As if the holiday season wasn’t busy enough, let’s throw one more must-do event onto your bucket list: visiting Mankato. This town of about 40,000 people doesn’t get much attention from other Minnesotans throughout the year, but it is well worth visiting – especially when the temperatures drop and we’re all preparing for a visit from St. Nick. In fact, Mankato may be the twinkliest town in Minnesota during the holiday season. Check it out:

For those who don’t know, Mankato is a town in south-central Minnesota. It’s just over 80 miles southwest of the Twin Cities.
Bobak Ha'Eri/WIkipedia Commons
There’s lots to do in the area all year, from a summertime visit to the Rapidan Dam Store to a nature-filled stop at Minneopa State Park.
Visit Mankato/Facebook
But during wintertime, the town is at its twinkliest. Downtown Mankato is covered in holiday lights.
Visit Mankato/Facebook
Shop local by browsing the downtown shops. You’re bound to find a unique gifts for your loved ones!
Visit Mankato/Facebook

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Plenty of other seasonal festivities await. You don’t want to miss your meeting with Santa. There are even special – and adorable – pet nights with Santa!
Kiwanis Holiday Lights/Facebook
Historic local homes open up to holiday merrymakers, too. For example, the Betsy-Tacy houses – the town’s ode to famous Mankato native, author Maud Hart Lovelace – will have magical Victorian Christmas festivities.
Betsy Tacy Society/Facebook
Another favorite is the Hubbard House, where costumed characters will welcome you into an old-fashioned Christmas mystery!
Visit Mankato/Facebook
The Southern Minnesota Christmas Festival takes place on December 1 and is sure to be a blast with crafts, music, and more.
Southern Minnesota Christmas Festival/Facebook
And don’t forget the twinkliest event of them all: the Kiwanis Holiday Lights show. This spectacular event lights up the night every evening from now until Christmas!
Kiwanis Holiday Lights/Facebook

Mankato might just be the twinkliest town in Minnesota, and you don’t want to miss it this holiday season! Will you be visiting this year? Let us know in the comments below!

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