THE Spirit of Winter

The Winery at Sovereign Estate invites you to light-up the season with our Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights from November 21st- December 31st. The Estate is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland, with over twenty miles of musical synchronized, lights strung over 20 acres of our lakeshore property. This is an outdoor, walking event where guests can stroll our beautifully decorated grounds with an array of family friendly activities and enjoy festive holiday drinks and food.

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November 21st-December 31st

SPIRIT OF WINTER HOURS

November 21st - DECEMBER 31ST

Monday-Tuesday | Closed

Wednesday-Thursday | 4pm-8pm

Friday-Saturday | 4pm-9pm

Sunday | 4pm-8pm

OPEN | December 22nd & December 23rd from 4pm-8pm

CLOSED Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

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What to Expect

Admission

$25 Admission per car or $100 for large buses/limos/etc.

DISCOUNTED Wednesdays! $15 per car or $50 for large buses/limos/etc. on Wednesday nights.
NEW! Family Season Pass for $50 and includes entry to the Festival of Lights through November 21st-December 31st for one car entry. Available only online.
Christmas Cabanas are available for rent during the Spirit of Winter and include admission for up to 8 guests.

General Admission Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate upon arrival with a Credit Card. Season Passes are only available online.
Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. Guests can choose another night to attend or transfer tickets to another person. More info on ticket site.
This is an OUTDOOR, WALKING event. Indoor or heated seating is not available unless renting a Christmas Cabana or visiting the Nutcracker Suite

ActivitIes & Attractions

Guests can stroll the grounds and enjoy a variety of attractions like our Candy Cane Lane, life size Nativity scene, photo opportunity at Santa’s Sleigh, real winter llamas, write and send a Letter to Santa with a response, inflatable Snowman Social, children’s Snow Maze, kid’s Boot Hockey Arena, and Nana’s Gingerbread House!

Once you arrive, guests also have the opportunity to purchase Holly Trolley rides for $5 per person in our Wine Store for a special guided tour of the decorated grounds. Trolley Tickets can only be purchased on property and is determined based on weather! Limited seating available.

The real, life Santa will be arriving every night from November 28th through December 23rd, between 5pm and 7:30pm, throughout the magical Christmas season. All guests will have the wonderful opportunity to meet the famous Mr. Claus himself as he joyfully wanders through our festive Spirit of Winter event.

Festive Drinks and Food

This is a Family Friendly event that everyone is sure to love with a range of hot treats to keep you warm and toasty! Grab a hot chocolate, cookies, or roast a s’more at our S’more Station! Enjoy hot chocolate and treats for kids at the Polar Bear Bar, along with adult beverages like mulled wine, boozy hot cocoa, local brews, and our full range of wine! Our Blizzard Bistro will also be serving up items like chili and our famous flatbreads. Be sure to check out our Wine Store for the perfect holiday gift including, holiday and sovereign merchandise, our stuffed Christmas Llamas, and, of course, bottles of our Sovereign Estate Wine! Looking for more holiday fun? Check out our Nutcracker Suite! A NEW 21+ holiday cocktail bar located inside our winery during the Spirit of Winter. Festive drinks, decor, and great food will await guests with admission to the light show.

MAP IT OUT!

Plan your visit ahead of time by taking a look at our detailed Spirit of Winter Map. This helpful map highlights the locations of all the family-friendly activities as well as where to find delicious festive drinks. With this guide in hand, you’ll be fully prepared to enjoy every moment of your winter fun to the fullest!

SOW Map

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

Yes! We require admission for our Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights starting at 4PM from Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is now $25 per car or $100 for large buses/limos/etc. Discounted tickets on Wednesday nights for $15 per car and $50 for large buses/limos/etc. Admission can be purchased online or at the gate. At gate purchases are available as long as we do not sell out online. Please check the website BEFORE heading out!
Online ticket purchase will receive an email receipt/confirmation. PLEASE SAVE YOUR RECEIPT/CONFIRMATION! You will be showing this at the gate for admission. If you have not received a receipt, please check all spam/junk folders before reaching out. We will not be able to respond to phone calls or emails if you lose it or can’t find it later. This includes showing your reservation confirmation for Christmas Cabanas and the Nutcracker Suite.
We do not issue refunds for the Spirit of Winter. If for some reason (such as illness) you are unable to attend on the night you selected, you may change the date of your ticket up to 24 hours in advance using the link in your confirmation email. Please make sure you are buying your desired date before you purchase. NO REFUNDS ONCE PURCHASED.
Sovereign Estate may choose to close the show due to severe weather or ice to ensure safety of our customers and staff. Please check the website for updates and closures. If we have to close, your ticket will be good for any other night of show.
Yes! We are selling a season pass for $50 (plus fees and taxes) that includes one car entry every day of the Spirit of Winter. This is a great option for families or friends wanting to visit the holiday fun more than once!

Our Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights is an OUTDOOR, walking event! There is no place to come in and warm up, unless you have a Christmas Cabana or are visiting The Nutcracker Suite. Some tables will be scattered around property, but again, this is more of a walking light tour with family activities.
Our Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights is an OUTDOOR, walking event! We ask that everyone dresses appropriately for the Minnesota Winter, especially with negative temperatures. There is no place to come in and warm up, unless you have a Christmas Cabana or are visiting The Nutcracker Suite.
Yes! We have couple ways where guests can purchase both food and beverages. Our Bistro will be open during the day beginning at 12pm with a full food and wine menu. Beginning at 4pm, we will have our Polar Bear Bar and Blizzard Bistro open outside for food and holiday drinks for the whole family. For our 21+ crowd, we will also have our NEW Nutcracker Lounge open beginning at 4pm for indoor seating where guests can order food and drinks. NO Outside Food or Beverages allowed.
Not during the Spirit of Winter. Although we love our pooches here at Sovereign, dogs scare the llamas and discolor the snow. Please do not bring your dog, even if you hold them, to protect them from the cold weather during our Minnesota Winters.
Yes! We are open during the Winter season from 12PM-4PM from Tuesday-Sunday for our Wine Store, Guided Wine Tastings, and walk-in guests to enjoy wine by glass, bottle, and food from our Bistro. Starting at 4PM, admission for the Spirit of Winter is required to enter the property.
For more information on our Winter Hours, please visit our Hours Page.