With Christmas right around the corner and as the inches of snow begin to pile up, you may be thinking what should I do today with my family or friends? Well, here are seven fun, Christmas-themed activities for you to try this holiday season. 

#1

Holidazzle is known to the majority of Minnesotans as a fun event for families, friends, and everything in between. With an outdoor movie, fireworks, an ice skating rink, a huge Yeti, and many dog-themed activities, it’s surely plenty of fun and you can attend on Thursdays to Sundays from November 19th-December 22nd in Loring Park. 

#2

Head down to the Union Depot in St. Paul starting December 6th-8th and continuing for the next two weekends to have a taste of a European Christmas. For the sixth consecutive year, the Saint Paul European Christmas Market is the hub for unique gifts, entertainment and music galore, and jaw-dropping food adventures. If you want to try something new this holiday season, consider attending the European Christmas Market. 

#3

To some during the Christmas season, the lights and displays are the most captivating scenes. For four days from December 4th-15th, the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota is hosting a winter light show. With all original music written and recorded by the University of Minnesota students, engineering students have engineered a light show featuring over 250,000 LED lights. This activity is free and is open to anyone! 

#4

Are you in the mood to get away from the bustling twin cities and meet new people from an environment than you have grown up in? If yes, you should attend the Parade of Lights in Rushford, MN on December 14th at 7 pm. A little more than two hours from BSM and located in the southeastern corner of Minnesota, the Parade of Lights is one of Rashford’s biggest events of the year. Enjoy the parade, seeing Santa and his elves, and conclude the night with caroling and cookies. 

#5

If you’re a big fan of nature and flowers, you should head over to the Como Park Conservatory starting Saturday, December 7th to December 31st. The Conservatory is holding its annual Holiday Flower Show since 1925 throughout the majority of December. Attend the conservatory’s biggest event of the year to see their beautiful arrangements of poinsettias, eucalyptus, and Persian shield. 

#6

Duluth is gorgeous this time of year, so why not take the opportunity to see the city by train. Start at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, hear an amazing rendition of the Christmas City Express tale, be visited by carolers, and indulge in hot chocolate and cookies while enjoying the beautiful countryside on your train ride to Lake Superior. This Christmas City Express is open from November 29th-December 22nd and is the perfect mini road trip destination. 

#7

Lastly, to remind us all of our childhood, why not attend A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie this year. For the past forty-five years, the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis has put on this very play. This year, the play runs from November 12th to December 29th. Tickets range from $29-$114.