Things To Do This Weekend: Twin Cities Southwest Metro, Dec 30-31, 2023

Holiday events this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro

Best wishes from Family Fun Twin Cities as we close out 2023 and move into the new year! We’ve scouted out as many family-style happenings in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro for New Years Eve 2023. Remain calm; none of these events last until midnight. Grown ups, you can still squeeze in your fun or tuck into bed – whatever works for you. Click the graphic for all the festive options around the Metro area or see southwest highlights here:

Southwest Metro New Year’s Eve events – tickets required

Plan-ahead family fun on New Year’s Eve – make sure to purchase your tickets in advance as many events may reach capacity. Skip down for some FREE family options, too.

BLOOMINGTON: Winter Fete New Year’s Eve Skate

Bloomington Ice Garden, 3600 West 98th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431
Close out the year with an all-ages skate at Bloomington Ice Garden. The event will include skating music and a New Year’s countdown. Skate rental included. Food and beverages for purchases. December 31, 2023, 4-7pm. $8/pp.

CHASKA: Winter Lights Family New Year’s Eve Party at the Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN, 55318
Families, come celebrate the new year with a magical walk through the Arboretum’s Winter Lights display. Family-friendly games, crafts, a photo booth, and more. Countdowns at 5, 6 and 7pm and at 8, 9 and 10 pm. This is your final chance to catch the holiday lights before they blink off. December 31, 2023. 4:30-7:30pm or 7:30-10:30pm. Tickets: $35/adults; $10/children.

EDEN PRAIRIE: New Year’s Eve Nature at Eden Prairie Outdoor Center

13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Shut down 2023 at Eden Prairie’s Outdoor Center with nature-themed activities like a bonfire with s’mores, crafts, storytelling, hiking and stargazing. December 31, 2023, 6:30-8pm. $12/pp.

EDINA: Family New Year’s Eve Party at Edinborough Park

7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Play for hours at the giant Adventure Peak Indoor Playground, dance to a DJ, watch a magician and take family photos. Two sessions to choose from. December 31, 2023, 9am-noon OR 2-5pm. Tickets: $13 (age 1-17); $3 (adult).

RICHFIELD: Candlelight and Ice at Wood Lake Nature Center

 6710 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield, MN 55423
Hike a gentle trail lit by hundreds of luminaries then warm up by a bonfire and with indoor nature activities. Food available to purchase. December 31, 2023, 5-9pm. $6/pp, reservations required.

Free family New Year’s Eve events

BLOOMINGTON: New Year’s Eve Sledding and S’mores

Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Bring along s’mores supplies to roast by an outdoor bonfire, while you get out sledding one last time in 2023. Some sleds and roasting sticks available; bring your own if you are able. And, of course, dress to be outdoors. December 31, 12-4pm. FREE.

ST LOUIS PARK: New Year’s Eve at the ROC

Recreation Outdoor Center, 3700 Monterey Drive St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Family fun on the ice with music and refreshments at the ROC. Free to attend. Skate rental extra (or bring your own). December 31, 2023, 12:15-2:15pm.

VICTORIA: Last S’mores of the Year at Lowry Nature Center

7025 Nature Center Dr, Victoria, MN 55386
Families can practice campfire building and make s’mores one last time before 2024 begins. Take an afternoon walk to explore and play in the winter woods. December 31, 2023, 1-2pm. FREE.

FIND OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAMILY-FRIENDLY TWIN CITIES NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS!

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

Most holiday venues shut off the sparkles following New Year’s weekend so LIGHT IT UP, TWIN CITIES while you still can! In addition to the dazzling lighted greenery and displays indoors and out of the MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM WINTER LIGHTS (shout out above), we also recommend these Twin Cities Southwest Metro holiday lights events:

BLOOMINGTON: Martin Luther Campus Drive-Thru Lights

1401 E 100th St, Bloomington, MN 55425
The public is invited to drive thru the facility’s annual holiday lights display. Daily thru January 2, 2024, 5-10pm. FREE.

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
FINAL NIGHT! Get in the holiday spirit at this all-ages stroll through holiday lights displays and more outdoor attractions such as Candy Cane Lane, pallet maze, boot hockey arena (though we can’t promise snow) and a Nativity display. Santa will make a visit nightly. Food and beverage available for noshing. December 30, 2023. Tickets $10/pp plus booking fee or $15/door.

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: 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.
• SAVAGE: Christmas Wonderland Walk-Thru Light Display, 5293 River Wood Drive.