Otter Cove Festival of Lights brightens Fergus Falls, supports local museum

Otter Cove’s Festival of Lights opens its community kickoff activities tonight at Kirkbride Park in Fergus Falls, part of a multi night display that runs December 3 through December 13 with lights on each night from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The event combines walk through and drive through displays, encourages donations to the Otter Cove Children’s Museum, and has long attracted large crowds to the area.

For Otter Tail County residents the festival is more than seasonal entertainment. The event brings an influx of visitors that supports local businesses and helps fund the museum, which relies on community contributions. The mix of pedestrian and vehicle access gives families options for how to experience the lights, and local businesses’ participation adds an economic boost to downtown Fergus Falls and surrounding neighborhoods during a winter period that can be slow for retail and hospitality.

There are public health and safety implications to a major outdoor event in early December. Winter weather raises risks of cold exposure, and large gatherings increase opportunities for transmission of respiratory illness. Residents are advised to plan for cold temperatures, consider visiting during off peak hours, and to stay home if feeling unwell to protect friends and neighbors and local emergency room capacity. Drive through options reduce close contact, and staggered visits can ease crowding at popular displays.

The event’s fundraising model, which recommends donations to the Otter Cove Children’s Museum, raises questions about equitable access. Recommended contributions can be a barrier for families with limited resources, and organizers and local officials may consider low cost or free access times to ensure all children can participate. Accessibility for people who use mobility devices is also a local concern, and families are encouraged to confirm routes and parking when planning a visit.

Parking, traffic flow and emergency access around Kirkbride Park will be important for safety and for keeping neighborhoods functioning during the festival. Residents planning to attend can find the event location, nightly schedule and registration information on the event page at https://ottertaillakescountry.com/event/festival-of-lights/2025-12-07/. The festival remains a major seasonal gathering that connects community celebration with cultural funding, while highlighting the need to balance economic benefit with health, accessibility and equity.