Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers events in Minneapolis & St Paul the weekend of December 23-24, 2023 – including Christmas Eve. Want to discover family fun this weekend across the Twin Cities Metro Area? Browse our guides for the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest & Southeast communities. Happy holiday and happy exploring, wherever your weekend may take you!
Merry Christmas, if you celebrate, this weekend! For last-minute holiday inspiration and seasonal cheer, hop over to our 2023 ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY GUIDE, our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or our DECEMBER FAMILY GUIDE.
Holiday events this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul – the Twin Cities
However your family celebrates, FFTC wishes you a very happy holiday weekend. Most Christmas and holiday events are wrapping up (see ya, Santa!) or are on a break this weekend (see ya in the new year!), but there are still several options out there to get in the spirit as a family:
Shine on: Minneapolis & St Paul holiday lights displays & events
GLOW Holiday Festival
CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101
This year, there is more than a drive-through: Over a million lights, selfie plaza, three-story ice palace, and a bike-powered tree. Tickets: $12.75-$20.75/pp. Now thru December 31, 2023.
MORE DAZZLING HOLIDAY LIGHTS – Find dancing light shows, drive-thru and walk-thru displays and other spectacles near Minneapolis & St Paul including:
- CHASKA: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Winter LightsÂ
- EAGAN: Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes
- SHAKOPEE: Sever’s Holiday LightsÂ
- SOMERSET, WI: Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour
- ST CROIX FALLS, WI: Miracle at Big Rock
- WACONIA: Spirit of Winter at Sovereign Estate
Schultz Family Lights/Holiday Lights on York
1526 York Ave, St. Paul MN
Comprised of 9 yards on both sides of the street dancing to holiday favorites you can listen to on your car radio. Synchronized to 91.5. Collecting food shelf donations for the holiday season. Lights will run thru Dec 31st, 2022, 5-10pm.
For the whole sparkling scoop on the best holiday light displays in the Twin Cities, visit our 2023 Twin Cities Drive Thru Christmas Events and Walking Tours page. OR – create your own drive-thru holiday lights event! We have an 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!
Where can I find Santa this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul?
It’s nearly time for Santa to fly – but he’s squeezing a few final public appearances this weekend. Check out his Minneapolis & St Paul events on this page and remember to consult our official Twin Cities Santa-finder page for more pop-ups around the metro area.Â
Santa Visits Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114 Â Â
The glowing and magical Night Trains run every Saturday night through February, but on this final evening before Christmas, visitors can meet with Santa before he has to fly. December 23, 2023. 3-7pm, $15/pp.
More Twin Cities holiday events this weekend
Buddy the Elf & Santas From Around the World at Can Can Wonderland
755 Prior Ave N Suite #004, St Paul, MN 55104
Can Can Wonderland is possibly the coolest and quirkiest mini-golf venue you’ve ever laid eyes on. Our family loves the artist-designed holes and huge arcade of vintage games. This weekend, a holiday twist – Buddy the Elf visits, entertaining kids with a storytime, a coloring activity and photo opps from 12-4pm. Included with general admission of $13/pp, kids 5 & under FREE. Add-on a round of mini golf for an additional $13-$15/pp.Â
PLUS! A cavalcade of Santas from “around the world” visit from 2-6pm. The first 50 kids in Santa attire get an ornament and treat. December 23, 2023.
Minneapolis & St Paul weekend holiday stage spotlight
Taking the kids to a live theater production could make for an excellent “experience gift” for those looking for a last-minute idea. These suggestions in Minneapolis & St Paul are appropriate for an audience of all ages. Find more shows around the Metro area on our list: PLAN AHEAD FOR THE 2023 HOLIDAY SEASON – SEE WHAT’S ON STAGE FOR FAMILIES!
Peter Pan at the Ordway
345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Broadway classic based on JM Barrie’s book. Shows December 23 at 2pm & 7:30pm and December 24 (Christmas Eve) at 1:30pm. Tickets $46 & up.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
The Grinch is back to make your holiday complete. This is a very popular show so you’ll want to secure tickets right now if the show is on your Christmas wish list. Best for ages 4+. Now thru January 7, 2023. Tickets $15-$64.
