Timeless Holiday Experience: Minnesota Museums & Historic Sites

2025 HISTORIC & CULTURAL HOLIDAY EVENTS IN THE TWIN CITIES

Discover the rich history and culture of Minnesota through its many museums and historic sites. From traditional holiday celebrations to interactive exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the holidays.

Searching for more Twin Cities holiday and Christmas events? Look no further than our Family Fun Twin Cities Christmas & Holiday Guide – packed with Santa sightings, holiday light displays, festivals, Christmas shopping events and more.

Minnesota Orchestra presents the FFTC Holiday Guide

Minnesota Orchestra concerts aren't just for grown-ups.
We've got performances that spark curiosity, wiggles, and wide-eyed wonder.
Enjoy a family-friendly film with the score played live-to-picture or a classical concert.
Younger children can enjoy family and sensory-friendly concerts with a parent or caregiver.
With discounted kids' tickets and free admission through Hall Pass, it's easy to bring the whole crew.
Get more details by clicking on the image above.

Minneapolis - Saint Paul Holiday Events

Holiday Fun in the ASI Family Gallery

Date(s): 11/13/2025 - 12/23/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55407

The American Swedish Institute has created a holiday experience in the Family Gallery. Fun family activities include:

“Baking” holiday cookies and traditional Swedish pastries in the play kitchen
Decorating a Christmas tree
Dressing up in holiday items, including a Lucia outfit or other holiday characters
Writing letters to Tomte

Closed Mondays. Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm and 10am-8pm Thursdays. Admission: $12-$20/pp.

Gingerbread Wonderland

Date(s): 11/21/2025 - 01/03/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: Norway House, 913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN , 55404

Norway House’s annual signature holiday tradition Gingerbread Wonderland returns for its 11th anniversary. It’s an entire city deliciously constructed of gingerbread – and you may recognize some of the edible landmarks! Full event runs November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026. Admission $10 adults; $5/Ages 6-17; free for kids 5 and under.

St Paul European Christmas Market

Date(s): 11/28/2025 - 12/21/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Union Depot, 214 4th Street East, St Paul, MN, 55101

Based on the European open air Christkindlmarkts like those in Germany and Austria, this is the Twin Cities’ own outdoor Christmas market. Shop for unique, handmade gifts and decorations as well as nosh on holiday treats. Weekends, November 28-December 21, 2025. Fri 3-9pm; Sat 11am-9pm & Sun 11am-6pm.

Best day(s) to visit: December 6th is Union Depot’s Tree Lighting and Movie Night. Come early for Santa and stick around for the festivities!
Santa & Elves at the market: Santa along with his elves and reindeer will be often stop by Union Depot’s European Market. Kids can also go on a scavenger hunt and families can stroll through the market full of handcrafted goods and a selection of food. FREE to visit – see our full Santa schedule at the link.

Julglädje Family Holiday Concert

Date(s): 11/29/2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55407

American Swedish Institute presents Julgladje, it’s annual holiday event. Enjoy traditional, kid-friendly holiday music and dance from Sweden presented by Ross Sutter. Plus, interactive storytelling with kids participating as Christmas elves. Your ticket includes admission to the museum, including this year’s holiday exhibition Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter. Shows at 9 & 11am, $7-$22 per person.

Holidays On the Hill

Date(s): 11/29/2025 - 01/04/2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN , 55102

It’s Christmas in 1910 during this tour at the most famous mansion on Summit Avenue in St Paul. Tickets include a 60-minute guided tour and holiday-themed exhibits. Thursday-Sunday, November 29, 2025-January 4, 2026. Tours may be available starting at 10am through 4pm; the booking link shows real-time availability. Admission: $16-$25/pp. Under 4 free.

Holly Trolley

Date(s): 11/29/2025 - 12/07/2025 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Minnesota Streetcar Museum - Como Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55410

Take a trolley ride with Santa and toast marshmallows over a fire. Collecting for Toys for Tots. Two weekends: Sat & Sun, November 29-30 and December 6-7, 2025, 12-3:30pm. $5/rider.

Christmas in Germany

Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/07/2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Germanic-American Institute, 301 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN , 55102

GAI hosts its annual Holiday Open House with a new name. Participate in Christmas traditions of Germany, including Lebkuchen cookies, St. Nikolaus and German carols. Kids can meet Sankt Nikolaus, listen to a Christmas storytime, make holiday crafts and view model train displays. Events both indoors and outdoors in a heated tent. Ticketed timed entry required, slots from 10am-4pm. $10/adults, $5/children ages 4-17.

Santa's Train Shop & Caboose Rides

Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/21/2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, Saint Paul, MN , 55130

The Jackson Street Roundhouse is magically transformed into Santa’s Train Shop with caboose rides, North Pole storytime, treats, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and lots of museum fun. Get your tickets at the link. Weekends, December 6-21, 2025. Cost is $10-$25/pp.

Northeast Metro holiday events

Stillwater Christmas at the Courthouse

Date(s): 11/22/2025 - 11/23/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine Street West, Stillwater, MN, 55082

Enjoy the historic courthouse decked out for the season while you shop the Holiday Bazaar. Kids can visit with Santa both days from 12-2pm. Free event for all ages, donations appreciated to benefit the restoration of the historic building. November 22, 10am-4pm & November 23, 11am-3pm.

