Ski, snowshoe or hike by candlelight

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

© Debra Gagner

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 2026, they're Jan. 3, Feb. 2 and March 3.

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

© Michigan DNR

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 2026.

MINNESOTA

Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 1-4, Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, hike on lantern-lit trails. Free.

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

Jan. 1, Forestville-Mystery Cave State Parknear Preston, hike.

Jan. 2, Luce Line State Trail from Plymouth, walk.

© Michigan DNR

Jan. 3, Lac Qui Parle State Park near Watson, hike.

Jan. 3, Lindbergh State Park near Little Falls, hike.

Jan. 10, Minnesota state parks: Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 23, Gateway State Trail in Mahtomedi, Minn., walk.

Jan. 23, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington, hike.

Jan. 24, Nerstrand Big Woods near Northfield, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 24, 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. 24, Hartley Nature Center in Duluth, ski, snowshoe and fat-tire biking, $15 including rentals and food. Register in advance.

Jan. 31, Boulder Lake Environmental Center near Duluth, ski or snowshoe, $10 including snacks and s'mores. Register in advance.

Jan. 31, Minnesota state parks: Lake Carlos near Alexandria, snowshoe or hike. Lake Bemidji near Bemidji, 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. Camden near Marshall, hike.

Jan. 31, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Little Falls, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 7, Minnesota state parks: Afton near St. Paul, snowshoe or hike. Minneopa near Mankato, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, 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.

© Minnesota DNR

Feb. 13-15, 20-22, 27-March 1 and March 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29: Whitetail Woods Regional Park near Farmington, hike on lantern-lit trails.

Feb. 13, Ney Nature Center in Henderson, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 14, 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. Gooseberry Falls near Two Harbors, ski, snowshoe or hike. Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe. Glacial Lakes near Spicer, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 14, Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington, Candlelight and Chocolate, snowshoe or hike with live music, and dessert. Reserve in advance, $24.

Feb. 14, Sugarbush Trail from Oberg Mountain trailhead near Tofte, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 20 and 28, Baylor Regional Park near Norwood Young America,

Feb. 21, Minnesota state parks: Big Bog near Waskish, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 28, Lake Carlos State Park near Alexandria, snowshoe or hike.

© Paul Sundberg

WISCONSIN

Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, each week with a different theme. Free.

Jan. 3, Storrs Lake Wildlife Area near Milton on the Ice Age National Trail, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 3, Wisconsin state parks: Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 9-10, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 9, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10, Wisconsin state parks: Wildcat Mountain near Ontario, ski, snowshoe or hike and star-gazing. Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10, Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 16, Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 17, Warner Park in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 17, Awassa Trails in St. Germain, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 17, Wisconsin state parks: Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area near Horicon, snowshoe or hike. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit near Eagle, ski or snowshoe.

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

Jan. 23, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, ski, snowshoe or hike.

© Wisconsin DNR

Jan. 24, Mount Ashwabay near Bayfield, ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 24, Minooka Park in Waukesha, part of the Janboree festival, hike. Sign up in advance for starting slots.

Jan. 24, YMCA Camp St. Croix near Hudson, ski, snowshoe and hike. Gear is available.

Jan. 29, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 30, Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, ski or hike.

Jan. 31, MECCA Trails near Mercer, ski, snowshoe or hike, part of Winterfest.

Jan. 31, Wisconsin state parks: Afterhours Trails in Brule River State Forest near Superior, ski. Kettle Moraine-Lapham Peak near Delafield, ski or hike.

Feb. 1, Wisconsin state parks: Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 6 and 13, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, each week with a different theme. Free.

Feb. 6, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, hike.

© Lauren Gagner

Feb. 7, Rockport Park in Janesville, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, Wisconsin state parks: Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike. Black Forest State Forest near Black River Falls, ski, snowshoe or hike. Flambeau River State Forest, ski, snowshoe or hike. Blue Mound near Mount Horeb, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 13-14, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Feb. 13, Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 13, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, Valentine's snowshoe or hike with champagne. Reserve in advance.

Feb. 13, Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, snowshoe or hike, part of Fire & Ice Weekend.

Feb. 14,* Wisconsin state parks: Havenwoods State Forest* in Milwaukee, snowshoe or hike. Newport near Ellison Bay, ski, snowshoe or hike. Governor Thompson near Crivitz, ski, snowshoe or hike. Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike.

© Minnesota DNR

Feb. 14, Book Across the Bay benefit race/tour across Chequamegon Bay between Ashland and Washburn, 10-kilometers, ski, snowshoe or walk.

Feb. 20, MacKenzie Center near Poynette, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 21, Three Bridges Park in Milwaukee, snowshoe or walk from the Urban Ecology Center.

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

Feb. 27, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 28, Rock River Heritage Park in Janesville, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 28, Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babcock, snowshoe or hike.

U.P. AND WEST MICHIGAN

Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, Mount McSauba recreation area in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

© Ashland Chamber

Jan. 9, Michigan state parks: Van Riper near Champion, snowshoe.

Jan. 9, Grass River Natural Area east of Traverse City, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 10, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 24, Michigan state parks: Van Riper near Champion, snowshoe. Ludington, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, ski or hike. Fayette on the Garden Peninsula, ski, snowshoe or hike.

© Steve Kotvis

Jan. 31, Michigan state parks: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, ski or hike.

Jan. 31, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 6, and 13, Mount McSauba recreation area in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike. Ludington, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 7 and 14, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the Dune Climb near Empire, hike.

Feb. 14, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

© Marv Eggert

Feb. 21, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike. Ludington, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 28, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 28, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

March 7, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike.

NORTHEAST ILLINOIS

Jan. 9-10, Marengo Ridge Conservation Area near Marengo, ski or hike.

Feb. 13-14, Harrison Benwell Conservation Area near Wonder Lake, 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.