Last updated: November 11, 2024
Enjoy the joy of the season in Burnsville with our detailed event guide. For those who know Burnsville well and those just getting acquainted, our guide is your festive roadmap.
Popular Events: Kick off your holiday celebration at the GLOW Holiday Festival, where enchanting light displays create a magical outdoor experience perfect for all ages. With artisan vendors and seasonal treats, the European Christmas Market offers a delightful atmosphere steeped in tradition. And the timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, will bring the spirit of the holidays to life through its beautiful storytelling. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Interactive light displays and unique shopping experience.
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: Minneapolis | More Info: GLOW Holiday Festival
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic characters and dinosaurs.
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Eagan | More Info: Magic of Lights
Synchronized light display with festive food and drink vendors.
Sever's Holiday Lights features over 2.5 million synchronized lights set to holiday music, with festive food and drink vendors, and a variety of installations including a 3D gift box and translucent drum giants.
Where: Shakopee | More Info: Sever's Holiday Lights
Family-friendly holiday event with horse-drawn trolley rides and Santa visits.
Join the Anoka Tree Lighting Celebration in historic downtown Anoka for a fun and family-friendly event featuring the lighting of the official City Christmas Tree. Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley rides, merry holiday music, and bonfires to keep you warm. Bring the kids to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Santa Shack, and explore the unique shops in the Twin Cities.
Where: Anoka | More Info: Anoka Tree Lighting Celebration
Holiday tree lighting with horse-drawn wagon rides and carolers.
The 50th & France Business Association Holiday Tree Lighting is a festive event featuring the lighting of a holiday tree, horse-drawn wagon rides, and holiday carolers. It is part of a day filled with fun events celebrating Small Business Saturday and the holiday season.
Where: Edina | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Authentic traditional holiday market with over 70 vendors.
The European Christmas Market in St. Paul features over 70 vendors offering handmade European crafts, unique gifts, and European-style food. Enjoy live entertainment, a Holiday Train, and Carousel, along with kids' craft activities and festive performances.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: European Christmas Market
Private Santa visits with unique photo opportunities.
The Santa Experience in Bloomington, MN, offers unique in-person and virtual Santa visits with special photo opportunities and fun Christmas merchandise.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: The Santa Experience
Historic steam locomotive and vintage railcar experience with Santa.
Join Friends 261 for a nostalgic holiday journey aboard the North Pole Express, featuring historic steam locomotives and vintage railcars. Enjoy a short train ride to the North Pole, where Santa will greet you and collect your letter. The event includes holiday treats, entertainment, and activities at St. Paul Union Depot.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: North Pole Express
Classic tale of redemption through ghostly visitations.
A miserly and miserable man, 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 Charles Dickens' novella, framing the classic tale as a ghost story.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Contemporary dance spectacle blending hip-hop and classical music.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle that re-mixes and re-imagines the classic Nutcracker story with hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky's timeless music. Directed by Jennifer Weber, this holiday event features a powerhouse cast of all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow. It transforms the traditional 19th-century German landscape into vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Hip Hop Nutcracker
Professional ballet performance with precise technique and milder conflict.
The Continental Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a timeless holiday classic featuring Clara and her godfather Drosselmeyer's journey to the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy. This family-friendly production develops themes of generosity, non-violence, and responsibility through precise choreography and Tchaikovsky's iconic music.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Continental Ballet presents: The Nutcracker
Grammy-winning duo performing festive holiday classics.
For KING + COUNTRY brings holiday cheer with their Drummer Boy Christmas Tour, featuring Grammy-winning duo Joel and Luke performing festive classics.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: For KING + COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas
Diverse choral performances blending traditional and contemporary pieces.
The Bethel Choir, directed by Dr. Merrin Guice Gill, presents a concert featuring a wide range of choral literature, including traditional repertoire and newly composed pieces. The choir explores music from various cultures and regularly collaborates with orchestras. This event showcases the ensemble's high critical acclaim and diverse musical offerings.
Where: Arden Hills | More Info: Festival of Christmas
World-class collegiate musical performance with 500 student musicians.
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a century-old tradition featuring over 500 student musicians from five choirs and the orchestra, led by five conductors. This musical celebration includes special events and concerts, showcasing the college's rich musical heritage.
Where: Northfield | More Info: Love and Joy Come to You
Holiday celebration with tree lighting, live music, and a classic movie.
Join Union Depot for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration and Movie Night. The event features the St. Paul Winter Carnival button reveal, a holiday performance by The Mistletones, free cider, photo ops, craft stations, and a light-up wand giveaway for kids. The tree lighting ceremony will be followed by a short fireworks display and a holiday sing-along. Guests will then move inside for a showing of the holiday favorite, Elf. Concessions will be available, including popcorn, and chairs will be provided for extra seating. The European Christmas Market on the East Plaza offers unique, handmade holiday gifts and decorations, along with European-inspired food and drinks.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Community gathering to celebrate the season with Santa and festive activities.
Families gather to welcome the winter season with the ceremonial lighting of the community tree. This event features holiday music, treats, and the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, creating a warm atmosphere that encourages holiday spirit. Attendees can also enjoy activities and live performances that celebrate winter traditions.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Winter Lighting Ceremony with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Family-friendly event with an illuminated trick-or-treat trail.
Halloween Fest at Nicollet Commons Park features an illuminated trick-or-treat trail, music, and entertainment for all ages. Local businesses and organizations will hand out candy and trinkets, while a DJ and roaming entertainers keep the party going.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Halloween Fest
Fall-themed photo booth and costume contest with various prize categories.
Join us for a spooktacular dog costume contest at Alimagnet Park, featuring prizes for the cutest, scariest, best group, and best overall costumes, along with a fall-themed photo booth.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Howl-O-Ween
Interactive community event with police officers.
Join the Burnsville Police Department for a Building Bridges to More Inclusive Communities event on October 11th. View police vehicles, visit with officers, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Faith & Blue
Interactive fire and EMS safety demonstrations.
The Burnsville Fire Department is opening its doors for a look into how they keep our community safe. Explore the station, fire engines, and ambulances. Meet firefighters and paramedics, and see live safety demonstrations of fire and EMS operations.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Fire Department Open House
Personalized holiday interactions with Santa.
Meet Santa Claus at Blaine City Hall for a special visit, offering a chance to share holiday wishes and take memorable photos.
Where: Blaine | More Info: Visits with Santa
Interactive train rides and festive activities.
Families can ring in the holiday season at Santa's Train Shop by greeting Santa as he arrives on the 10:30 AM train and then riding the first train. Once back at the Roundhouse, enjoy train rides, Christmas games, LEGO activities, and live music.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Santa's Train Shop
Interactive nature education activities with free rentals.
Embrace winter at the Winter Play Day Festival, featuring free mini-lessons, snow-making demonstrations, and interactive nature education activities. Enjoy free walk-up rentals for snowshoes, cross-country skis, and kicksleds. Explore the park, climb a snow mountain, and play in a quinzhee shelter. Warm up by bonfires and enjoy free roasted marshmallows. Connect with local community partners and enjoy fireside book readings, winter yoga, and live music.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Snowed In
