Last updated: November 11, 2024
Discover the best of the holidays in Saint Louis Park with our comprehensive guide. Whether you're rediscovering Saint Louis Park or seeing it for the first time, this guide helps you create lasting holiday memories.
One of the highlights of the season is the GLOW Holiday Festival, where dazzling light displays and festive activities bring a magical ambiance to the city. Additionally, the European Christmas Market offers a delightful atmosphere filled with unique crafts and delicious seasonal treats. And the Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it features a charming ceremony marking the start of the holiday season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Saint Louis Park Holiday Light Displays
GLOW Holiday Festival
- What to Expect
- Over a million lights and a zip line experience.
- Description
- GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, features over a million lights, a zip line, and various exhibits, making the holiday season merry and bright.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : GLOW Holiday Festival
Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival
- What to Expect
- Community celebration with tree lighting and fireworks.
- Description
- Join the Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival for a community celebration featuring hot cocoa, cookies, Santa photos, live music, and fire pits. Enjoy fun activities for kids and stay for the tree lighting countdown and fireworks.
- Where
- Coon Rapids | More Info : Coon Rapids Tree Lighting Festival
Saint Louis Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
European Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Authentic European holiday market with handmade 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
Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Unique handcrafted gifts by local artists.
- Description
- The 46th Annual Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar features unique handcrafted gift items by 80 local artists, including jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and more. Guests can enjoy festive music and delicious treats in a beautiful, classic venue.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Cathedral Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- European-style outdoor Christmas market with live music and unique gifts.
- Description
- The Cathedral Christmas Market offers a European-style outdoor celebration with festive decorations, warm food, mulled wine, and unique gifts. Enjoy fire pits, a warming tent, and live music while browsing through various vendors.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Cathedral Christmas Market
Saint Louis Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Flower Show
- What to Expect
- Annual display of poinsettias and other holiday florals.
- Description
- The Como Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show features hundreds of poinsettias and other holiday florals, showcasing yellow poinsettias accented with other plants. This annual event, which began in 1925, is the Conservatory's most well-attended event of the year.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Holiday Flower Show
A Hygge Holiday
- What to Expect
- High-flying acrobatics and festive forest setting.
- Description
- A Hygge Holiday by Circus Juventas is a holiday performance that transports audiences to the North Woods, featuring young performers in a cozy cabin setting with acrobatics, candle-lit feasts, and festive celebrations.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : A Hygge Holiday
The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Multicultural, multi-genre ballet performance with diverse choreography.
- Description
- St. Paul Ballet's Nutcracker Reimagined features a diverse cast of dancers from the Youth Company, CAAM Chinese Dance Theatre, and Ethnic Dance Theatre. The performance includes a mix of classic and new choreography, showcasing the technical and creative skills of today's ballet professionals. This event is perfect for families, adults, and elderly folks who want to feel inspired by the youth of today.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : The Nutcracker
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concerts: Handel’s “Messiah”
- What to Expect
- World-class performance of Handel's iconic oratorio.
- Description
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra presents Handel's "Messiah" with an all-star roster of vocal soloists and The Singers, celebrating one of classical music's most beloved traditions.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concerts: Handel’s “Messiah”
North Pole Express
- What to Expect
- Historic steam locomotive and vintage railcar experience with Santa visit.
- Description
- Join Friends 261 for a holiday train ride to the North Pole, featuring historic steam locomotives, vintage railcars, and a visit from Santa Claus. Enjoy holiday treats, decorations, and activities along the way.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : North Pole Express
Rice Park Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- A vibrant tree lighting ceremony surrounded by live performances in a historic park setting.
- Description
- The Rice Park Tree Lighting marks the arrival of the holiday season in St Paul. This event features the illumination of a large tree adorned with thousands of lights, creating a captivating atmosphere in the park. Families and friends gather to celebrate the season, enjoy seasonal performances, and take part in various activities that reflect the spirit of the holidays.
- Where
- St Paul | More Info : Rice Park Tree Lighting
Saint Louis Park Other Holiday Activities
Linden Hills Reindeer Day
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday activities with local businesses.
- Description
- Linden Hills Reindeer Day is a community event featuring holiday crafts, food, storytime, and more in downtown Linden Hills. Participating businesses offer a variety of activities, including marshmallow roasting, live music, and photo opportunities with Santa.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : Linden Hills Reindeer Day
Holidays on the Hill Tours
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed tours of a Gilded Age mansion.
- Description
- Explore the James J. Hill House during the holiday season, featuring self-guided access to holiday-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour highlighting stories and memories of the Hill family and their staff.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Holidays on the Hill Tours