville

More Burnsville news.

Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony ✅

📍 Nicollet Commons Park
📅 Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 6 PM
💡 More than 100,000 mini lights, 230 snowflakes and a 30-foot tree
🎅 Santa and Mrs. Claus show up with the mayor

Christmas Ville ⏳

📍 2304 River Hills Dr.
📅 Last year: Nov. 24–Jan. 1 | 5–11 PM daily
💡 60,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

R & C Christmas Wonderland ⏳

📍 13713 Washburn Ave. S
📅 Last year: Nov. 22–Jan. 10 | 5:30–9 AM and 4:30–11 PM daily
💡 10,000 lights and 24 inflatables

Yes, it's on in the morning too. Good for a before-school drive.

Xmas Lights on Big Oak ⏳

📍 2012 Big Oak Dr.
📅 Thanksgiving–New Year's Eve | 5–10 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–10:30 PM Fri–Sat
💡 A 24-song pixel show synced to 91.9 FM

Riverwood Drive Light Display ⏳

📍 1674 Riverwood Dr.
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Dec. 25 | 5–9:30 PM daily
💡 3,000 lights

Christmas Spirit ⏳

📍 11413 Christensen Ct.
📅 Last year: Nov. 1–Jan. 9 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 2,500 lights

Eagan

More Eagan news.

Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes ✅

📍 2685 Vikings Circle
📅 Nov. 20–Jan. 2 | 5:30–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5:30–10 PM Fri–Sat
💵 Per car:
- November-only ticket (new this year): $21.99 online, $25 at the gate. Good through Nov. 30.
- "Santa Saver" tickets (buy before Nov. 19): $28.99 Mon–Thurs, $34.99 any day
- Season pass: $97.99
- Regular December prices haven't been posted yet.

If you want the cheapest way in, go in November.

Eagan Community Tree Lighting

📍 Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy.
📅 Tuesday, Dec. 1 | 4–6:30 PM, tree lights up at 5 PM
🎅 Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free.

Kirkwood Drive ⏳

📍 1067 Kirkwood Dr.
📅 Last year: Nov. 14–Dec. 26 | 4:30–10:30 PM daily
💡 Listed at 250,000 lights last year, one of the biggest home displays around

Lights on Lexington ⏳

📍 1053 Keefe St.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 5 | 5–9 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–9:30 PM Fri–Sat
💡 17,000 lights synced to music on 88.9 FM

They ran a Halloween show this October, so they're active this year.

Ramsingh Family Lights ⏳

📍 1823 Karis Way
📅 Last year: Nov. 23–Jan. 2 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 12,000 lights synced to music on 103.1 FM

Lights on Richard Lane ⏳

📍 4875 Richard Ln.
📅 Last year: Nov. 30–Jan. 4 | 5–9:30 PM daily
💡 7,000 lights synced to music on 88.9 FM

Marble Lane Lights ⏳

📍 2105 Marble Ln.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 | 5–10 PM Sun–Thurs, 5–11 PM Fri–Sat
💡 5,300 lights

Inver Grove Heights

More Inver Grove Heights news. IGH has more home displays than any other south metro city: 14 this year. The city's Holiday in the Heights home lights contest runs Nov. 15–Dec. 30, so more may pop up.

Community events

Holidays in the Heights ✅

📍 Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave.
📅 Dec. 4–12
Tree lighting: Friday, Dec. 4, 6–7 PM
Skate with Santa: Dec. 4, 7–8:30 PM
Holiday Cookies & Canvas: Saturday, Dec. 5
Holiday open swim: Dec. 11, 5–8 PM
Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 AM–noon
Letters to Santa: Nov. 24–Dec. 10

Lights, Cocoa, Community: Lighting Simley Island ⏳

📍 Simley Island Park, 3110 80th St. E

Not announced yet for 2026. Last year it was the Friday after Thanksgiving, with cocoa, Santa and a food drive.

