Things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Bloomington, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, New Hope, Richfield, Shakopee, St Louis Park, Victoria & Waconia.
This guide covers the weekend of November 25-26, 2023 – the weekend following Thanksgiving. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
- Twin Cities Northwest Metro
- Twin Cities Northeast Metro
We are full-on rolling into the holiday season this weekend in the Twin Cities. Come join us as we travel through ideas and inspiration for creating memorable outings with your family. For more inspiration on things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids, hop over to our NOVEMBER FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Holiday events this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Find Santa this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Photos with Santa and Holiday Hayrides at Minnetonka Orchards
Minnetonka Orchard, 6530 County Road 26, Minnetrista, Minnesota 55364
STARTS THIS WEEKEND! Family fun includes a holiday hayride and a photo with Santa (or the Grinch) in his festive barn. Visitors will receive hot cocoa or apple cider and a digital photo. Weekends, November 25-December 17, 2023; Santa: 9am-1pm. Grinch: 2pm-5pm. $35-$65/group. Book your timeslot here.
Santa at Richfield Veterans Memorial Park
6335 Portland Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
Visit with Santa while you shop for your perfect Christmas tree. November 24-26, 2023, Santa from 11:30am-3:30pm.
Santa Visits Town & Country
820 E Main St, Belle Plaine, MN 56011
Free, professional photos with Santa plus crafts for kids, a hot cocoa bar and llamas! Who doesn’t love a Christmas llama? November 25, 2023, 10am-1pm.
Photos With Santa at Southdale
Southdale Center, 10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435
Make a reservation online for your family’s time with Santa between November 22-December 24, 2023 and receive a free phone call from Santa. Morning, afternoon and evening slots available. Packages range from $39.99-$49.99 ($19.99 to reserve).
Shine on: Christmas & holiday lights events in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
50th & France Tree Lighting Ceremony
50th & France District, Edina, MN 55424
Santa traditionally visits the annual Tree Lighting at the 50th & France shopping district. Also enjoy caroling, dance performances, horse-drawn trolley rides and hot beverages. November 25, 2023, 11am-6:30pm.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Winter Lights
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Take a glittering walking tour through the garden lights on the grounds of the Twin Cities’ favorite botanical gardens. New displays for 2023 include a color-changing tunnel, a Winter Village on Scarecrow Hill and a field of lit sunflowers, Don’t feel like bringing the kids along? We think this could make the perfect date night, too. This weekend through December 31, 2023, 5-10pm. $25/ages 15+.
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 November 17-December 30, 2023. Tickets $10/pp.
Holiday festivals this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt
Excelsior Commons, 135 Lake St, Excelsior, MN 55331
The annual weekend Christkindlsmarkt is packed with a grand parade, children’s activities in KidsWorld, a North Pole Trolley, visits with Father Christmas, music, food and other traditional activities. Friday-Sunday; November 24-26 2023.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro parks this weekend
We’ve got the details on dozens of outdoor activities presented by local, county and regional park systems across the greater Twin Cities. The following are a few of our best suggestions for activities near your Southwest Metro neighborhood this weekend. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to seek out local outdoor things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
Free Family Fun Day: Meet the Reptiles
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Meet the reptilians who call the nature center home and learn fun facts about them. The RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER is a wonderful, hands-on place for kids to explore nature. November 26, 2023, 3-4pm. FREE, drop in.
Pond Dakota Mission Park Living History Open House
401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Hands-on living history programs fun and free of charge. New themes each Saturday in November – this weekend, craft an old-fashioned toy called a “whimmy diddle”. November 25, 2023, drop in from 1-4pm. FREE.
Performing arts & entertainment this weekend
Beauty and the Beast, Jr
Stages Theater, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343 Hopkins
A trip to see a live show on stage might make a wonderful “experience” gift for your child. Shows at 10am & 1pm Saturday and 1 & 4pm Sunday. Tickets $21-$33.
PLAN AHEAD FOR THE 2023 HOLIDAY SEASON – SEE WHAT’S ON STAGE FOR FAMILIES!
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southwest Metro
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor playground
10606 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
For Minnesota parents it’s beyond necessary to keep ideas in your virtual back pocket for escaping the elements while keeping kids active. During the months of November through March we try to present the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you combat that cabin fever. This weekend we feature the NEW Kids Empire in Bloomington. Brace yourselves – a giant maze area has spaces to climb, spin, build, ride motorized toys, slide, play soccer, dance and more. Dedicated space for tots, too. That ought to wear them out. Open 10am-8pm, $22.99 per child (up to 2 adults free per child).
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
Music & movement for kids
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store – Rob Stokes Live Music
1665 West End Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
As if we needed another reason to love this independent train-centric toy shop. Singing all your favorite train tunes live on Saturdays while you shop. Admission includes the concert and the pay-to-play train tables for your little engineers. November 25, 11am-12pm. $10/child.