Saturday, February 18, 2023

Luminary Loppet

Walk through a fun-filled, candlelit night at Lake of the Isles

The Loppet Foundation :: Events :: Luminary Loppet

2023 LUMINARY LOPPET MOVED TO LAND. PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION SECTION BELOW FOR MORE.

The candlelit Luminary Loppet on Saturday, February 18, is the Twin Cities’ most magical event of the season.

Come out to Lake of the Isles and enjoy the Lu minary Loppet where you can walk on the candlelit trail. Experience 1,200 luminaries lining the trail with unique ice features and much more – all in the heart of Uptown. The Luminary Loppet is also the Loppet Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year – supporting our year-round programs promoting outdoor adventure for all in the Minneapolis area.

Refreshments such as hot chocolate will be offered at the party. Food trucks, Utepils Brewing beer, and music are located at the Luminary Party.

The Luminary Loppet is part of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, which includes cross-country ski, fat-tire bike, snowshoe, and skijor races and tours, youth events, and more. The Luminary Loppet is not a race – enjoy a night out with family and friends!

Important Information

The 2023 Luminary Loppet will be on land ONLY. Features on the lake can be viewed by foot on the land, participants are NOT ALLOWED ON THE LAKE.

Here is the other important information to know for Saturday’s event:

We strongly encourage picking up your passes in advance. Have your registration confirmation available either on your phone or on paper. You can find information on where to pick up your pass below. Your QR code is included at the top and bottom of this email as well.
There will be no skiing the Luminary this year – walking only! Remember this is a land event only this year – please stay on the designated walking paths.
Please do not bring any additional lights (flashlights, headlamps, etc.). Keeping the integrity of the luminaries is important to have the best experience for everyone!
Please leave your pets at home
If you are driving, we encourage parking 4 – 5 blocks away from Lake of the Isles (see additional transportation information below). The majority of the event will take place on the west side of the lake.
Check in at one of four check-in tents around the lake rather than at the Lagoon to minimize waiting – see check-in locations and features on our Luminary Map below.
This year we are only accepting credit and debit cards for any sales. The same applies to Utepils Brewing beer sales (one beer is included with your registration for participants 21+).
Reminder: Participants may start at or after their registered start time (NOT before), and they may stay at the Luminary as long as they like! Please respect your start time for the best experience.
After you have completed your Luminary experience feel free to join us at the Luminary Party until 10 pm just south of the lake (on land). Music, refreshments, and fun activities for participants of all ages. This is where you can get your free Utepils Brewing beer. You can also purchase Loppet merchandise!
Please be sure to dress warm! Wearing snow boots, a hat and scarf make it much more enjoyable and give you more time to have fun outdoors.
Port-a-potties will be located by each of the check-in locations.
If you need assistance during the event please go to one of the check in locations or the information tent at the Luminary Party.
No dogs are allowed at the Luminary. Please leave your furry friends at home!

Pass Pickup:

All registered participants will receive an official Luminary Loppet pass, which must be displayed at all times during the event to gain access to the Luminary and the Luminary Party, and take advantage of the many Luminary Loppet activities.

Please see below for pass pickup options. To ensure the quickest pickup experience, please have your check-in pass with the QR code included in this email displayed on your phone/device or printed out for our staff to scan. Picking up your pass ahead of time allows you to skip the registration tent lines.

Lunds Uptown – 1450 W. Lake St
Friday, February 17, 5pm – 8pm
Saturday, February 18, 10am – 4pm

Ticket Tent ( on W Lake of the Isles Parkway)
Saturday, February 18, 2pm – 8:30 pm

Around Lake of the Isles (Registration Tents – See map for locations)
Saturday, February 18, 6pm – 8:30 pm

Parking/Transportation

Please try to come within 30 minutes of your scheduled time to provide the best Luminary experience for you and everyone else. Please be aware that sections of Lake of the Isles Parkway will be closed for the event. As a reminder, Minneapolis officials have implemented Winter Parking Restrictions. Per Minneapolis officials “parking will be banned on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow-Emergency routes. Drivers parking in Minneapolis must follow these Winter Parking Restrictions, or they could be ticketed and towed.”

