First City of Lights 

About

Usher in the holiday season in a grand way. the First City of Lights Night We Light Celebration has been known to draw large crowds to our history downtown. Take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season and see some spectacular floats illuminated to showcase why Bemidji is Christmas City. The Parade travels going East on 8th Street, turning South on Beltrami Ave. to 3rd Street where it will travel West and end at Irvine Ave. Following the parade make your way down to Paul Bunyan Park for the Night We Light Ceremony. This is when the official Countdown is held and the giant light switch is flipped to illuminate the city! Special guests, musical performances, and awards for the best parade entries are also presented at this time.

Experience the North Pole in Bemidji, Minnesota! The Bemidji Tourist Information Center transforms into Santa’s workshop for the holidays. Night We Light Weekend Santa will be there to meet and interact with kids. Holiday crafts are provided in Santa’s Workshop through the Bemidji Parks and Recreation program. This is your opportunity to get your photo with Santa, enjoy some holiday treats, write a letter to Santa and place it in his giant mailbox and take home some Christmas crafts.

Prior to the Start of the Night We Light Parade, Carts of Care will lead on the parade route where a team of Target Team members pushing Target Shopping carts collect food donations for the Bemidji area food shelf and toys for the United Way of the Bemidji Areas annual Holiday Gifts for Kids program. Those who wish to make their donation prior to the parade can do so at the Tourist Information Center where FREE LED Christmas Lights will be handed out courtesy of Ottertail Power Company with each donation made while supplies last.