Planning a trip to the Gull Lake region of Minnesota is a fun and exciting opportunity year-round. Here, there’s plenty of natural beauty to be explored, amazing restaurants and shops to check out, as well as an overall atmosphere of welcome that’s hard to top! Those who make their way to Gull Lake will also find that accessing nearby communities is easier than ever. This puts you in perfect proximity to the many festivals and celebrations that are hosted in this region throughout the calendar year. If you’re lucky enough to be headed this way in November, you’ll want to be sure to check out the Nisswa City of Lights Celebration. This family-friendly holiday Nisswa event is truly one-of-a-kind and a great stop to put on your itinerary when embracing the holiday season is a top priority for everyone in your traveling crew.
Celebration Logistics
The Nisswa City of Lights Celebration will be hosted on November 26th in 2021 in downtown Nisswa. Activities tend to revolve around the 25532 Main Street area, where revelers can find a variety of activities to enjoy throughout the day that cater to visitors of all interests and ages. From dazzling lights and photo opportunities to food, music, and performances that are sure to thrill, this celebration is one that visitors return for specifically year after year with good reason. Admission to the event is completely free, making it a budget-friendly activity to enjoy when you’re in town for the holidays as well. Questions regarding the celebration can be directed to The Nisswa Chamber of Commerce at 218-963-2620.
What to Expect at the Nisswa City of Lights Celebration
The festivities officially kick off at 4:00 pm with the closing of Main Street. No parking is allowed after this time, turning downtown into a pedestrian-friendly place of fun and excitement! With the roads blocked off, vendors will begin to set up along the sidewalks, filling the air with savory aromas and providing visitors with a seemingly endless lineup of food options to choose from. Alongside those food vendors, guests will be able to purchase twinkle lights to enhance their experience too. Don’t be surprised to find that as early as 4:00 pm, bonfires start popping up to give the atmosphere that cozy, holiday touch.
Those visiting the celebration with little ones will want to be sure to swing by the Nisswa Chamber Office so the kids can write a letter to be delivered to Santa. Once the letter is signed and sealed, make your way back to Main Street and take time to enjoy an exciting horse-drawn wagon ride around Nisswa Square. Just across the street from Pioneer Village, guests can enjoy a storytelling session featuring the Polar Express. While the story is fun, there’s nothing quite like meeting the big guy himself. To that end, Santa will most definitely be around the Nisswa City of Lights Celebration. Simply head over to the Nisswa Square Courtyard and get ready to pose for a holiday picture with Santa that’s sure to please!
Between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, celebration goers can enjoy meeting some live reindeer who will be occupying spaces at the Turtle Track parking lot on the East side of the Chamber. During this time, guests can also get into the giving spirit by swinging by the three Salvation Army Kettle locations and dropping off a donation. Of course, what type of celebration would be complete without music? That’s why guests to the Nisswa City of Lights Celebration can count on the Holiday Brass Band showing up between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm at Nisswa Square. Grab a seat near Stonehouse Coffee and enjoy the musical stylings of a group that specializes in the sounds of the holidays.
Between 4:45 pm and 7:00 pm kids can enjoy a crafts activity with the Black Bear 4-H Club at the Pioneer Village Summer Kitchen. Between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm the celebration features a live nativity scene and by 5:30, the official lighting display countdown is underway. Holiday carolers will grace the South lawn gazebo between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm with Santa arriving at the gazebo by 6:00 pm as well. 7:30 pm is the kickoff for fireworks which promise to be a colorful and exciting way to end an unforgettable holiday celebration in Nisswa.
Book Your Getaway Today
Taking time to unwind in Nisswa and the Gull Lake area is well worth your time no matter when travel plans bring you this way. Elevating the experience further is knowing you’ve booked amazing accommodations that provide the comfort, luxury, and convenience you deserve from a vacation. That’s where Gull Lake Beach Resorts comes in. Let us handle your accommodation details so that when you arrive in town, the only thing left to do is focus on the fun that awaits. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our property options and to start planning your next exciting trip to Minnesota!
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