Celebrate the holiday season in St. Paul, MN, where an array of festive events awaits both locals and visitors. The European Christmas Market brings Old World charm to the city with handcrafted gifts, traditional decorations, and European delicacies, while Rice Park Holiday Lights bathes one of St. Paul's oldest public spaces in a sea of twinkling lights, creating a magical winter wonderland.
For a more interactive experience, head to Holidazzle at Loring Park, where you can glide across an outdoor ice rink amidst dazzling light displays. This festive season, St. Paul offers a blend of cultural traditions, spectacular light shows, and family-friendly activities that promise to create lasting memories.
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The Top Christmas Events in St. Paul
- European Christmas Market
- Rice Park Holiday Lights
- GLOW Holiday Festival
- Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center
- Night Trains at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum
St. Paul Holiday Light Displays
Rice Park Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Historic urban park transformed by lights
Description:
Rice Park Holiday Lights bathes one of St. Paul's oldest public spaces in a sea of twinkling lights. The park, established in 1849, serves as a picturesque backdrop for this urban light display. Towering evergreens wrapped in thousands of lights create a canopy of color over the historic surroundings. Visitors can ice skate on the nearby Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink, gliding beneath the glow of the illuminated park. The event pays homage to St. Paul's rich history, with light displays often featuring designs that reflect the city's architectural heritage.
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GLOW Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Drive-through light experience at the State Fairgrounds
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival transforms the Minnesota State Fairgrounds into a luminous drive-through adventure. This innovative event allows visitors to experience dazzling light displays from the comfort of their own vehicles. The route winds through over a million lights, featuring towering sculptures and animated scenes. GLOW incorporates themes from Minnesota's diverse cultures and landscapes, creating a uniquely local light experience. Visitors can tune their car radios to a special station that synchronizes holiday music with the light displays, adding an auditory dimension to the visual spectacle.
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St. Paul Holiday Markets and Shopping
European Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic European holiday traditions
Description:
St. Paul's European Christmas Market brings Old World charm to the heart of Minnesota. Stroll through rows of wooden chalets offering handcrafted gifts, traditional decorations, and European delicacies. The air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. This market pays homage to the city's strong German heritage, dating back to the 19th century. Visitors can participate in traditional folk dances or listen to storytellers sharing tales from across the continent, creating an authentic European holiday experience in the Midwest.
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Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center
What to Expect:
Artisan market in a historic federal building
Description:
The Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center brings together local artisans in a stunning Richardsonian Romanesque building from 1902. This former federal courthouse now hosts a carefully curated selection of handmade gifts, artwork, and seasonal items. The grand interior, with its soaring ceilings and ornate details, provides a majestic backdrop for holiday shopping. Visitors can explore the building's rich history through guided tours between browsing the stalls. The bazaar often features live performances by local musicians, filling the historic halls with the sounds of the season.
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Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center
St. Paul Other Holiday Activities
Night Trains at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum
What to Expect:
Miniature holiday scenes brought to life with model trains
Description:
Night Trains at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum offers a unique perspective on holiday lights through meticulously crafted miniature scenes. The museum's elaborate layouts depict snowy Minnesota landscapes dotted with tiny illuminated buildings and vehicles. Model trains chug through these winter vignettes, bringing the scenes to life. This event connects to Minnesota's rich railroad history, showcasing replicas of historic trains that once crisscrossed the state. Visitors can operate some of the model trains themselves, controlling the miniature holiday world before them.
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Night Trains at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum
Nearby Events
Holidazzle (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and activities
Description:
Holidazzle transforms Loring Park into a winter playground of light and activity. Visitors can glide across the outdoor ice rink, surrounded by twinkling displays that bring Minnesota's seasons to life. This event evolved from a holiday parade that began in 1992 to boost downtown retail. Now, it offers a variety of local food vendors, artisan markets, and family-friendly entertainment. You'll find yourself immersed in the glow of thousands of LED lights, creating a dazzling atmosphere unique to the Twin Cities.
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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 illuminates Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park with over 5 million lights. This massive display spans 20 acres, creating a northern wonderland of color and design. Originating as a home display in 2001, it has grown into a beloved regional tradition. Visitors can warm up by fire pits, enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, and even meet Santa Claus. The event's centerpiece, a 128-foot tall animated tree, towers over Lake Superior, creating a spectacle visible for miles around.
