The Ultimate Twin Cities Christmas Event List

Christmas is a beautiful time of year when joy and happiness seem to always be in the air. It’s a time where we can put everything aside and enjoy our family and friends. Much to our surprise, the Christmas season is not all about buying presents. It is also about spending more quality time with the ones we love. It’s about giving something that will bring a happy smile to their faces and joy in their hearts. Find your family’s favorite ways to spend the holidays together. Let this list of the Twin Cities Christmas events be a guide to bringing fun and happiness to those around you.

Events & Holiday Markets in Minneapolis

39th Annual Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar

Dates & Times: Friday & Saturday Dec. 1st-2nd, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Location: 75 5th St E, St. Paul, MN 55102    

Admission: $5 ages 13+, FREE for ages 12 and younger

As I was looking for Christmas events near me, this was top of the list. Shop over 75 booths of spectacular handcrafted and unique items. Landmark Center brings cheerful holiday music and delicious treats to add to your shopping extravaganza!

Winter in the Village

Dates & Times: Friday, Dec. 8th, 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Location: St. Anthony Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Anthony, MN

Admission: FREE

This FREE event brings fun for the whole family. Enjoy a horse-drawn trolley ride to see Santa. You will have a blast hunting for Elf on the Shelf, riding around on a bus to see the holiday lights in St. Anthony, taking part in an indoor snowball fight at Fitness Crossroad, and shopping for your holiday gifts.

Star of Wonder Family Christmas Concert

Dates & Times: Saturday, Dec. 9th at 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM

Location: Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis

Admission: $8-$12, ages 3 and younger FREE

A fantastic musical event for those wiggly younger ones. Dance, clap and sing along to your favorite Christmas carols in this 45-minute holiday concert.

Holidazzle

Dates & Times: Thursdays-Sundays, Nov 24- Dec 23. Times vary by day.

Location: Loring Park, Minneapolis

Admission: FREE

Enjoy this family fun tradition in downtown Minneapolis. Take part in the shopping, good food, the kid’s zone, holiday movie nights, ice skating, fireworks and Santa.

Gingerbread House Workshop

Dates & Times: Friday, November 25, 10:00 AM & 1 PM

Location: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis

Admission: $25-$35/house (up to 5 family members can decorate one house)

The holidays are not complete without a gingerbread house. You can enjoy decorating your gingerbread house as a family without the mess!

Events & Holiday Markets in St. Paul

A Victorian Christmas

Dates & Times: Thursdays-Sundays Nov. 25-Dec.31, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Location: Alexander Ramsey House265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul, Minnesota 55102        

Admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 ages 5-17, $2 discount MNHS members, ages 4 and younger are FREE.

Enjoy a historical Victorian Christmas experience with this fabulous guided tour. Take in the aromas and tastes of home-baked cookies. Listen to favorite holiday music from the 1800’s and see how the family and friends celebrated this festive season.

Grand Meander

Dates & Times: Dec. 2nd, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Grand Avenue Business Associations, 752 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105

Admission: FREE

This St. Paul tradition brings the charm of Grand Avenue and the coziness of the holiday season together. Enjoy breakfast with Santa, carolers, and the fun of picking out your own Christmas tree.

European Christmas Market

Dates & Times – Friday-Sunday, Dec. 1st-3rd & Dec. 8th-10th

Location: Union Depot East Plaza, 240 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN

Admission: FREE

Inspired by an outdoor festival common across European countries, this market boasts handmade goods and authentic food. Enjoy carolers, musicians, dancers, Santa and his reindeer at this spectacular holiday market.

Union Depot Holiday Movie Night

Dates & Times: Friday Dec. 1st, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Location: Union Depot, 214 E 4th St, St. Paul, Minnesota

Admission: FREE

Following the holiday tree lighting ceremony, Union Depot will be playing the movie Elf, a holiday favorite. There will be some concessions available for guests to purchase, with all proceeds going to Neighborhood House.

Wells Fargo Winter Skate

Dates & Times: Open daily Dec. 1st – 30th,

Skating Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00 AM – 4:50 PM, Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Location: Landmark Plaza – 75 W 5th Street St. Paul, MN 55101

Admission: FREE

Located in St. Paul in the heart of downtown, Landmark Plaza brings you a winter ice skating experience that is fun for the whole family.

North Pole Express

Dates & Times: Sunday, Dec. 3rd, and Thursday-Sunday Dec. 7th-10th

Location: Union Depot, 214 Fourth Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Admission: Tickets range from $19.95-$39.95, children 3 and younger are FREE

North Pole Express is a yearly fundraiser to help with costs to operate and maintain the 1944 steam locomotive. Enjoy an hour and a half long holiday train ride through a winter wonderland. There is also an appearance from Santa himself!

Christmas Saturdays for Families

Dates & Times: Saturdays Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: James J. Jill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102

Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $6 ages 5-17, $2 discount MNHS members, ages 4 and younger are FREE

Families with young children are the focus of this event. You will enjoy going from station to station, around the house, collecting items for your handmade cornucopia.

Kick off your holiday season right with these family fun events located in the Twin Cities. Get into the Christmas spirit with tree lightings, movie nights, ice skating and more. Find unique handcrafted gifts and swiftly mark those people off your shopping list, all while supporting local vendors and small business owners.