Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Weekend: December 2-3, 2023

Twin Cities Christmas & holiday tree lighting events this weekend

Trees will be twinkling this weekend at hometown holiday festivals. This is the BIGGEST & BRIGHTEST weekend for community celebrations in the Twin Cities metro. Here’s our quick list of light-ups in Minneapolis & St Paul; find our complete listing of TWIN CITIES HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING EVENTS for more communities. 

MINNEAPOLIS: Linden Hills Reindeer Day

Linden Hills, Minneapolis
The festive activities take place at local shops and businesses in the area of Upton & 43rd. You can get a list of all the offerings at the link but here’s a preview: stop in for free cookies, crafts, photos with Santa & Mrs Claus, cocoa and storytime. December 2, 2023, 10am-2pm.

ST PAUL: Grand Meander

Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105
20 blocks of samples, specials, Vulcan fire truck rides, carolers and multiple venues to visit with Santa. Events run starting 8:30am through the afternoon. December 2, 2023.

ST PAUL: Union Depot Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night

214 4th Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101
Catch the giant tree light up at 7pm followed by a screening of Elf at 7:30pm. December 2, 2023, event runs 5-9pm.

Trot on over to our Twin Cities Holiday Festivals page for more details – many Twin Cities-area communities are hosting their own downtown galas, complete with roving Santas, carolers and sleigh bells.

Shine on: Minneapolis & St Paul holiday lights displays & events

GLOW Holiday Festival

CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101
This year, there is more than a drive-through: Over a million lights, selfie plaza, three-story ice palace, and a bike-powered tree. Tickets: $12.75-$20.75/pp.  Now-December 31, 2023.

For the whole sparkling scoop on the best holiday light displays in the Twin Cities, visit our 2023 Twin Cities Drive Thru Christmas Events and Walking Tours page. OR – create your own drive-thru holiday lights event! We have an enormous list of homes around the Twin Cities that deck their halls up for the holiday: Jump over to Light It Up: Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota Christmas & Holiday Light Displays for our map!

Where can I find Santa this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul?

Where will Jolly Old St Nick be visiting this weekend? Somehow he manages to be all over the Twin Cities! Take your pick from shopping malls, community festivals and even a streetcar decked out for Christmas. For further planning, check our Twin Cities Santa-finder page or check out the details below on our holiday festival calendar.

Santa & Albert’s Holiday Play at Bachman’s

Santa at Keg & Case Market

928 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Visit with Santa two days only at the market while you shop for your holiday tree (second is Dec 10). December 3, 2023, 1-4pm.

Santa Claus on the rails & trails

Santa’s Train Shop at Minnesota Transportation Museum 

The museum transforms into Santa’s Train Shop with live music, activities, train rides, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. December 2-3, 2023, book at 10am or 1pm. $9-$18/pp or $50/family package.

Como-Harriet Streetcar Line Holly Trolley

2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Take an old-time trolley ride with Santa himself and toast marshmallows on a fire. December 2-3, 2023, $5/rider.

Santa Sleigh Experience at The Hitching Company

The Hitching Company, 925 N. 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401410
Visit includes include crafts, a carriage ride, and photos with Santa. Weekends thru December 17, 2023. $21.95/rider (Under 3 free on lap).

Family-friendly Twin Cities holiday shopping events this weekend

Make it the year to shop local or choose handcrafted gifts (we know grandparents love those most!) While we appreciate it’s not always a festive event to bring the kids along to tackle the holiday gift list, these events keep the whole family in mind with entertainment and other diversions. You may even find Santa!

St Paul’s European Christmas Market

Union Depot, 214 4th Street East, St Paul, MN
Based on the European open air Christkindlmarkts like those in Germany and Austria, this is a free event to attend with the opportunity to shop for unique, handmade gifts and decorations as well as nosh on holiday treats. Open weekends thru December 17, 2023, Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10am-8pm & Sun 11am-6pm.

More holiday events this weekend in Minneapolis-St Paul

Holiday Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum

668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
A special holiday tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, the Night Trains season magically transforms the museum layouts. Buildings and street lights glow, and throughout the museum the layouts are adorned with Christmas lights. December 2, 2023. $15/pp.

Cultural Christmas celebrations

Germanic-American Institute Christmas in Germany

301 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Get the feel of a European market with vendors selling German Christmas gift items, model trains, and festive food and drink. Craft ornaments on Saturday and meet St. Nikolaus on Sunday. December 2 & 3, 2023. FREE admission.

Gingerbread Wonderland at Norway House

913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
A signature holiday tradition, Gingerbread Wonderland features a miniature village made of (you guessed it) gingerbread. Now thru January 7, 2024. $15/pp kids 12 & under FREE.

Have yourself a historical little Christmas

Holidays on the Hill at James J Hill House

240 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Take both a guided and a self-guided Christmas tour of the historic mansion all decked out and hear about the famous family’s holiday traditions. December 2-3, 2023, $16-$20/pp.