Fun activities in the parks this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. 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: ARM YOURSELF…for winter breakÂ
For many families (particularly those inclined to consult this website), the weekend is amidst a nice stretch of vacation days from school. Lots of us are also on break from our regularly-scheduled extracurriculars, too. A few years back we put together a list of 16 THINGS TO DO OVER WINTER BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES to keep ourselves sane at home during this time, and, for extra armor, beefed up our annual WINTER FUN SURVIVAL GUIDE.
Getting outside and having fun doing winter activities is a mainstay of our winter break:Â ice skating, skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing spots are already humming with activity. If there’s more than a dusting this weekend, make sure to consult our huge list of the best sledding hills in the Twin Cities – they’re FREE! And try one of these pretty, refrigerated outdoor ice skating rinks if the community sites aren’t yet open:
- MAPLE GROVE CENTRAL PARK ICE SKATING LOOP (free ice skating, rentals available for $7)
- ROSEVILLE OVAL ($9/pp, rentals $5)
- WOODBURY HEALTH EAST SPORTS CENTER ice rink (free skating)
Best places to snow tube in the Twin Cities
As the Family Fun Twin Cities Team is well into its tenth year collaborating to bring you the best ideas for family activities in town, we now have several teenagers counted in our crew. They’ve moved off the bunny sledding hills and are looking for something more on the thrilling side. We responded with our roundup of the best spots to snow tube in the Twin Cities Metro. Please note these locations will be CLOSED December 25, but tickets are available the 26th.
Badlands Snow Park
772 Kinney Rd, Hudson, WI 54016
25+ acres with room for 7 exciting hills! $23/3 hrs of tubing with tow ropes for convenience. Our big kids love tubing here!
Buck Hill Â
15400 Buck Hill Rd, Burnsville, MN 55306
Purchase tickets for your 2-hour session online in advance for the best price. $12-29/pp.
Elm Creek Park ReserveÂ
12400 James Deane Pkwy, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Have fun snow tubing in 2-hr increments between 10am-9pm. There’s a chalet onsite if you need to warm up! $17/pp.
Green AcresÂ
8989 55th St N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
The lodge is open when you need to warm up! Reservations for your session are required: 3-hr sessions available on Fridays, 2-hr sessions on Sat & Sun. $20/pp.
Trapp Farm ParkÂ
841 Wilderness Run Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
No tow ropes at this facility but it’s one of the best places to snow tube in the Twin Cities southeast metro. Opens December 23, 2023. $5/pp. Tickets MUST be purchased online in advance.
Wirth Park Winter Recreation AreaÂ
1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Tow ropes available Fri-Sun. Snow tube in 2-hr sessions. $17/pp or $8.50/non tow rope hours.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids
Indoor activities open this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul
Raptor Encounters at the Raptor Center
1920 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
A special winter-break tour featuring three live raptors from the rescue center and a tour of the facility. Reserve tickets online. December 23, 2023, 1pm. $5-$8/pp.
Saturday Vibe Family Storytime
George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul MN 55102
Storytime will include readings, puppets, singing, and activities aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. Feel free to bring your older kids too – if they can be trusted in quiet spaces, the beautiful building is worth exploring. December 23, 2023, 11am-12pm. FREE.
Junior Ranger Discovery Table
Mississippi River Visitor Center, 120 Kellogg Blvd West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The visitor center is located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota and activities center on the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Kids can complete a Junior Ranger activity booklets, and earn a Junior Ranger badge FREE. December 23-24, 2023, 12:30-2pm.
Minneapolis & St Paul attractions open this weekend (including Christmas Eve):
- COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY: Open all weekend, Dec 23 & 24, 10am-4pm. Toasty warm in the gardens and indoor exhibits and always free!
- MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART: Open Dec 23, 10am-5pm, Closed Christmas Eve.
- MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: Open Dec 23, 9am-6pm. Closed Christmas Eve.
