Experience the festive magic of Bloomington with our holiday event guide. For Bloomington aficionados and curious cats, our guide is your ticket to festive adventures.
Celebrate the season with the enchanting lights and sounds of the Mall of America Holiday Music Festival, where local musicians serenade shoppers. Get ready for the unique charm of Bentleyville Tour of Lights, featuring stunning displays that will leave you in awe. And don’t forget the Holidazzle, a vibrant celebration with its dazzling parades and merry marketplaces. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bloomington
See these and even more events listed below!Bloomington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Mall of America Holiday Music Festival
What to Expect:
Largest indoor holiday music festival in the Midwest
Description:
The Mall of America transforms into a melodious winter haven during its Holiday Music Festival. Shoppers and music enthusiasts alike are treated to performances by local choirs, bands, and orchestras echoing through the mall's vast corridors. This event showcases Minnesota's rich musical heritage, with over 50 different groups participating annually. You can enjoy everything from traditional carols to contemporary holiday hits while exploring the mall's 500+ stores. The festival originated in 1992, the same year the Mall of America opened its doors, making it a cherished tradition for nearly three decades.
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Mall of America Holiday Music Festival
Nearby Events
Holidazzle (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Outdoor winter celebration with a unique blend of Minnesota culture and holiday cheer
Description:
Holidazzle illuminates downtown Minneapolis with a vibrant celebration of winter and local culture. This outdoor extravaganza features ice skating, local food vendors, and artisan markets, all set against the backdrop of the city's skyline. Visitors can warm up with a cup of hot cocoa while browsing handcrafted gifts from Minnesota makers. The event pays homage to the city's Scandinavian heritage with traditional activities and decor. Holidazzle evolved from a nighttime parade that began in 1992 to its current format as a winter village in 2014, adapting to embrace the community's changing needs and desires.
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Bentleyville Tour of Lights (Duluth)
What to Expect:
America's largest free walk-through lighting display
Description:
Bentleyville Tour of Lights transforms Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park into a dazzling spectacle of over 5 million lights. This massive display spans 20 acres along Lake Superior's shoreline, creating a breathtaking contrast between the illuminated sculptures and the dark winter sky. Visitors can roast marshmallows over fire pits while admiring the intricate light displays. The event began in 2001 as a small home display and has since grown into a beloved regional attraction, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually. Bentleyville's commitment to community is evident in its partnership with local food banks, collecting donations throughout the event.
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Winter Lights at the Arboretum (Chaska)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into a winter illumination experience
Description:
Winter Lights at the Arboretum in Chaska offers a unique fusion of nature and artistry. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's 1,200 acres become an outdoor gallery of light installations, with trees wrapped in colorful LEDs and creative projections bringing the landscape to life. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour through themed gardens, each telling a different story through light and sound. The event highlights the arboretum's commitment to environmental education, featuring energy-efficient lighting and displays that showcase the beauty of winter flora. This illuminated walk began in 2017 and has quickly become a staple of Minnesota's winter attractions.
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Winter Lights at the Arboretum
European Christmas Market (Saint Paul)
What to Expect:
Authentic European-style Christmas market in the heart of Saint Paul
Description:
The European Christmas Market brings old-world charm to Saint Paul's Union Depot. Wooden chalets line the plaza, offering traditional European crafts, foods, and beverages. The air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Visitors can try their hand at traditional German games or watch skilled artisans demonstrate their crafts. This market pays homage to Saint Paul's strong German heritage, which dates back to the 19th century when German immigrants significantly shaped the city's culture and architecture. Since its inception in 2014, the market has grown to feature over 60 vendors, making it a true slice of Europe in the Midwest.
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GLOW Holiday Festival (Saint Paul)
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light experience with interactive elements
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival reimagines the traditional light display as an immersive drive-through adventure at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Visitors journey through a mile-long route featuring over a million lights, towering sculptures, and animated displays. The event incorporates cutting-edge technology, including synchronized light shows and interactive elements controlled via smartphone. One highlight is the "Glow Around the World" section, showcasing holiday traditions from various cultures. GLOW debuted in 2020 as a response to the need for socially distanced entertainment and has since evolved into a beloved annual tradition, blending innovation with holiday spirit.
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Linden Hills Holiday Market (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Curated outdoor market featuring local artisans and makers
Description:
The Linden Hills Holiday Market transforms the charming Minneapolis neighborhood into a bustling outdoor bazaar. Local artisans and makers showcase their handcrafted goods, from pottery and jewelry to gourmet foods and textiles. Live music from local musicians fills the air as shoppers explore the carefully curated selection of unique gifts. Visitors can warm up with locally roasted coffee while chatting with the creators behind the products. This market reflects the neighborhood's long-standing commitment to supporting small businesses, a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century when Linden Hills was developed as a streetcar suburb with a strong local commercial district.
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Christmas at the Courthouse (Stillwater)
What to Expect:
Historic courthouse transformed into a Victorian-era Christmas celebration
Description:
Christmas at the Courthouse transports visitors to a 19th-century holiday celebration in Stillwater's historic Washington County Courthouse. The 1870 building comes alive with period decorations, costumed interpreters, and traditional activities. Visitors can participate in Victorian parlor games or listen to carolers perform forgotten holiday tunes. The event showcases the courthouse's stunning architecture, including its rare pressed tin ceilings and ornate woodwork. This annual celebration began in 1998 as a way to preserve and share Stillwater's rich history, particularly its importance as a lumber boomtown during the Victorian era. The courthouse itself played a significant role in Minnesota's journey to statehood.