Opening in December: Twin Cities Events & Attractions

OPENING IN DECEMBER – TWIN CITIES EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

TWIN CITIES DECEMBER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

December brings chilly temps and that frosty blanket of snow to the ground that makes the month both so pretty and so functional for winter fun. Just getting started taking your littles out for winter sports? With a few exceptions, Twin Cities sledding hills and outdoor ice skating rinks are always going to be easy to locate and gentle on the pocketbook. Most communities maintain free skating rinks throughout the winter (some simple frozen puddles, others far fancier), and free hills to throw a sled down are staples in most larger parks. 

Or do you have tweens begging to go somewhere a little more thrilling? Read on for suggested list of Twin Cities Twin Cities snow tubing spots and ski & snowboarding spots. Most open their doors December 1 or during the first week!

Be sure to check out our Winter Survival Guide as well – it’s packed with more ideas for staying sane with kids during the cold weather.

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TWIN CITIES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY EVENTS

Santa, shopping, sing-alongs, sleighs (and trains) all make the December scene in the Twin Cities. Our Christmas & Holiday Guide is our gift to you, wonderful readers and families, so you can make the most of the season.

Begins Dec 6: European Christmas Market | Union Depot, St Paul
Inspired by European open air Christkindlmarkts, this is a free event with the opportunity to shop for unique, handmade gifts and decorations as well as eat yummy food. Weekends through Dec 22, 2019. What else can you do at Union Depot during the holidays? The Christmas tree will be lit in a ceremony Dec 6 that includes fireworks and a holiday double feature.The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls through the station Dec 10 at 6:45 (see below). Plus, you can hop aboard the North Pole Express Dec 6-8 & 12-15 to visit Santa.

Find more December holiday shopping events HERE – including community festivals, markets, craft events and opportunities for kids to shop for family members.

Begins Dec 7: Holiday Flower Show | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul
Come in out of the cold and warm your spirits with the cheery colors of the season.10am-4pm, FREE.

Begins Dec 7: Santa’s Train Shop | Minnesota Transportation Museum, St Paul
The museum is transformed into Santa’s Train Shop with live music, activities, train rides, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and lots more fun. Weekends through Dec 22, 2019, 10am-4pm. $7-$13/pp.

Begins Dec 9: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train – The brightly lit train will roll into the following Twin Cities-area stations accompanied by live music: Hastings, Cottage Grove, Union Depot St Paul, Golden Valley, St Louis Park, Minneapolis, Loretto & Buffalo. Please see the link for arrival times. FREE.

HISTORIC HOLIDAYS

During the month of December, living history sites get decked out for the holidays and offer special tours and other ways to celebrate.

• Alexander Ramsey House, St Paul: A Victorian Christmas (Nov 29-Dec 29, 2019)
  
• Dakota City Heritage Village, Farmington: Christmas in the Village (weekends, Dec 5-13, 2020)
• Holz Farm, Eagan: Old Fashioned Holiday (Dec 6, 2020)
  
• Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River: Christmas on the Farm Tour (Dec 14-15)

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TWIN CITIES PERFORMING ARTS OPENING IN DECEMBER

Opening Dec. 6, 2019: 

• Madeline’s Christmas | Merrill Community Theatre, Woodbury
  Tickets $8.00-$22.00, Military FREE. (Check for Goldstar discounted tickets).
• The Holiday Pageant | Open Eye Figure Theatre
  Tickets $12-$26.
• Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells | Youth Performance Company at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center
  Tickets $15.00. (Check for Goldstar discounted tickets).

Opening Dec. 9, 2019: 

• The Secret Garden | Old Gem Theater, New Richmond, WI Tickets: $10-$12. 

Find more family-friendly holiday performing arts outings on our Plan Ahead Calendar.

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MORE TWIN CITIES EXHIBITS OPENING DECEMBER

Opening Dec. 7, 2019, “Our Home: Native Minnesota“ is a permanent exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul that showcases their stories and sends a message of continuity of cultural practices, teachings, values, and political agency.