Ski, snowshoe or hike by candlelight

On a cold winter's night, follow the twinkling lights.

The Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis. — A forest of glowing pyramids lights the way at Minneapolis' Luminary Loppet.

If you do only one thing outdoors in winter, do it by candlelight.

Nothing is more magical than a forest full of flickering lights. I got hooked when I skied in Minnesota's Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

A fat blue moon hung in the sky, sparkling hoarfrost made twigs as nubby as reindeer antlers and more than 400 glowing bags gave the forest a fairy-tale aura.

That was especially memorable, but so was every other time: on the Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, past the cascading ice of the Blue Wall; on Chequamegon Bay, with fireworks bursting ahead; along the shore of Lake Bemidji, with city lights twinkling on the horizon.

But all of the events are lovely, and all end with hot drinks and bonhomie around the bonfire. They're all put on with the help of volunteers — a gift to anyone who wants to venture out on a cold winter's night.

Many parks line only their groomed ski trails with lights, but some also light trails for snowshoeing and hiking.

Most will hold a candlelight walk if there's not enough snow, but always check for cancellations, especially if it's been very cold or a storm is expected.

More and more nature centers are holding smaller events.

And you can always make your own luminary course with friends; see How to make ice luminaries.

If you want to ski with even more light, look for an event close to the full moons. In 2025, they're Jan. 13, Feb. 12 and March 14.

Some ski trails are lighted with electricity daily or on weekends. For more, see For skiers, lighted trails.

Candlelight skiing in Michigan. — State parks offer dozens of candlelight ski, snowshoe and hike nights.

Some parks rent skis and/or snowshoes. For a really special evening, rent a camper cabin or yurt and ski right up to your door when you're finished (reserve far in advance). Most events are held 5-8 or 6-9 p.m., but check for details.

Beginners can try candlelight events on bicycle trails, which are flat. The event on the Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, Wis., is a particularly good one.

If you need to know how to get started in the sport, see Cross-country skiing 101.

For more, see our Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing sections.

Here are the candlelight nights in 2025.

MINNESOTA

Dec. 28, Sherburne History Center in Becker, ski, snowshoe or walk.

Dec. 31, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $8.

Jan. 3, Luce Line State Trail from Plymouth, walk.

Skiers relax by the bonfire. — After a candlelight ski in Michigan, skiers relax by the bonfire.

Jan. 11, Minnesota state parks: Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike. Lake Carlos near Alexandria, snowshoe or hike (CANCELED).

Jan. 17, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $8.

Jan. 18, Sibley State Park near New London, walk.

Jan. 24, Gateway State Trail in Mahtomedi, Minn., walk.

Jan. 24, Thompson County Park in West St. Paul, ski or hike, $8. The event sells out; register in advance.

Jan. 24, Voyageurs National Park from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, snowshoe or hike, part of Icebox Days in International Falls.

Jan. 25, Minnesota state parks: Lake Bemidji near Bemidji, snowshoe or hike. Nerstrand Big Woods near Northfield, ski, snowshoe or hike. Blue Mounds near Luverne, snowshoe or hike. Minneopa near Mankato, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 25, Mora Lantern Loppet at the Vasaloppet Ski Area, 15 miles north of Mora, and 10 miles east of Isle, a town on the southeast corner of Lake Mille Lacs, ski.

Jan. 25, Hartley Nature Center in Duluth, ski, snowshoe and fat-tire biking, $15 including rentals and food. Register in advance.

Jan. 31, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $8.

Feb. 1, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Little Falls, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 1, Boulder Lake Environmental Center near Duluth, ski or snowshoe, $10 including snacks and s'mores. Register in advance.

Feb. 1, Minnesota state parks: Afton near St. Paul, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, Spring Lake Park Reserve near Hastings, ski or hike, $8. The event sells out; register in advance.

Feb. 8, City of Lakes Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood, ski or snowshoe on Lake of the Isles, past magical ice ruins, pillars and a twinkling island. Reserve early for the time slot you want.

Candlelight skiing in a state park. — Ice candles illuminate a state-park trail in Minnesota.

Feb. 8, Minnesota state parks: Jay Cooke near Duluth, ski, snowshoe or hike. Lake Bemidji near Bemidji, ski. Wild River near North Branch, ski, snowshoe or hike. Lake Carlos near Alexandria, snowshoe or hike. Mille Lacs Kathio, ski, snowshoe or hike. Frontenac near Lake City, ski, snowshoe or hike. Fort Ridgley near, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 14, Lowry Nature Center in the southwest Twin Cities suburb of Victoria, Valentine's walk with live music, charcuterie and dessert.

Feb. 15, Ely Nordic Trails near Ely, ski, part of Ely Winter Festival.

Feb. 15, Ney Nature Center in Henderson, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 15, Minnesota state parks: Gooseberry Falls near Two Harbors, ski, snowshoe or hike. Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe. Myre-Big Island near Albert Lea, ski, snowshoe or walk.

Feb. 15, Sugarbush Trail from Oberg Mountain trailhead near Tofte, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 15 and 22, Baylor Regional Park near Norwood Young America,

Feb. 22, Minnesota state parks: Big Bog near Waskish, snowshoe or hike. Maplewood near Pelican Rapids, ski, snowshoe or hike.

