What a wonderful year it has been! Hard to believe 2018 is coming to a close already. We’ve had a great time building new homes for you this year and look forward to building even more new homes in great communities throughout the metro area. In places like Hugo, Lake Elmo, White Bear Lake, Woodbury and other great locations. This time of year it’s so nice to gather with family and take in some of these family friendly events in the Twin Cities this December.
Events in the Twin Cities this December
Burger Bar Brews & Bites with Flat Earth Brewing Co
When: December 5th, 2018
Where: Burger Bar
2125 4thStreet
White Bear Lake, MN
Join us for an evening with St. Paul’s very own Flat Earth Brewing Co. Their Brew Meister will be on hand to share some of their favorite brews while we pair them with our delectable bites from the Burger Bar! Enjoy an evening of great beers and unique burgers.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today, click here to snag
your spot before they’re all filled up.
Holidazzle
When: Now through December 23rd, 2018 | Thursdays – Sundays
Where: Loring Park
1382 Willow Street
Mpls, MN
Get ready to enjoy a little North Country right here in Downtown Mpls.
The mpls downtown council is excited to bring Holidazzle to Loring Park. As downtown Mpls’ premier holiday celebration, Holidazzle has delighted residents, visitors and downtown employees for years. In 2018, this tradition is again bringing family-friendly programming to Loring Park and is free and open to the public. You and yours are invited to join in the festivities!
European Christmas Market
When: December 7th– 10th, 2018
Where: Union Depot
214 4thStreet E
St. Paul, MN
The European Christmas Market (ECM) is a free event held on the East Plaza at Union Depot in Saint Paul, Minn. Serving as the “Hub for the Holidays,” Union Depot hosts an array of events that will coincide with the Market – (Coinciding Events TBA). The historic Lowertown sets a fantastic scene for the booths beautifully decorated for Christmas and modeled after those found at the Munich and other Christkindlmarkts. Few events like this exist in the Twin Cities and thus ECM fills that need while reviving an old cultural tradition.
The Market offers visitors unique and handcrafted items, such as Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, beeswax candles, decorative glass, wool mittens and scarves, jewelry and more. In addition, Holiday fragrances of Glühwein, roasted nuts, sizzling sausages and more will be served adding ambience and delight to visitors’ palates.
European Christmas Market provides a cultural event to the heart of the city that will entertain the whole family and familiarize them with 500-year-old world traditions and culture. The event creates an ambience and celebration — to bring light to the dark of winter and add to the good will of the Christmas spirit.
CSE Winter Light Show 2018 Premiere
When: Now through December 8th, 2018
Where: Civil Engineering Building
College of Science and Engineering
U of MN
Mpls, MN
The CSE Winter Light Show is a student-designed 3D outdoor experience featuring more than 250,000 LED lights set to music written and recorded by University of Minnesota students. Now in its eighth year, the CSE Winter Light Show has become an annual campus tradition. This year the shows are bigger and better than ever!
Shows are at 5:30, 6, and 6:30 p.m. The show will last about 15 minutes.
The shows are free and open to the public.
Free hot chocolate will be provided on Premiere Night by the University of Minnesota Parent and Family Program while supplies last.
The Winter Light Show is presented by the Tesla Works student group and sponsored by the College of Science and Engineering.
Festive Holiday Lights Tour
When: Fridays – Sundays through the end of December
Where: Various Twin Cities Locations
Treat yourself to the magic of the holidays by viewing beautiful light displays on this 2 hour tour! Your expert guide will escort you to your warm, heated coach bus where you’ll ride in comfort while viewing twinkling lights and nibbling on holiday treats. We’ll have music, we’ll have games, we’ll have fun for the whole family! We may even have an ugly sweater or two! (Feel free to wear your own! We know you have one!) The brightly decorated streets of the Twin Cities are sure to get you in the spirit of the season – so please join us for some festive fun!
Macy’s Santaland
When: Now through December 30th, 2018
Where: Macy’s Downtown Mpls
8thFloor
700 On the Mall
Mpls, MN
Nothing will put you more in the Christmas spirit than a trip to Santaland! In this enchanted holiday wonderland, you can tell Santa what you’d like for Christmas, get your picture taken with him, enjoy homemade gingerbread cookies, sweets and beverages at Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, visit the Toy Shop and watch the annual animated display “A Day in the Life of the Elf,” a charming story about Santa’s elves preparing for Christmas.
For Santaland hours, call 612-375-3018 or visit http://bit.ly/rv6tHM
Joy of Winter Lights
When: December 26th, 27th, 31st, 2018, Jan 1st, 2019
Where: Minneapolis Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN
There’s Plenty to See!
See the Arboretum grounds aglow with outdoor and indoor lights. Walk among 14 outdoor displays, from the entry drive to the Learning Center to the Cloister Garden Trellis. Warm up by the NEW S’more Village, located in the Margot Picnic Shelter area. Indoors, the Great Hall and Conservatory will be festively illuminated as well! Free with gate admission.
Food and Beverages Available for Purchase
Visit S’more Village and purchase a s’more package for $5 (makes 4), check out the food tent featuring a rotating menu of hot food items and hot chocolate, or venture to Oswald Visitor Center to the bar to try a fresh baked cookie, a spiked cider or a tasty Baily’s and Cocoa.
Wine Tasting
Join Schram Vineyards every Friday at Winter Lights from 5:30- 7pm for a tasting of two different wines, varying by week.
Holiday Flower Show
When: Now through January 2019
Where: Como Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN
The Holiday Flower Show tradition began in 1925 and continues to be the most anticipated and visited flower attracted at the Conservatory today. It is a visual sensation to behold featuring hundreds of poinsettias.
