Tinsel Town
During the holidays, signs of the season outnumber snowflakes in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. With such jam-packed schedules, we’re busy bustling down glistening city sidewalks, shopping bags in tow, off to the next favorite holiday tradition. With parades, performances, festivals and lights, lights, lights, Minneapolis-Saint Paul never burns as bright as it does this time of year.
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TCF HOLIDAZZLE PARADES
What started as a way to keep the downtown Minneapolis shopping scene merry after the Mall of America opened in 1992 has turned into a can’t-miss local tradition. Now in its 15th year, the TCF Holidazzle Parades once again light up Minneapolis Wednesday through Sunday evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Covered in one million lights, more than a dozen fairy-tale floats—each with its own theme song—plus 250 twinkling characters, church choirs and marching bands in sparkling uniforms march down Nicollet Mall from 12th Street to Fourth Street, politely stopping only for traffic lights. Each year more than 500,000 spectators of all ages line the street at 6:30 p.m. to catch a glimpse of their favorite storybook characters, from Cinderella and Princess and the Pea to Captain Hook and Santa Claus himself. Bundle up and grab a spot on the curb, or leave your coat in the car and take a gander from above in a heated skyway, and watch this seasonal sight light up the city.
SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL
Saint Paul didn’t always have a festive reputation. In fact, the description of the capital city as “quite possibly unfit for human habitation” by a visiting New York reporter in 1885 lit a fire under the frozen city fathers, sparking the nation’s largest and longest-running festival. Now in its 121st year, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is held for 10 days in downtown from Jan. 26-Feb. 4, with broomball, ice skating, snow sliding, ice mazes, ice carving, curling tournaments, frozen marathons, parades and singing contests among the more than 100 wintry weather activities.
FAVORITE PERFORMANCES
A Christmas Carol
Travel back to Victorian London and witness the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge journey through Christmas past, present and yet to come in this popular Dickens’ tale. Guthrie Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 31, 612-377-2224.
White Christmas
Two showbiz buddies, along with two leading ladies, create a holiday extravaganza to help save a cozy Vermont Inn from closing. Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Dec. 1-Jan. 7, 651-224-4222.
Messiah
The Minnesota Orchestra and the Minnesota Chorale capture the Christmas spirit with their annual production of Handel’s masterpiece. Orchestra Hall, Dec. 10, 612-371-5656.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Children’s Theatre Company. Through magical songs and dance, and despite his unruly antics, the happy residents of Whoville teach Mr. Grinch the true meaning of Christmas. Children’s Theatre Company, Nov. 8-Dec. 31, 612-874-0400.
HOLIDAY TOURS
Hill House Holidays
The costumed staff brings to life the frenzy and excitement of a holiday celebration during the Gilded Age. James J. Hill House, Dec. 2-23, 651-297-2555.
Holiday Lights Tour
Hop aboard a heated motorcoach and see Minneapolis and Saint Paul at their brightest during metroConnections’ lighted tour.Saturday evenings in December, 612-333-8687.
MACY’S HOLIDAY AUDITORIUM DISPLAY
This year Macy’s presents Mary Poppins as its 44th annual holiday display. The 12,000-square-foot eighth-floor auditorium of the retailer’s downtown Minneapolis location is transformed into a fantasyland, telling the story of everyone’s favorite magical nanny. Each year, more than 25 local artists partner with the eighth-floor theme display to create the beautiful scenery and hand-sculpted figurines that mechanically move, dance, spin and wave. Santa Claus is also onsite through Christmas Eve. Nov. 11-Dec. 31 during store hours.
RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Mall of America’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration
The party starts at 6 p.m. with aerialists, acrobats, plenty of free entertainment and fireworks. The Park at MOA, 952-883-8600.
Minneapolis Riverfront District New Year’s Celebration
Wine and dine the night away at one of the many restaurants along Saint Anthony Main, and cap off the night’s festivities watching fireworks over the river, 888-676-6757.
Five-Star New Year
If you’re in the mood for a little razzle-dazzle, glam it up at the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul, 651-292-3225.
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