Twin City Christmas Celebrations
Holidazzle Parade & More Kid-Friendly Events in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Christmas in the Twin Cities metro area has a great deal to offer. For starters, thanks to the snowy Minnesota winters, you're almost guaranteed to have a white Christmas! Thanks to the Mall of America and other great shopping destinations (and no sales tax on clothing) tourists come from all over the world to buy their Christmas gifts. And there's lots more going on than just shopping. Here are the major Christmas events in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
The Minneapolis Holidazzle Parade. (Nicolett Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, Thursday-Sunday nights, November 24-December 23 at 6:30 pm.) Since 1992, Holidazzle has been the centerpiece of all Twin Cties holiday celebrations, and for many families, it's a tradition to brave the cold and see the parade at least one night a year. The parade features hundreds of giant storybook characters, along with floats, matching bands, and choirs-- all lit up (which is why it's referred to as the Parade of Lights). It lasts about a half an hour and runs down Nicollet Mall, the large outdoor pedestrian mall that runs through the center of downtown. Vendors along the route serve hot drinks, but if the cold isn't your thing, never fear-- downtown Minneapolis is connected by an abundant indoor skyway system, and onlookers gather in the skyway to watch the parade.
A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie. (Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, November 20-December 29, 2007, multiple times, $29-$64). In its 33rd year, this rendition of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story has become a family-friendly holiday tradition in Minneapolis For tickets, call the box office at 612-377-2224.
The Nutcracker Suite. Sugar Plum Fairy fans have a variety of performance options, ranging from the traditional to the truly alternative. Here's information about Nutcracker performances in the Twin Cities.
The Minnesota Orchestra Presents Handel's Messiah at the Basilica of St. Mary. (Hennepin Avenue between 16th and 17th, Minneapolis, December 12 & 13, 7:30 pm and December 16, 2 pm, $20-$49). Accompanied by the Minnesota Chorale, the orchestra brings the season's inspiration oratorio to the stunning Basilica of St. Maryin downtown Minneapolis. For tickets, call the Minnesota Orchesta box office at 612-271-5656.
A Christmas Carole Petersen by Theater Latte Da (Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 645 Washington Street, St. Paul, December 7-29, 2007, $29-$35). In this archetypically Minnesotan performance, Tod Petersen brings his Mankato, Minnesota childhood and mother (whose name is Carole Petersen) to the stage. He's accompanied by a trio of musical "Carolettes." For tickets, call the Ordway box office at 651-224-4222.
Christmas at Christ Chapel. (Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, November 30 (7:30 pm), December 1 (3:30 pm and 7:30 pm) and December 2 (3:30 and 7:30 pm, $15). Located about an hour southwest of the metro area, this annual service and celebration brings in people from all over the area. The performance features students and faculty, and the serene chapel gets all decked out. A $15 Christmas buffet is available before each service.
See also:
Santa Claus in the Twin Cities
Minnesota Winter Fun & Festivals