The candlelight ski at Gooseberry Falls State Park. — Skiers and snowshoers gather around a bonfire during the popular candlelight event in Gooseberry Falls State Park.

WISCONSIN

Dec. 27 and Jan. 10-11, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Dec. 31, Minocqua Winter Park, snowshoe.

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, each week with a different theme. Free.

Jan. 4, Wisconsin state parks: Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10 and 24, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 11, Wisconsin state parks: Wildcat Mountain near Ontario, ski, snowshoe or hike and star-gazing.

Jan. 11, Warner Park in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 11, Blackberry Ramble Trail in Oconto County Forest near Abrams, north of Green Bay, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 11, Coulee River Trails in Prescott on the St. Croix River, snowshoe and hike.

Jan. 18, Minocqua Winter Park, ski.

Jan. 18-19, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 17, Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 18, Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 18, Wisconsin state parks: Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike. Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area near Horicon, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 19, Wisconsin state parks: Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee, snowshoe or hike.

Candlelight ski on the Red Cedar Trail. — On the Red Cedar State Trail, an ice wall is lighted for the late-January candlelight ski.

Jan. 23-24, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 25, Mount Ashwabay near Bayfield, ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 25, Minooka Park in Waukesha, part of the Janboree festival, hike. Sign up in advance for starting slots.

Jan. 25, MECCA Trails near Mercer, ski, snowshoe or hike, part of Winterfest.

Jan. 25, YMCA Camp St. Croix near Hudson, ski, snowshoe and hike. Gear is available.

Jan. 25, Wisconsin state parks: Point Beach State Forest near Two Rivers, ski. Whitefish Dunes near Sturgeon Bay, ski or hike. Kettle Moraine-Lapham Peak near Delafield, ski or hike. Devil's Lake near Baraboo, hike.

Jan. 31, Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, ski or hike.

Feb. 1, Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 1, Wisconsin state parks: Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit near Campbellsport, ski or hike. Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike. Blue Mound near Mount Horeb, ski, snowshoe or hike. Copper Falls near Mellen, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7 and 14, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, each week with a different theme. Free.

Candlelight hike at St. Croix State Park. — Hikers follow a trail above the river at Minnesota's St. Croix State Park.

Feb. 8, Lake Mendota in Madison, snowshoe or hike, part of the Memorial Union's Winter Carnival.

Feb. 8, Afterhours Trails in Brule River State Forest near Superior, ski.

Feb. 8, Rockport Park in Janesville, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 8, Wisconsin state parks: Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, ski, snowshoe or hike. Newport near Ellison Bay, ski, snowshoe or hike. Governor Thompson near Crivitz, ski, snowshoe or hike. Bong near Burlington, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 14, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 14-15, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Feb. 14, Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, snowshoe or hike, part of Fire & Ice Weekend.

Feb. 15, Book Across the Bay benefit race/tour across Chequamegon Bay between Ashland and Washburn, 10-kilometer loop, ski, snowshoe or walk.

Feb. 15, Sandhill Wildlife Area betweenn Black River Falls and Stevens Point, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 17, Wisconsin state parks: Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit near Eagle, ski or snowshoe. Willow River near Hudson, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 21, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 21, MacKenzie Center near Poynette, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 22, Rock River Heritage Park in Janesville, snowshoe or hike.

U.P. AND WEST MICHIGAN

Dec. 27, Mount McSauba recreation are a in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 1, Michigan state parks: Orchard Beach near Manistee, hike.

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, Mount McSauba recreation area in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Book Across the Bay skiers. — Skiers head out from Ashland on Book Across the Bay.

Jan. 4, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 10, Michigan state parks: Van Riper near Champion, snowshoe.

Jan. 10, Grass River Natural Area east of Traverse City, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 11, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 17, Michigan state parks: Orchard Beach near Manistee, hike.

Jan. 18, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 24, Michigan state parks: Van Riper near Champion, snowshoe.

Jan. 25, Michigan state parks: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, ski or hike. Fayette on the Garden Peninsula, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Skiers on the Luminary Loppet. — Skiers glide from lake to lake in Minneapolis' Luminary Loppet.

Feb. 1, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, ski or hike. Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Orchard Beach near Manistee, hike.

Feb. 1, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 7, 14 and 21, Mount McSauba recreation area in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 8, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 8 and 15, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the Dune Climb near Empire, hike.

Feb. 14, Michigan state parks: Orchard Beach near Manistee, hike.

Feb. 15, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

Candles light the Root River State Trail. — In southeast Minnesota, luminaries line the Root River State Trail for the annual candlelight ski from Whalan.

Feb. 22, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

March 1, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

March 1, Michigan state parks: Orchard Beach near Manistee, hike.

NORTHEAST ILLINOIS

Jan. 10-11, Rush Creek Conservation Area near Harvard, ski or hike.

Feb. 7-8, Coral Woods Conservation Area near Marengo, ski or hike.

MORE EVENTS

For moonlight snowshoeing and other snowshoe events, check state parks in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin (type "candlelight'' into keywords box).

Though the park events are free, most state parks and park reserves require a vehicle permit for the evening. Events in Minnesota also require a state ski pass, $10 daily and $25 annual.

In Wisconsin, some events require a state trails pass, $5 daily or $25 annual; the pass also is good for bicycling trails.

Last updated on February 5, 2022

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