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Experience the Magic of Lanesboro This Holiday Season

Horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, with bundled-up visitors enjoying a sunny late-fall day surrounded by historic brick buildings decorated with holiday garlands and lights.
A holiday tradition returns—horse-drawn wagon rides carrying visitors through downtown during Experience the Magic of Lanesboro / Photo by Bluff Country Photography

This year we invite you — just a scenic drive from Rochester — to join us for a day of Small Business Saturday cheer and a full season of holiday magic!

Downtown Lanesboro, MN storefronts during winter
Many stores in Lanesboro keep regular winter hours for your holiday shopping enjoyment / Photo by Tyler Anderson

Small Business Saturday • Holiday Lights • Theater • Cozy Stays • Family Fun

There’s something truly special about the holidays in Lanesboro. Tucked into the bluffs of southeast Minnesota and wrapped in small-town charm, Lanesboro transforms into a glowing winter destination filled with festive lights, joyful events, cozy lodging, exceptional arts, and memorable moments for the whole family.

And it all begins on Small Business Saturday — November 29th.

People in winter coats walk along downtown Lanesboro while two costumed characters — a giant gingerbread person in a Santa hat and a snowman — wave on the sidewalk in front of the Iron Horse building.
Holiday fun in downtown Lanesboro! Festive characters greet families during last year’s Experience the Magic celebration / Photo by Bluff Country Photography

🎁 Kick Off the Season: Small Business Saturday (November 29)

Experience the warmth and hospitality of Lanesboro’s small businesses as they celebrate the start of the holiday season. Wander through our historic downtown to discover:

  • Unique gifts, handmade goods, and boutique finds

  • Festive shop specials and seasonal treats

  • Local makers, galleries, and storefronts dressed for the holidays

  • Delicious dining and warm coffeehouse stops

Small Business Saturday in Lanesboro is also filled with family-friendly fun. Bring the kids, bundle up, and enjoy a full day of activities:

🎄 Daytime Family Activities

  • Holiday character sightings downtown (perfect for kid photos!)

  • Horse-drawn wagon rides through historic downtown

  • Kids’ crafts and activities hosted by participating businesses

  • Hot cocoa stops and seasonal treats at local cafés

  • Festive photo ops throughout the downtown area

  • Live music and holiday ambiance as shops celebrate the season

✨ Evening Festivities

As the sun sets, the holiday magic continues:

  • Legion Lights Parade through downtown, kicking off the lighting of the season

  • Opening night of the Lanesboro Legion Lights in Sylvan Park

  • Holiday Lights Tour map release — start exploring decorated homes

  • Warm-up stops at shops and restaurants open into the evening

  • Community gathering and cheerful atmosphere as the town lights up for the first time

With holiday music, twinkling lights, and activities from morning to night, Small Business Saturday in Lanesboro is the perfect way for families to start the season with small-town magic.

👉 Check out more info about this great event >>

A family stands together beneath a colorful tunnel of holiday lights at the Lanesboro Legion Lights display on a winter night.
From twinkling displays to snowy trails, the Lanesboro Legion Lights is one of many ways families can experience winter fun and adventure in Lanesboro / Photo courtesy Lanesboro Legion Lights

🎄 Lanesboro Legion Lights: A Holiday Tradition in Sylvan Park

As night falls, Lanesboro sparkles.

The Lanesboro Legion Lights fill Sylvan Park with thousands of twinkling lights and glowing displays, creating a magical walk-through or drive-through holiday experience for all ages. Bring a warm drink, bundle up, and enjoy the shimmer of holiday cheer set beneath towering pines.

Open nightly — and completely free — through New Years Day.

A Victorian-style home in Lanesboro decorated with Christmas lights and garlands during a snowy winter evening.
Experience a storybook winter night as you drive past Lanesboro’s beautifully decorated homes on the Holiday Lights Tour.

🏠 Lanesboro Holiday Lights Tour

Our community comes alive with creativity as homes across Lanesboro join the new annual Holiday Lights Tour.

Running alongside Legion Lights (Nov. 29 - Jan. 1), you can pick up the map at the Lanesboro Visitor Center or businesses in town and enjoy a self-guided evening stroll or drive past festive homes throughout town to view their dazzling holiday displays.

It’s a perfect complement to the Legion Lights — and a great activity for families, couples, or groups looking for a simple, joyful outing.

A warmly lit Victorian-style inn in Lanesboro, Minnesota, glows with holiday lights as snow gently falls at night, creating a peaceful and cozy winter scene.
Snow falls softly over a charming Lanesboro inn ❄️🏠 — the perfect picture of winter comfort and small-town coziness in Bluff Country / Photo courtesy Scandinavian Inn

✨ Make It a Getaway: Cozy Winter Lodging

Winter in Lanesboro is peaceful, scenic, and cozy — the ideal time for a relaxing overnight stay. Choose from:

  • Charming inns and B&Bs

  • Boutique vacation rentals

  • Riverside locations and bluff-top hideaways

  • Rooms with fireplaces, historic details, and warm hospitality

Wake up to quiet mornings, scenic Root River views, and a slower pace that’s perfect for the holiday season.

