Santa Comes to Tangletown
What: Tangletown Gardens Holiday Night Market
When: Dec. 11, 4-9 p.m.
Where: 5353 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis
Enjoy a night of shopping, sipping, and strolling through Tangletown Gardens’ lively holiday night market, a free event benefiting Uplift North—a nonprofit devoted to meeting the basic needs of children and families in the Twin Cities. Sample snacks from Wise Acre Eatery, sip on hot cocoa and adult drinks by Picnic Linden Hills, shop festive creations by 25 local artists and makers, and even pay a visit to Santa Clause, accompanied by his friendly baby cow, Cinnamon.
Chef-Curated Stories
What: Stories Behind the Menu
When: Dec. 11, 5:30-9 p.m.
Where: 81 S. 9th St., Suite 100, Minneapolis
Embark on an evening of storytelling and five soulful courses with Chef Mateo Mackbee and Pastry Chef Erin Rae, the leading forces behind St. Joseph’s renowned Krewe. Combining New Orleans-style soul food with Midwestern-style hospitality, this five-course dining experience in the heart of Minneapolis will lead diners through an immersive evening of tradition, community, and culinary excellence.
Stories Behind the Menu
All is Bright
What: Dark Sky Festival
When: Dec. 11-13
Where: Grand Marais (various locations)
Cook County boasts some of the darkest skies in the world, drawing photographers, artists, and adventurers from around the globe to experience its otherworldly displays—from the northern lights to the Milky Way. This natural phenomenon is celebrated each year at the Dark Sky Festival, a serene winter gathering featuring bonfires, storytelling, star gazing, astronomy and astrophotography workshops, telescope viewing, and so much more. Wind down the North Shore Scenic Drive to celebrate the wonder of Cook County, and the beauty that persists through darkness.
Visit Cook County
Solstice Spectacle
What: Circus Juventas 2025 Holiday Production
When: Dec. 11-14
When: 1270 Montreal Ave., St. Paul
Watch the magic of the holidays come to life before your eyes, as performers flip, tumble, and fly through the sky at Circus Juventas‘s 2025 holiday production, “Solstice.” Tracing the mystical winter tale of Jack Frost, the production will lead you through twinkling winter forests and snow-dappled meadows as talented performers fly through gravity-defying circus acts.
Circus Juventas
Classical Christmas
What: Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” Concert
When: Dec. 12-13
Where: 1079 Summit Ave., St. Paul and 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park
The Bach Society of Minnesota and the Minnesota Chorale dive into the holidays headfirst with two special performances of Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” on Dec. 12 in St. Paul and Dec. 13 in St. Louis Park. Witness an honored Christmas tradition that blends chilling vocal prowess with refined orchestral excellence—all products of Minnesota’s world-class performing arts scene.
Bach Society of Minnesota
Christmas For a Cause
What: Santa’s Christmas For a Cause
When: Dec. 13, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Where: 840 Lake St. S., Forest Lake
This Christmas, channel that infectious holiday spirit into raising money for a cause that truly matters, at Santa’s Christmas For a Cause in Forest Lake. Supporting the life-changing mission of the Invisible Wounds Project—a nonprofit that provides resources to Minnesota’s military emergency response providers—this spirited fundraiser will kick off with cookies and crafts, lead into a vibrant sip and shop marketplace, and round out with the Holy Rocka Rollaz 50’s Christmas Concert, all in support of veterans, first responders, and their families.
The Art of Reuse
