Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of November 26-27, 2022 – the weekend after Thanksgiving! To find our most recent guide, click here.
The holidays have descended upon the Twin Cities! We’ve highlighted some festive events to get you in the spirit – for more family weekend ideas hop over to our THANKSGIVING IN THE TWIN CITIES GUIDE, our NOVEMBER FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Holiday Events This Weekend in the twin cities
Twin Cities Christmas & Holiday Tree Lighting Events This Weekend
It’s about time for the Twin Cities to sparkle! Several Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area communities are lighting up their holiday trees this weekend in grand style. Here’s our quick list; find our complete list of Twin Cities Tree Lighting Events.
Friday, November 25 – Sunday, November 27, 2022
BLAINE: WINTER CELEBRATION
Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55449
Lighting ceremony, holiday music, s’mores & hot chocolate by a bonfire and Santa and his reindeer. November 27, 2022, 4-7:30pm.
EDINA: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Along with the holiday tree lighting with be chorale singers, horse-drawn trolley rides and Santa Claus. Held at the 50th & France shopping district. November 26, 2022, 3-6pm.
EXCELSIOR: EXCELSIOR CHRISTKINDLSMARKT TREE LIGHTING
249 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331
Annual tree lighting plus bonfires, carolers, Santa, and carriage rides. November 25, 2022.
HASTINGS: STREET SNOWFLAKE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
City Hall, 101 4th St E, Hastings, MN 55033
Shopping and family fun all day, followed by two lighting ceremonies at 5:15 & 5:30pm. November 26, 2022.
Minneapolis: Holidazzle
The fabulous holiday festival is back in Loring Park this year! This weekend the festival opens with fireworks (Saturday), amusement-park rides, the Kids Zone, visits with Santa & the giant illuminated Yeti. All weekend, November 25-27, 2022.
SOUTH ST PAUL: TREE LIGHTING EVENT
Central Square Community Center, 100 – 7th Avenue North, South St Paul MN
Complete with cocoa, caroling and the lighting of the holiday tree. November 27, 2022, 5:30pm.
TAYLORS FALLS: TAYLORS FALLS LIGHTING FESTIVAL
Downtown Taylors Falls, Minnesota
The annual tree lighting takes place at 6pm downtown. Festival highlights include the Santa Parade, Christmas at the Folsom House, storytime with Mrs. Claus and wagon rides. November 25-27, 2022.
WACONIA: COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING
City Square Park Gazebo, 100 E Main Street, Waconia, MN 55387
Hot cocoa, a bonfire and a visit with Santa included. Nov 25, 2022, 6pm.
WAYZATA: LIGHT UP THE LAKE CELEBRATION
Downton Wayzata, MN 55391
Holiday music, an enhanced holiday lights display, warm fire pits, and Santa visits Wayzata in the annual Parade of Lights, 5:15pm. November 25, 2022.
Twin Cities Holiday Lights Displays
GLOW HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101
This year, there is more than a drive-through: Over a million lights, selfie plaza, three-story ice palace, and a bike-powered tree. Tickets: $12.75-$20.75/pp. Nov. 23, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023.
For the whole sparkling scoop on the best holiday light displays in the Twin Cities, visit our 2022 Twin Cities Drive Thru Christmas Events and Walking Tours page.
Where can I find Santa this weekend in the Twin Cities?
SANTA REG AT MIDTOWN GLOBAL MARKET
Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Visit with Santa Reg, watch food demos pose at the holiday selfie station and participate in kid’s art activities. November 25-26, 2022; 3pm-5pm both days. FREE.
SANTA & ALBERT’S HOLIDAY PLAY: BE YOUR BEST (S)ELF
Bachman’s on Lyndale, 6010 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Bachman’s annual Holiday Play is perfect for all ages. Showtimes throughout the day this weekend. November 26 & 27, 2022.
VISIT WITH SANTA AT KEG & CASE
Keg & Case Market, 928 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Santa will be at Keg & Case on Sunday November 27, 2022. Visit the Holiday Market and Christmas Tree Lot while you are there.
More Holiday Events This weekend in the Twin Cities
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 starting November 25, 2022, Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10am-8pm & Sun 11am-6pm.
Holiday Night Trains At Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
A special holiday tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, the Night Trains season magically transforms the museum layouts. Buildings and street lights glow, and throughout the museum the layouts are adorned with Christmas lights. Saturdays, November 5, 2022-Feb 25, 2023. $15/pp.
JULGLÄDJE AT AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
An ASI holiday tradition, back in-person with live musical performances. November 26, 2022. Morning & afternoon performances. $5-$15/pp.
FIND OUR COMPLETE 2022 GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS IN MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, THE TWIN CITIES.
Celebrate Thanksgiving Weekend at Home
Skipping holiday travel and hosting a small family gathering at home? We have suggestions for keeping it simple, ways to keep kids entertained, ideas for the leftovers, games to play and inspiration for giving back to those in need.
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN TWIN CITIES PARKS THIS WEEKEND
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND:
Visit a Minnesota state park FREE on Black Friday
Thinking about skipping the shopping? Minnesota State Parks are free on Black Friday! Free days are rare and exploring one of the local state parks is not something we do often. We tend toward the more urban adventures. Go HERE for an interactive map of State Parks both near and far or check our list of 9 TWIN CITIES METRO-AREA MINNESOTA STATE PARKS for our personal family adventures and tips.
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
November Free Family Fun Days with Three Rivers Parks
Three Rivers Park locations
Drop in for free nature programs at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK, EASTMAN NATURE CENTER (both 1-3pm) & RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (3-4pm). Nov 27, 2022.
Living History Tours AT POND DAKOTA MISSION PARK
Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Come by the historic Gideon Pond house in the park for tours, living history lessons and other interactive activities. Nov 26, 2022, 1-4pm. FREE, donations appreciated.
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Support SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Show some local love on Saturday, November 26, 2022, with special Small Business Saturday events in local communities. Small Business Saturday is another chance to support small businesses based out of the Twin Cities:
HO HO HOLIDAY HOOPLA
Downtown Hastings, MN 55033
Horse and wagon rides, $5 Grinch photos, holiday lighting at 5:30pm, and much more. Pre-register for photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Free stockings of goodies for the first 300 kids. 8:30am-6pm.
FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT MINNESOTA CENTER FOR BOOK ARTS
1011 Washington Ave. S., First Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Discounts and shopping deals at MCBA and Open Book Artist and Writer Mart all in one space. Families can decorate gift bags and tags with hand-carved stamps and pull a print on a tabletop press. 10am–4pm.