Holiday Event Guide 2024
As the holiday spirit settles on the city, festivities abound to bring people together to celebrate. Our
annual Holiday Event Guide helps you discover the magic of the season. The fun begins here.
Union Depot
Hub for the Holiday events at Union Depot, 214 4th St. E., St. Paul, Nov. 29-Dec. 22. The following events are free. Visit uniondepot.org/holiday.
European Christmas Market – Inspired by old world traditions, an outdoor European Christmas Market will be held on the weekends on the East Plaza, featuring more than 70 vendors.
North Pole Express, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 12-15. Vintage rail cars will take riders on a short adventure to a North Pole village, where they’ll have the opportunity to meet Santa and be entertained by characters and carolers.
St. Paul Winter Carnival 2025 Button Unveiling, Holiday Tree Lighting and “Elf,” Saturday, Dec. 7. The event begins at 5 p.m. with the button unveiling and a holiday musical performance by The Mistletones, free hot chocolate, photo ops, craft stations and light-up wand giveaways for kids. At 7 p.m., guests will move outside to the North Plaza for the tree lighting celebration followed by a fireworks display and holiday sing-a-long. At 7:30 p.m., guests will return inside to view the holiday movie “Elf.” Concessions will be available for purchase.
CPKC Holiday Train, Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festively lit CPKC Holiday Train will roll into Union Depot and entertain visitors with a free concert and collect nonperishable food for people in need.
Holiday Bake Sale, Saturday, Dec. 14. Forty-five local bakeries and food vendors will offer tasty treats for sale.
Historic Holidays
Holidays on the Hill Tours are held Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 29 at the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Explore 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. $25; free for ages 4 and under. Visit mnhs.org.
Candlelight Christmas Tours at the Alexander Ramsey House, 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul, Thursday-Friday, Dec. 5-27. Experience the bluer side of Christmas as guides discuss the melancholy feelings that accompany the season. Admission includes a 45-minute guided candlelight tour through the decorated 1872 mansion exploring holiday artifacts and hearing excerpts from the Ramsey family papers.
A pop-up Christmas market will be open each night of the tours 5-8 p.m. in the Carriage House. Visit mnhs.org.
Circus Juventas
“Blizzard!” is presented December 6-15 at the Big Top, located at 1270 Montreal Ave. When a trio of careless elves, The Big Book of Holiday Stories and a blizzard collide, winter chaos is set loose on the North Pole. Join CJ on a mixed-up sleigh ride through beloved holiday stories. Shows start at 7 p.m., Fridays, and 1 and 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $35 for adults, and $25 for children age 12 and younger and seniors age 65 and older. Visit circusjuventas.org.
Open Window Theatre
“A Christmas Carol” is presented Dec. 6-30 at Open Window Theatre, 5300 S. Robert Tr., Inver Grove Heights. Ebenezer Scrooge has no time for Christmas or the Christ in this new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, featuring such beloved carols as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” and more. Admission includes access to an immersive Christmas display, which includes an extensive Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus collection, an ever-growing Christmas Village collection, a vintage Snowman collection, several Nativity displays, multiple lit Christmas trees, and more. Tickets start at $28, with discounts for students and seniors. Visit openwindowtheatre.org.
GLOW Festival
Celebrating its fifth year, GLOW will transform CHS Field into a winter wonderland through Jan. 5. The festival features more than a million lights, a 60-foot-tall tree, Charity Flame, and much more. Visitors can meet Santa, race down a 150-foot 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 $21.75 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. GLOW closes at 9 p.m.
GAI
“Christmas in Germany,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 7-8, at the Germanic American Institute, 301 Summit Ave. Celebrate holiday traditions of a German Christmas in an enchanting atmosphere. Sip on a traditional German beer or warm Glühwein (hot mulled wine), indulge in hearty favorites like Bratwurst, pretzels, homemade soups and sweet German cakes. The Haus will be decorated from the Rathskeller to the ballroom, creating a winter wonderland filled with seasonal goods for sale. Outside you’ll find a large heated tent with food, drinks and cheerful music. Family-friendly activities include German model trains & toy exhibit, Christmas crafts for adults and children, Christmas storytime with German holiday stories, and the chance to meet Sankt Nikolaus. Timed entry: 10 a.m.-noon; noon-2 p.m.; 2-4 p.m. $10 adults; $5 ages 4-17.
Visitation School
’Vis the Season is held 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, 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 at 11:30 a.m. and have a photo taken with him noon-2 p.m., and enjoy complimentary face-painting and a holiday-themed cakewalk. The event also features food trucks and beverages, and an “Elfie” photo booth.
St. Paul Hotel
“It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is presented December 8-23. The classic 1946 Frank Capra film “It’s a Wonderful Life” has been adapted into a radio drama for the stage. The performances feature actors and sound effects to help guide audience imagination. Tickets start at $125 and include a 3-course meal. Performances are at 1 and 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 1 and 6 p.m., Sunday. To reserve tickets, call 651-228-3860 or visit saintpaulhotel.com.
