The Twin Cities always has lots of events going on, and half the battle is even finding out about them. By the time it pops up on Facebook, the event is often in full swing or ending the next day, and then you’ve missed it.
This year, plan ahead with this list of the most essential holiday events in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and towns nearby so you never miss a thing — or have a boring weekend!
Note that most of these events are focused on events themselves, not as much on the shows, concerts, and dinners that are offered and themed for the holidays because these events are more widely inclusive and budget friendly.
One-Off Events
Whether a single day or a single weekend, these events are short and once you miss them, they are over. Pick your favorites here first because they don’t last long.
Victorian Christmas Gala Fundraiser | Stillwater | $40+
November 18 at the Washington County Historic Courthouse (101 Pine St W.) from 6:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m. Tickets cost $40 in advance, per person or $70 for a couple. Tickets at the door are $50.
A fundraiser for the HIstoric Courthouse Restoration Fund, this event comes with a price tag that pays for food served butler style throughout the evening from St. Croix Valley’s “finest establishments.” There'll be wine, Lift Bridge beer, champagne, and Kristian Regale to drink. Jail tours will run through the evening. Music will play. Costumed vendors will sell their handmade wares.
Victorian Christmas Bazaar | Stillwater | Free
Located at the Washington County Historical Courthouse from 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m on Saturday, November 19 and 11:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m on Sunday, November 20.
To kick off Stillwater’s month-long calendar of events, they host a bazaar with costumed vendors with arts and homemade local goods and crafts to shop through. Additionally, live music is played throughout the day, the county jail is open for tour, there’s a “holiday exhibit” and the Tea Room offers lunch.
Sleepyhead Black Friday | Downtown Stillwater | Free
An alternative to typical Black Friday shopping on November 25th down the stretch of downtown Stillwater, (100 Main); 9:00 a.m.
Dubbed the “civilized and sane” way to spend Black Friday, by the event hosts. Rather than starting at ridiculously early times, this event begins at more bearable 9:00 a.m. when the stores in Historic Downtown Shopping District will offer “holiday shopping specials, deals, and refreshments.” It’s the perfect alternative to those who hate the cluttered mall.
Shop Small Business Saturday
November 26, 2016; Various Locations
Following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is a celebration of small businesses that many stores are set to partake in, some with special events and others with only additional marketing. Make a day of shopping around if you want to hit all the small shops in the area.
Nadia Cakes | Special $2 Sale
Three locations in Maple Grove, Palmdale, and Woodbury; 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
To celebrate the day, Nadia’s is offering $2.00 cupcakes at all three of their locations, including gluten-free and gluten-free vegan options. For anyone looking to give gift cards, they are offering a free cupcake card good in January of the new year with every $25 of gift cards purchased. With cupcakes typically going for $2.50 - $3.00, the discount is noticeable!
Follow event updates on Facebook.
Christkindlsmarkt | Excelsior | Free
Runs the weekend of November 25, 26, and 27th with events starting at 10:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
A weekend festival based on German tradition featuring a grand parade, a children’s parade, Alaskan reindeer, Frozen sisters, and an Old World food and artisan gift markets. The full schedule and list of retailers can be found on their website.
Lighting Festival | Taylor Falls | Various Prices
Runs over the weekend of November 25, 26, and 27 with various events throughout each day with their own times.
This event is really just an overwhelmingly festive weekend with a variety of different events so which day or days you attend should be picked carefully based on what you want to see. For full details, check their website.
Highlights include Friday’s parade and the grand lighting of the village and Saturday’s medallion hunt, Swedish food fair, Sugar shake tours, and bake sale; but the weekend has so, so many things in store.
Arli-Dazzle Parade | Arlington | Free
On December 3 in Arlington, MN with events starting around 1:00 p.m. running up to the parade at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street.
Parade boasts that it’s “probably THE largest lighted Christmas parade in Minnesota.” It’s full of around 100 lighted “units” people, horses, and car floats alike. Around the parade are food vendors and other events beforehand and after. Full details can be found on their website.
Grand Meader | Saint Paul | Free
December 3, 2016; Down the 20-blocks of Grand Avenue in Saint Paul
This is an event spanning the entire day featuring a wide range of events including a morning Breakfast with Santa (8:30-10:30 a.m. at Tavern on Grand), Santa’s Reindeer (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Frattallone’s Ace Hardware), Fire Truck Rides (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Vulcan Krewe), Carolers, Santa sightings, Art Fairs (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (for most) at Ramsey Middle School, Mims Photography, and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ), Soup Tastings (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), Trolley Rides (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and various other free cookies, hot cocoas, sales, and more at various participating businesses.
