Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
Heartwarming and cheer-inducing events abound this month, unleashing the magic of the holiday season and uniting neighbors across the city. Our annual Holiday Event Guide helps you discover the perfect events to sprinkle into your schedule and make the most of the holiday season. The celebration begins here.
GLOW Holiday Festival – CHS Field is transformed into a winter wonderland through December 31. The GLOW festival features more than a million lights, a 60-foot-tall tree, Charity Flame, and much more. Visitors can hang out at sElfie Plaza, meet Santa, enjoy a 150-foot tube slide and 300-foot zipline, play on the Penguin Playground, navigate the Reindeer Run maze, roast up a tasty treat at Smores Stations and more. Tickets are $20.75 for adults, $12.75 for children ages 3-12, and must be purchased in advance at glowholiday.com. Some activities have an additional cost. Entry times are reserved every hour starting at 5 p.m. each night. Ticket holders can enter at any time within the allotted hour and stay as long as they like. The last reserved entry time is 8 p.m. and GLOW closes at 9 p.m.
Union Depot
Hub for the Holiday events at the Union Depot, 214 4th St. E., St. Paul:
European Christmas Market, weekends though December 17, on the East Plaza. Visitors can shop for handmade crafts from more than 70 local vendors, drink Glühwein (spiced mulled wine), taste European inspired delicacies, enjoy live entertainment and participate in family-friendly activities. New this year is Santa’s Village, which features vendors, craft stations, a holiday ride and Santa’s Post Office. Commemorative mugs, including a special 10th Anniversary edition and one designed exclusively for children, will be available. Admission is free. The event is based on the festive open-air Christkindl Markets that spring up in Germany, Austria and other European countries during the Advent season. Hours are 4-9 p.m., Fridays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays. It will be open until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.
Tree Lighting and Movie Night, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2. Free. Attendees should gather in the waiting room at 5 p.m. for free cider, craft stations, light-up wand giveaways for kids, the St. Paul Winter Carnival 2023 button reveal and more. The Mistletones will present a holiday concert at 5:30 p.m. Tree lighting is at 7 p.m. in the North Plaza, followed by fireworks and a holiday sing-along. The movie “Elf” is presented at 7:30 p.m., in the waiting room. Some chairs are available but visitors are encouraged to bring blankets for seating.
Holiday Bake Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, in the waiting room. Free. Shop from more than 30 local bakery and food vendors and enjoy musical performances. Free gift bags are given to the first 200 people to arrive.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, 5-8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10. The train shows up at 7 p.m. and features a 45-minute concert. Arrive early for holiday shopping and to view model trains. Visitors will have a chance to receive giveaways. Free.
James J. Hill House
Holidays on the Hill Tours are held December 1-31 at the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Check out both floors of the 1910 Gilded Age mansion of railroad titan James J. Hill. Admission includes self-guided access to holiday-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour highlighting holiday stories and memories from the Hill family and their staff. Tours start every half-hour. The last one begins at 3:30 p.m. $20; free for ages 4 and under.
Cathedral Christmas market and concert
The Cathedral of St. Paul will host a Christmas market 5-9:30 p.m., December 7-9. Marketplace tents will ring the perimeter of the Cathedral’s festively decorated courtyard at 239 Selby Ave. The Cathedral Gift Shop tent will sell “Cathedral Fox” gift items, plus a limited number of prints of the famous photo taken by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. The prints will include a message and signature from both Sartore and Fr. John L. Ubel, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul who discovered the abandoned fox kit outside the Cathedral in 2021 and instigated rescue efforts. Other vendors will sell locally made gift items, food and drinks, including beer and hot mulled wine known as Glüwein. A variety of food trucks will be parked along Dayton Avenue. A warming tent with acoustic entertainment will offer a comfortable place to enjoy concessions, bid on silent auction items, or enter a raffle to win gift certificates from local merchants. Renowned pianist Steven C. will perform an hour of Christmas music inside the Cathedral 7-8:30 p.m., December 7 and 8. Concert admission is $10. For more information, visit cathedralheritagefoundation.org or call 651-300-6584.
Keg & Case Holiday Weekend Markets
Schmidt Artists Lofts Holiday Market will not be held this year but Keg & Case Market, 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, is holding Holiday Weekend Markets noon-8 p.m., through December 25. Additionally, the Happy Land Tree Lot is open daily.
Art House North
Sara Groves Christmas Show, 7:30 p.m., December 15-16, at Art House North, 793 Armstrong Ave. W. Cookies from Brake Bread and coffee from Wildflyer will be available. Tickets start at $45. VIP tickets include priority seating, and admittance to an opening reception starting at 6 p.m. featuring acoustic music, pie and cider, a gift from Art House and a meet-and-greet with Groves. For more information, visit arthousenorth.com/events.
Circus Juventas
“A Hygge Holiday” is presented December 8-17 at the Big Top, located at 1270 Montreal Ave. A group of young people travel deep into the woods where they encounter mischievous mice, contorting cardinals, and tumbling lumberjacks, and ultimately discover that a comfy cabin and close friends are all that’s needed to kindle the spirit and warm the heart. Shows start at 7 p.m., Fridays, 1 and 5 p.m., Saturdays, and 1 p.m., Sundays. December 17 has an additional show at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger and seniors 65 and up.
