The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) became the hub for all things holiday and Duluth as the eighth Duluth Winter Village returned to town.

“I just think this is a great event that highlights all these cool things that those will be all come to love and enjoy. I love that you have ice skating. You’ve got all these great shops. You’ve got great food from the deck and other local vendors. You got fun little drinks. It’s just kind of one shot for a lot of cool Duluth-y things,” said Dan Hartman, executive director at the DECC.

The Duluth Winter Village combined local vendors, food, and activities – driving in visitors from near and far.

“I think there’s a lot of out-of-town traffic that comes into town for this event because in a lot of ways it encapsulates all the things of Duluth that they like. So, a lot of their favorite shops in Duluth are all here right now,” said Hartman.

Originally located at the Glensheen Mansion, the change in venue in 2021 has brought new life to the village.

“A lot of their favorite food items are here right now. And now it’s right by the harbor. It’s by canal park. It’s by Bentleyville. So, they have all these things they get for this one event,” said Hartman.

One village attraction brought a fun way to reduce stress, hugging chickens from Locally Laid Egg Company.

“We’re at Duluth Winter Village doing a hug-a-hen, where people come and they can hold one of our festive chickens. They are celebrating ‘chick’-mas, and you know we’re not selling anything. We are just wanting people to have some holiday happiness, and it is working,” said Lucie Amundsen, marketing ‘chick’ at Locally Lain Egg Company.

And hugging chickens brings joy and excitement for all ages – making it truly a gem in this year’s Winter Village.

“Well, it’s just a nice way to thank a community when you have a business is to give them something experiential. And who doesn’t want to hang out with chickens?” said Amundsen.

The Duluth Winter Village will be open again on Sunday, December 8th from 11AM to 4PM.

Click here to learn more about the Duluth Winter Village.