Family Holiday Fun in Minneapolis
With the first (couple) snowfalls already under our belts, holiday season is upon us. When busy schedules get in the way and hibernation is at the back of your mind, it’s time to get out and have some fun! Minneapolis has got all you and your family need to get into the holiday spirit.
Last Updated: 10/28/24
Looking to get out of the house but want to keep your little (or bigger!) ones with you? We've compiled a list of family-friendly holiday activities to get you moving. From theatrical shows to outdoor events, there is an endless amount of family fun to be had in Minneapolis during the holidays. Still looking for the perfect gift? Take the whole family to one of many Minneapolis holiday markets this season! Or want to take the gang to the theater? Minneapolis is home to plenty of holiday shows too!
November 5, 2024 - January 5, 20245
Children's Theatre Company
A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this favorite holiday story, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he conceives a dastardly plot to destroy the holiday they love. It’s the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, who extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the cantankerous Grinch’s heart.
Now through February 22, 2025
3pm to 7pm (Saturdays)
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
The Twin City Model Railroad museum’s collection of model trains of all scales and toy trains of yesteryear come alive throughout the Museum (Sorry, no real trains to board and ride on!). Night Trains Season magic begins as the lights are turned down and the buildings and street lights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially lighted models of operating vintage passenger trains. The make believe town of Matlin is buried in a blizzard, and throughout the Museum the layouts are adorned with miniature Christmas lights and decorations.
November 9 - December 29, 2024
Guthrie Theater
A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with “Bah! Humbug!” until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. In Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, the three spirits show Scrooge happy memories
from his past, difficult realities from the present and a grim future should he continue his closed-hearted ways. Throughout his journey, Scrooge is forced to reckon with the man he has become and contemplate the man he could be — but only if his restless night leads to a change of heart by morning. Artistic Director Joseph Haj returns to direct this heartwarming holiday tradition for all ages.
November 9, 2024 – January 26, 2025
American Swedish Institute
Do you believe? We do. Meet this elusive figure or reintroduce yourself to a classic found in centuries-old folklore. Explore the world of Tomte, the mythical guardian of Scandinavian homesteads—and of course their home in the Turnblad Mansion! More than just a gnome, Tomte is known for his iconic red cap and long beard, but there’s much more to discover of Tomte through the ages.
November 13, 2024
8am - 6pm
Rosedale Center
Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s making a quick stop at Rosedale Center just for you! Visit his magical Rosedale palace this holiday season, a true winter wonderland standing tall and twinkling bright, and make family memories to last a life time. Santa photos are an adorable memento and make great gifts too! Space is limited so reserve your Santa photo experience today.
November 15, 2024
4pm - 7pm
Rosedale Center
Join us for a very special appearance by Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch! Guests are invited to attend this one-of-a-kind holiday appearance, presented by Children’s Theatre Company, and have their picture taken with The Grinch. Dress to impress and have your picture taken with Santa Claus too in his magical castle (walk-ups on availability basis, reservations recommended). Be sure to stay for story time too – gather around as Mrs. Claus will be reading none other than Dr. Seuss’ famed book ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’!
November 18 - December 16, 2024
4pm - 7pm (Mondays)
Rosedale Center
Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s making a quick stop at Rosedale Center especially for you and your Fur Baby! Pet photos with Santa are an adorable memento for you to share and make great gifts. Reservation and waiver is required, so book your time now!
November 21, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Select nights, times vary
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Stroll through the Arboretum gardens decked out in Winter Lights. Enjoy fresh air as you explore outdoor light displays, highlighting flowers, trees and the beauty of nature, on a .75-mile walking route. See the new 16-foot weeping willow tree and walk through the giant apple, which pays tribute to our Horticultural Research Center’s apple research. Stop by s’mores village to warm up near a fire and buy s’mores kits to roast marshmallows.
Mid November - December 24, 2024
Mall of America
Sign up to visit Santa at a time that is convenient with your busy schedule. Enjoy a unique and more private in-person visit with Santa as a family, then shop for your favorite Santa photos, video and merchandise in our store.
December 20-22, 2024
Orpheum Theatre
Cirque Dreams Holidaze dazzles with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. As the longest running cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. With an original musical score, twists on holiday classics sung live, and with new sets, scenery, and storylines, this ultimate holiday gift for the entire family is sure to put a twinkle in your eye!
November 19, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Tuesday - Sunday
Norway House
Gingerbread (or in Norwegian, 'pepperkake') is a quintessential feature of the Norwegian holiday season. Towns all over the country come together to build their own miniature cookie cities, bringing families, schools, businesses, nursing homes, and friends all together during the holiday season. In fact, the world's largest annual Gingerbread City is exhibited in Bergen, with more than 2000 structures!
