Minot Lighted Parade
Spectators line Main Street to watch an illuminated evening procession celebrate the holiday spirit. The parade features a variety of lighted floats created by local businesses and community organizations. Visitors riding the festival's double-decker bus can also be seen taking part in the parade lineup.
What to Expect
Nightly lighted holiday floats travel down Main Street at dusk.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Dickens Christmas Festival
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday parade fans
Vibe
Festive and community-minded
Energy Level
Low
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
Tips & Advice
- Buy entertainment and play tickets online before November 1 to get early-bird tickets, and remember that all tickets are non-refundable, even if bad weather keeps you away.
- Go to the Ticket Center on the day if you want to ride the Doubledecker bus in the parade, because bus tickets can't be bought in advance.
- Get a spot along Main Street before dusk so you're in place when the lighted floats start coming down the street.
- Dress warmly for an evening outdoors in North Dakota, and use the warming house upstairs at the Ticket Center when you need a break.
- Plan your drive: Garrison is on Hwy. 37, six miles off Hwy. 83, and lodging in town ranges from motels to unique stays.
Special Events & Promotions
- Midwest Murder Podcast live recording at the KOTA Theater on Friday, November 27 (separate ticket).
- The Modern Gentlemen at the KOTA Theater on Saturday, November 28 (separate ticket).
- Guys on Ice – An Ice Fishing Comical Musical at the KOTA Theater on Friday, December 4 (separate ticket).
- Don't Look Back – The Boston Experience at the KOTA Theater on Saturday, December 5 (separate ticket).
- Live performances of 'A Cratchit Christmas' at the KOTA Theater on both festival weekends (separate ticket).
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I see in the parade?
Lighted floats from local businesses and groups go down Main Street at dusk on each festival night.
Can I ride in the parade?
Yes. One of the daily Doubledecker bus rides includes riding in the lighted parade. Bus tickets are only sold at the Ticket Center on the day of the ride.
How do I enter a float?
Fill out the entry form completely, including the comments for the parade announcer. Drop it off at the ND Firefighter's Museum or email it no later than the Monday before the festival starts. Entrants get a map of the line-up before the first parade.
What else is there to do at the festival?
You'll find street food vendors, free horse-drawn carriage rides (weather permitting), rides on the Queen Elizabus, a fruit cake toss and children's top hat decorating. There's also a craft vendor show in Piccadilly Square, live hometown entertainment and the play 'A Cratchit Christmas.'
Where can I warm up?
The Ticket Center at the CVB/ND Firefighter's Museum has a warming house upstairs during the festival.
More Christmas Events near Minot
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.