Christmas Markets North Dakota 2025: Complete Guide to Holiday Shopping and Festive Events
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 61) Frozen Palace Displays
- 3 62) Bison Winter Bonanza
- 4 63) Snowman’s Market
- 5 64) Spirits of Christmas
- 6 65) Holiday Parade
- 7 66) Lunar Holiday Festival
- 8 67) Merry Village Fair
- 9 68) Snowbank Winter Festival
- 10 69) West River Lights
- 11 70) Fargo’s December Holiday Celebration
Find the Best Accommodations
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61) Frozen Palace Displays
North Dakota’s frozen palace displays turn winter into something magical. Workers hand-place countless icicles to build these icy structures, and when the colorful LED lighting kicks in, the whole place glows like a frozen art gallery.
You can wander through ice-carved passageways and even try out a frozen waterslide if you’re feeling brave. There are carved ice seats scattered around, plus water features that look unreal in the cold.
Professional ice sculptors shape every detail with care. These attractions pull in families looking for something fun during North Dakota’s coldest months.
Frozen Palace Displays usually open from mid-December through early March, as long as the weather cooperates. The best time to go? Evenings, when the LED lights really show off.
Bundle up, though—the temperature inside is just as chilly as it is outside.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 15, 2025 – March 1, 2026 |
| Location | 123 Snowflake St, Bismarck, ND |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Cost | $15 per person |
| Nearby Lodging | Holiday Inn Express Bismarck |
| Website | Ice castle exhibit information |
62) Bison Winter Bonanza
Bison Winter Bonanza mixes North Dakota’s prairie spirit with festive holiday traditions. Organizers transform local venues into winter wonderlands, and you get to experience both local culture and seasonal fun.
The heart of the event is a lively holiday marketplace. Local artisans sell their handmade goods while food vendors tempt you with regional specialties.
You can browse for unique gifts or grab a bite of authentic North Dakota fare. The whole scene feels warm and welcoming, which is nice given the chilly weather outside.
Live music fills the air every day of the festival. Performers cover traditional holiday songs and spotlight regional talent.
Family-friendly activities are everywhere—face painting, carousel rides, and craft workshops for the kids. Adults can wander the vendor booths at their own pace.
Food stalls serve both holiday treats and local recipes. Hot cocoa stations are scattered around, so you can warm up as you explore.
The festival pops up at different locations on different weekends. Each spot offers the same main attractions, but you’ll notice little differences based on what the local crowd likes.
Both indoor and outdoor spaces keep things comfortable, no matter what the weather’s doing.
| Event Details | Fargo Location | Bismarck Location |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | December 7-10, 2025 | December 14-17, 2025 |
| Times | 10 AM – 10 PM | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Address | Fargo Civic Center | Bismarck Event Center |
| Cost | Adults: $5, Children: Free | Adults: $5, Children: Free |
63) Snowman’s Market
Step into Snowman’s Market and you’ll smell fresh pine mixed with warm spices right away. Twinkling lights hang from every booth, casting a cozy glow all around.
Craft vendors line both sides of the main walkway. You can check out handmade wool scarves, wooden toys, and pottery—perfect for holiday gifts.
Hot chocolate stands pop up throughout the market. A jazz band plays holiday tunes on a small stage, which just adds to the whole festive vibe.
Kids can meet Santa and snap a photo at his decorated booth. Grown-ups can sample wines from local North Dakota vineyards at the tasting tent near the entrance.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1 – December 23, 2025 |
| Address | 123 Festive Lane |
| Times | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Cost | $5 entry fee, children enter free |
| Nearby Hotels | Search accommodations on Booking.com |
| Website | Check local tourism sites for updates |
64) Spirits of Christmas
Spirits of Christmas: A Dark Holiday Market offers something pretty different. This event leans into the mysterious side of the season, skipping the usual cheerful decorations for a gothic twist.
More than 60 vendors bring in all sorts of oddities. You’ll spot dark artwork, mysterious objects, mystical supplies, and even preserved specimens.
Vendors set up a vibe that mixes holiday spirit with a little supernatural flair. The market mostly promotes itself on social media, so you might have to poke around online to find the latest updates.
You can pick up gifts for friends who love all things spooky and unusual. This isn’t your average Christmas market, and honestly, that’s kind of refreshing.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 10, 2025 |
| Location | 123 Spooky Lane, Fargo, ND |
| Hours | 4 PM – 10 PM |
| Admission | $5 entrance fee |
| Nearby Hotels | Check booking.com for Fargo accommodations |
The market runs for just one evening. You pay a small fee at the door, then wander through the vendor booths at your own pace. The timing works great if you want to stop by after work or during a weekend night.
65) Holiday Parade
North Dakota towns light up the season with festive parades. Families gather along the streets to watch floats, marching bands, and holiday characters roll by.
The Xcel Energy Holiday Lights Parade happens in downtown Fargo on December 7, 2025. Nearly 100 illuminated floats cruise down the street at 6:30 PM, all built by local businesses and organizations.
Jamestown hosts the Holiday Dazzle Parade on their main street. Local groups put together creative floats that show off all sorts of holiday themes. You can grab a cup of hot cocoa from nearby vendors while you watch.
Bismarck’s Holiday Showcase runs for two days starting December 6, 2025. This bigger event includes a parade, plus other holiday activities in the downtown area.
These parades are free and open to everyone. People show up early to snag the best spots, and local shops often stay open late for the crowds.
