Photo by Anne Kopas
It’s Thanksgiving weekend, so here are a few guides:
- Give thanks for the convenience of prepared holiday dinners from Twin Cities grocery stores and restaurants, and check out volunteer opportunities. (For home cooks: Here are our turkey tips.)
- These 10 holiday markets and bazaars around the metro promise festive shopping and gourmet treats.
- Your guide to Black Friday, Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday—and the alternatives
3 Holiday Markets
For shopping, European treats, mulled wine, live music, live reindeer, and live Santas, choose among German-inspired bazaars: the downtown Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt, Nov. 29-Dec. 1; the Holidazzle in downtown Minneapolis, Nov. 29-Dec. 22; and the European Christmas Market (with schnitzel, as seen above) in downtown St. Paul, Nov. 29-Dec. 15—plus pop-up markets throughout the metro.
Diva Showdown
What: Six
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 22
Where: The Ordway, St. Paul
The story of the six wives of King Henry VIII is told by an all-women ensemble via a pop singing competition rivaling The Voice. (Read our review here.)
Wayzata Wassailing
What: Light Up the Lake Celebration
When: Nov. 29, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Wayzata
A tree-lighting ceremony comes after a meet-and-greet with Anna and Elsa from Frozen, holiday music, cocoa, treats, horse-drawn wagon rides, live reindeer, a candy cane hunt, and a parade of lights, followed by photos with Santa.
Opt Outside
What: Opt Outside
When: Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Visitor Center, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Rd., Eagan
The Visitor Center of the Lebanon Hills Regional Park encourages families to get outside on Black Friday, with activities throughout the day. A superhero-themed scavenger hunt runs along a stroller-friendly half-mile trail. There are also geocaching missions and a riddle-cracking medallion hunt. Superhero attire is encouraged.
Christmas Mia-cle
What: Black Friday at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
When: Nov. 29, 6-10 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis
Mia has a tradition of opening the doors of its special exhibits on Black Friday. This year, that means both Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War: 1965-1975 and Artist Reflect: Contemporary Views on the American War. Plus: complimentary coffee, treats, and gift-shop offerings.
Weird Ads
What: British Arrow Awards
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 29
Where: Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis
The U.K.’s most spectacular, out-there, heart-wrenching commercials screen for the 33rd year.
RiverCentre New Year
What: Minnesota Hmong New Year
When: Nov. 30-Dec. 1
Where: Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
St. Paul brings in food and craft vendors, dancing competitions, and thousands of attendees for an experience rich in Hmong culture, arts, and food.
Hygge for the Holidays
What: Hygge Holiday Market
When: Dec. 1-22
Where: Lawless Distilling, 2619 28th Ave. S., Minneapolis
On Sunday evenings through December, slide into Lawless Distilling’s Miracle at Lawless for a good drink, even better shopping, and loads of holiday spirit. Peruse different vendors every weekend.
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