Christmas in Wadena

Christmas in Wadena Amazing animated Christmas light and music show started in 2008 with subsequent annual showings. Minnesota's Best Christmas Light Display

๐ŸŽ„ Calling All Christmas Lights Fans! ๐ŸŽ„Christmas in Wadena needs the communities help.Christmas lights have been through ...
03/19/2025

๐ŸŽ„ Calling All Christmas Lights Fans! ๐ŸŽ„

Christmas in Wadena needs the communities help.
Christmas lights have been through years of squirrels, rabbits, weather, and worn-out resistors! They need some love to shine bright again. Christmas in Wadena really appreciates your help getting them back in action so we can make this holiday season sparkle! โœจ
Thanks so much in advanceโ€”letโ€™s make this Christmas the brightest yet! ๐ŸŽ…

As the 2024 Christmas season has concluded, GP Anderson, creator of the "Christโ€ฆ GP Anderson needs your support for Donate to Keep Christmas In Wadena Shining

02/12/2025

Working on an additional video/led sequence/entire house animation to this song. What are your thoughts? "Believe"

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02/01/2025

I am contemplating an exclusive one-night-only live review featuring new songs, specifically for Christmas in Wadena follower's. ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ… Please click on the invites sent or follow CIW.

01/23/2025

I ran the "New" Hallelujah sequence outdoors on the main display tonight. It was a truly magnificent sight! I told the driver who stopped to admire the lights, "You're the first person to witness this."

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01/15/2025

New for 2025 by Pentatonix, adding video plus programming the entire house. Happy New Year.

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As the 2024 Christmas Season has concluded, GP Anderson, creator of the "Christmas In Wadena" animated light show gather...
01/02/2025

As the 2024 Christmas Season has concluded, GP Anderson, creator of the "Christmas In Wadena" animated light show gathered up the food, momentary gifts and headed East to Project Share, the local food shelf in Wadena, MN. Upon his arrival, meeting Director Mary Ann Hagen, they loaded, unloaded and weighed 311 pounds of food to help fill the shelves. Mr. Anderson then handed her a check in the amount of $1,796.65 from this year's donations!

The past seventeen years, Christmas In Wadena has collected over 6,407 pounds of food and $29,180.99 with 100% going to the food shelf.

Anderson was asked, "Why do you do this?" "To truly relieve hunger in our community, itโ€™s important that we first transform the thinking behind hunger relief. Providing a bag of groceries to a person in need today is obviously important. But how do we make it so that person isnโ€™t in need tomorrow?"

"Implementing sustainable systems that feed our neighbors in immediate need while helping them get back on their feet and in position to help others is the key to ending the cycle of hunger. Itโ€™s becoming increasingly clear that providing our hungry neighbors information about available resources is just as important as the food source itself. What good is a food source if no one knows about it?"

Christmas In Wadena is an animated light show to music created, produced, edited, mixed, built, maintained by local artist, GP Anderson. Thousands and thousands of people have visited the free display over the past holiday season. Numerous local, regional newspapers, television shows, radio stations and social media have raved about it as a "Must See Event." A true holiday tradition viewed worldwide on all seven continents.

12/31/2024

The final performance is scheduled for tomorrow evening 01-01-2025. Happy New Year.

12/28/2024

A prominent reality television personality, who requested anonymity, was also viewing the light display last night. I observed their out-of-state vehicle parked adjacent to mine. Happy New Year.

12/24/2024

Due to favorable weather conditions and anticipated parking difficulties, attendees are advised to park on nearby side streets and observe the event from sidewalks behind parked cars. This approach offers comfortable viewing and listening while enjoying the music from vehicle stereos. Vehicle traffic will be intermittent; therefore, securing a parking space may require patience or arriving at an alternate time. Alternatively, early arrival with provisions such as food, snacks, popcorn, and hot chocolate is recommended. ๐Ÿš—๐ŸŽง๐ŸŽถ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿซ

12/24/2024

Hey, the Wadena street crew totally nailed it this morning, clearing all that snow for the big Christmas party! ๐ŸŽ„ The show runs 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm through Saturday the 28th, then back to normal hours Sunday. Last show's New Year's Day, January 1st. Merry Christmas! ๐ŸŽ…

12/22/2024

CIW Followers, fans, guests. Do you know the #1. most loved song in the show? The song that people stop me on the street and say, "Never stop playing that song."

"Soldier's Silent Night. " When Santa visits a United States soldier. The American flag waves during the song as well as the video wreath lights up with a blowing flag and a big thank you on the end. Powerful. Here are the lyrics:

T'was the night before Christmas
He lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
To see just who,
in this dwelling did live.

I looked all around
A strange sight to see
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

On the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
Medals 'n badges, awards of every kind;
A sobering thought came alive in my mind.

This house was different...
it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier,
I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, Alone;
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder;
Not at all how I pictured
a United States' soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read;
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families
I saw this night,
Owed their lives to soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

In the morning, round the world,
Children would play;
Grown-ups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.

But they all enjoy freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In lands far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eyes;
I dropped to my knees,
I started to cry.

The soldier awakened
I heard his rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is MY choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more;
My life is my God,
My country, My corps."

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep.
But, I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still;
As both of us shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave him
On that cold, dark night;
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.

Then, the soldier rolled over,
In a voice soft and pure,
He whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night.

I dedicate this article to all of the United States military members, veterans, and their families.

12/21/2024

There is limited time left to enjoy this year's light show. Time seems to fly by when one is having fun. Please set aside some time to relax and let the lights captivate you. Thank you for all the reviews and accepted invitations. Where did the year go? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Address

414 3rd Street SW
Wadena, MN
56482

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