Home displays

Coffey Family Christmas ✅

📍 3154 69th St. E
📅 Dec. 1–31
💡 50,000 lights (up from 40,000)
🚂 A garden railroad train runs until 9:30 PM (weather permitting)

New colors on the big front tree this year, plus a selfie spot.

Soldiers 6 Christmas Display ⏳

📍 8238 Copland Way
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Dec. 31 | 5–11 PM daily
💡 30,000 lights synced to music on 91.9 FM, plus 18-foot and 14-foot inflatables
🎅 Last year: Santa, the Grinch and Rudolph on Friday and Saturday nights, 6–9 PM, plus Christmas week. Free photos, and every kid got a certificate for a free kids meal at Raising Cane's.

Soldiers 6 is a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders. Last year they collected food for Neighbors Inc. They haven't posted 2026 plans yet, and I'll update this once they do.

Bulbs on Boyd ⏳

📍 7465 Boyd Ave.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 | 5–10 PM Mon–Thurs, 5–10:30 PM Fri–Sun
💡 60,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

Christmas Extravaganza!! ⏳

📍 3693 Upper 73rd St. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 16–Jan. 1 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 20,000 lights

Lundell Lane ⏳

📍 3892 72nd St. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 3 | 5–11 PM daily
💡 10,000 lights

67th St Christmas ⏳

📍 2005 67th St. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Jan. 4 | 5–11 PM daily
💡 10,000 lights

The Lights on Boudreau ⏳

📍 2680 Boudreau Ct.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 2 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 9,000 lights synced to music on 89.7 FM

Lit for the Holidays! ⏳

📍 6840 Carmen Ave. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 | 6–10 PM daily
💡 8,500 lights

67th Street's Christmas Lights ⏳

📍 2020 67th St. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Jan. 4 | 5–11 PM daily
💡 8,000 lights and a 3D deer on the roof

Pro tip: this one and 67th St Christmas are on the same street. Hit both.

Dehrer Way Lights ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 4068 Dehrer Way
💡 6,000 lights

"A Christmas Story" Display ⏳

📍 5667 Babcock Trail
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 6 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 5,000 lights

The whole yard is "A Christmas Story." Ralphie inflatables, giant leg lamps and a life-size Flick stuck to the flagpole.

Merry Toonville ⏳

📍 7971 Cloman Ave. E
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 4,000 lights

Winter Wonderland on 66th Street ⏳

📍 1379 66th St.
📅 Last year: Nov. 16–Jan. 3 | 4:30–10:30 PM daily
💡 2,000 lights and 15 inflatables

Strandlof's Christmas Lights ⏳

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 7050 Blaine Ave.
📅 5–10 PM (start date TBA)
💡 Synced to music on 87.9 FM, with a light-up Ferris wheel

Prior Lake

More Prior Lake news.

Lights on Mushtown ✅

📍 17881 Mushtown Rd.
📅 Opens Nov. 27 | Hours TBA (last year: 6–10 PM daily)
💡 60,000+ lights synced to music on 91.9 FM, plus a 19-foot snowflake

Lights at the Cove ✅

✨ New to the guide this year
📍 3490 Cove Point Cir. NW
📅 Opens Nov. 26 | 5–9 PM daily (busiest 6–8 PM)
💡 Synced to music on 91.9 FM

Tip: Mushtown and the Cove are on the same radio station. Leave it on 91.9 and do both.

One Little Spark ⏳

📍 4297 190th St. E
📅 Last year: Dec. 1–Jan. 11 | 4:30–11 PM daily
💡 25,000 lights synced to music on 87.9 FM

Palomino Drive Neighborhood Display ⏳

📍 21000 Palomino Dr.
📅 Last year: Nov. 21–Jan. 3 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 20,000 lights

Savage

More Savage news. New to the guide this year.

