The holiday season is here, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate in the vibrant Twin Cities community. From time-honored traditions to exciting new experiences, our cities light up with joy, culture, and festivities for everyone.
This year, make it a point to explore these events that bring together family, friends, and neighbors to create cherished memories. Whether you’re looking for dazzling light displays, soulful music, or unique cultural celebrations, there’s something special happening just around the corner.
Here’s a curated list of must-see holiday events happening across Minneapolis and St. Paul:
The Black Market
A vibrant hub celebrating Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and culture. This dynamic marketplace showcases an array of local vendors offering unique products, from fashion and art to handcrafted goods and delicious food.
Date: December 14th, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: 767 N. Eustis St., St. Paul, MN
Tickets: Free tickets required (reserve on the website)
Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity
Experience the magic of Penumbra Theatre’s gospel re-telling of the Christmas story with Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. Directed by Lou Bellamy, with musical direction by Sanford Moore and the uplifting voices of the Kingdom Life Church Choir, this production blends soulful music, stirring vocals, and dynamic dance.
Date: December 5 through December 22, 2024
Location: Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul
Tickets: Available on penumbratheatre.org
Pan African Kwanzaa Celebration
Hosted at Midtown Global Market, this celebration offers a daily tribute to the 7 principles of Kwanzaa. Activities include storytelling, youth-led activities, performances, a fashion show, art showcases, food, music, gift-giving, and honoring our elders.
Date: December 26 through December 31, 2024, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis
Admission: Free
Night Trains
For more than 80 years, the Twin City Model Railroad Museum has created to-scale displays of trains and depots. The annual Night Trains events illuminate these tracks for a great family outing.
Date: December 6-8 and 12-15, 2024
Location: Twin City Model Railroad Museum
Tickets: Must be purchased in advance
GLOW Holiday Festival
Stroll through a dozen seasonal scenes featuring over a million holiday lights. Don’t miss sELFie Plaza, Enchanted Forest, Bright Bikes, Tremendous Tree, and so much more!
Date: November 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Location: CHS Field, St. Paul
Tickets: $21.75 adults; $12.75 kids
European Christmas Market
An authentic European-inspired Christmas Village featuring a holiday carousel, kids’ activities, and live entertainment.
Date: November 29 through December 22, 2024, weekends only
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Sister Celeste’s Sing-a-Long Event
Join the local community in Christmas carols and bingo at Hotel Celeste.
Date: November 29, 2024
Location: Hotel Celeste, Minneapolis
Admission: Free, with a chance to win a glow-in-the-dark rosary
North Pole Express
Hop on a train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa and his elves, with entertaining characters along the way.
Date: December 6-8 and 12-15, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Tickets: Must be reserved in advance
Christmas in Germany
Enjoy bratwurst, mulled wine, and German cake at the Germanic-American Institute’s holiday event.
Date: December 7-8, 2024
Location: Germanic-American Institute, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Santa’s Workshop
Enjoy free photos with Santa, games, gift-making for loved ones, and classic Christmas stories.
Date: December 15, 2024
Location: Landmark Center, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Rice Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
Join the community for live music, holiday photo ops, and hot cocoa. The event culminates with the lighting of a 40’ tree.
Date: November 16, 2024
Location: Rice Park, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the depot’s restoration with the Tree Lighting Ceremony and a showing of Elf.
Date: December 7, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Holidays on the Hill Tours
Experience Christmas in 1910 with holiday-themed exhibits and a guided tour of the Hill family’s holiday memories.
Date: November 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Location: James J. Hill House, St. Paul
Tickets: Available online
A Christmas Carol
The Guthrie’s beloved holiday classic returns for another season.
Date: Through December 29, 2024
Location: Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Black Nativity
A soulful holiday tradition at Penumbra Theatre.
Date: December 5-22, 2024
Location: Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul
Tickets: Available on penumbratheatre.org
Die Hard Trivia Nights
Trivia Mafia hosts a festive Die Hard trivia night at various locations.
Date: Through December 23, 2024
Locations: Various
Tickets: Available online
Holiday Flicks at Parkway
Enjoy festive movie screenings like Home Alone and Gremlins.
Date: Through December 2024
Location: Parkway Theater, Minneapolis
Tickets: $5-$12
Holidays Flicks at the Heights
Catch holiday classics at Heights Theatre, including White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street.
Date: Through December 2024
Location: Heights Theatre, Columbia Heights
Tickets: Available online
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
A holiday drag revue at Pantages Theatre.
Date: December 11, 2024
Location: Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available on hennepinarts.org
Letters To Santa…On the Rocks
Janelle Ranek performs 10 chaotic characters in a festive BLB tradition.
Date: December 7, 14-15, 21-23, 2024
Location: Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis
Tickets: $20
Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy
A classic Nutcracker performance at State Theatre.
Date: December 14-22, 2024
Location: State Theatre, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Magic of Lights
Drive through a dazzling display of holiday lights.
Date: Through January 5, 2025
Location: Viking Lakes, Eagan
Tickets: $25-$30 per car
A Minnesota Nutcracker
The Twin Cities Ballet presents this timeless holiday classic.