Santa at the Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater, Minnesota, for a Christmas at the Courthouse Event. — Christmas at the Courthouse. Image courtesy of Washington County Parks

Christmas at the 1855 Folsom House (FREE)

Date(s): 11/28/2025 - 11/30/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Folsom House, 272 W Government Street, Taylors Falls, MN, 55084

Presented as part of the annual Taylors Falls Lighting Festival, take a self-guided tour of the 1855 Folsom House all decked out for the holidays. Nov 28-30, 2025. Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 1-4pm. FREE, donations welcome.

VISIT WITH SANTA! He visits for a special, family friendly afternoon at the Folsom House on December 6, 1-3pm. Treats, crafts, house tour and visit all included.

St Nikolaustag On the Farm

Date(s): 12/06/2025 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Bruentrup Heritage Farm, 2170 County Road D East, Maplewood, MN, 55109

Learn all about this German holiday tradition at the historic farm property. Enjoy live music, shop the Weihnachtsmarkt Vendor Market and let the kids get creative with make-and-take crafts. Get your wish list ready for St Nick! Event is free or what you choose to pay; suggested donation of $10 per person or $30 per family.

Afternoon with Santa at the Folsom House (FREE)

Date(s): 12/06/2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Folsom House, 272 W Government Street, Taylors Falls, MN, 55084

Santa Claus drops by the historic Folsom House today. Admire the decorated house, enjoy treats, and make a holiday craft. Make sure to take advantage of a free, self-guided tour around the home, each room decorated by a local Taylors Falls organization or business. Free event, donations appreciated.

Gammelgarden Museum Luciadagen

Date(s): 12/07/2025 7:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN , 55073

Enjoy a full Lucia Jul Bord breakfast and program (7am or 9:30am) with live music and Lucia ceremony. Limit 60 people per service. Reservations required. $15/pp. Call 651-433-5053.

Holidays at Twin Cities Museums

Children's Storytime with Santa

Date(s): 12/09/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110

Santa Claus will again be hosting an old-fashioned Christmas story time at the Fillebrown cottage. Families can snap a photo with Santa and enjoy cocoa and cookies while he reads a holiday story. Pajamas are welcome at this evening event. Cost is $10/pp. Pre-registration required.

Northwest holiday events

Farmers' Christmas Celebration

Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/13/2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Oliver Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd, Elk River, MN, 55330

Curious about how farm families celebrated the Christmas holiday? Come find out at the historic Oliver Kelley Farm, taking it back to the 1860s! Sample a Christmas cookie in the historic farmhouse, and help make traditional decorations for the tree. Even craft an ornament to take home – and save a little time to meet Santa! December 6 & 13, 2025, 10am-4pm. Cost is $12/adults, $8/child.

Southwest holiday events

Pond House Living History Holiday Fun (FREE)

Date(s): 12/13/2025 - 12/20/2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN , 55420

Year-round, living history enthusiasts can drop in on Saturday afternoons to get a hands-on taste of what life was like on the Minnesota frontier. In December, enjoy these historic holiday events at the Pond House within POND-DAKOTA MISSION PARK:

A Frontier Christmas Celebration – Visitors can sing Christmas carols around the pump organ, listen to a reading of the Christmas story, enjoy some holiday treats and make paper star ornaments to take home. December 13, 2025 drop in from 1-4pm. FREE, donations appreciated.
Victorian Christmas – String a garland of popcorn and cranberries to take home. December 20, 1-4pm.

Museum of Illusions Holiday Fun

Date(s): 12/18/2025 - 12/31/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Museum of Illusions - Mall of America, 60 E Broadway Level 2, Bloomington, MN, 55425

During the 2025 holiday season, the Museum of Illusions will include special festive decor and playful holiday accents. Look for Santa perched atop illusion displays, twinkling ornaments and wintery details.

Southeast holiday events

Dakota City Christmas in the Village

Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/14/2025 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Dakota City Heritage Village, 4008 220th Street West, Farmington, MN, 55024

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol comes to life in the quaint and charming historic village. Guests will enjoy the illuminated buildings, sleigh rides, carolers, treats in the drugstore and can drop a letter to Santa at the post office – include a self-addressed envelope so he can reply. Weekends, December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025, from 3-8 pm. Tickets at the gate/$5.50.

Greater Minnesota holiday events

Road Trip: Christmas at the Lighthouse

Date(s): 11/28/2025 - 12/28/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Split Rock LIghthouse, 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, MN, 55616

Bring your family to the Split Rock Lighthouse to explore the restored keeper’s house and learn about Christmas and winter for families of the keepers. Tickets $10-$20. Register for a tour time.

Road Trip: Forest History Center Holiday Sleigh Rides

Date(s): 11/29/2025 - 12/30/2025 SEE TIMES
Location: Forest History Center, 2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744

If you are going north for the holidays, you can book a one-hour sleigh ride pulled by draft horses through the North Woods. Then warm up with cocoa by a fire. Tickets $25. Reservations Required.

Our 2025 Holiday Festival Guide is full of hometown festivals at their seasonal best. Whether it’s a tree lighting, a skating event or a full-on festival with fireworks and movies, we think this is quite simply the perfect way to celebrate the season.

Looking for more Santa and reindeer sightings? Track him with our Twin Cities Santa Finder: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

What is your favorite event to celebrate the Holidays at Twin Cities museums or historic places? Leave us a comment and we’ll add it to our list.

Ye Olde Holidays at Twin Cities Museums & Historic Sites in 2025