Cathedral of St. Paul
Cathedral Christmas Festival, Dec. 12-15. A European-style outdoor Christmas Festival is held in the back courtyard of the majestic Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., featuring arts and crafts vendors, Gluhwein, cocoa and beer, food trucks, costumed carolers, photo opportunities, games, fire pits, a warming tent with music, and a chance to win prizes. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon-7 p.m. Saturday. The 8th Christmas Together with Steven C & Friends concert will be held in the cathedral Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $12. Visit cathedralheritagefoundation.org/events.
Art House North
Christmas with Sara Groves and Sandra McCracken, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at Awaken Community Church, 506 View St., St. Paul. Enjoy a cozy afternoon or evening of Christmas music and stories from two prolific songwriters. Tickets start at $40. VIP tickets are available and include entry to a preconcert event at Art House North, located one block away at 793 Armstrong Ave, as well as reserved seating for the concert. The preconcert event features hot beverages and dessert, an acoustic set from the musicians, and a meet-and-greet. For more information, visit arthousenorth.com.
O’Shaughnessy Auditorium
The auditorium is located at St. Catherine University, 204 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. For tickets or more information, visit oshag.stkate.edu/events.
B2wins “Sounds of the Season” with the Violin Twins, 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1. An engaging, uplifting, holiday celebration featuring unique musical renditions and surprises throughout the night guaranteed to put a smile on your face and fill you with holiday joy. $33 or pay what you can.
“Kevin Kling and Friends: Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. A holiday tradition since 1995 featuring hilarious, often tender stories, music and more. $5-33.
Ballet Minnesota presents “The Classic Nutcracker,” Dec. 14-15. This holiday story begins on Christmas Eve. Clara, her mischievous brother Fritz, and their family are hosting a Christmas party. Clara’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyere presents her with a marvelous gift, a Nutcracker doll. As Clara goes to sleep that night, she is transported into a dream of the Rat King fighting the Nutcracker and his army of toy soldiers. The Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara through an enchanted snow-covered forest and on to his Kingdom of the Sweets where Clara accepts the throne from the Sugar Plum Fairy. $5-45. Visit oshag.stkate.edu/events.
West Side-based Ballet Co.Laboratory presents “Nutcracker in Wonderland,” Dec. 20-22. 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, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts. From $35. Visit balletcolaboratory.org.
St. Paul
Holiday events take place on select dates at rec centers across St. Paul. Most events are free, but registration is required. For more information, visit stpaul.gov and search “winter events.”
Citywide Senior Holiday Luncheon, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3 at El Rio Vista, 179 Robie St. E. Includes a meal, game and a visit from Santa. Ages 55 and older.
Santa’s Workshop, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Battle Creek Recreation Center, 75 Winthrop St. S. Kids can shop for their family members. No item is more than $1 and participants can spend up to $10. All gifts will be wrapped. Registration required.
Community Holiday Dinner, 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Hazel Park Recreation Center, 645 Hazel St. N. Includes a meal, craft and visit from Santa. All ages.
Caroling, 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12 at Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St. Paul.
Once Upon a Holiday Movie Night, 6:30-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13 at Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 Wheelock Parkway E. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided.
Tot Time Holiday Party, 10 a.m.-noon, Friday, Dec. 13 at Battle Creek Recreation Center, 75 Winthrop St. S. A variety of holiday crafts and activities for ages 5 and under.
Dayton’s Bluff Holiday Event, 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13 at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N. Includes snacks, games, cookie decorating, photos with Santa and more.
Magical Holiday Experience, 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec 12 at Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St. Paul.
Dinner with Santa, 5:30-7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at Duluth and Case Recreation Center, 1020 Duluth St.
Winter Wonderland, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18 at North Dale Community Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N. Games, crafts, food and a visit from Santa. Ages 12 and under.
Winter Celebration, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19 at Hancock Community Center, 1610 Hubbard Ave. Family-friendly activities, music and food.
Holiday Campus Party & Santa Paws, 4:45-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19 at Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave. Get holiday photos with your pet.
Holiday Express, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23 at Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 Wheelock Parkway E. Take a picture with Santa, enjoy cookies and cocoa, ice skate, and take home a craft.
South St. Paul
Breakfast with Santa, 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at Lincoln Center Elementary, 357 9th Ave. N. Includes a pancake breakfast hosted by the South St. Paul Lions Club and a craft station hosted by the Southwest Lioness Lions Club. $10 for adults, $6 for students and free for ages six and under.
Skate with Santa, 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15 at Doug Woog Arena, 141 6th St. S. Enjoy a festive holiday skate with Santa Claus.
West St. Paul
Santa’s Holiday Hero Express Parade, 5:30-7:50 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5. 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.”
Secret Holiday Shop, 9-11 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8 at Thompson County Park Dakota Lodge. Kids of all ages may shop for gifts for loved ones. Personal shoppers will assist with gift planning, budgeting and wrapping. Gifts range from $0.50 to $14 and include items such as home decor, toys and games, jewelry and more.
Winter Wreath Design, 6-7:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 at Harmon Park. Design and decorate a fresh wreath for the winter season with Reba Berge, owner of A Precious Petals Florist in West St. Paul. Ages 18 and older. $50.