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Gingerbread Wonderland (Stillwater)
What to Expect:
Intricate gingerbread creations by local bakers
Description:
Gingerbread Wonderland showcases the culinary artistry of Twin Cities bakers through elaborate gingerbread constructions. The Norway House hosts this annual event, featuring miniature replicas of iconic Minnesota landmarks and whimsical fantasy scenes, all crafted from gingerbread and candy. This tradition connects to Minnesota's strong Scandinavian heritage, where gingerbread houses are a cherished holiday custom. Visitors can vote for their favorite creations and even participate in gingerbread decorating workshops, learning techniques from master bakers.
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Christmas at the American Swedish Institute (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Celebration of Swedish holiday traditions
Description:
The American Swedish Institute transforms into a Nordic holiday haven during Christmas. The Turnblad Mansion, a castle-like structure built in 1908, is adorned with traditional Swedish decorations. Each room showcases different aspects of Swedish Christmas, from Jul tomte figurines to handcrafted straw ornaments. Visitors can savor authentic Swedish holiday treats like pepparkakor and glögg in the FIKA Café. The institute also hosts craft workshops where you can learn to make traditional Swedish holiday decorations, connecting you to centuries-old Scandinavian customs.
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Christmas at the American Swedish Institute
Spring Lake Park's Sparkling Winter Wonderland (Spring Lake Park)
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display
Description:
Spring Lake Park's Sparkling Winter Wonderland illuminates Lakeside Lions Park with a community-driven light display. Local businesses and residents contribute to create a tapestry of lights that reflects the town's spirit. The event began as a small neighborhood initiative and has grown into a cherished local tradition. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through the glowing park, adding a touch of nostalgia to the experience. The display also features a special section dedicated to honoring local veterans, showcasing the community's deep respect for service members.
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Spring Lake Park's Sparkling Winter Wonderland
Christmas in Excelsior (Excelsior)
What to Expect:
Small-town holiday charm on Lake Minnetonka
Description:
Christmas in Excelsior captures the essence of a classic small-town holiday celebration on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The historic downtown, dating back to the 1850s, comes alive with twinkling lights and festive decorations. Visitors can take a trolley ride through the charming streets, passing by century-old buildings adorned for the season. The event highlights local artisans and businesses, offering a curated selection of unique gifts and treats. Excelsior's rich steamboat history is often incorporated into the celebrations, connecting holiday cheer with the town's nautical past.
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Christmas in Woodbury (Woodbury)
What to Expect:
Suburban community celebration with a focus on giving back
Description:
Christmas in Woodbury unites this suburban community in a spirit of generosity and celebration. The event centers around a massive toy drive, encouraging residents to support local families in need. Woodbury's Central Park, a hub of community activity, hosts a variety of holiday-themed events and activities. Visitors can participate in a community tree lighting ceremony, which has been a tradition since the city's early days in the 1960s. The celebration often includes performances by local school choirs and dance troupes, showcasing the talent of Woodbury's youth.
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Winter Lights at the Arboretum (Chaska)
What to Expect:
Botanical-themed light display in a natural setting
Description:
Winter Lights at the Arboretum illuminates the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with nature-inspired light displays. This unique event combines horticultural education with holiday cheer, featuring light installations that highlight the beauty of winter flora. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens, each telling a story of plant life in winter. The arboretum, founded in 1958, integrates its scientific mission into the event, offering insights into winter ecology alongside the festive displays. You'll discover how different plants adapt to Minnesota's harsh winters, all while enjoying the creative light designs.
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Winter Lights at the Arboretum
A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie (Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
Beloved classic performed in a world-renowned theater
Description:
The Guthrie Theater's production of A Christmas Carol brings Dickens' timeless tale to life on one of America's most respected stages. This annual tradition, running since 1975, features innovative staging and costume design that reimagines the classic story for contemporary audiences. The Guthrie's unique thrust stage, surrounded by audience on three sides, creates an immersive experience that draws you into Victorian London. Visitors can arrive early to explore the theater's striking architecture, including its "Endless Bridge" offering panoramic views of the Mississippi River.
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A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie