Special Minneapolis Christmas traditions
Create traditions that inspire future generations.
If you haven’t thought much about community traditions, now is the time to do so. There are many wonderful events for you and your family to choose from. Select a few from the list to participate in and make it a tradition to attend the same events every year. Your children will remember how good it made them feel to be a part of the special Twin Cities Christmas celebrations you brought them to. They’re likely to carry on the same traditions with their children!
Attend Holidazzle in Loring Park.
Bring the family for an event that brings people to Loring Park from all over the country. From visits from Santa Claus to elaborate fireworks displays, the daily entertainment offered by this Twin City tradition is outstanding. A visit to the event website gives insight to how many events are offered each day. Along with storytelling and vendors selling handmade gifts, there is carriage rides and ice skating as well as holiday movies in the park.
Take a night train at Twin Cities Railroad Museum in St. Paul.
A delightful experience especially for the younger generation who may not be familiar with trains and the railroad, the Night Trains run every Saturday evening until late February. The fictional town of Matlin is buried in a blizzard. Christmas lights and decorations cover the many layouts. Children under the age of four receive free admission, making it a magical tradition for people of all ages to enjoy.
Go ice skating in Rice Park.
Free to the public, Rice Park serves as the home to downtown St. Paul’s Christmas tree. The rest of the park is covered in twinkling lights. The winter skating rink is open Sunday-Saturday at various hours. On weekdays, it closes at 5 pm while on weekends it’s open until 10 pm except on Sunday when it closes at 8 pm.
Visit Macy’s Santaland
The holiday display takes place on the 8th floor of the Nicollet Mall. Insiders suggest going on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening when there is no Holidazzle taking place. At the end of the exhibit, photo packages with Santa are sold. Mrs. Claus’ bakery sells gingerbread cookies, so it’s almost like enjoying multiple traditions in one day.
Watch A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater.
For over three decades, the theater has put on a production of the Christmas classic. In 2010, the set, costumes, and music got a revamp. There are even aerial effects to impress viewers. See A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie is a tradition for many Twin Cities families wanting to usher in the holiday season in good spirits. Contact the theater for ticket prices and showtimes.
Will the Twin Cities be part of your Christmas celebration this year? Find a way to bring a community tradition into your family traditions this holiday season. Participate in a number of events across St. Paul and Minneapolis. You never know which will be a family favorite until you actually attend the celebration. Then, you may receive special requests from your spouse and children to be in attendance the following year.
