Get ready for holiday joy in St. Cloud! Our guide is packed with must-see events and activities.
Immerse yourself in the twinkling wonders of the St. Cloud Holiday Lights Festival, where the streets come alive with thousands of dazzling lights. Experience the enchanting ice sculptures and live entertainment at Holidazzle, making it a truly unique celebration. And Christmas at the Mansions is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a glimpse into beautifully decorated historic homes. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in St. Cloud
- St. Cloud Holiday Lights Festival
- Winter Nights & Lights Parade
- Granite City Train Show
- St. Cloud Christmas Market
St. Cloud Holiday Light Displays
St. Cloud Holiday Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music
Description:
The St. Cloud Holiday Lights Festival illuminates the winter sky with a dazzling array of synchronized light displays. Visitors can stroll through the twinkling pathways, marveling at the intricate designs and choreographed light shows set to festive tunes. This event transforms Lake George into a luminous spectacle, drawing inspiration from St. Cloud's rich history as a granite quarrying center. You'll have the opportunity to create your own light art installation, adding a personal touch to the glowing landscape. The festival showcases the community's creativity and technological innovation in holiday celebrations.
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St. Cloud Holiday Lights Festival
St. Cloud Holiday Markets and Shopping
St. Cloud Christmas Market
What to Expect:
German-inspired outdoor market with local artisans and food vendors
Description:
The St. Cloud Christmas Market brings a taste of European tradition to central Minnesota. This open-air market features local artisans and food vendors selling handcrafted goods and regional specialties. The event draws inspiration from German Christkindlmarkts, adapting the concept to showcase St. Cloud's unique cultural blend. Visitors can warm up with a mug of Glühwein, a spiced mulled wine that fills the air with aromatic notes of cinnamon and clove. The market offers a hands-on ornament-making workshop, where you can create a personalized keepsake using traditional German techniques.
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St. Cloud Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Nights & Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and performers in a nighttime parade
Description:
The Winter Nights & Lights Parade illuminates downtown St. Cloud with a procession of glowing floats and costumed performers. This unique nighttime event transforms the streets into rivers of light, showcasing the creativity of local businesses and community groups. The parade pays homage to St. Cloud's diverse cultural heritage, featuring illuminated representations of holiday traditions from around the world. Spectators can join in the fun by donning light-up accessories, becoming part of the luminous spectacle. The event culminates in a tree-lighting ceremony, symbolizing unity and hope for the community.
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St. Cloud Other Holiday Activities
Granite City Train Show
What to Expect:
Large-scale model train layouts depicting Minnesota landscapes
Description:
The Granite City Train Show chugs into St. Cloud, bringing with it an impressive array of model train layouts. This event celebrates Minnesota's rich railroad history, featuring intricate miniature recreations of local landmarks and landscapes. Train enthusiasts and curious visitors alike can marvel at the detailed craftsmanship of the displays, some of which span hundreds of square feet. The rhythmic clickety-clack of tiny trains fills the air as they wind through miniature towns and countryside. Visitors have the chance to operate a model train, experiencing the thrill of conducting these miniature marvels.
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Nearby Events
Holidazzle (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Outdoor winter activities in the heart of Minneapolis
Description:
Holidazzle brings the spirit of Minnesota winter to downtown Minneapolis. This vibrant event features outdoor ice skating, warming houses, and local food vendors serving up hearty winter fare. Rooted in the city's Scandinavian heritage, Holidazzle embraces the cold with gusto, encouraging visitors to bundle up and enjoy the brisk air. Try your hand at curling, a sport with a long history in the Twin Cities. The event transforms Loring Park into a hub of winter activity, showcasing the resilience and joy of Minnesotans in the face of chilly temperatures.
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Christmas at the Mansions (Little Falls)
What to Expect:
Period-accurate holiday decorations in historic mansions
Description:
Christmas at the Mansions in Little Falls transports visitors to holidays past. Each room in the Linden Hill mansions is adorned with meticulously researched, period-accurate decorations spanning different eras. The event highlights the architectural splendor of these historic homes, built by the Musser and Weyerhaeuser lumber barons in the early 1900s. As you explore, the scent of pine and spices wafts through the air, evoking memories of bygone Christmases. Visitors can participate in a Victorian ornament-making workshop, creating a tangible link to holiday traditions of the past.
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Little Falls Christmas Tours (Little Falls)
What to Expect:
Guided tours of historic sites decorated for the holidays
Description:
Little Falls Christmas Tours offer an intimate look at the town's historic sites decked out in holiday splendor. This event provides a unique glimpse into the area's past, with each stop on the tour highlighting a different aspect of Little Falls' rich history. From the childhood home of Charles Lindbergh to beautifully preserved Victorian mansions, the tour weaves together stories of local lore with holiday traditions. Visitors can try their hand at traditional cookie decorating, using recipes passed down through generations of Little Falls residents. The tour illuminates the enduring spirit of community that has defined this charming Minnesota town for over a century.
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Minnesota Christmas Market (Saint Paul)
What to Expect:
Celebration of Minnesota-made products and Nordic holiday traditions
Description:
The Minnesota Christmas Market in Saint Paul shines a spotlight on local artisans and producers. This event showcases the best of Minnesota-made goods, from hand-knit woolens to small-batch spirits. Drawing on the state's strong Nordic heritage, the market incorporates Scandinavian holiday traditions, creating a unique fusion of cultures. Visitors can participate in a lutefisk tasting challenge, experiencing this polarizing Nordic delicacy firsthand. The market buzzes with activity as demonstrating artists showcase traditional crafts like rosemaling and wood carving, keeping these time-honored skills alive for new generations.