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 January 27-28, 2024. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
Winter has been running hot and cold on us this year, but nearing the end of January, its finally time to get earnest about those classic outdoor activities. We’re talking festivals filled with ways to travel across the snow, exhibitions glittering with ice, and also cozy add-ons like bonfires and hot cocoa. For more frozen inspiration, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We give it our best effort to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs while having a good time doing it.
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 few options in the Northeast Metro.
NEW BRIGHTONÂ Brave the BRRR
Brightwood Hills Golf Course, 1975 Silver Lake Rd NW, New Brighton
Between now and January 29 you can search for 15 gnomes hidden along the path (and enter to win a prize). Fri-Sun starting shop an indoor market (3-7pm) and try out activities with the parks dept (as always, weather dependent). Plus, the Bartz Brothers annual snow creation has been unveiled. Come see what they’ve dreamed up this year! January 27-28, 2024.
SCANDIA Vinterfest
Winter festival activities include a pancake breakfast, sledding outing and a snow sculpture contest. Gammelgarden Museum hosts kid-friendly crafts in the community center with fireworks at 7pm. January 26-27, 2024. FREE admission.
STACY Wildlife Science Center Winter Festival
22830 Sunrise Rd NE, Stacy, MN 55079
Meet mushers and dog teams, watch demonstrations, listen to live music and maybe hear the wolves howl – very special. Dog sled rides are available for an extra fee. January 27, 2024. $10-$15/pp admission.
More Twin Cities-area community winter festivals this weekend:
- GOLDEN VALLEY: Winter Fest – January 27, 2024, 12-2pm.
- MAPLE GROVE: Ice Castles – Real palaces made of ice you can walk through and explore. Read our review of Ice Castles here.
- MINNEAPOLIS: Art Shanty Projects – artsy, interactive icehouses to play in. January 27 & 28, 2024, FREE.
- MINNEAPOLIS: Lake Harriet Kite Festival – January 27, 12-4pm.Â
- ST PAUL: Winter Carnival – Vulcan Snowpark at the Fair, snow & ice sculptures and a grand parade. January 27-28, 2024.
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:
Stillwater Winter Ice Cream Social
Lowell Park, 201 Water St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
winter outing to Stillwater is ideal for both families with kids and couples looking for date night ideas. This weekend, the snow sculptures are still on display, you can skate on the free ice skating rink at Water Street Inn, and you can get a taste of the annual Winter Ice Cream Social. January 27, 2024, 12pm. FREE.
MORE WINTER FUN 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.
Wargo Nature Center Snow Day
7701 Main St, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
Try out a variety of winter outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, kick sledding and cross-country skiing. January 27, 2024, 1-4pm, FREE.
Snow tubing update in the Northeast Metro
The two major snow tubing venues in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro are busily supplementing our meager winter’s snowfall.
- GREEN ACRES, Lake Elmo: Tubing is open for business. Book slots from 11am-5pm, $20/2 hrs. Save this for your bigger kids – Green Acres doesn’t recommend tubing for those under 42″.
- BADLANDS SNOW PARK, Hudson: Tubing sessions are now open for booking. 3-hr passes are $23/pp.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Northeast Metro
Northeast Metro stage spotlight: Lakeshore Players Theatre
Little House on the Prairie – The Musical
Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake, MN
OPENING WEEKEND! It’s the beloved story you grew up with: a young girl and her family settling the frontier. A Minnesota original! January 26 & 27, 2024 at 7:30pm and January 28, 2024 at 2pm. Tickets $17-$42.
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 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. January 26-28, 2024.Â
Oakdale Indoor Market & Discovery Center
4444 Hadley Avenue N, Oakdale, MN 55128
After browsing the indoor vendors to pick up tasty local treats, definitely stop in at the Discovery Center so kids can play around with natural objects and view an aquarium and a beehive. January 27, 2024, 9am-1pm. FREE admission.
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor playground
New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
For Minnesota parents it’s essential to know where to escape the elements and still keep the kids active and happy. During the months of November through March we try to highlight the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you add a new space to your list: This weekend we feature Eagles Nest Indoor Playground in New Brighton. Kids will go nuts for the web tower, slides, playable giant piano keys, a tight rope, and a hanging foam forest. There’s a dedicated space for toddlers and crawlers, too. Admission $8/child up to age 12.
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
