Last updated: November 11, 2024
Excited for the holidays in West Coon Rapids? Our guide has all the festive events you need to know! Whether you're rediscovering your city or visiting for the first time, this guide reveals the best of West Coon Rapids's holidays.
Popular events include the GLOW Holiday Festival, where dazzling light displays create a magical atmosphere perfect for a winter evening. Also, the European Christmas Market offers a variety of artisan goods and delicious treats, showcasing the spirit of holiday shopping. And the Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it brings the classic holiday tale to life with stunning performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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West Coon Rapids 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, new exhibits, a zip line, and a boutique shopping experience with local holiday vendors.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : GLOW Holiday Festival
Magic of Lights
- What to Expect
- Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic characters and displays.
- Description
- Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
- Where
- Eagan | More Info : Magic of Lights
Sever's Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Over 2.5 million lights coordinated to holiday favorites.
- Description
- A 2.5 million light display synchronized to holiday music, featuring festive food and drink vendors, and accessible for all ages.
- Where
- Shakopee | More Info : Sever's Holiday Lights
Rice Park Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Community celebration featuring a beautifully decorated tree and live entertainment
- Description
- The Rice Park Tree Lighting transforms the park into a stunning display of twinkling lights and vibrant decorations. Visitors can stroll through the park, enjoying the festive atmosphere while marveling at the towering tree adorned with thousands of shimmering lights. Live music and community gatherings enhance the experience, creating a lively environment perfect for families and friends to celebrate the season.
- Where
- St Paul | More Info : Rice Park Tree Lighting
West Coon Rapids Holiday Markets and Shopping
European Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Authentic European-style 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 festive activities like the Holiday Train and Carousel. Visitors can enjoy European-style food, 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 artisans.
- Description
- The Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar features 80 local artisans showcasing unique handcrafted items, 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-styled outdoor market with diverse food and gift options.
- Description
- The Cathedral Christmas Market offers a European-styled outdoor celebration in the Cathedral Courtyard, featuring delicious warm food, Ghirardelli hot cocoa, Glühwein, beer, unique gifts, fire pits, and a warming tent. Enjoy a silent auction and raffle, along with roaming performers and a variety of food trucks.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Cathedral Christmas Market
West Coon Rapids Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Flower Show
- What to Expect
- Annual display of poinsettias and holiday florals.
- Description
- The Como Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show features hundreds of poinsettias and other holiday florals, including 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 whimsical woodland setting.
- Description
- A Hygge Holiday by Circus Juventas is an annual holiday performance celebrating the season with advanced circus acts, set in a cozy cabin in the woods. The show features mischievous mice, contorting cardinals, candle-lit feasts, and high-flying acrobatics.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : A Hygge Holiday
Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Multi-cultural, 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.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : 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 renowned vocal ensemble 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 ride with Santa Claus visit.
- Description
- Join the North Pole Express for a holiday journey featuring historic steam locomotives, vintage railcars, and a visit to Santa Claus. Enjoy live entertainment, holiday treats, and festive activities.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : North Pole Express
Celtic Holiday Hooley
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming and hilarious Irish-themed entertainment with surprise guests.
- Description
- Celtic Holiday Hooley is a lively variety show featuring Irish music, stories, sketches, step dance, and caroling. It includes side-splitting sketches, soulful vocals, and world-class step dancing, hosted by the ultimate odd couple, Joshua Will and Natalie O'Shea. The event is packed with talented performers like the O'Shea Irish Dancers and a stellar band led by an original Riverdance cast member.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Celtic Holiday Hooley
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming tale of kindness and community.
- Description
- The Grinch, a miserly and miserable creature, plots to steal Christmas from the Whos, but his heart changes when he encounters kindness and community. This show features music and Seussian rhymes, bringing Dr. Seuss's beloved story to life.
- Where
- Minneapolis | More Info : Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
West Coon Rapids Other Holiday Activities
Holidays on the Hill Tours
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed tours in a historic Gilded Age mansion.
- Description
- Explore the James J. Hill House during the holiday season, featuring holiday-themed exhibits and guided tours that highlight the Hill family's stories and memories.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Holidays on the Hill Tours
Santa's Train Shop
- What to Expect
- Train rides with festive activities.
- Description
- Families can ring in the holiday season at Santa's Train Shop, where train rides, Christmas games, LEGO activities, and music await. Train rides are included with admission and run all day long from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Where
- St. Paul | More Info : Santa's Train Shop