Welcome to Holidazzle Village featuring Minneapolis Holiday Market

Saturday, Dec. 20 | Sunday, Dec. 21

Holidazzle Village featuring Minneapolis Holiday Market is here! You wont want to miss any of the fun! Enjoy musical performances, glistening lights, tasty treats, hand-crafted ornaments and much more.

Skate Under The Minneapolis Skyline

Dont miss this unique chance to skate on Nicollet Mall and enjoy the Downtown Minneapolis Skyline. The Holidazzle Pop-up Skating Rink supported by U.S. Bank will be open from 3 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. 9 p.m. on Sunday on Nicollet between 10th & 11th Streets. Skating is free, and there will be free rental skates and a warming house supported by CenterPoint Energy on site.

While youre at Holidazzle Village, stop by and see the live reindeer on Nicollet between 11th & 12th Streets from 3 8 p.m. or have the kids stop by Santas Workshop near the Holidazzle Pop-up Ice Rink supported by U.S. Bank to write a letter to Santa and work on a special Holidazzle coloring page.

Stop By To Hear Musical Performances Throughout the Day

The Holidazzle Village has musical performances free for visitors to enjoy throughout the day. Dont miss Saturdays performances, including City County Chorus (3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.), Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Rooters (5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.) and Patrick Henry Patriot & Alumni Band (5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.). Sundays performances include the Crimson Harmony (5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.)

Metro Transit is teaming up with Holidazzle Village to produce a fun Saturday experience. Visit Holidazzle.com, print off a voucher and ride Metro Transit FREE to and from Holidazzle on Saturday from 2 p.m. 9 p.m.

Minneapolis Holiday Market Sneak Peek:

Art of Soap Edirne, Turkey

Fruit Soap production in Turkey has a history of more than 400 years, and theyre bringing that history to the Minneapolis Holiday Market. Check out all the different fruit shapes and smells in this collection, ranging from grapes and apples to watermelons and oranges. All of them have distinct fruit smells that last up to four years, and Art of Soap is willing to package these fruits up in a basket for those interested in taking home multiple types. These are great for decorations and air fresheners in the home as well as for hand-washing.

Solomons Bakery

You want to talk about variety at a bakery, be sure to check out Solomons at the Minneapolis Holiday Market. This is a locally-owned bake shop located in Uptown and Northeast, so theyre right in our back yard year-round. But at the Minneapolis Holiday Market, youll want to try some of their sensational croissantsincluding ham & cheese, spinach & cheese and plain. Theyll have dark chocolate rolls, mixed berry turnovers, apple turnovers and mini raisinsamong other treats. Solomons is known for creating exceptional pastries, baked goods, organic juices and German classics like ginger breads.

Glühwein, Hessen, Germany

This hot drink is very popular at the German Christmas Markets. The tradition is to enjoy a cup of Glühwein while strolling the Market with family & friends visiting vendors and enjoying delicious food. Glühwein is popular in German-speaking countries and the region of Alsace in France. The traditional beverage is offered during the Christmas holidays and usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar. At the Minneapolis Holiday Market there is an impressive Minnesota connection at the booths pouring the terrific Glühwein, a robust custom blend of Marechal Foch and Fredonia grapes produced specifically for the market by Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery in Kimball, Minn. Come enjoy a little Gemuetlichkeit also, with the fruit-based nonalcoholic version that allows everyone to taste all Holiday flavors.

Coverage Tips

· Holidazzle Village featuring Minneapolis Holiday Market is located on Nicollet Mall between 12th & 10th Streets. The Minneapolis Holiday Markets entrance at Peavey Plaza is located at 11th & Nicollet Mall

· Hours:

o Holidazzle Village: Weekends, 3 p.m. 8 p.m.

o Minneapolis Holiday Market: Daily, 11 a.m. 9 p.m. (Dec. 24, 11 a.m. 6 p.m.)

· Stop by the Holidazzle Stage (across from Brits Pub between 11th & 12th on Nicollet Mall at 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday nights and catch a delightful story telling session. Crowds gather to hear guest readers tell The Velveteen Rabbit or The Nutcracker along with an interpretive dance performance.

About the Holidazzle Village

The Holidazzle Village is managed and produced by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Holidazzle Village featuring the Minneapolis Holiday Market is sponsored by Nelson, Ripbang Studiosa division of Nelson, Xcel Energy, IATSE, Ryan Companies, U.S. Bank, CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council, North Central States Region Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 292, Painters and Allied Trades International Union, Laborers Union Local 563, Swanson & Youngdale, Minnesota Twins, NRG, Low Voltage Contractors, dotcom.printing.inc., Fraser-Morris Electrical Co., Warning Lites, Tangletown Gardens, Hirshfields, PCi Roads, Minnesota Orchestra, WCCO-TV, Star Tribune, Metro Transit and Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine.

About Minneapolis Holiday Market

The Minneapolis Holiday Market, located at Peavey Plaza on 11th and Nicollet, is an authentic European-style market featuring an old-world setting and will be the cornerstone of the Holidazzle Village. It will be open daily from Nov. 28-Dec. 24 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (6 p.m. on Dec. 24). Enjoy unique market items including sweet and savory treats, ornaments, candles, handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, beer, brats and more as you weave through more than 30 festively-decorated huts featuring local and international vendors. For more information on the Minneapolis Holiday Market, visit MinneapolisHolidayMarket.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Lou Ann Olson

C: 612-747-0105

lolson@tunheim.com

Danielle Pierce

C: 715-222-9641

dpierce@tunheim.com