Luminary Loppet
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Luminary Loppet
The candlelit Luminary Loppet is the Twin Cities’ most magical event of the season.
Come to the Luminary Loppet to experience a walk around Lake of the Isles. The trail is lit up by over 1,200 luminaries and unique ice features including the ice pyramid and more – all in the heart of Uptown! Find refreshments such as hot cocoa and s’mores along the trail and then head over to the party area for food trucks, Utepils Brewing beer and music!
The Luminary Loppet is the Loppet Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year – supporting our year-round programs as we live out our mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. Learn more about the Loppet’s mission here.
The Luminary Loppet is part of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, which includes cross-country ski, fat bike, snowshoe, and skijor races and tours, youth events, and more. The Luminary Loppet is not a race – enjoy a night out with family and friends!
GALLERY
Register
Registration will open October 7, 2025!
To avoid congestion, there are six start wave times for the Luminary Loppet:
- 6:00pm
- 6:30pm
- 7:00pm
- 7:30pm
- 8:00pm
- 8:30pm
Loppet Foundation members receive early access to Luminary Loppet passes. Become a member to gain early access! Passes will go on sale to the general public this fall. Each start wave is capped, so remember to register early to get your preferred start time before the waves sell out. Participants may start at or after their registered start time (NOT before), and they may stay on the lake as long as they like.
All registered participants will receive an official Luminary Loppet pass, which must be displayed at all times during the event to gain access to the lake and the Luminary Party, and take advantage of the many Luminary Loppet activities.
Schedule & Pass Pickup
2025 Event Schedule
- Luminary Loppet: 6pm – 10pm
- Food Trucks (Party): 6pm – 10pm
- Luminary Party/Utepils Beer Service (Party): 6pm – 10pm
- Fire Dancers (SW Lake of the Isles): 6pm – 9pm
- Park Brook Elementary Choir (Enchanted Forest): 6:30pm
- Emily Haavik (Party): 6:30pm – 8 pm
- Sarina Partridge Community Singing (Luminary Hall): 7:30pm
- SSCB (Party): 8:20pm – 10pm
Pass Pickup
Passes must be displayed at all times during the event to gain access to the Luminary Loppet.
To ensure the quickest pickup experience, please have your check-in pass with the QR code included in your registration email displayed on your phone/device or printed out for our staff to scan. Picking up your pass ahead of time allows you to skip the registration tent lines.
Early Pass Pickup Locations:
Lunds in Uptown – 1450 W Lake Street
- Friday, February 7th 5pm – 8pm
- Saturday, February 8th 10am – 4pm
Lagoon Tent – Corner or W. Lake of the Isles Parkway & E. Bde Maka Ska Pkwy
- Saturday, February 8th 2pm – 8:30pm
Evening of Event Pass Pickup Location:
Saturday, February 8th 6pm – 8:30pm
Event Map
PARTY
Join us for the “coolest” party in town. The Luminary Party kicks off and heats up with an outdoor concert and dancing. The party also features Utepils beer (for attendees ages 21+), photo booths, fire pits, food trucks, Loppet merchandise for sale, and prize giveaways/sweepstakes.
Get ready for live music from local artist Emily Haavik at The Luminary Loppet party. Emily plays a blend of Americana, folk and glitzy-glam country and has been featured on Good Morning America and 20/20. Get ready to sing and dance along with Emily from 6:30-8p before SSCB goes on from 8:20-10p!
The Luminary Party is free for registered Luminary Loppet participants. All attendees must have a Luminary ticket, no party only tickets sold.
One can of Utepils beer is included for all registered Luminary Loppet participants who are 21+ years old (with a valid ID). Additional Utepils beer is available for purchase. The Luminary Loppet will be cash free this year – credit cards only for all purchases.
Please note: The Luminary Party last call for beer service is at 9:45pm, with music ending at 10pm.
Transportation
Parking
Please try to come within 30 minutes of your scheduled time to provide the best Luminary experience for you and everyone else. Please be aware that sections of Lake of the Isles Parkway will be closed for the event. Please be aware that Minneapolis officials may implement Winter Parking Restrictions as needed.
For accessibility options and details please reach out to events@loppet.org. Parking passes are available upon request.
Volunteer
Volunteer to work alongside great community members and help to make the Luminary Loppet come to life. Opportunities are available prior to and on the event weekend. Please dress appropriately according to the weather, as you will be outside.
If you are interested in a leadership position, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@loppet.org.
*Please note that volunteers do not receive passes to the Luminary. If you do purchase a pass – please be sure it does not conflict with your volunteer shift.
VOLUNTEER
OUR SPONSORS
Official Beer sponsor
Tortor Quam Malesuada
Nibh Purus Sem
Ultricies Venenatis Commodo
Luminary Loppet
FAQ
Can I ski the Luminary?
Pending snow conditions, ski trails around the lakes will be groomed for skiing. If there’s not enough snow for grooming then it will be an all walking.
It's my first Luminary! What should I expect?
Thanks for joining us! The Luminarians have been hard at work to create gorgeous luminaries, there will be beer from Utepils Brewing, fire dancers and great music!
I bought a Luminary pass for a certain time, does that mean I have to come then?
Participants may start at or after their registered start time (NOT before), and they may stay at the Luminary as long as they like!
I can no longer attend, but found someone to take my ticket. Do I need to do anything?
We’ll miss you this year! You can forward your confirmation email to the new ticket holder so that they have all of the information for this year’s event and their Luminary pass code.
What does my entry fee go towards?
Entry fees go towards the production of the event and The Loppet mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community!
Are there any special group discounts?
- Email events@loppet.org if you’re part of a club to see if there’s a way for us to partner with each other.
- As a way to recognize the Dakota land we run with and steward, all Indigenous people can participate in any Loppet event for free by emailing events@loppet.org and requesting a discount code
Who do I contact about the event if I have a question?
- The Loppet Foundation
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55422
events@loppet.org
612-604-5330 - Registration: registration@loppet.org
- Sponsorship: sponsorship@loppet.org
I have special accessibility requirements, who can I talk to about this?
Reach out to events@loppet.org and we can talk about how we can support you.
When and where can I pick up my pass?
We strongly encourage you to pick up your pass early! Details about when and where can be found in the schedule section.
Should I bring a flashlight?
Part of the magic of the event is experiencing the candlelight glow of the luminaries and as such, we ask that you do not bring any additional lights (flashlights, headlamps, etc).
Are dogs allowed at this event?
While we love your furry friends please leave them at home for these large Loppet events.
Will you have merchandise available for sale?
Yes! Come check out our awesome merch in the adventure shop at the Trailhead or at the Luminary Party
Do you accept cash?
We only accept credit and debit cards for any sales. The same applies to Utepils Brewing beer sales (one beer is included with your registration for participants 21+).
Will there be bathrooms available at The Luminary?
Yes, portable toilets will be near each of the check-in tents as well as at the Luminary Party.
Where can I look for lost & found items?
Lost and found items will be brought to the Trailhead adventure shop by Monday following the event.
Upcoming Loppet Events
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Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - 4:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Wirth on Wednesdays
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 4:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Wirth on Wednesdays
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday Night Trail Jams
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday Night Trail Jams
Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Loppet Field Day
Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Utepils Trail Loppet
Saturday, October 18, 2025 - 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Loopet Loppet
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
The Loppet High School Invite
Join the Community
Support The Loppet Foundation
The Loppet depends on our community to support our mission through donations, membership and volunteering.
Support our mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.
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