What to Expect
Bayfront Festival Park – Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a walk through holiday lighting extravaganza! We take over Bayfront Festival Park, on the shores of Lake Superior in Downtown Duluth, and decorate it with over 5,000,000 lights! We are very popular and we often see large crowds. Many guests prefer to visit later in the evening or on weeknights. View our Crowd-Calendar below.
Google Maps: 700 Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802
Bentleyville Treats – Thanks to the grand support from our sponsors and volunteers, we are able to offer free treats to all our guests! Your first stop should be at our Cookie House to get some Hot Cocoa or Coffee and some Cookies, then travel on to Popcorn Factory to get some Hot Fresh Popcorn, and finally grab a couple Marshmallows from our Marshmallow Hut and roast them over one the many fires that are keeping the guests warm! Don’t worry, we do sell the graham crackers and chocolate bars to make that toasted marshmallow into a s’more!
Visiting with Santa – Santa & Mrs. Claus are on site to visit with children and their families through December 24th. Santa, Mrs. Claus and some of their helpful elves will be standing near the line of guests to hear Christmas wishes and take photos. Each child 10 and under who visit with Santa will receive a knit winter hat and cookies! Last season 27,000 Santa hats were given out!
Donations – Guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or new unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army for those in need. Food and toys collected at Bentleyville are distributed to seven communities in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Last season, over 257,000 Bentleyville guests helped raise 7,984 lbs. of food and 1,351 toys!
Financial donations can be made on site at Bentleyville by QR Code or cash at any of our donation bins throughout the park.
Donations can also be mailed to:
Bentleyville Office
4313 Haines Road
Duluth, MN 55811
Admission – Bentleyville has free admission for all guests, as well as free hot cocoa & coffee, free cookies, free freshly popped popcorn, free marshmallows to roast, and free visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Parking is $10 per vehicle.
How to Dress – BENTLEYVILLE IS AN OUTDOOR EVENT! DRESS FOR BEING OUTSIDE IN THE COLD!
It is always easier to take off a layer than to add one (though you can stop in our Gift Shop and pick up a scarf or sweater!) Our event is on the shores of Lake Superior and the weather conditions can be very hard on those who are very young or very old. Please dress for strong winds and cold temps!
Handicap Accessibility – Bayfront Festival Park is handicapped accessible and we keep the pathways as clear as possible for those who need mobility assistance. We have wheelchairs that are free to use for guests. They are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are located near the main entrance. You can also ask event staff for a chair when you arrive and we will assist you.
Should I bring a stroller or a sled to Bentleyville? – Feel free to bring your own stroller or wagon, we do not recommend sleds. We clear the paved pathways daily of snow and use salt to clear any built up snow and ice, so it is difficult to pull a sled at Bentleyville. Strollers and wheelchairs are free to use on a first-come-first-serve basis. You can grab one near the main entrance when entering Bentleyville and return it when you are done.
Bentleyville opens each night at 5 pm – including all Holidays!
November 23rd – December 28th, 2024
Sunday – Thursday 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday 5 pm – 10 pm
Shuttles & Weekend Traffic Plan
Shuttles: Shuttles will be offered by Downtown Duluth to visitors who park in downtown Duluth and in Canal Park on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 5pm. The Canal Park pick up location is on Buchanan Street, near Little Angie’s. The pick locations downtown include: The Radisson Hotel, The Holiday Center, and Greysolon Ballroom.
Parking at Bentleyville: Traffic on Fridays and Saturdays must access Railroad St from Canal Park. Those entering from Garfield Ave will be directed to alternative parking areas surrounding the park.
2023 Bentleyville Virtual Tour
