How is it that it’s already November and Thanksgiving is just a little more than a week away! Are you ready? This has been a beautiful autumn, and getting outside has been lovely. The weather looks to stay seasonable – no big snowstorms on the radar at the moment – so it’s a perfect time to get out and enjoy the holiday lights, and the beginning of the shopping season. Stillwater, MN is particularly lovely this time of year and they go all out to make it a wonderful family friendly experience. Scandia, Lindstrom, and other small towns just north of the cities are fun this time of year to explore. Check out the other great family friendly events in the Twin Cities this November listed below.
Events in the Twin Cities this November
Dr Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
When: November 15 – January 7th, 2024
Where: The Children’s Theatre Company
2400 Third Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
The miserly, miserable Grinch has had enough of the Whos despicable Christmas joy! He conceives a dastardly plot, but when tiny Cindy Lou Who extends a hand of friendship, the course of Who-History – and the size of the old green guy’s heart – is changed forever.
40th Annual Minnesota Waldorf Holiday Fair
When: November 18th, 2023
Where: Minnesota Waldorf School
70 East County Road B
St. Paul, MN
Arboretum Applehouse Holiday Boutique
When: November 15th – December 21st, 2023
Where: Applehouse
7485 Rolling Acres Rd
Victoria, MN
The Arboretum’s popular AppleHouse — located at 7485 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria, 1.5 miles west of the Arboretum’s main entrance — becomes a Holiday Boutique in November and December. Find everything you need to make the holidays special, including seasonal decor, gifts and gourmet goodies for your holiday meals. Apples and Arboretum-grown squash will also be available while supplies last.
Fun activities and beautiful artisanal crafts return to the MN Waldorf School’s free and open-to-the-public 40th annual Holiday Fair and Artisan Market on Saturday November 18th, 2023. Join us for a full day of wintery festive fun, with children’s activities, puppet shows, food trucks, live music, a silent auction and of course visits from our sneaky Pocketeers! Shop over 30 local artisans in our vendor market place and pick out something truly unique.
National Eagle CenterEducation Program
When: November 15th – November 21st, 2023
Where: National Eagle Center Program Center
110 Main Street
Wabasha, MN
Bring your friends and family to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN to experience fun, insightful, and engaging educational programs led the Center’s team of expert naturalist educators. Learn about the incredible world of raptors, get an inside look at the amazing lives of eagles in, and meet one of the Center’s LIVE eagle ambassadors in an eagle program. Or learn about the Mississippi River, its wildlife, and ecology in a migration or nature program. Whether you are from the Wabasha area or a visitor from across the nation or around the world, National Eagle Center education programs are a must-see and well worth your visit; a great way to learn about eagles, raptors, and the natural world.
National Eagle Center education programs are high-energy, engaging, and fun for learners of all ages and walks of life. Even if you attended several programs before, you can expect to learn something new with each visit.
Programs typically last about 45 minutes.
Little Explorers at the Como Zoo
When: November 16th – December 28th, 2023
Where: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN
Lil’ Explorers is a free program designed to connect children to plants and animals through age appropriate educational activities, stories and playtime.
GLOW Holiday Festival
When: November 16th – December 31st, 2023
Where: CHS Field
360 N Broadway St.
St. Paul, MN
GLOW is returning this 2023 winter season to CHS Field in Downtown St. Paul. Tickets are on sale now. This 2023 season, GLOW will run from November 16 to December 31 on select dates. Each evening, the event will be open from 5:00PM – 9:00PM
GLOW features over a million lights, sElfie Plaza, Enchanted Forest, Bright Bikes, Tremendous Tree, the GLOW Spectacular, and so much more!
The elves have a lot up their sleeves this year with new exhibits and, of course, tons of lights to make your holiday shiny & bright.
Blood Drive at Union Depot
When: November 16th, 2023
Where: Union Depot
214 4th St. E.
St. Paul, MN
Sign up to donate blood at Union Depot! Schedule either a Power Red or Blood donation.
Power Red: A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.
Blood: The most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of ‘whole blood’ is given. This type of blood donation usually takes about an hour.
Holiday Art Fair
When: November 18th & 19th, 2023
Where: Huntington Bank Rotunda Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN
A selection of artists from around the state of Minnesota will display their works at Mall of America’s Huntington Bank Rotunda this weekend. Everything from painting to photography to handcrafted jewelry will be on display so you can get holiday shopping started early!
Wintertime in Stillwater
When: November 18th – February 29th, 2024
Where: Downtown Stillwater
Stillwater, MN
Discover the beauty and fun of Wintertime in Stillwater!
Starting in December, the traditional experiences will continue outdoors including Hometown for the Holidays, carriage rides, carolers, Winterfest and the lighting of the Main Street Christmas Tree. Some new outside experiences being considered: A Fat Tire Rally, a downtown ice-skating rink, Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloons, Ice Cream Social, European Market, a mini Ice Castle with a maze inside, outdoor firepits, hockey and boot hockey games and more.
Night Trains
When: November 18th, 24th & 25th, 2023
Where: Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Road, Suite 8
St. Paul, MN
Night Trains® season is back for the 2023-2024 season. Enjoy this unique holiday tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum from November through February.
What is Night Trains?
The museum’s collection of model trains of all scales and toy trains of yesteryear come alive throughout the Museum. Night Trains Season magic begins as the lights are turned down and the buildings and street lights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially lighted models of operating vintage passenger trains. The make believe town of Matlin is buried in a blizzard, and throughout the Museum the layouts are adorned with miniature Christmas lights and decorations.
I am Betty
When: November 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 2023
Where: History Theatre
30 East 10th Street
St Paul, MN
Betty Crocker has helped shape America’s homes and appetites for over a century.Surprising to many, she was not a real person! As a radio and television personality, a letter-writing confidante, and a relatable icon, “Betty” has been a subject of both admiration and scorn as multiple generations have grappled with questions of women’s role in American society. You’ll catch yourself humming the memorable music from this world-premiere production and be inspired to go home to bake something new!
Black Plaid Friday
When: November 24th, 2023
Where: Downtown Stillwater
Stillwater, MN
Sleepyhead deals on Main Street starting at 9am. The official kick-off of Hometown for the Holidays.
