Minnesota’s Newest Drive-Through Holiday Lights Attraction Promises To Be The Largest In The Region

I love holiday lights attractions, making a point to visit a number of them each year. I now have another one to add to the list to check out this year!

A new holiday lights attraction is set to hold its inaugural season this year, promising to be the largest of its kind in Northern Minnesota!

The debut of this new holiday lights attraction has been more than a year in the making, with organizers publicly announcing the creation of this festive attraction last November.

The event, which is being called "Light In The Pines", is set to kick off in Grand Rapids later on this month. Here's what to know about this new holiday attraction.

What is Light In The Pines?

Publicly announced in November of 2022, the attraction will feature a professionally designed light and sound experience visitors can drive through to experience during the holiday season.

Organized by a non-profit and operated by volunteers, this experience will really light up the Northland community it will call home!

Organizers say it will be a wonderful experience for locals of Northern Minnesota and people from across Minnesota and beyond.

READ MORE: 20+ Must-Visit Holiday Lights Attractions To Visit This Holiday Season

Besides the drive-through holiday lights experience, visitors can also visit an area called "Santaland", which will feature some beautiful holiday scenes along with things like hot cocoa, coffee, popcorn, cookies, and souvenirs to remember your visit.

After the drive-through experience, there is an area where you can park to visit Santaland.

Santa will also be on hand, giving you the chance to say hello to ol' St. Nick and grab a photo with him using your phone/camera or you can use the on-site professional photographer to get a photo for you.

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Organizers note that while this is a drive-through experience (no walk-through visitors will be permitted), vehicle traffic is limited to private vehicles (cars & trucks) and small buses. Large vehicles like school buses and RVs cannot be accommodated.

Where is Light The Pines?

The event will be held at the Itasca County Fairgrounds, located just north of Downtown Grand Rapids at 1336 Fairgrounds Road. You'll enter through the west gate of the fairgrounds.

When is Light The Pines open?

According to the event's Facebook page, the inaugural season for Light The Pines kicks off on Friday, November 24 for the season. Each night they are open, they will welcome guests starting at 5:00 pm, and they will allow the last car through at 9:00 pm.

Here are the dates they are open this year:

• Friday, November 24
• Saturday, November 25
• Friday, December 1
• Saturday, December 2
• Thursday, December 7 -  Military Appreciation Night:  All veterans' vehicles get in free
• Friday, December 8
• Saturday, December 9
• Friday, December 15
• Saturday, December 16
• Friday, December 22
• Saturday, December 23
• Santa & Mrs. Claus depart for the North Pole after this, not to return until November of 2024
• Tuesday, December 26
• Wednesday, December 27
• Thursday, December 28
• Friday, December 29
• Saturday, December 30

How much is it to visit Light The Pines?

The cost to visit this attraction is per vehicle, being that is the only way to experience it.

It is $10 per personal vehicle, or $25 for small buses, paid at the gate when you enter.

You can learn more about Light The Pines on their Facebook page.

If you're into holiday light attractions, here are some other great ones around Minnesota and Wisconsin to check out!