To see the full schedule and more details, go to their website.
Holiday Sampler | Saint Paul | Free
December 3, 2016, at Mississippi Market from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This event will feature samples of holiday foods with their gift shopping along with decorating sugar cookies, live guitar music, and raffle prizes.
Julmarknad Market | Minneapolis | $12
December 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and December 4 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children 6-18, free for anyone younger.
This event is held in the historic Turnblad Mansion with Nordic music and dance plus holiday shopping with crafts and food like European items: Swedish meatballs, cardamom bread, and glögg.
Tree Lightings
A beloved tradition, every town typically hosts a tree lighting of their own so there’s plenty to go around within the span of the month. Hopefully, you’ve got enough cocoa to attend them all.
Inver Grove Heights | Free
8055 Barbara Ave at the Veterans Memorial Community Center; 6:00 - 8:30 on December 7
The tree will light at 6:00 sharp outdoors, so bundle up! Inside the center will be cake, refreshments, activities for kids, music, and a free open swim night. So bundle up, come inside, and strip down - to your suit!
Union Depot, Saint Paul | Free
December 2 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Waiting Room and North Plaza of Union Depot.
Leading up to the lighting, there will be Six Appeal, an acapella group and entertainment in the Waiting Room. At 7:00, people will move to the outside North Plaza for the lighting and a fireworks display.
Anoka | Free
December 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Anoka City Hall River Plaza
Starting at 3:00, there will be bonfires lit and holiday music along with food vendors and free horse-drawn trolley rides. At 5:59, the countdown will begin to light the tree up at 6:00.
Christmas Open House | Stillwater | Free
Hosted at the Aurora Staples Inn (304 N. 4th Street) on December 11 and December 18 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
A donation for the local food shelf is encouraged as ‘payment’ for Christmas cookies, fudge, beverages, live music, and “merriment.”
Warden’s House Holiday Book Sale | Stillwater | Free
December 17 at the Warden's House Museum (602 North Main Street) from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A holiday shopping experience housed inside the 1800s historical home of the State’s first Prison Warden, and current home of the Washington County Historic Society. Local authors will be selling their books, and available to chat, with food, coffee, and music provided throughout the event.
Week Long (or so)
Between the single time events and the month-long events, there’s those that run for around a week. Easier to plan, but still plenty easy to miss within the madness of holiday shopping, finals, and general laziness. Layer these events between your one-offs, however, works best!
European Christmas Market | Union Square | Free
The first two weeks of December Thursday through Sunday. Hours are 4-9:00 p.m Thursday/Friday, 11:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m., and 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The market is a great place to browse for holiday gifts and enjoy cozy, December treats. Vendors sell unique, handmade goods: Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, candles, mittens and scarves, jewelry, and more. The event hopes to create an ambience of celebration and to expose people to European culture.
More events will coincide with the market itself and will be updated on their website as added.
Long-Running Events
Many events run all the way through the month, making it easier to pick a time to go. These events are great for filling in the space between the shorter, more one-off events you don’t want to miss!
Night Trains | Twin City Model Railroad Museum | $15
Runs from November 5 through February 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. Admission is $15 per person, but children under 4 are free.
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum hosts this event with dozens of miniature model railroads laid out in elaborate displays with scenery around the vintage passenger trains in a make-believe town of Matlin, during a blizzard. The lights are turned down to let the glowing lights of the town and those of the mini Christmas lights and decorations show.
Holiday Lights Car Tour | Phalen Park | $10 (per car)
Runs from November 22 through January 1 from 5-10:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per car, so carpool with a big group of friends to make it most cost effective.
Phalen Park holds over 60 lighted displays to see come to life with an evening drive. All proceeds from admission support the Saint Paul Police Foundation. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online for $8, two dollars cheaper than at the gate. To follow the event online, connect with them on Facebook.
Victorian Carolers | Downtown Stillwater | Free
Friday Evenings and Saturday Afternoons November 25 to December 23 from 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m (Friday) and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Possibly not an event of its own standing, but this festive touch overlaps with several of Stillwater’s one-off events so careful planning can stretch one drive to Stillwater to check off multiple offerings. Carolers will be costumed in Victorian garb and singing holiday melodies.
See Live Reindeer | Stillwater | Free
Saturdays from November 26 through December 31st from 1-4:00 p.m.
Pedestrian Plaza hosts live reindeer for a free photo-op session perfect whether for official Christmas cards or your Instagram page. The event hosts a Santa as well, for any kids (or kids at heart) who wish to tell him their list!