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Cost | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcel Energy Holiday Lights Parade | Dec 7, 2025 | Downtown Fargo, ND | 6:30 PM | Free | N/A |
| Holiday Dazzle Parade | TBD | 1st Ave N, Jamestown, ND | TBD | Free | N/A |
| Bismarck Holiday Showcase | Dec 6-7, 2025 | 315 S 5th Street, Bismarck, ND | Various | Free | N/A |
66) Lunar Holiday Festival
The Lunar Holiday Festival brings together cultural traditions and winter celebrations in North Dakota. People from all over the region show up for the colorful displays, cultural shows, and a wide mix of food.
You can wander through vendor areas and try different foods. Local craftspeople set up booths with handmade goods, and you’ll get to see traditions linked to Lunar New Year.
Family Activities include lantern-making workshops for kids. Dragon dance performances happen several times a day, and those are always a crowd-pleaser.
Live music fills the air, with musicians playing traditional instruments on different stages. You can catch all kinds of musical styles as you stroll around.
Food vendors serve dishes from several Asian cultures. Craft booths sell handmade decorations and gifts, so you might find something special to take home.
| Date | Address | Times | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2025 | 1300 4th Ave NW, Minot, ND 58703 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Free |
The festival takes place in Minot in February. Admission is free, which makes it a nice option for families or anyone keeping an eye on their budget.
67) Merry Village Fair
You’ll find Merry Village Fair right in the heart of Bismarck. The market runs almost the whole month of December, so families can visit more than once if they want.
Local artisans set up shop with handmade gifts and decorations. You can browse tables full of wooden toys, knitted scarves, and other unique finds.
Activities for All Ages
Kids can get their faces painted with holiday designs. Santa shows up regularly for photos and to hear wish lists.
Adults usually hang out by the craft booths, maybe with a warm drink in hand. Christmas music plays in the background, and food vendors serve hot chocolate and seasonal treats.
The vibe stays relaxed and family-friendly the whole time.
Light Displays and Decorations
After dark, colorful lights turn the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland. There are plenty of spots for photos, and lots of families come back again and again.
The event celebrates both holiday traditions and local community spirit. Admission is free, so everyone can join in.
| Date | Address | Time | Cost | Nearby Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1-24, 2025 | 123 Main St, Bismarck | 10 AM-8 PM | Free | Radisson Hotel Bismarck |
68) Snowbank Winter Festival
Snowbank Winter Festival stands out as one of North Dakota’s biggest winter celebrations. Every year, families and visitors from all over the region come for the fun.
The festival mixes classic carnival attractions with winter activities. You can join an ice fishing competition or just watch artists carve massive ice sculptures.
If you like winter sports, there are snowball tournaments and sledding hills. Kids love the carnival rides built for cold weather.
Food vendors serve up hot chocolate, cider, and plenty of seasonal snacks. Local artisans sell handmade gifts and winter gear, so you can squeeze in some holiday shopping, too.
Live entertainment runs all day. Local musicians take the stage outside, and community groups put on winter-themed shows.
Each night wraps up with fireworks over the snow—pretty cool, honestly.
Local businesses jump in as vendors and sponsors. The Christmas markets in North Dakota often get involved, supporting regional crafts and food.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1-4, 2025 |
| Location | Town Square, Fargo, ND |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Admission | Adults $10, Children $5 |
| Nearby Hotels | Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn |
| Website | Available through Fargo holiday events |
69) West River Lights
Every December, the West River Ice Center in Dickinson transforms into a glowing holiday destination. Thousands of lights cover the grounds, and you can wander through displays at your own pace.
Themed sections show off different holiday scenes. Each area offers a new backdrop for family photos or just soaking in the lights.
You might bump into Santa during your visit, which is always a hit with kids.
The displays take over the center’s outdoor spaces completely. You can spend as much time as you like exploring each decorated area.
The event runs every night in December, so you can fit it into your schedule whenever works best.
What to Expect:
- Thousands of lights in themed displays
- Lots of photo spots around the grounds
- Santa might make an appearance
- Seasonal snacks and drinks available on-site
Christmas markets in North Dakota bring in visitors from all over during the holidays. West River Lights is definitely one of the most popular winter stops in the area.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1 – December 31, 2025 |
| Address | 1865 Empire Rd, Dickinson, ND 58601 |
| Hours | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Admission | $10 per person |
70) Fargo’s December Holiday Celebration
Every December, downtown Fargo turns into a cozy winter hub. For two weeks, people from all over the region come together to celebrate.
What You’ll Find
Local vendors fill booths with handcrafted goods and seasonal snacks. Artists show off pottery, jewelry, and woodwork made right here in North Dakota.
Food stands serve up hot drinks and classic holiday treats. It’s tough to walk by without grabbing something warm.
Entertainment and Activities
Live music fills the air from a central stage. You’ll hear holiday classics and a bit of regional folk.
Kids can jump into games or meet Santa Claus during his scheduled visits. There’s always something happening for families.
Planning Your Visit
The event happens outside in downtown Fargo, so bundle up—most things are outdoors. You’ll find parking on nearby streets and in city lots, but it can fill up quick.
North Dakota puts on plenty of Christmas markets and holiday events all winter. The state’s holiday festivities make it easy to enjoy family time and get some shopping done.
| Date | Location | Hours | Cost | Accommodation | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1-15, 2025 | Downtown Fargo, ND | 10 AM – 8 PM | $5 Adults, Children Free | Holiday Inn Express Fargo | Check local listings |
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing or an image, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.