Date: December 13-15, 2024, and December 20-21, 2024
Locations: Ames Center, Burnsville; Northrop, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Minni Dazzle
This Christmas mini-fest includes a local biz market, music, and plenty of fun.
Date: December 12-15, 2024
Location: Fulton Taproom, Minneapolis
Admission: Free
Miss Richfield 1981 – Phoney Baloney for the Holidays
Drag queen Miss Richfield brings the holiday fun to Illusion Theater.
Date: December 6-22, 2024
Location: Illusion Theater, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available on illusiontheater.org
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
A lively performance at Orpheum Theatre.
Date: December 6-7, 2024
Location: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Once Upon a Villain
A Disney-inspired holiday party with a toy drive, karaoke, trivia, and more at Inbound BrewCo.
Date: December 21, 2024
Location: Inbound BrewCo., Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Schultz Family Lights
A spectacular holiday lawn display with a chance to donate to the Merrick Food Shelf.
Date: Through December 2024
Location: 1526 York Ave., St. Paul
Admission: Free
Scrooge in Rouge
A bawdy, musical riff on A Christmas Carol.
Date: Through December 29, 2024
Location: Open Eye Theatre, Minneapolis
Tickets: Available online
Santa Cycle Rampage
A festive, beer-fueled bike ride with 100+ cyclists dressed in North Pole-inspired outfits.
Date: December 7, 2024
Location: The Loop Minneapolis
Admission: Free
Minneapolis Christkindl Market
An open-air European holiday market with vendors, entertainment, and food at Union Depot.
Date: Through December 22, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Holiday Tree Lighting
Join the Union Depot festivities with live music, holiday tunes, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Date: December 7, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Gingerbread Wonderland
See over 200 gingerbread creations at Norway House.
Date: Through January 4, 2025
Location: Norway House, Minneapolis
Tickets: $15, $10 for kids
Winter Lights
Enjoy a winter stroll through trees adorned with lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Date: Through January 5, 2025
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Tickets: $30, kids $15
The 12 Bars of Christmas
A holiday bar crawl with a Christmas theme, featuring costume contests, drink specials, and fun activities.
Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Multiple bars in Downtown Minneapolis
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
Holiday Light Show at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
A stunning display of thousands of lights at Como Park, with interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities.
Date: November 29, 2024 through January 5, 2025
Location: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Fireside at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Relax by a cozy firepit, enjoy seasonal drinks, and take in the winter scenery.
Date: December 6-22, 2024
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Tickets: $5
The Great Gingerbread House Display
A community tradition showcasing over 200 gingerbread creations, perfect for a family outing.
Date: December 6-28, 2024
Location: The Depot, Minneapolis
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children
Winter Solstice Celebration
A night of music, light, and reflection to honor the longest night of the year.
Date: December 21, 2024
Location: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Tickets: $15
Luminations at the Arboretum
Take a magical winter walk through the gardens lit up with lanterns, lights, and seasonal décor.
Date: December 13-15, 2024
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Tickets: $20
Tuba Christmas
Join hundreds of tuba players for a heartwarming holiday concert at Orchestra Hall.
Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
Tickets: Free
Queer Holiday Market
Celebrate the holidays with over two dozen local queer vendors and small businesses at Summit Brewing. A portion of all sales will benefit The Aliveness Project to help furnish homes for newly housed individuals.
Date: December 18-19, 2024
Location: Summit Brewing Company, St. Paul
Tickets: Free admission
GLOW Holiday Festival
Enjoy a spectacular display of over a million holiday lights, seasonal scenes, and family-friendly activities at CHS Field.
Date: November 20, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: CHS Field, St. Paul
Tickets: Available online
European Christmas Market
An authentic European-style Christmas village with live entertainment, food, and shopping at Union Depot.
Date: November 29 – December 22, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Admission: Free
Sister Celeste’s Sing-a-Long Event
Join the community for Christmas carols, bingo, and festive fun at Hotel Celeste.
Date: November 29, 2024
Location: Hotel Celeste, Minneapolis
Tickets: Free admission
North Pole Express
Hop on the train to the North Pole, meet Santa and his elves, and enjoy a magical experience for the whole family at Union Depot.
Date: December 6-8, 12-15, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Tickets: Advance reservation required
Christmas in Germany
Experience German holiday traditions with authentic food, drink, and activities for all ages.
Date: December 7-8, 2024
Location: Germanic-American Institute, St. Paul
Tickets: Available online
Santa’s Workshop
Enjoy free photos with Santa, gift-making, games, and festive activities at Landmark Center.
Date: December 15, 2024
Location: Landmark Center, St. Paul
Tickets: Free admission
Rice Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
Celebrate the season with live music, holiday photo ops, and the lighting of a 40’ Christmas tree in Rice Park.
Date: November 16, 2024
Location: Rice Park, St. Paul
Tickets: Free admission
Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Celebrate the depot’s 10th-anniversary restoration with a tree lighting, live entertainment, and a screening of “Elf.”
Date: December 7, 2024
Location: Union Depot, St. Paul
Tickets: Free admission
Holidays on the Hill Tours
Step back in time to experience Christmas in 1910 with a tour of the James J. Hill House, featuring holiday-themed exhibits and family stories.
Date: November 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: James J. Hill House, St. Paul
Tickets: Available online