Things To Do This Weekend: Twin Cities Southwest Metro, Dec 16-17, 2023

Holiday events this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro

Find Santa this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro

Closing in on Christmas – does St Nick still have visits to make this weekend? Why, yes! Plenty on his calendar – here in the Southwest Metro and across the greater Minneapolis-St Paul area. Find all of his appointments on our official Twin Cities Santa-finder page.

BLOOMINGTON: Breakfast with Santa

IKEA, 8000 Ikea Way, Bloomington, MN 55425
Join us in the back of the Swedish Restaurant for Breakfast with Santa! Purchase breakfast from the Restaurant then eat, visit, and take photos with Santa. Visit the IKEA Minneapolis events page to learn more and RSVP. Registration is required. December 16, 2023 9:30-11am; December 17, 2023 9-10:30am.

MINNETRISTA: Photos with Santa and Holiday Hayrides

Minnetonka Orchard, 6530 County Road 26, Minnetrista, Minnesota 55364
FINAL WEEKEND! Fun in the orchard includes a holiday hayride and a photo with Santa (or the Grinch) in his festive barn. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa or apple cider and a digital photo. December 16 & 17, 2023; Santa: 9am-1pm. Grinch: 2pm-5pm. $35-$65/group. Book your timeslot here.

ST LOUIS PARK: Breakfast with Santa at the St Louis Park Recreation Center

3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
The Lions Club is hosting a Santa breakfast, vendor fair and free kids vision screening. December 16, 2023, 8am-12pm. $5-$7/pp.  

Shine on: Christmas & holiday lights events in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro

Winter Lights at the Arboretum

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Winter will be in bloom with lighted greenery and displays throughout the pathways of the arb’s gardens! Online ticket reservation required. This weekend – Tickets: $25/pp, kids under 16 free.

SAVAGE: Christmas Wonderland Walk Through Light Display

5293 River Wood Drive, Savage, MN 55378
The homeowners set up lights and open their whole yard to the public. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit for free pictures and candy canes this Friday and Saturday night (December 15-16). 5-8:30. N through New Years 2023.

SHAKOPEE: Sever’s Holiday Lights

3121 150th St W, Shakopee, MN 55379
2.5 million dancing holiday lights along a half-mile driving route you can enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle (in PJs if you’d like). All weekend, 5pm-10pm. $25-$55/car.

WACONIA: Spirit of Winter –  Festival of Lights

Sovereign Estate, 9950 N Shore Rd, Waconia, MN 55387
Get in the holiday spirit at this all-ages stroll through holiday lights displays and more outdoor attractions such as Candy Cane Lane, snow maze, boot hockey arena and a living Nativity. Santa will make a visit nightly. Food and beverage available for noshing. Runs now-December 30, 2023. Tickets $10/pp.

Create your own holiday lights driving tour in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro! We’ve compiled a giant list of the area’s stand-out light shows. Here’s just a peek of what’s in store, much more on our enormous list of homes around the Twin Cities that deck their halls up for the holiday: Jump over to Light It Up: Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota Christmas & Holiday Light Displays for our map!

• CHASKA: Christmas on Savanna, 4441 Savanna Trail. 5-9pm. 
• CHASKA: Snook Family Lights, 1188 Wildwood Way. Wkdays – 10pm, wknds – 11.
• EDEN PRAIRIE: Christmas Lights at Sunrise, 15482 Sunrise Circle. Starts at 5pm.
• EXCELSIOR: Trista Lights, 4386 Trista Bend, Fri-Sun 5-9pm.
• PRIOR LAKE: Lights on Mushtown, 17881 Mushtown Rd. Fri-Sun, 5-11pm.

Have yourself a historical little Christmas…in the Southwest Metro

Pond House Frontier Christmas Celebration

401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Sing Christmas carols around the pump organ, listen to a reading of the Christmas story, enjoy some holiday refreshments and make paper star ornaments to take home. Drop in from 1-4pm. December 16, 2023. FREE, donations appreciated.