WAYZATA — One of Wayzata’s most beloved celebrations returns earlier than usual this year, as Light Up the Lake welcomes residents and visitors to Lake Street on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The annual gathering — a hallmark of Wayzata’s lakeside charm and community spirit — takes place the Friday before Thanksgiving this season, offering families and friends a festive kickoff before the holiday week.
Along the newly reimagined Lake Street and the Panoway shoreline, guests will enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, real reindeer, holiday refreshments, live music, and the much-anticipated Town Lighting Ceremony. As always, the evening concludes with the spectacular Parade of Lights featuring area fire departments — a tradition that brings children and adults alike to the water’s edge each November.
Mayor Andrew Mullin invited the community to gather for the celebration, writing that he’s “so excited to invite you to join me for our cherished annual tradition” as Wayzata lights the lakefront and welcomes the season together.
Give Back This Season
In keeping with Wayzata’s long legacy of generosity, the event includes two holiday drives:
- IOCP Food Drive — Please bring a non-perishable item to the Panoway collection area.
- Toys for Tots — A new, unwrapped toy may be placed beneath the community tree.
These contributions support families across the community during the holidays — a reminder that Wayzata’s celebrations are rooted not only in tradition, but in shared care for neighbors.
A Tradition on the Shoreline
From its earliest days as Dakota homeland to its rise as a steamboat and rail resort town, Wayzata’s shoreline has always been a gathering place. Light Up the Lake carries that heritage forward each year, inviting the community to return to the water’s edge for an evening of warmth, music, and lights.
This year’s celebration promises to be another magical Wayzata moment — a simple, joyful pause before winter settles in.