Victorian Horse Drawn Wagonette Rides | Stillwater | Free
Certain Saturdays throughout the month: November 26, December 10, 17, and 31 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
An experience with usually a hefty price tag, this event's main sell point is that it's free to hop up into a horse-drawn wagon and take in the St. Croix River and fresh air. A perfect event to plan to overlap with over Stillwater events.
Holidazzle | Loring Park | Free
Friday, November 27 through December 20 on Thursday through Sunday weekly. 5-9:00 p.m. Thursday/Friday and 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Holidazzle is a collective experience of business and products from the area. Expect to purchase a hot beverage, some food, and wander through different vendors to look (or gift shop) while listening to free performers.
There’s a warming house onsite, so when you get chilly you can defrost your toes between performers.
Besides the daily vendors, different events will occur on varying days including fireworks, movie nights, Santa Claus visits, and carriage rides. Follow them online to pick which events interest you most.
Holidays at the James J. Hill House | Saint Paul | $10
Starts Saturday, December 3 and runs Saturday and Sunday weekly until Saturday, December 24. Open 1-4:30 p.m. except for December 24 when hours adjust to 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For any history lovers, the James J. Hill house year round is a fascinating tour about the family’s own history and practices of the time period. For the holiday season, they attempt to bring to life the Gilded Age Christmas as actors in costume portray the family’s servants and describe their life and the holiday preparations of the 20th century.
$10 tickets are with a college student discount, usually adult tickets are $12. Tours leave on every half hour and will cover the first floor spaces and the basement servant areas. Check their website for more information or to buy tickets ahead of time.
Ice Skating
A classic winter activity that a few different locations offer rinks for. It’s a great activity whether you want to make a date of it, sharing cocoa and holding hands dangerously as you skate or want to fill up a carload of friends and take to the ice, it’ll be fun either way.
Centennial Lakes Park
A 10-acre lake groomed daily for ice skating. Three interconnected ponds to skate across offer a different experience entirely from the manmade rinks that are more common. Because it’s a lake, it’s start date it dependant entirely on forces of nature. Call 952-833-9586 to find out if its up and running yet.
Once it is running, beside the rink is a warming house with fireplaces, restrooms, concessions, and skate rental at $6 a pair. If you have your own skates, there’s no charge for the skating. The concession stand and rentals open at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. Saturdays, and Noon on Sundays until 9:30 p.m. If you have your own skates, on weekdays, the rink does open at noon.
Wells Fargo WinterSkate
Possibly the most infamous of the free skating in the downtown Wells Fargo rink. The rink is a bit smaller than lake skating, but the setting is surrounded by lighted trees and the urban surroundings of Saint paul.
The rink is free to use, but to rent skates is $4 per pair (unless you have a Wells Fargo debit or credit card, that’ll get you one free rental). If you own your own skates, at all, bring them because the rental skates are “well loved.”
Open skate runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Hours vary on Christmas Eve (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), New Years Eve (11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), and Christmas Day and New Years Day (closed).
The Depot
Open from Thanksgiving Day through the month, however, the schedule is pretty variable. Pricing is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and juniors, and $7 for the rental.
The con of this rink is the cost, the pros are that it’s inside, warm, and beautiful. It’s been named one of the top places to ice skate in North America because of its historic value, being a converted train shed with massive glass walls, providing gorgeous views.
There is a College and Military discount available on Thursdays for $2.00 off.
Como Holiday Flower Show | Saint Paul | Free
Runs from December 3 to January 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. Admission is free, but they accept donations and recommend $3 as a donation for an adult to cover admission.
The Holiday flower show has been a tradition since 1925 and features Poinsettia Gold Rush, a golden version of the holiday classic. It also features the other shades of poinsettias and orange Philodendrons. It’s easy with no cost and lots of hours, so it’s worth the look for such a beautiful display.
Governor’s Residence Tour | Saint Paul
Runs from December 1 with a special holiday lighting outside, then there are two tours each Tuesday December 6 and December 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and an evening tour on December 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No cost, but donations accepted for Second Harvest Heartland.
These tours are first come, first served. The tour goes through each room on the first floor and lower level with volunteers from the Women’s Auxiliary of the Minnesota Historical Society to respond to questions.
Through the entire month, there’s so many opportunities to enjoy the holiday season with friends, family, and loved ones at any number of offered events (and in any price range). Because there’s so many, this list is not a grand compilation of each and every event in the area, but it’s got plenty to choose from! For certainty before attending, since times and details are subject to change, it’s a smart idea to do a last check with the official events webpage to check times.