👉 Check out our cozy lodging availability >>

Holiday sweaters, cozy knitwear, and festive décor displayed inside a Lanesboro boutique, with a decorated Christmas tree in the center of the shop.
Holiday shopping in Lanesboro offers cozy sweaters, unique gifts, and festive boutique charm all season long. / Photo courtesy E2 Boutique.

🛍️ Holiday Shopping in Lanesboro

Lanesboro’s historic downtown is filled with unique shops, galleries, and boutiques that make holiday shopping feel warm, personal, and fun. You’ll find:

  • Handmade art, pottery, and fiber goods

  • One-of-a-kind gifts from local makers

  • Books, toys, outdoor gear, and hobby finds

  • Home décor, antiques, and vintage treasures

  • Locally roasted coffee, treats, and specialty foods

Whether you’re looking for thoughtful gifts, stocking stuffers, or something for yourself, shopping small in Lanesboro adds holiday charm to your list. Many businesses also offer Small Business Saturday specials, making November 29 the perfect day to explore.

👉 Checking out shopping & retail >>

Musicians perform on stage during a holiday concert in Lanesboro, with a pianist, singers, and guitarists in front of a festive Christmas tree and an audience enjoying the cozy performance.
Holiday cheer takes center stage in Lanesboro 🎶🎄 — from intimate concerts to community sing-alongs, the season brings music, laughter, and warmth to the heart of Bluff Country / Photo courtesy Lanesboro Arts

🎭 Arts & Culture: Holiday Performances and Events

Holiday Show at the Commonweal Theatre

This season, the Commonweal Theatre presents its annual holiday production, offering a heartwarming, beautifully staged performance perfect for a festive night out. Whether you're enjoying a date night, a family getaway, or visiting with friends, the Commonweal’s holiday show brings charm, laughter, and seasonal spirit to downtown Lanesboro.

👉 Check out A Sherlock Carol at Commonweal Theatre >>

Holiday Sing-Along at Lanesboro Arts

A beloved annual tradition! Join friends, neighbors, visitors, and musicians on December 19th for a joyful Holiday Sing-Along at Lanesboro Arts. No experience required — just bring your voice and holiday cheer.

👉 Check out the Holiday Sing-a-Long at Lanesboro Arts >>

Workshops, Classes & Maker Events

Local artists and makers offer seasonal workshops throughout the month—perfect for creating gifts, gathering with friends, or enjoying a cozy winter afternoon.

👉 Check out upcoming arts & crafting workshops & classes >>

A whimsical winter drink topped with whipped cream and colorful marshmallows sits beside two felted wool creations—a gnome and bright orange flowers—on a wooden tray.
Warm up between winter adventures with a fun, kid-approved treat from a local café—perfect for cozy moments in downtown Lanesboro / Photo courtesy Paddle On Coffee

☕ Local Dining, Coffee & Sweet Treats

Whether you're here for the day or an overnight stay, enjoy:

  • Warm seasonal drinks

  • Cozy cafés and bakeries

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at local restaurants

  • Small-batch treats, snacks, and unique local flavors

👉 Check out dining & spirits >>

A winter angler stands near the snowy shoreline below the Lanesboro dam, where icy cascades and bright blue skies create a dramatic cold-weather scene.
Winter transforms the Lanesboro dam into a stunning icy backdrop—perfect for peaceful walks, photography, and year-round catch-and-release fishing within city limits.

❄️ Get Outside & Enjoy the Snowglobe Vibes

Lanesboro’s scenic winter landscape offers plenty of outdoor ways to explore and unwind between holiday events:

  • Stroll the Root River State Trail for peaceful river views

  • Hike quiet bluff trails with winter vistas

  • Enjoy snowy photo ops around the Lanesboro Dam and downtown

  • Sled the popular hill near the school on weekends for family fun

  • Bundle up and wander through town to see lights and decorations

Winter moves at a slower, quieter pace here — perfect for families and couples looking to breathe fresh air, enjoy nature, and pair their visit with cozy dining or a warm drink afterward.

Downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, lined with historic brick buildings and colorful storefronts beneath snow-covered bluffs on a peaceful winter day.
Historic downtown Lanesboro looks straight out of a postcard in winter — where snow-dusted bluffs, twinkling lights, and small-town charm create the perfect setting for a cozy getaway / Photo by Tyler Anderson

🌟 Plan Your Holiday Trip to Lanesboro

From festive lights to shopping, arts, lodging, and winter scenery, Lanesboro offers a full season of holiday magic — just a short, scenic drive from Rochester.

Come for Small Business Saturday.
Stay for the lights, the charm, and the unforgettable holiday experiences waiting all season long. We’ll be waiting with warm hospitality, twinkling lights and plenty of cheer.

👉 Give us a call at 507-467-2696, or visit lanesboro.com/winter to plan your holiday trip to Lanesboro today!

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