Open Window Theatre
“Nicholas,” is presented Dec. 1-30 at Open Window Theatre, 5300 S. Robert Tr., Inver Grove Heights. This play dives into the inspiring story of the real-life Father Christmas, St. Nicholas of Myra, who lived during the 4th century. His adventurous life of faith, combined with his heroic generosity and humble service of the less fortunate, would eventually become the basis for our modern-day Santa Claus. This year, the play has a new scene and additional songs. Tickets start at $28, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, visit openwindowtheatre.org.
Germanic American Institute
“Christmas in Germany” is held 11 a.m.-4 p.m., December 2-3, at the Germanic American Institute, 301 Summit Ave. This free, annual open haus gives visitors the chance to experience some of the traditions of German Christmas. Taste Lebkuchen cookies baked by the GAI Damenklub, drink Haus brewed Glühwein (mulled wine), listen to German carols sung by the Minnesänger Chorus and more. Seasonal goods will be sold in a heated tent by various vendors, Weihnachtsmarkt style. This year also features German model trains, crafts for children and an Alpaca petting zoo. St. Nikolaus will make an appearance noon-2 p.m. each day. For more information, visit gaimn.org and search “Christmas.”
Stammtisch Christmas Lunch is held Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the GAI, and features beef Rouladen with mashed potatoes, red cabbage and a festive Jägertorte (cranberry hazelnut torte). Guests can receive the meal via curbside pick-up between 11:30 a.m.-noon, or dine at the Haus and enjoy a short holiday program beginning at 12:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 for curbside pick-up and $25 for in-person. In-person tickets include one beer, wine or soft drink. Registration is required by Dec. 6.
O’Shaughnessy Auditorium
The auditorium is located at St. Catherine University, 204 Randolph Ave., St. Paul.
St. Paul Ballet presents “The Nutcracker Reimagined,” 7 p.m., December 1, and 2 and 7 p.m., December 2. Pay what you can; suggested adult donation of $35.
“Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas 2023,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8. Enjoy traditional Christmas carols, stories and lively Irish dance. McMahon will be joined on stage by her band, singers and the Rince na Chroí Irish Dancers. $5-$29.
“Kevin Kling and Friends: Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9. $5-33.
Ballet Minnesota presents “The Classic Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., December 15; and 2 p.m., December 16-17. $5-45.
Ballet Co.Laboratory
West Side-based Ballet Co.Laboratory presents “Nutcracker in Wonderland,” Dec. 8-10 at The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. This performance weaves together E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker” and Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Clara and Alice begin to fall in love as they join forces on a journey of self-discovery and meet characters such as the Rat Queen, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. Tickets start at $30. A virtual performance will also be offered. For tickets for the virtual performance, call the Ballet Co.Laboratory Box Office at 651-313-5967.
City of St. Paul
Holiday events take place at rec centers across St. Paul December 7-21. Most events are free, but registration is required. For more information, visit stpaul.gov and search “winter events.”
Holiday Party, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, at Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave. The event features food, music, games and more.
Dinner with Santa, 5:30-7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, at Duluth and Case Recreation Center, 1020 Duluth St. Families can enjoy food, crafts and a visit from Santa.
Community Holiday Dinner, 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Hazel Park Recreation Center, 645 Hazel St. N. Families can enjoy a light dinner (while food supplies last) and holiday activities.
Dayton’s Bluff Holiday Event, 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13. This free family event features food, face painting, arts and crafts, games, music and more.
Once Upon a Holiday Movie Night, 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 Wheelock Parkway E. Visitors can wear their pajamas and bring their blankets. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided.
Winter Wonderland, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14, at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N. Visitors can take part in activities and enjoy a visit from Santa. Geared for youth age 12 and under.
Parent Night Out, 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St. E. Parents can drop off their kids and do some last-minute shopping. Kids will be entertained with gym time, games, snacks and a movie. $9.
Santa’s Workshop, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Battle Creek Recreation Center, 75 Winthrop St. S. Kids ages 6-17 will be able to purchase and wrap gifts for their parents, siblings or friends. All gifts will be under $1. Limit of $10 per child. Parents must stay in a waiting area while their child is in the workshop.
Holiday Express, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, at Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 Wheelock Parkway E. Take a picture with Santa, enjoy a cookie and some cocoa, ice skate, and take home a craft.
City of West St. Paul
Santa’s Holiday Hero Express Parade, 5:30-7:50 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7. Santa and his helpers visit the streets of West St. Paul with an escort by West St. Paul Police, South Metro Fire and other public safety vehicles. If your home is not on the route, head over to the Harmon Park parking lot (the stalls along Bernard Street have the best view) to see and wave to Santa. To find the parade route, visit wspmn.gov and search “Santa’s holiday hero express parade.”
Visitation School
’Vis the Season is held 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at Visitation School, 2455 Visitation Dr., Mendota Heights. Shop for holiday gifts from local vendors at the marketplace, meet Santa and join his story time, and enjoy complimentary face painting and a holiday-themed cakewalk. The event features food trucks and beverages, and an “Elfie” booth for photos.
Lowertown Santacon
Lowertown Santacon pub crawl returns Saturday, Dec. 16. Stops include: Union Depot East Plaza, 240 East Kellogg Blvd., 7-8 p.m.; Big River Pizza, 280 5th St E., 8-10 p.m.; and MetroNOME, 385 Broadway St., 10 p.m.-close.