Christmas is just around the corner. Are you dreading the crowded Holiday season malls? Never fear, we have collected some unique Holiday Shopping Events for you to make this year’s retail experience enjoyable for the whole family.
FFTC ‘s 2022 Holiday Gift Sponsor
Simply Bliss:
Offering old-fashioned lard soaps in a variety of fun food-based scents from The Wild Outdoors and Creamy Coconut to a rotation of seasonal favorites like Butterscotch Cookies and Frankincense & Myrrh.
Offering favorite spa items like bath truffles, milk baths, and a home-roasted coffee body scrub.
Use COUPON CODE for 10% off: FFTC10
Gianna’s Thoughts: I found Simply Bliss at my local Farmer’s Market and have fallen in love with the Brown Sugar Latte Body Scrub. If you have a coffee lover in your family, I’m pretty sure they will LOVE this gift.
Many of these family events will offer kids activities, local gifts, and other fun. Events start as early in early November and run through mid-December. Mark your calendar with your favorites, and mix shopping with family fun this year.
Find More Holiday Events: Family Fun Twin Cities Christmas & Holiday Guide
MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENTS
Nov & Dec, 2022: Textile Center Holiday Gallery Shop
Textile Center | 3000 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Shop for handmade fiber art, including wearables, home decor, gift items, as well as books, art supplies, and craft kits. Your purchase supports local and national artists.
Nov 12, 2022: Nokomis Fall Urban Art and Craft Fair
Lake Nokomis Community Center | 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Shop handmade gifts by local artists while the kids participate in fun activities designed just for them.
Nov 19, 2022: 39th Annual Waldorf Holiday Fair & Artisan Market
Minnesota Waldorf School,70 County Road B E Saint Paul, MN 55117
Shopping with a side of Family Fun, including children’s activities, puppet shows, food trucks, live music and more. Buy Waldorf-style toys at this sale.
Nov 19, 2022: Fall Craft Fair at Edgcumbe
Edgecumbe Rec Center, 320 Griggs Street South, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Over 35 vendors selling crafts that would make great gifts, home décor and more. Afterwards go out and play on the playground.
Weekends Nov 25-Dec 18, 2022: 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, Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10am-8pm & Sun 11am-6pm.
Dec 1-3, 2022: Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Landmark Center | 75 5th St. W. Saint Paul, MN 55102
Shop marketplace booths for handcrafted items including, jewelry, wreaths, paintings, woven and wearable art, handmade lotions, soaps and more. There will also be live entertainment, treats and chances to win prizes. Thurs & Fri, 10am-7pm & Sat, 10am-5pm. $5/pp ages 13+.
Dec 3, 2022: No Coast Craft-o-Rama Holiday Sale
Midtown Global Market | 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Crafters Local 612 is a nonprofit organization with a goal of promoting local art and crafts and providing opportunities for these local artisans to showcase their crafts with the public. The No Coast Craft-o-Rama events feature designers, artists, crafters, and other talented creators of unique handmade goods. 10am-5pm.
Dec 3, 2022: Grand Meander
Grand Avenue | St. Paul, MN 55105
Shoppers can explore wonderful Grand Avenue neighborhood and all its uniqute shops during this special day. End the day with the Grand Avenue Tree Lighting at 5pm. 10am-5pm.
Dec 13, 2022: Santa’s Workshop
Battle Creek Rec Center | 75 Winthrop St S, St Paul, MN 55119
Kids can shop while adults wait in the waiting area. All items are $1 or less and kids may spend up to $10 total. Gifts will be wrapped prior to kids joining their parents again. Register here.
Nov 25-Dec 18, 2022: Minneapolis Holidazzle
Loring Park | 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Stop by Loring park from 5-9pm on Friday, 2pm-9pm on Saturday and/or 11am-5pm Sunday to shop locally made crafts and merchandise. New this year, there will be amusement rides all weekend, including Ferris Wheel, carousel and giant slide. Fireworks at 7pm on Friday and Saturday.
TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON
Nov 10, 2022: White Bear Lake Holiday Open House
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Visitors can explore downtown’s shops, restaurants and businesses and enjoy specials and promotions. 5pm-8pm. (Also Small Business Saturday, November 26, 2022 and Winterfets on December 3, 10 & 17)
Nov 19-20, 2022: Holiday Bazaar at Stillwater’s Historic Courthouse
Washington County Historic Courthouse | 101 W. Pine St, Stillwater, MN 55082
Explore the Historic Courthouse decorated for the season, enjoy live music, and shop for gifts. Proceeds benefit historic restoration. Reservations required for all attendees (including children). Sat 10am-4pm & Sun 11am-3pm.
Nov 26, 2022: Stillwater Shop Small Saturday
Downtown Stillwater, 100 Main Street, Stillwater, MN 55082
Explore the charm of holiday shopping in downtown Stillwater. As a bonus, the Wintertime in Stillwater holiday lights display begins Nov. 26.
Dec 1, 2022: Make & Mingle Winter Artist Market
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
A winter shopping market featuring local makers. Plus hot cocoa. Free and All Ages. 5-8 p.m.
Dec 17, 2022: Shoreview Kids Secret Holiday Shopping Spree
Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
Staff and volunteers help the kids shop for family gifts. Send the kids in with a list and a designated dollar amount to spend. Gifts range from $2-$20. Kids will have help with everything from selecting to wrapping gifts. 9am-Noon. Pre-registration is required; a free event for children ages 3-12.
TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENTS
Nov 5, 2022: Holiday Market
Community Activity Center, 5400 8th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Local vendors will be selling unique holiday gifts from 10am to 4pm at the Community Activity Center. Drop In and Shop.
Nov 19-Dec 17, 2022: Holiday Market
North Suburban Center for the Arts, 110 77th Way NE, Fridley, MN 55432
The firehouse will be filled with hundreds of handmade items from local artists for unique gifts for everyone to enjoy at this annual holiday market.
Nov 27, 2022: Kids’ Shopping Spree
Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55449
Kids can find gifts for family members ranging in price from $1 to $15 with the help of a personal shopper. This event is FREE to attend but registration is required. 15-minute timeslots from 5:30-7:45pm available. Register for the Holiday Shopping Spree through Blaine’s RecConnect Online.
Dec 3, 2022: Anoka Hometown Holiday
Downtown Anoka, MN 55303
Holiday shop at over 40 local business in downtown Anoka. Special deals, promotions and coloring contests for kids.
TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENTS
Dec 2-3, 2022: Afton Village Holiday
The village Christmas tree is lit Friday eve during Candlelight Night and both days include festive activities for families throughout local shops.
TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENTS
Nov 6-Dec 20, 2022: Arboretum Holiday Boutique
AppleHouse | 7485 Rolling Acres Rd, Victoria, MN 55386
Holiday gifts include local favorites like wild rice, maple syrup. Parking and admission are both FREE at the AppleHouse and a reservation is not necessary to shop. (You will need to pay and reserve tickets if you choose to visit the Arboretum during your trip.)
Dec 3, 2022: Holiday Craft & Book Bazaar
Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436
Shop for crafts, ornaments and Christmas decorations, jewelry, art and more and check out the Friends of Edina Library book sale. FREE admission. 10am-3pm.
More Holiday Shopping Fun:
- Find Santa Claus Photo Op times, Pets Days & Other Family Fun at Malls
- Find more community Christmas Tree Lighting festivals and early holiday events.
- Support Your Local Shops on Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday
- Shopping Local: FFTC’s Guide to “Made in Minnesota” Gifts
- FFTC’s Local Holiday Bookshop
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Any updates for 2018? Seems the dates are a little off when looking at the calendar for this year.
Hi Nikki.
Check back in October. Many of the shopping events do not get planned and/or shared until then. However, if you see something