Have you stopped by the Hilton Minneapolis lately? It looks completely different! The hotel home of Minnesota Vikings players for home games is teaming up with me to give away an overnight stay! The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 8. The certificate can be used anytime and is based on availability.
On Sunday, December 10 and Sunday, December 17, your little ones can enjoy story time with a special appearance by Santa at Hilton Minneapolis. The event, which runs from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., also includes cookies and cider along with craft time where kids will be able to take home a picture frame they made that includes a photo of your little one with St. Nicholas. Kids 5-12 years old are only $5. Click here to learn more.
In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
Day 25: Sunday, December 17
Featured pick: Story Time with Santa
Minnesota’s biggest hotel, The Hilton Minneapolis, went through a major remodel and is celebrating the holiday season with a visit from Santa along with crafts and snacks.
Santa is taking time of his busy schedule making toys to meet good little boys and girls! It’s happening today from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Hilton Minneapolis. In addition to story time, kiddos can enjoy holiday cookies, warm cider and hot cocoa. Plus, there’s craft time! Each child will create their very own holiday-themed picture frame which will feature a photo of them with Santa. And for $5 for kids ages 5 to 12 years old, this is a great event!
If you’re seeing this before December 9th, you’re in luck! I’m giving away an overnight stay to the Hilton Minneapolis! Click here to enter.
Story Time with Santa
Sunday, December 17 (also Sunday, December 10)
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis
$10 ages 12 and over, $5 ages 5 to 12, under 5 free
Other happenings
The Minnesota Boychoir performing in front of hundreds in Basilica de Sagrada Familia in June 2017.
The 150 young men which make up the Minnesota Boychoir will perform a free holiday concert tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. I serve on the Boychoir’s Board of Directors, so I might be a bit biased, but this choir has something special. Over its 56 year history, the choir has headlined a concert in the Sydney Opera House, performed in St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican, and sang on “A Prairie Home Companion” on National Public Radio.
If you stretched out the lights used on The Winery at Sovereign Estate’s Spirit of Winter display, it would go for over eight miles. The Waconia vineyard decorates 10 acres with animated displays set to synchronized music. Make sure to buy tickets in advance online. Learn more.
Today’s your last chance to see the 30th annual production of The Classic Nutcracker by Ballet Minnesota at The O’Shaughnessy on the St. Catherine University campus. Learn more.
You’ll find Santa skiing at Afton Alps today from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Read below to find out how you can join him for free! Photo credit: Afton Alps
You can ski with Santa at Afton Alps! He’s taking a break from making toys to race down the hill with you from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Specialty hot toddies and cocktails will be served inside.
GIVEAWAY: Receive two lift tickets to attend Ski with Santa along with a $25 gift card to spend on lunch! It’s a one-day contest you don’t want to miss — check my Facebook page on Tuesday, December 12.
Former NFL player and Hastings native Ben Utecht performs the hits of Andy Williams with a 60-piece orchestra today at the Ames Center in Burnsville. Believe it. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.
Hear the great-great grandson of the man behind “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens, perform it in an intimate setting tonight in Minneapolis. Gerald Dickens stars in an one-man show at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are only $25. Learn more.
In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
Day 18: Sunday, December 10
Featured pick: FREE photos with Santa
I get it, Santa needs to make a buck to make all those toys. But today, he’s taking photos with your little ones for free! Photo credit: Landmark Centers
Visiting Santa at the mall is a tradition, but it ain’t cheap. At one mall in the Twin Cities, it costs $16 just to get a 5×7″ photo of your good little boy or girl with Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Today from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Landmark Center, your kiddo can chat with Santa and you get you snap a free photo of the two of them. The photos will be taken by a professional photographer and posted on the Landmark Center’s Facebook page so you can download them free of charge. Plus — there will be a craft table, live animals and music. Admission to the entire event is free.
Over 600 musicians will perform today at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. during Mount Olivet Lutheran Church’s annual Christmas concerts.
It’s only $5 for kids 5 to 12 to enjoy story time with Santa at the Hilton Minneapolis. They’ll also get a photo with jolly old Saint Nicholas and will take it home in a picture frame they create! The event runs today from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Learn more.
The Gammelgården Museum in Scandia (near Forest Lake) as they welcome the Jul season with the celebration of Lucia. Candlelight Swedish prayer services take place at 6:00 and 8:30 a.m. (dress warm, although the event is inside, the church dates back to 1856 and has no heat). The festivities continue across the street with a breakfast and program. The celebration of Lucia makes the beginning of the Christmas season and frequently recognizes young women making a difference in their community. Learn more about the tradition here.
Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter holds an annual Festival of Saint Lucia, recognizing sophomore students for their involvement on campus. Photo credit: Gustavus Adolphus College
Your pet can get a photo with Santa tonight at Southdale Center in Edina. Head to the mall’s second level between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
Day 13: Tuesday, December 5
Featured pick: Pet photos with Santa at Rosedale
Santa had a brand new home at Rosedale Center. Photo credit: Rosedale Center/Facebook
It’s pet photos with Santa night at Rosedale Center in Roseville. Stop by between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Pets must be leashed at all times and owners are encouraged to go in the East Court entrance near Talbots. The other opportunity for your four-legged friend to get a picture with Santa at Rosedale is November 28.
Other happenings
If you haven’t experienced a silent disco, gosh, you’re missing out on something amazing. Open up a new tab and watch a silent disco video on YouTube. Then go to this silent disco yoga event. Photo credit: Inbound BrewCo
This isn’t holiday related at all, but I don’t care. When I was on a cruise of the Mediterranean, I was introduced to the concept of a ‘silent disco.’ In a nutshell, you’re handed a pair of headphones when you enter and there are three different channels playing different genres of music. You dance to whatever channel you’re listening to. It was so fun, our group when to the silent disco all three nights it was offered during the cruise. Tonight at Inbound BrewCo in Minneapolis, you’ll experience a silent disco, but this event mixes in yoga. You’ll be provided headphones (along with two beer samples). Bring your own yoga mat. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and costs $35. Purchase tickets here.
Santa makes an appearance at the Shoreview Community Center from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. during their Indoor Farmers’ Market. You’ll find produce, baked goods, holiday arrangements and hand-crafted artisan items at the market, which runs from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Another indoor market takes place December 19.
