Every neighborhood has that one house that goes a little overboard with Christmas lights. In Minnesota, one of those houses turned into a holiday tradition that now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and generates millions for the local economy.

Bentleyville started in 2001 in Esko, Minnesota, just outside Duluth. Nathan Bentley put up a small Christmas light display at his home. Then he added more lights. And then more. Before long, his quiet neighborhood was hosting what looked like a full-scale holiday attraction. Neighbors jokingly started calling it Bentleyville because it felt less like a house and more like a theme park.

Instead of scaling it back, Bentley leaned in.

As word spread, crowds began showing up. By the mid-2000s, tens of thousands of people were visiting the display each holiday season. Traffic increased. School buses were brought in to shuttle visitors from nearby fields. What started as a festive neighborhood display had outgrown the space around it, and not everyone nearby was thrilled.

In 2008, the City of Duluth stepped in with a solution. The mayor asked Bentley if he would be willing to move the entire display to Bayfront Festival Park. He agreed. The following year, in 2009, Bentleyville officially became a city-supported event in downtown Duluth.

That move changed everything.

Today, Bentleyville features more than 5 million Christmas lights and attracts roughly 300,000 visitors every holiday season. It’s now recognized as the largest free walk-through Christmas light display in the United States. Admission is free. Hot cocoa and cookies are free. The only cost for visitors is parking, which typically runs about $10.

What’s even more impressive is the economic impact. Bentleyville is estimated to bring around $24 million into Duluth’s economy each year, benefiting hotels, restaurants, retailers, and local businesses throughout the winter season. What began as one person’s holiday hobby has become a major driver of tourism and seasonal revenue for the region.

Bentleyville has also become a symbol of what makes Minnesota unique. It’s community-driven, family-friendly, and unapologetically over-the-top in the best way. Visitors come from all over the state and beyond to experience it, many making Bentleyville a yearly tradition.

Whether you’ve gone every year, visited once, or still have it on your winter bucket list, Bentleyville is a reminder that some of Minnesota’s most iconic traditions start small and grow because people show up for them.

If you’re interested in more Twin Cities and Minnesota events, seasonal traditions, and local stories worth knowing, we keep our events page updated with what’s happening around the metro and beyond.