Things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Blaine, Centerville, Forest Lake, Fridley, Hugo, Lino Lakes, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, Oakdale, Scandia, Shoreview, St Anthony, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake.Â
This guide covers the weekend of February 3-4, 2024. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
As we continue to mourn the loss of time spent at our classic outdoor winter favorites, we ask you, what are you missing most? This weekend we continue to have optimistic suggestions for outdoor activities, but also a mix of things to do this weekend indoors. For more ideas, hop over to our FEBRUARY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Winter festivals this weekend in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
Rounded up for you are the best of the Twin Cities’ weekend winter festivals – ways to get out and play in the elements with your family! For more frosty festival fun jump over to our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar. It comprehensively covers events across the greater Twin Cities. Here we present a couple options in the Northeast Metro.
Columbia Heights SnowBLAST
Huset Park, 40TH Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Come by for fun winter outdoor activities like ice skating on the rink (pre-register for free rentals) and sledding on the hill, free popcorn and smores, the puppet wagon, music, free hot beverages and more to purchase. February 3, 2024, 3-6:30pm. UPDATE: Activities requiring ice and snow have been cancelled but the event will go on!
Hudson Hot Air Affair
Hot air balloon launches all weekend are the centerpiece of the annual festival but there’s more to enjoy, too, including a Torchlight Parade (Friday night). February 2-4, 2024.
More Twin Cities-area community winter festivals this weekend:
These festivals are FREE and, with one noted exception, take place SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3:
- APPLE VALLEY: Mid-Winter Fest – Frozen kite flying, horse-drawn wagon rides and fireworks. 3-7:30pm.
- BLOOMINGTON: Pond Dakota Winter History Festival – Play frontier games, explore outdoors and take a guided tour of the historic house. 10am-3pm.
- CRYSTAL: Winterlude – RC car racing, music and outdoor winter activities (weather dependent). 11am-1pm. CANCELLED.
- EDEN PRAIRIE: Staring Lake Winter Blast – Learn about winter with the Outdoor Center, skate to music on ice (if ice) and try out winter rec. 12-4:30pm.
- MAPLE GROVE: Wonders of Winter – Skate on the refrigerated rink, wagon rides and a firepit with smores. 1-4pm.
- MINNETONKA: Kids Fest – Horse-drawn trolley rides, face painting and more weather-dependent activities. Sunday, February 4, 2024, 11am-2:30pm.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro parks this weekend
We keep tabs on all kinds of outdoor activities hosted by local, county and regional park systems across the greater Twin Cities. The following are just a few of our suggestions this weekend. 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: Go without snow!
Over here at FFTC, the lack of white stuff is kind of a hot-button issue – no one enjoys shoveling the walk or higher heating bills, but an absence of snow and chill makes it futile to promote all the great winter outdoor activity material we have prepared. But we press on – just like these cities are doing – and make the most of it:
Bartz Snow Sculptures
1975 Silver Lake Rd NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
FINAL WEEKEND! The Bartz Brothers annual snow creation has been unveiled! Come see what sea creature they’ve dreamed up this year. February 3-4, 2024.
Ramsey County Winter Recreation Sampler
Lake McCarrons County Park, 1795 North Rice Street, Roseville, MN 55113
Free winter fun for all ages! Try out kick-sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding and more. February 3, 11am-4pm & February 4, 1-4pm.
Harriet Alexander Nature Center Open HouseÂ
Harriet Alexander Nature Center, 2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113
Have fun learning about customs and the Year of the Rabbit. The annual open house is an ideal time to drop in, explore the exhibits in the nature center, and learn about upcoming park programming. February 3, 2024, 12:30-4:30pm.
Wintertime in Stillwater
Riverside LOWELL PARK is front and center to several classically cool happenings meant to be enjoyed throughout the winter months (and they don’t require snow!). Water Inn’s free ice skating rink lets you glide within view of the Chestnut Street lights and the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Note that the rink is free, but there are no skate rentals available or a warming house. Available now thru February 25, 2024. Located behind 101 Water St S, Stillwater, MN 55082.
Winter lights display – Chestnut Street in historic downtown Stillwater has transformed into a winter wonderland. Last year, our family visited the free LED light show set to music one magical Friday night and had the whole street to ourselves! Come see for yourself while exploring the downtown shops and spots to grab dinner. Lighting up now thru February 2024, 5-10pm nightly.
Snow tubing update in the Northeast Metro
The two major (and only – could someone reach out and correct me if this is wrong?) snow tubing venues in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro are currently busy at work trying to manufacture the stuff Mother Nature hasn’t yet blessed us with.
- GREEN ACRES, Lake Elmo: Tubing slots are from 11am-5pm, $20/2 hrs.
BADLANDS SNOW PARK, Hudson: 3-hr passes are $23/pp.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Northeast Metro
Home Depot Kids Workshops
2360 White Bear Ave No, Maplewood, MN 55109
Kids can put together simple DIY projects the first Saturday of the month for free. This month kids can craft a basket for valentines. February 3, 2024, 9am-12pm.
Little House on the Prairie – The Musical
Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake, MN
Lakeshore Players Theatre presents the beloved story you grew up with: a young girl and her family settling the frontier. A Minnesota original! February 3, 2024, at 2pm (pay-what-you-can showing) and 7:30pm. February 4, 2024, at 2pm. Tickets $17-$42.
Forgotten Star Bonspiel
38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley, MN 55421
Sunday features a family-friendly obstacle course from 10am-4pm. Plus a coloring contest all weekend and a chance to watch the curling tournament. February 4, 2024.
Marcus Theatres Kids Dream Family Film Series
5677 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Marcus Kids Dream series entitles ticket holder to two free passes to the movie of the weekend. You do need to get an e-voucher prior to the show! Grab popcorn and drink specials for just $3.50 each plus tax. This weekend screens Charlotte’s Web. February 2-4, 2024.
Bricks & Minifigs Roseville Grand Opening
1692 Lexington Ave N, Roseville MN 55113
Heads up, LEGO enthusiasts! There’s a new spot to shop in the Twin Cities for new LEGO sets, retired sets and bulk bricks. Buy, sell and trade plus grand opening specials, free raffle tickets and hot beverages. February 3, 2024, 10am-6pm. FREE.
Victorian Collage Valentines at Gibbs Farm
2097 W Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113
Drop by the red barn to get going on your homemade Valentines – crafting supplies included. February 3, 2024. Register for a time between 10am-1:30pm. $5/pp, under 5 free.