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.
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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.
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 Nov 30: European Christmas Market | Union Depot, St Paul
Inspired by European open air Christkindlmarkts. It’s a free event with the opportunity to shop for unique, handmade gifts and decorations as well as eat yummy food. Weekends through 12/9/18. What else can you do at Union Depot during the holidays? The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be rolling through Dec 10 at 6:30 (see below).
Begins Nov 30: Holiday Flower Show | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul
Begins Dec 1: 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 12/16/18, 10am-4pm | $5-$12/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 from The Trews and Willy Porter: Hastings, Cottage Grove, Union Depot St Paul, New Hope, Golden Valley, St Louis Park & Minneapolis. Please see the link for arrival times. FREE.
Courtesy Canadian Pacific
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 “Little Women” Christmas | 12/7/18
- Dakota City Heritage Village, Farmington | Christmas in the Village | 12/1/18-12/9/18
- Holz Farm, Eagan | Old Fashioned Holiday | 12/8/19
- Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River | Christmas on the Farm Tour | 12/15/18-12/16/18
- The Landing, Shakopee | Folkways of the Holidays | 12/1/18-/12/23/18
TWIN CITIES PERFORMING ARTS OPENING IN DECEMBER
Opens Nov 30: A Charlie Brown Christmas | Steppingstone Theatre, St Paul
Everyone’s favorite classic Christmas special on stage. All Ages, tickets $12.00-$16.00.
Opens Dec 5: Elf, The Musical | Ordway
Musical based on the movie, but there is still a book to go with it! Ages 6+, tickets $56+. Check our Goldstar affiliate link for discounted tickets.
Dec 8: Star of Wonder – Reimagined! by VocalEssence | Minneapolis Institute of Art
Clap, wiggle, and sing along to your favorite holiday songs. Tickets prices $15/adult; Under 18 FREE.
Opens Dec 10: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Old Gem Theater, New Richmond, WI
The epic tale of the Herdman clan as they take on small-town gossips and takeover the local Christmas Pageant based on the book by Barbara Robinson. All Ages, tickets $10-$12.
Find more family-friendly holiday performing arts outings on our Plan Ahead Calendar.
MORE TWIN CITIES EXHIBITS OPENING DECEMBER
Opens Dec 13: Illumination | Science Museum of Minnesota
The museum gets glowing at this special event. 5-9pm, Fri-Sun only, through Dec 29. $12.95-$18.95/pp.