Lake Lights & Holiday Nights
Enter contest
Businesses enter by Sun, Dec 6 · 11:59 pm Homes enter by Sun, Dec 13 · 11:59 pm People's Choice voting Dec 13 – 20

Map It. Light It. Win It.

December in Detroit Lakes is a season of sparkling lights, local shopping, festive flavors, and holiday magic — where every stop shines a little brighter!

Self-guided Detroit Lakes light tour

Tour the Lights

See the full map & list of stops
Enter your home (free) Enter your business
Be the first!The map is ready for your lights
100% FreeFree to enter, free to tour
Awards & bragging rightsJudges' awards and People's Choice

Dust off the decorations. Lake Lights & Holiday Nights is Detroit Lakes' free holiday lights contest and tour. Put your home or business on the map, and we'll send neighbors and visitors your way. No display is too small — and yes, Clark Griswold-level is encouraged.

  1. 1

    Map It

    Sign up in about 90 seconds. It's free, and you can join any time in December.

  2. 2

    Light It

    Indoor, outdoor, big or small. One wreath counts. So does a full Griswold.

  3. 3

    Win It

    Judges' awards, People's Choice, and epic bragging rights.

Awards

Official Contest Categories

Whether you light up a family porch or a downtown shop window, there's an award waiting for you.

HomesEnter by Sun, Dec 13 · 11:59 pm

Light Up Your Home

Home winners get $50 in Chamber Bucks.

A home lit up with holiday lights at 12294 270th Ave
2025 "Clark Griswold" winner · 12294 270th Ave
  • The "Clark Griswold" AwardQuantity, brightness & impact
  • The "Norman Rockwell" AwardAesthetic, tradition & sentiment
  • The "Santa's Workshop" AwardTheme, creativity & novelty
  • People's ChoiceThe most public votes, Dec 13–20
Enter your home (free)
BusinessesEnter by Sun, Dec 6 · 11:59 pm

Deck the Storefronts

Business winners get a hand-carved ornament trophy.

Ivory Nest's storefront decorated for the holidays
2025 Best Spirit of the Season · Ivory Nest
  • Best Spirit of the SeasonThe most festive, welcoming exterior
  • Brightest, a.k.a. the Griswold AwardThe most lights, the most dazzle, the most over-the-top
  • Indoor WonderlandThe best interior or window display
  • People's ChoiceThe most public votes, Dec 13–20
Enter your business
Holiday season calendar

Timeline & Key Dates

  1. Mon Nov 30

    Grand Parade of Lights

    The holiday season kicks off downtown. Get your lights up and get on the map!

  2. Sun Dec 6, 11:59 pm

    Business entries due

    Last call for businesses to be judged. Later entries still go on the map.

  3. Wed Dec 9, 2–5 pm

    Business judging

    Judges visit in person. Be open, or have your display visible.

  4. Sun Dec 13, 11:59 pm

    Home entries due

    Last call for homes to be judged. People's Choice voting opens.

  5. Dec 13 – 20

    People's Choice voting

    Vote for a favorite home and business. One vote per email per award.

  6. ~Wed Dec 16, evening

    Home judging

    Judges drive the route. Make sure your lights are on!

  7. ~Mon Dec 21

    Winners announced

    Winners shared on the website, social media and in local press.

  8. Through Dec 31

    Lights on every evening

    Displays lit at least 5–10 pm. The map stays live all month.

Read the full rules

Community

Our Partners

Project 412

Our partner in bringing Lake Lights to the community. Sponsorships are handled through Project 412.

project412mn.org

Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce

Our partner downtown: home of the tour's starting point and the Chamber Bucks our home winners take home.

visitdetroitlakes.com

With thanks to the Detroit Lakes Tribune.