Free Twin Cities November Family Events & Activities

With 12 children between them, the parents of the Family Fun Twin Cities team sure are THANKFUL for a good deal! This guide to free Twin Cities November family fun is filled with local ongoing events as well as special and seasonal ones (ready or not, the holidays are upon us). For hundreds more ideas on what to do in Minneapolis in November or how to find free Twin Cities events & entertainment in November, visit our Family Fun Calendar or November Family Guide.

This article is brought to you by VocalEssence Winter Wonder

TWIN CITIES SPECIAL EVENTS – FREE

Nov 1, 2019: Forever Wild Family Friday | Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan
Drop in for smores and stories. 7-8:30pm.

Nov 2, 2019: Twin Cities Birth & Baby Expo | St. Paul Central High School
Speakers, exhibits and many more free resources for birth and parenting. 9:30am-3pm.

Nov 2, 2019: First Free Saturday: Walker Around the World | Walker Art Center
Activities are geared towards kids ages 6-12, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your littler ones! Free gallery admission for the whole family. 10am-3pm.

Nov 2, 2019: Free Open Studio: Creative Journaling | Minneapolis Institute of Art
Drop-in art activities lead by pro artists using different mediums each month. 10am.

Nov 2, 2019: Home Depot Kids Workshop: American Eagle | TC Home Depot locations The first Saturday of each month kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany children. 9am-noon.

Nov 2, 2019: Drop-in Discoveries: Reps & Phibs | Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake. 10am-12.

Nov 2, 2019: First Saturday Science | Metropolitan State University
The first Saturday of each month, kids explore a specific scientific field in a hands-on lab setting. 12-2pm.

Nov 5, 2019: Free Tuesday at Washington County Parks | SE Metro
Find a listing of parks here. Explore Washington County Parks with no vehicle permit required the first Tuesday of the month (non-holiday).

Nov 8, 2019: Free Open Studio: Watercolor Painting | Minneapolis Institute of Art | 1-3pm

Nov 8, 2019: Friday Family Movie Night: Toy Story 4 | Edinborough Park, Edina | 6:30pm

Nov 9, 2019: Weekend with the Weisman | Weisman Art Center, Minneapolis
WAM invites families to come explore the museum and helps make the exhibits appeal to younger ones with interactive gallery tours, art projects, treats and workshops that interest adults as well. 11am-2pm.

Nov 9, 2019: Second Saturdays at TPT | Twin Cities PBS, St Paul
Activities are all free but reserving a time slot is required. 8-11am.

Nov 10, 2019: Family Day: Dance to the Rhythm | Minneapolis Institute of Art,11am-5pm

Nov 10, 2019: Puppet Adventures of Ned the Naturalist | Silverwood Park, St Anthony
Join Ned the Naturalist as he stops Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Try art making with a take-home activity. 1-3pm.

Nov 11, 2019: Celebrate Veterans Day in the Twin Cities

Nov 12, 2019: Ballet Tuesdays | Landmark Center, St. Paul
Excerpts from the classics, perfect for budding ballerinas. 12-1pm.

Nov 17, 2019: Free Family Art Day | Rumriver Art Center, Anoka
Sessions at 12 & 1:30pm. Advance registration is required.

Nov 17, 2019: Snapology Minneapolis Birthday Party
Celebrate Snapology’s birthday with free activities, games, food and more! 2-6pm.

Nov 17, 2019: Target Free 3rd Sunday | Minnesota Children’s Museum, St Paul
Explore the renovated and expanded museum free! Keep in mind that this program is very popular and you may wait in line to be admitted. 9am-5pm.

Nov 18, 2019: Free 3rd Monday | Minnesota Landscape Arborteum, Chaska | 8am-5pm

Nov 22, 2019: Free admission to Minnesota State Parks today

Nov 22, 2019: Free Open Studio Day | Minneapolis Institute of Art | 5-8pm

Nov 23, 2019: Saturday Family Fun: Animal Homes | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley New themes each week, designed for elementary-aged kids but all are welcome. 10am.

