Have a fun family day outside the mall, and enjoy the holiday spirit on the hamlet streets, whether you have big plans for a jam-packed festival or just want some feelings of nostalgia for your childhood home as you shop. You can pack a lifetime of fun things and great memories into an afternoon in these magical Christmas towns clustered right near the Twin Cities.
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.
Is it even possible to have a hometown Christmas in the middle of Twin Cities? You better believe it. And if you are looking for Christmas-in-a-small-midwestern-town experience, we have a couple road trips for you to consider, too.
Many of these places have their local Christmas celebrations early in the season–late November or early December. If you end up missing the festivals, you will still get that Hallmark movie hometown vibe by choosing to shop in these quaint communities.
Hometown Christmas in the Twin Cities
Chaska
The annual Hometown Holiday Celebration in City Square Park includes a Santa visit, Christmas llamas, festive music, and old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage rides. There will be a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm. December 6, 2025.
Family fun ideas:
- Chaska is a perfect choice to cozy up in your car for a Christmas lights drive. Cruise by the Snook Family Lights (1188 Wildwood Way) and Christmas on Savanna (4441 Savanna Trail). Both homes synchronize their lights to music on FM91.9.
- For a special holiday treat, visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Winter Lights. ($25/adults; children are free). Make sure to buy your passes online in advance and be aware that this attraction is known for sold-out tours at peak times. We think this is one of the best outdoor holiday lights displays in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. Nov. 20-December 31, 2025.
- Learn more about all of these sites in our Minnesota & Twin Cities Holiday Lights Guide.
Excelsior
Not only does this sweet village host a weekend full of holiday fun, but the town is cram-packed with lots of fun shopping and decorations throughout the season to add to the joy of Christmas.
Christmas in Excelsior
This community holiday event kicks off with a parade on Friday at 10 am. Meet Father Christmas and some Minnesota Vikings. Ride the North Pole Trolley, enjoy festive music, meet some princesses, experience the tree lighting, and do some Christmas shopping. The Children’s Lantern Parade is on Saturday at 4 pm. Friday, November 28-29, 2025, 10 am-6 pm. with 7:15 tree lighting.
Hudson, WI
The Downtown Association invites the public to Have A Hudson Holiday throughout November and December.
- Find Santa. Get a passport and collect stamps all around town.
- Light Up Hudson. Enjoy the annual lighting ceremony on and lit up throughout the season.
- Various events throughout the season.
- More things to do in Hudson: Across the Border in Hudson, Wisconsin
If the weather cooperates, combine your visit with a trip to Badlands Sno-Park, Hudson
Lindstrom
Lindstrom is full of shops to enjoy as well as beautifully decorated for the holidays. I grew up in a very happy-to-be-Swedish family (and some Norwegian, too), so the Scandinavian Christmas decorations are especially nostalgic for me.
Lindstrom hosts its Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Your family can make it a day of it by shopping 3 local craft fairs including Center City Fire Department Holiday Boutique as well as Chisago Lake Lutheran Church’s Christmas Bazaar. If you can’t make it to the craft fair, you won’t be disappointed in the local shopping later in the month.
It’s kind of hazy, but I think Anne caught Santa in the background of this picture.
Stillwater
Stillwater is a favorite city to visit any time of the year, but this beloved tradition holds a special place in my heart around Christmas because that’s when my kids and I chased Santa Claus around town. Stillwater’s Hometown for the Holidays gathering lasts the entire month of December. It includes carolers strolling the sidewalks and singing Christmas songs, elves hiding around corners, and all of Stillwater’s cute shops decorated up for the holidays. Downtown Stillwater is the perfect place to shop for antiques and Christmas gifts. You’ll find something happening every time you step out of a local shop.
Family fun ideas:
If you want to cruise for Christmas lights in Stillwater, options include:
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- The Twinkle Party & Tree Lighting
- Snowflake décor throughout Main Street that will stay up through mid-March
- The Lowell Park Christmas tree
- The Historic Lift Bridge, lit up with Hollywood-style lights.
Santa in Stillwater. Catch him before it’s too late!
St Paul Union Depot
The most authentic European Christmas Market in Minnesota is located at Union Depot each year featuring family-friendly entertainment & intercultural activities. Families can have a slow-paced, small-town shopping experience in the middle of the big city. Opening Day: Black Friday, November 28, 2025, and runs Friday-Sunday until Sunday, December 21, 2025. Friday- Saturdays 11am-9pm; Sundays:11am-6pm.
Some Saturdays they host other events at the same time like a bake sale or a community movie.
Family fun ideas:
- North Pole Express rides.
- Make it a fun day of play at Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store.
- More fun things to do at Union Depot.
Image courtesy of Union Depot. Credit: Art in the Sky Photography
White Bear Lake
I have done the majority of my Christmas shopping right here. I spent time in the following shops. And there are plenty more.
- GoodKids
- Bamboo Switch
- Sheepy Yarn
- Sweetlane Life
- Koselig Candle Company
- Lake Country Booksellers
- And a coffee break in Anchor Coffee
I had the best time Christmas shopping for our family get-togethers. And not only is it a fun place to shop, throughout December they have special Christmas activities. Learn more about Downtown White Bear Lake’s holiday events here.
Family fun ideas:
- Every Hometown Christmas movie includes a visit to the town’s live Nativity. Stop by the Living Nativity at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church with music and live animals. It is FREE for the whole family.
- The White Bear Lake Historical Society decorates the pine tree in front of the historic Fillebrown House each year. Drive or stroll by after dusk during your visit or enjoy a Storytime with Santa.
- Another Hallmark moment must is ice skating. If weather permits, White Bear Lake maintains outdoor ice rinks at three parks:
- Podvin Park, 1700 9th Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
- Ramaley Park, 1883 Park Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
- Spruce Park, 3653 McKnight Road, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Image courtesy of the White Bear Lake Historical Society.
Hometown Christmas Road Trips
Duluth
There is so much to do and see in Duluth during the winter, especially during the holidays. You won’t be disappointed by the festive holiday lights including but not limited to Bentleyville. Glensheen is the new home of Spirit of the Lights – a holiday lights display that decorated a private residence on Duluth’s Park Point for many years.
Find out more about what Duluth offers during the Christmas holidays by clicking here.
Family fun ideas:
- Anne and her family have a blast visiting Duluth during the holidays. She has assembled her 10 Favorite Things To Do in Duluth during the Holidays here.
Fitgers in Duluth
Rochester
Head down to Rochester early in the season and get some fun shopping done because Rochester is a really fun place to explore. During the holidays, there are markets popping up around town you don’t want to miss. Get more information about Rochester’s holiday season here.
Family fun ideas:
- Peace Plaza is lit up for Christmas beginning Thanksgiving weekend, when Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arrive each year. You can view the beautiful plaza anytime in December.
- Here Comes Santa Claus, Downtown Rochester, 100 1st Avenue SW, Rochester, MN 55904. A free, multi-generational holiday tradition in Rochester, Here Comes Santa Claus includes saving St Nick from the roof of Residences of Old City Hall after he gets stuck, a tree lighting ceremony, and more holiday activities.
Image courtesy of Rochester Downtown Alliance