Feel the joy of the holidays in Moorhead! Our guide highlights all the festive events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face in Moorhead or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the festive magic.
This season, experience the enchanting display of lights at the Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds, where festive decorations illuminate the grounds. You can also explore the vibrant marketplace at Christkindlmarkt, filled with local crafts and seasonal treats. And the Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique mix of winter wildlife experiences and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Moorhead
- Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds (West Fargo)
- Christkindlmarkt (Fargo)
- Santa Village (Fargo)
- Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo (Fargo)
- The Classic Nutcracker (Fargo)
- Holiday Lights Parade (Fargo)
- Christmas on the Prairie (West Fargo)
- Glow Holiday Festival (Saint Paul)
- Sleigh Rides
- The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights (Waconia)
See these and even more events listed below!
Moorhead Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Animated light displays and RGB effect lighting.
Description:
Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds features a drive-through experience with RGB effect lighting, animated displays, and multiple drive-through tunnels spread over 1.5 miles, showcasing a variety of holiday-themed displays.
Where: West Fargo | More Info: Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds
Holiday Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular parade floats and entries decorating with lights and music.
Description:
The Xcel Energy Holiday Lights Parade features approximately 100 floats and entries decorating with lights and music, including spectacular parade floats, marching units, equestrian entries, and local leaders.
Where: Fargo | More Info: Holiday Lights Parade
Glow Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Over a million lights and a zip line experience.
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, features over a million lights, new exhibits, a zip line, and a boutique shopping experience with local holiday vendors.
Where: Saint Paul | More Info: Glow Holiday Festival
The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light display with festive attractions and real-life Santa visits.
Description:
The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights at Sovereign Estate features over twenty miles of musical, synchronized lights across 20 acres of lakeside vineyard. Enjoy attractions like Candy Cane Lane, a life-size Nativity scene, and real winter llamas. Guests can stroll the grounds, purchase Holly Trolley rides, and meet real-life Santa. The event offers a variety of hot treats and refreshments, including mulled wine and local brews.
Where: Waconia | More Info: The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights
Nisswa City of Lights Celebration
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday lights and live reindeer.
Description:
The Nisswa City of Lights Celebration is a holiday event in Downtown Nisswa featuring cozy train rides, live reindeer, storytelling, delicious food, warm bonfires, hot cider, mini donuts, and strolling holiday carolers. The event culminates with fireworks illuminating the crisp winter sky.
Where: Nisswa | More Info: Nisswa City of Lights Celebration
HollyDazzle Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
The HollyDazzle Festival of Lights is a community celebration featuring a parade of lights, live entertainment, delicious food, games, crafts, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Where: East Grand Forks | More Info: HollyDazzle Festival of Lights
Moorhead Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with a Gift Market and live music.
Description:
Christkindlmarkt is a holiday event featuring a Gift Market, Bier Hall with Drekker Brewing Company, and live musical performances. It offers food, art demonstrations, and activities for kids, creating a lively atmosphere for all attendees.
Where: Fargo | More Info: Christkindlmarkt
Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted gifts from local artists.
Description:
The Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center features handcrafted items including jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and handmade soaps. Guests can find unique gifts from local artists while enjoying festive music and delicious treats.
Where: Saint Paul | More Info: Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Wadena Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and live entertainment by local performers.
Description:
The Wadena Christmas Festival is a festive event featuring local vendors selling unique gifts, live music, delicious food, and carriage rides. Enjoy live entertainment by local singing and dance groups, pianists, and more. General admission is $3 per person, with children under 10 years old admitted free. Admission is reduced to $2 per person if attendees bring non-perishable food items for the Wadena Food Shelf.
Where: Wadena | More Info: Wadena Christmas Festival
GSR Fine Art Festival
What to Expect:
Juried art festival with a wide variety of handmade goods and performances.
Description:
The GSR Fine Art Festival is an annual event in Mankato, MN, featuring over 100 professional artists, authors, and musicians showcasing their work in various mediums. It provides a unique opportunity for buyers to interact with creators and find handmade goods and gifts.
Where: Mankato | More Info: GSR Fine Art Festival
Maker’s Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans showcase diverse, handmade products.
Description:
Maker’s Market is a unique shopping experience featuring handcrafted items by local artists, including pottery, mixed media, ceramics, textiles, and more.
Where: St. Cloud | More Info: Maker’s Market
MN Christmas Market at Willow Brooke Farm
What to Expect:
Charitable holiday market with local artisans and makers.
Description:
The MN Christmas Market at Willow Brooke Farm is an annual holiday market showcasing homegrown brands and makers, with a charitable twist. Each vendor donates 7% of sales to a local charity, specifically Santa's College Fund, which supports refugee neighbors in Minnesota through 4-year scholarships.
Where: Red Wing | More Info: MN Christmas Market at Willow Brooke Farm
MN Made Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling handmade products.
Description:
The MN Made Christmas Market is an annual event featuring locally owned vendors selling handmade products, offering a unique shopping experience while supporting small businesses. Live Christmas music and wine and beer are available for purchase.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: MN Made Christmas Market
Moorhead Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Classic Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with live orchestra.
Description:
The Classic Nutcracker is a professional ballet production featuring a live orchestra and elaborate sets and costumes.
Where: Fargo | More Info: The Classic Nutcracker
Moorhead Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo features festive lights and decorations illuminating the zoo, offering a unique holiday experience amidst the animals and natural surroundings.
Where: Fargo | More Info: Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo
Santa Village
What to Expect:
Free holiday event with sensory-friendly activities and donation opportunities.
Description:
Santa Village is a free event at Rheault Farm, offering activities like visiting Santa, meeting Mrs. Claus and Santa's elves, decorating cookies, and seeing Santa's reindeer. It also features horse-drawn carriage rides, model train displays, and light displays. Guests are encouraged to bring donations for local organizations.
Where: Fargo | More Info: Santa Village
Christmas on the Prairie
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas activities in a historic pioneer setting.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas in a simpler time at Bonanzaville's pioneer village. Carolers sing seasonal songs, Christmas cards are printed in the Print Shop, and horse-drawn wagons carry passengers through the village. Children make homemade presents, and cookies are baked in a wood burning oven.
Where: West Fargo | More Info: Christmas on the Prairie
Sleigh Rides
What to Expect:
Scenic sleigh rides with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Description:
Take a scenic sleigh ride through beautiful M.B. Johnson Park, offering a serene winter experience with free hot chocolate and cookies for all reservations.
Where: Moorhead | More Info: Sleigh Rides
Vergas Small Town Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live nativity and cookie decorating.
Description:
Join us in Vergas for a festive holiday celebration featuring a live nativity, cookie decorating, live music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, sleigh rides, and more.
Where: Vergas | More Info: Vergas Small Town Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fargo (1 miles)
- West Fargo (6 miles)