Horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday music and a parade of decorated fire trucks will bring families back to downtown Wayzata for Light Up the Lake on Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The celebration takes place along Lake Street and Panoway, the Friday before Thanksgiving. According to the City of Wayzata’s current event schedule, the Parade of Lights begins at 5:45 p.m., with the tree lighting ceremony following immediately afterward at Panoway Plaza.
An evening along Lake Street
Activities begin at 5 p.m. with a candy hunt for children ages 5 and younger at Depot Park. Families can also stop at the park for a photo opportunity with llamas, or head inside the Historic Wayzata Depot for hot cider, treats and a children’s reindeer-food activity.
Horse-drawn wagon rides, strolling carolers and music are planned along Lake Street throughout the 5–7 p.m. event. Panoway Plaza will host letters to Santa and refreshments from the Muni. Free glow light wands will be distributed on Lake Street before the parade only.
At 5:45 p.m., the Wayzata firefighters’ Parade of Lights will travel along Lake Street from Broadway to Barry Avenue, featuring local fire departments. Mayor Andrew Mullin will lead the tree lighting ceremony at Panoway Plaza immediately after the parade.
Medallion hunt clues scheduled Nov. 9–13
The fifth annual Winter Medallion Hunt gives children a chance to help light up town. The Chamber’s event listing schedules clues for Nov. 9–13 on the City and Chamber websites and social media. Children must be 12 or younger to win; the first child or family to find the medallion earns the honor of lighting up Wayzata on Nov. 20. Questions can be directed to bgroth@wayzatapd.org.
Bring something to give
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners will collect donations at Panoway Plaza. Requested items include brand-name boxed cereal, canned tuna, toilet paper, name-brand hearty soups and spaghetti sauce in plastic jars or containers.
A Toys for Tots collection will be available at the Wayzata Police Department parade float.
Wayzata.com’s past coverage captures the crowds, glowing tree and wagon rides that have made the gathering a familiar holiday tradition. This year’s schedule and activity details are available on the City of Wayzata event page and the Chamber calendar. Find more local happenings on our Wayzata Events page.
