Bringing Light to Chisholm returns for 2026!
Our community, in collaboration with the Chisholm Beautification Association, comes together to transform Chisholm into a “Hallmark-style” town for families to enjoy.
Join us on Lake Street on Thursday, December 11th for an evening full of community and seasonal cheer! Enjoy hot cocoa, bonfires, caroling, visits with Santa, sleigh rides, holiday story readings, and more.
Celebrate the Lights and the Spirit of Chisholm with us!
Some of the activities:
● 5:00pm Kickoff at the Chisholm Library with story time with Mrs. Claus & Cook’s Country Animals
● Intrigue Chocolates Co. Chocolate Sales! Opening exclusively for the evening 5-7pm
● 5:30-7:30pm at Jim’s Sports Club: Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides Sponsored by Mediacom & Cookie Decorating, Face painting, & S’More Bar made possible by Independent Electric, Iron Range Carpet Cleaning, & MJM Construction.
● Winter Wonderland at Tom & Jerry’s
● Chisholm Baptist Church Caroling Group
● Santa & Characters ● Community Giving Tree at Diletto Art Studio
● 30 West Bike Brigade
● Minnesota Museum of Mining Lights, Hot Cocoa, & Sledding
● Coloring Contest with Chamber Cash Prizes at VEMA
● Ornament Decorating at Barosky Properties
● Lake Street Bon Fires, Street Activities, & More!
Follow the Chisholm Library on FaceBook for updated information!
Early Holiday Lighting History
-
Candles on Trees (17th–18th century)
-
The earliest “Christmas lights” were candles placed on trees, popular in Germany in the 1600s.
-
Candles were used to symbolize Christ as the light of the world but were a major fire hazard.
-
-
First Electric Christmas Lights (1880s)
-
In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first known string of electric Christmas lights in New York City.
-
He hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue bulbs and displayed them on a Christmas tree in his home.
-
-
Public Displays & Commercial Use
-
By the 1890s, electric lights were being sold commercially, but gas and candle lighting still dominated in many homes.
-
In the 1920s–1930s, municipal holiday light displays began in cities like New York, Chicago, and Detroit, growing the tradition of public light shows.
-
-
Modern Tradition
-
Today, holiday lights are a global phenomenon — from residential displays to community events like “Bringing Light to Chisholm,” creating festive, illuminated public spaces for the season.
-