ONGOING NOVEMBER WEEKENDS – FREE

FREE WEEKLY TWIN CITIES ACTIVITIES

Free abounds in the Twin Cities. Many local bookstores, libraries and other businesses offer free storytimes during the week. Local coffee shops & cafes serve parents with free dedicated play spaces. Nature centers are wonderful places that  offer free admission and hands-on exhibits and outdoor play opportunities most days of the week. And dozens of St Paul & Minneapolis recreation centers offer free open gyms and tot times to run your littles ragged during the cooler months. Explore from our links below.

Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities	Kid-friendly Twin Cities Coffee Shops
Twin Cities Nature Centers	St Paul & Minneapolis Free Tot Times

TWIN CITIES EARLY HOLIDAY EVENTS – FREE

Nov 2, 2019: Nature Arts & Crafts Fair | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
Local artisans of jewelry, felting, painting and more display their wares; afterward enjoy the park reserve. All vendor fees donated to the VEAP-Bloomington Food Shelf. 10am-3pm.

Nov 7, 2019: Santa’s Arrival Ceremony | Mall of America
The holiday season officially kicks off at Mall of America with Santa’s Arrival Ceremony. Santa will be greeted in holiday style with live performances. 6-7pm.

For more Santa Sightings, jump over to our Where To Find Santa Claus in the Twin Cities list.

Nov 16, 2019: Cookies & Claus | Northtown Mall, Blaine
Santa arrives to Northtown Mall at 11am; come decorate cookies with him. 11am-2pm.

Nov 23, 2019: Rice Park Tree Lighting Ceremony | St Paul
Rice Park will dazzle with thousands of twinkling lights throughout the winter. Come downtown to see the holiday tree lit at 6:30 followed by fireworks. 4-7pm.

Nov 23, 2019: Holiday Open House & Annual Holiday Play | Bachman’s, Minneapolis
Saturday open house from 9:30am-3pm welcomes Santa to kick off the holiday season. Live reindeer, treats and crafts for all, plus the annual play weekends.

Nov 27, 2019: Winter Lighting Ceremony | Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville
Making an appearance are local choirs, refreshments, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, 200,000+ lights, and a 30-foot-tall tree.

Nov 29, 2019: Holidazzle begins | Loring Park, Minneapolis
Holidazzle has returned to Loring Park, offering free admission to all, and there will be vendors, activities, food, and fireworks galore. Holidazzle will run 5-9pm on Thurs, Fri until 10pm, Sat 11am-10pm & Sun 11am-7pm thru Dec 22, 2019.

Nov 29, 2019: Light Up the Lake Celebration | Wayzata
Tree lighting ceremony, pictures with Santa, a candy cane hunt for the kids and a parade of lights. 4-7pm.

Nov 29-30, 2019: Taylors Falls Lighting Festival
Grand Lighting & Santa Parade, Christmas at the Folsom House, storytime with Mrs. Claus, wagon rides, lighting displays and more.

Nov 29-Dec 1, 2019: Christmas in Excelsior
The annual 3-day Christkindlsmarkt is packed with a grand parade, children’s activities in KidsWorld, a North Pole Trolley, music, food and loads of other traditional activities.

Nov 30, 2019: Tree Lighting Ceremony | 50th & France, Edina
Holiday Market open 12-5pm followed by tree lighting at 5pm with carolers and Santa.

Find our huge list of community Christmas Tree Lightings and other holiday light displays!

TWIN CITIES FREE THANKSGIVING EVENTS

Nearly all the suggestions on our Family Thanksgiving Weekend Break list are FREE to attend.

TWIN CITIES FAMILY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteering as a family can absolutely be FREE family fun – usually the only cost is time well-spent experiencing the reward of giving back. Ideas for family volunteering can be found here:

The following Twin Cities museums are FREE to visit:

• Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis – FREE daily, plus Family Day is great for all ages.
• Minnesota History Center, St Paul – lots of interactive exhibits (FREE Tuesdays after 3pm)
• Walker Art Center, Minneapolis – FREE Thursday

Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!

Find more free indoor games and activities for kids!

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