Metro Transit is providing complimentary bus rides to the Luminary Loppet for registered participants! Show this pass, avoiding having to park and utilize Metro Transit! Thank you, Metro Transit!

*Insert Metro Transit pass image

Additional Information:

It’s my first Luminary! What should I expect?

Thanks for joining us! While this year is going to look a little different than past years, you can still expect to have an amazing time and experience the magic. The Luminarians have been hard at work to create gorgeous luminaries, there will be beer from Utepils Brewing, fire dancers and great music!

I bought a Luminary pass for a certain time, does that mean I have to come then?

Participants may start at or after their registered start time (NOT before), and they may stay at the Luminary as long as they like!

I can no longer attend, but found someone to take my ticket. Do I need to do anything?

We’ll miss you this year! You can forward this email to the new ticket holder so that they have all of the information for this year’s event and their Luminary pass code. This information will also be posted on the Luminary website.

For accessibility questions and further information, please contact luminary.info@loppet.org.

Luminary Map

View the map PDF here.

Volunteer

Volunteer to work alongside great community members and help to make the Luminary Loppet come to life. Opportunities are available prior to and on the event weekend. Please dress appropriately according to the weather, as you will be outside.

Volunteer Now!

If you are interested in a leadership position, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@loppet.org.

*Please note that volunteers do not receive passes to the Luminary. If you do purchase a pass – please be sure it does not conflict with your volunteer shift.

Register

To avoid congestion, there are six start wave times for the Luminary Loppet:

6:00pm WAVE FULL
6:30pm WAVE FULL
7:00pm WAVE FULL
7:30pm WAVE FULL
8:00pm WAVE FULL
8:30pm WAVE FULL

Loppet Foundation members receive early access to Luminary Loppet pass (from October 13 to October 16). Become a member to gain early access! Passes will go on sale to the general public on October 18. Each start wave is capped, so remember to register early to get your preferred start time before the waves sell out. Participants may start at or after their registered start time (NOT before), and they may stay on the lake as long as they like.

All registered participants will receive an official Luminary Loppet pass, which must be displayed at all times during the event to gain access to the lake and the Luminary Party, and take advantage of the many Luminary Loppet activities.

Check the Luminary Loppet 2023 – Ticket Exchange Facebook group if looking to purchase or sell Luminary passes.

	Status	First 8,000 participants	Next 4,000 participants	Next 4,000 participants
Luminary Loppet - Adult	$35	$20	$30	$35
Luminary Loppet - Youth (age 4-16; 3 and under free)	$12	$12	$12	$12

Proceeds from the Luminary Loppet benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.

Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program.

Luminary Party

Join us for the “coolest” party in town. The Luminary Party kicks off and heats up with an outdoor concert and dancing. The party also features Utepils beer (for attendees ages 21+), photo booths, fire pits, food trucks, Loppet merchandise for sale, and prize giveaways/sweepstakes.

The Luminary Party is free for registered Luminary Loppet participants. For those not registered, passes exclusively to the Luminary Party go on sale for $10 at the door at 7pm.

One can of Utepils beer is included for all registered Luminary Loppet participants who are 21+ years old (with a valid ID). Additional Utepils beer is available for purchase. Party-only guests may also purchase Utepils beer. The Luminary Loppet will be cash free this year – credit cards only for all purchases.

Kicking off the night is Katy Vernon, a celebrated ukulele playing singer songwriter, with Paul Odegaard on trumpet for a dynamic and unique performance. Some Cover Band ( SSCB ) will also take to the stage to rock the night out with an exciting, no-frills, explosive stage performance of all covers.

Please note: The Luminary Party last call is at 9:45pm, with music and beer service ending at 10pm.

Pass Logistics

Please see below for pass pickup options. To ensure the quickest pickup experience, please have your check-in pass with the QR code (emailed to you when you registered) displayed on your phone/device or printed out for our staff to scan. Picking up your pass ahead of time allows you to skip the registration tent lines on the lake.