November 21, 2024 - January 5, 2025
CHS Field
Featuring over a million lights, the Enchanted Forest, Vixen’s Zip Line, and Giant Slide, GLOW is a must-see experience. The elves have been busy gussying up the place with new exhibits to make sure your holidays are shiny and bright.
November 30, 2024
9am - 10am
11am - Noon
American Swedish Institute
Join ASI for Julglädje, meaning “Christmas Joy,” and create lasting memories with your family at this beloved holiday tradition. This festive concert features Ross Sutter performing Swedish and Swedish-American holiday tunes, accompanied by Marya Hart on piano and Cheryl Paschke on nyckelharpa.
International Holiday Festival
December 1, 2024
11:30am - 4pm
Ukrainian Event Center
The International Holiday Festival is a great holiday tradition to ease into the season with family, friends and community! Enjoy performances from ethnic dance groups from around Minneapolis, shop a bake sale and folk arts, and eat traditional Ukrainian foods for lunch.
December 3-22, 2024
Penumbra Theatre
Be part of a joyous Twin Cities tradition. Penumbra’s homegrown Christmas show makes a triumphant return with familiar faces and a new generation of talent. Let the timeless story, stirring vocals and breath-taking choreography wrap you in the spirit of the season.
December 6-7, 2024
Orpheum Theatre
The beloved family tradition is back: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Featuring renowned Ukrainian ballerinas and danseurs from the leading opera houses of Ukraine, Broadway-level sets and costumes, and vibrant new choreography that fuses classical ballet, puppetry, and acrobatics, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet is a holiday spectacular, having won critical acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
November 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Thursday-Sunday, Times vary
James J. Hill House
Experience Christmas in 1910—both upstairs and downstairs—in the sumptuous Gilded Age mansion of railroad titan James J. Hill. Admission includes self-guided access to holiday-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour highlighting holiday stories and memories from both the Hill family and their staff. Tours are limited in size to accommodate social distancing. Visitors are required to wear a face covering indoors at all times.
December 6-8 & 12-15, 2024
Times Vary
Union Depot, St. Paul
Join the Friends of the 261 and Santa, as we travel to and from the North Pole to view all the special shops, Santa’s home and the elves working hard preparing for the big day. And, along the way, we’ll enjoy singing holiday carols and the spirit of the Holidays with some of my entertaining characters on board to enhance the experience.
Ho, Ho, Ho! All Aboard the North Pole Express!
December 7-8, 2024
American Swedish Institute
The sights and sounds of the Scandinavian marketplace returns the first weekend in December at one of the region’s largest handcraft markets and festivals.
Shop handmade goods from more than 60 regional artists at booths inside ASI and out in the courtyard. Browse exceptional items from ASI’s own Jul Shop, alongside distinctive artisan glass, clothing, wood, jewelry, ceramics, and textiles. Perfect for all ages, Julmarknad features pop-up musical performances, family crafts, story time, festival foods, and take-home handcraft projects that celebrate the season.
December 8, 2024
1pm - 3pm
Mill City Museum
Get inspired for holiday baking with an afternoon of cookie sampling in Mill City Museum's Baking Lab! Taste samples of three favorite recipes prepared by Mill City Museum staff from "The Great Minnesota Cookie Book." "The Great Minnesota Cookie Book" features favorites from the Star-Tribune's cookie contest.
Cookies and hot cider are available while supplies last.
December 12-29, 2024
Thursday - Sunday at various times
Mall of America
Enjoy the Holiday Music Festival at the Mall of America this holiday season with various musical performances throughout each day.
December 18-22, 2024
Nicollet Mall (between 6th St and S 11th St)
Holidazzle 2024 is excited to bring fun, joy and holiday cheer to the heart of downtown Minneapolis beginning December 18th, 2024. This year, the festival will feature interactive light displays, holiday shopping from local vendors at pop-up markets, two entertainment stages featuring live music and more, roller skating, minne-golf, visits with Santa Claus, and much more!
December 20, 2024
5pm - 9pm
American Swedish Institute
Mark the shortest day and longest night of the year at ASI with ASI’s popular Winter Solstice Celebration. Since pagan days, solstice has traditionally meant the “year as reborn,” with ancient (and modern) Scandinavians fusing it into the longer “Jul” or Yule season. ASI celebrates this powerful seasonal juncture with fun, festivity and performance.
December 20-22, 2024
Orchestra Hall
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, and raised among Santa’s elves. This holiday season Buddy travels to New York—with the Minnesota Orchestra! Experience John Debney’s wonderful score as the full film plays on the big screen.
