Last updated: November 11, 2024
Discover the festive spirit of Blaine with our ultimate guide. Whether you've called Blaine home for years or just for the holidays, this guide ensures a joyful experience.
Popular events abound, including the Mall of America Festival of Trees, where beautifully themed trees illuminate the holiday season. Unique displays and decorations create a captivating atmosphere for all ages. Another highlight is the GLOW Holiday Festival, featuring spectacular light displays that transform location into a winter wonderland. And the Grand Meander is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a charming community celebration filled with local vendors and activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Blaine Holiday Light Displays
Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival
- What to Expect
- Community tree lighting with fireworks and family-friendly activities.
- Description
- Join Coon Rapids for a community celebration featuring cocoa and cookies, Santa visits, live music, and fire pits to keep warm. Enjoy fun activities for kids and a countdown to a twinkling light display on the tree followed by fireworks.
- Where
- Coon Rapids | More Info : Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival
Edina Tree Lighting Ceremony
- What to Expect
- Holiday tree lighting with festive activities and local business specials.
- Description
- The Edina Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event featuring holiday-themed activities, local business specials, and the main event of the holiday tree lighting. It is a family-friendly celebration that includes horse-drawn wagon rides and choral performances.
- Where
- Edina | More Info : Edina Tree Lighting Ceremony
Winter Lights - Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- What to Expect
- Woodland-themed light display and giant apple tribute.
- Description
- Stroll through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's gardens decked out in light displays highlighting flowers, trees, and the beauty of nature on a one-mile, self-guided walk. Explore a woodland-themed light display, revisit the 16-foot Weeping Willow, and walk through a giant apple. Enjoy holiday tunes from local performers during the live Winter Music Series and roast marshmallows over an open fire at the S’mores Village.
- Where
- Chaska | More Info : Winter Lights - Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
GLOW Holiday Festival
- What to Expect
- Over a million lights and unique shopping experience.
- Description
- GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, features over a million lights, new exhibits, a zip line, and a boutique shopping experience with local vendors.
- Where
- St Paul | More Info : GLOW Holiday Festival
Magic of Lights - Viking Lakes
- What to Expect
- Dazzling drive-through holiday light display with iconic characters.
- Description
- Over 2 million dazzling holiday lights transform Viking Lakes into a spectacular drive-through display featuring classic holiday scenes, animated displays, and iconic characters like Mattel's Waving Christmas Barbie and the legendary BIGFOOT Monster Truck.
- Where
- Eagan | More Info : Magic of Lights - Viking Lakes
Sever's Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light display with festive food vendors.
- Description
- Sever's Holiday Lights features over 2.5 million lights synchronized to holiday music, with a 1/2-mile drive-thru course and festive food vendors.
- Where
- Shakopee | More Info : Sever's Holiday Lights
Blaine Holiday Markets and Shopping
Grand Meander
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping and Santa visits along Grand Avenue.
- Description
- Shop local and meander along Grand Avenue while enjoying holiday treats and entertainment. Special visits from Santa and great deals to complete your holiday gift list.
- Where
- St Paul | More Info : Grand Meander
European Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Authentic traditional holiday market with handmade European crafts and local delicacies.
- Description
- The European Christmas Market in St. Paul offers a unique shopping experience with over 70 vendors, live entertainment, and European-style food. Visitors can enjoy gift shopping, kids' craft activities, and festive performances.
- Where
- St Paul | More Info : European Christmas Market
Blaine Holiday Shows and Entertainment
North Pole Express
- What to Expect
- Historic steam train ride with Santa visit and holiday activities.
- Description
- Join Friends 261 for a historic North Pole Express journey featuring steam locomotives, vintage railcars, and a visit from Santa Claus. Enjoy holiday treats and activities at St. Paul Union Depot.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : North Pole Express
A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Classic adaptation of Dickens' novella with a ghost story twist.
- Description
- A Christmas Carol is a classic tale by Charles Dickens, where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, forcing him to confront his past, present, and potential future. This adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani stays faithful to the novella, framing the classic tale as a ghost story.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : A Christmas Carol
Mannheim Steamroller
- What to Expect
- Dazzling multimedia effects and a distinctive sound.
- Description
- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis is a beloved holiday tradition featuring classic Christmas hits in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The show includes 15 musicians playing over 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects, capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.
- Where
- Prior Lake | More Info : Mannheim Steamroller
Cirque Musica
- What to Expect
- World-class circus performance with holiday classics.
- Description
- Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is a spectacular holiday event featuring awe-inspiring acrobatics, gravity-defying aerial feats, and talented musicians and singers. The show blends circus artistry with beloved holiday melodies, creating a dazzling display of talent and spectacle.
- Where
- Burnsville | More Info : Cirque Musica
A Motown Christmas
- What to Expect
- Family-oriented show combining Motown hits with holiday classics.
- Description
- A Motown Christmas features a world-class vocal group performing Motown's greatest hits and holiday classics with dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies.
- Where
- Burnsville | More Info : A Motown Christmas
Blaine Other Holiday Activities
Blaine Winter Celebration
- What to Expect
- Live holiday music and a secret holiday shopping spree for kids.
- Description
- The Blaine Winter Celebration at Tom Ryan Park features live holiday music, s'mores by the fire, hot chocolate, and beautiful park lighting. Santa and his reindeer will be present, and children can participate in a secret holiday shopping spree inside Blaine City Hall.
- Where
- Blaine | More Info : Blaine Winter Celebration
Linden Hills Reindeer Day
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday activities with local businesses.
- Description
- Join local businesses in downtown Linden Hills for a day of holiday fun, featuring crafts, food, storytime, and more. Enjoy activities like scavenger hunts, live music, and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Participating businesses include bookshops, bakeries, and pet stores offering unique holiday treats and crafts.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : Linden Hills Reindeer Day
Mall of America Festival of Trees
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday experience with decorated trees and raffle opportunities.
- Description
- At the Mall of America, the Festival of Trees features over 50 trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. This free event allows guests to walk through a winter wonderland, learn about the featured nonprofits, and purchase tickets to win their favorite tree decorations. All proceeds benefit the MOA Community Foundation.
- Where
- Bloomington | More Info : Mall of America Festival of Trees