Christmas Wonderland Walk-Through ⏳

📍 5293 River Wood Dr.
📅 Usually Thanksgiving–New Year's Day | 5–8:30 PM
🎅 Santa and Mrs. Claus most Friday and Saturday nights, with free photos and candy canes
🎁 Collects food for 360 Communities

A yard you can actually walk through. Great one for little kids.

Lights on Preserve ✅

📍 9332 Preserve Cir.
📅 Nov. 28–Dec. 31 | 6–9 PM Mon–Thurs, 6–9:30 PM Fri–Sun
💡 18,000 lights synced to music on 91.9 FM

Monday through Thursday, you can pick the songs. Fridays through Sundays run a programmed show.

Rosemount

More Rosemount news. New to the guide this year.

Funderburk Family Very Metal Christmas ⏳

📍 3585 148th St. W

Christmas lights set to a heavy-metal soundtrack. They've been doing it since 2024.

Lights on Claret ⏳

📍 15619 Claret Ave. W
📅 Last year: Dec. 1–31 | 5–10 PM daily
💡 5,000 lights

Lights on Apollo ⏳

📍 13900 Apollo Ct.
📅 Last year: Nov. 27–Jan. 1 | 5–9:30 PM daily
💡 4,100 lights synced to music on 90.1 FM

Hastings

More Hastings news. The city's Holiday Lights Tour map for 2026 isn't up yet.

Lights on Forest (Luskey Family Light Display) ⏳

📍 1622 Forest St.
📅 Last year: Nov. 28–Jan. 10 | 5 PM–midnight daily
💡 12,000 lights synced to music on 91.9 FM

Bremer Farms Lights ⏳

📍 7048 150th St. E
📅 Last year: Dec. 1–Jan. 5 | Dusk–10 PM daily
💡 10,000 lights
🎅 Last year: Santa on the Farm, one night in mid-December
🎁 Collects food and money for Hastings Family Service

Light Display Etiquette

Turn your headlights off (parking lights only) when you stop in front of a display.
Don't block driveways or mailboxes. These are people's homes.
Stay in your car unless it's a walk-through display.
If there's a donation bin, toss something in. A lot of these families raise money for local food shelves and charities.

That's the list. Looking for more to do this season? Check the South Metro Scoop events calendar. And if you've got a display that's not on here, send it my way and I'll add it.

I'll see ya out there.

FAQ

When do south metro Christmas light displays start in 2026?

Most home displays turn on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 26–29 this year). A few start early: Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes opens Nov. 20, and Ray's in Apple Valley turns on Nov. 23.

Which south metro light displays are free?

Almost all of the home displays are free. The paid ones are Trista Lights at Sever's in Shakopee ($15–$50 per car), Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes in Eagan (from $21.99 per car in November) and Christmas in the Village in Farmington ($5, kids under 5 free).

What's the biggest light display in the south metro?

The big drive-thrus are Trista Lights at Sever's in Shakopee and Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes in Eagan. For a free home display, Shakopee Winter Wonderland had 900,000 lights last year, and you can walk through it.

Which city has the most light displays?

Inver Grove Heights, with 14 home displays in this guide.

Which light displays have Santa?

Confirmed for 2026: the Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony (Nov. 25), Christmas in the Village in Farmington (Dec. 5–6 and 12–13), Holidays in the Heights in Inver Grove Heights (Dec. 4 and 12) and the Minnesota Zoo's Holiday Breakfast with Santa. Shakopee Winter Wonderland, Soldiers 6 in IGH, Bremer Farms in Hastings and the Christmas Wonderland Walk-Through in Savage all had Santa last year.

How do I hear the music at a synced light display?

Tune your car radio to the FM station listed for that display. Most stations only reach a block or two, so you'll pick it up as you get close.

What happened to Sever's Holiday Lights?

It's now Trista Lights at Sever's. The Trista Lights team from Minnetrista took over the display at the same Shakopee address, with a new 2-mile route and new prices ($15 on Tuesdays, up to $50 for large vehicles on peak nights). Tickets must be bought in advance.