Falls Park is one of the most popular attractions in Sioux Falls, with over 200,000 people visiting every year. During the holiday season, the city of Sioux Falls transforms Falls Park into  Winter Wonderland. Falls Park’s Winter Wonderland brings in people from all around the Sioux Falls area and all over the midwest. The Falls Park Winter Wonderland began on Nov. 20, 2020, and will go on throughout the holiday season, ending on Jan. 10, 2021. 

As people enter the park, the Christmas magic approaches them, and they switch their radios to station 97.7. This station plays Christmas songs that are in sync with the decorative lights. Most of the lights at Falls Park jump to the different beats of the songs. Adding the music to the lights is just a small element to the Winter Wonderland, but without the music, it would not feel as magical.

Falls Park is filled with all sorts of different lights and Christmas decorations. All the decorations throughout Falls Park cost the city around $100,000 each year. The decorations consist of 25 miles of string lights, around 40 wreaths, lit-up Christmas trees, snowmen, reindeer and lights that spell out  “Winter Wonderland.” 

“There are 355,926 total LEDs and lights wrapping around 270 trees and 275 light poles,” According to Experience Sioux Falls.

There are many different ways people can observe the lights. Some people choose to look at the lights from their cars, some choose to get out and walk around and some go look from the top of the tower attached to the Visitor Information Center. People who view the lights from their cars follow the other cars around the park until they have seen all of the lights. They may not get as close of a view of the lights, but they do get to hear the Christmas music in the background. People who choose to get out of their cars can get a closer look at the lights, but they do not have the music in the background. The people who choose to look at the lights from the five-story high tower get the best view of the lights. The building has stairs people can climb, but people can also take the elevator to the top. 

As it gets closer to Christmas, Falls Park gets busier and it may take longer to see the lights, but it will be worth the wait. No matter what way people view the lights, Falls Park’s Winter Wonderland is still one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit.