Bemidji’s First City of Lights aims for 1 million holiday lights

At Paul Bunyan Park on Thursday, Bemidji’s First City of Lights Foundation unveiled three new signature displays for its 30th year: North Star Diamond, Ultimate Present Spectacular and Peace on Earth Globe. The city’s holiday display is on track to reach an estimated 1 million lights this season, supported by local sponsorships, volunteers and citywide partnerships.

The additions come alongside expanded tree lighting, new streetlight décor and a rooftop lighting project from the Bemidji Downtown Alliance. The June 2025 storms also changed the setting around Paul Bunyan Park by taking out many of the trees that normally formed the backdrop for the lights.

First City of Lights began in 1996 as part of Bemidji’s centennial-year celebration. The first Night We Light featured bonfires, caroling and fireworks, and about 250,000 lights were illuminated in Paul Bunyan Park and downtown. By 1997, the display had expanded to Library Park and reached about 300,000 lights, and that same year the Night We Light parade debuted. The City of Bemidji handed the event to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce in 2000, and the chamber passed it to the Bemidji Jaycees in 2015 before the current foundation era.

Businesses and organizations can buy banner, wreath, planter and tree sponsorships, including $500 wreath or planter placements and first-time banner sponsorships for $135, with renewals at $110. Night We Light typically draws about 10,000 to 11,000 people downtown, according to the foundation.

This year’s holiday kickoff is set for Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, when the 30th annual Night We Light parade and ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks are listed for Nov. 28, 2026, and the parade will start at the Beltrami County Administrative Building parking lot before heading east on 8th Street, south on Beltrami Avenue, and west on 3rd Street to Irvine Avenue.