November 24, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report
Posted on 28. Nov, 2010 by EASTMNNEWSWIRE in Entertainment, Popular Stories
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
Highlights this week and weekend include the 9th Annual Red Wing Holiday Stroll in downtown Red Wing, the 19th Annual Target Holidazzle Paradesin downtown Minneapolis, the World Famous Fish House Parade in Walker, a North Shore Hoilday-Thanksgiving Family Traditions Weekend at various North Shore communities in Cook County.
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Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.
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Southern Minnesota
The annual Festival of Trees will be held at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Wednesday through Sunday, November 24-28. In addition to a beautifully decorated forest of Christmas trees, there will be hundreds of talented musicians and dancers, a Friday Night Dance Party, a Saturday Gingerbread Family Day, a Silent Auction, Gift Thyme Shoppe, and a Holiday Cafe. Children’s Day will be offered all day Friday, with carnival games, creative crafts, pictures with Santa, and more! 507/289-7222; www.hiawathahomes.org
North Mankato will be the site of Holiday by the River on Friday, November 26. This annual charity event serves the needs of the community, and includes free horse and trolley rides, a free chili supper, visits with Santa, carolers, various forms of entertainment by local choirs and volunteers, a Christmas Tree lot, and spectacular fireworks display, choreographed with Christmas music. The event is free, but donations are encouraged. 507/387-1268; www.bluevalleysod.com/holiday.htm And on Sunday afternoon, November 28, head to the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato for Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show. 507/389-3000; www.verizonwirelesscentermn.com
The 9th Annual Red Wing Holiday Stroll will be held Friday, November 26, throughout downtown Red Wing. Highlights include the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus by reindeer, chili sampling, horse-drawn carriage rides, roasted chestnuts & almonds, prizes, refreshments & treats, carolers, wagon rides, a medallion hunt, a 6:00pm lighted parade, and a spectacular fireworks display at 7:00pm. 651/385-5934; www.redwingholidaystroll.com
Main Street Montevideo will be the site of a Lighted Holiday Parade on Thursday evening, December 2, followed by visit with Santa Claus. On Friday evening, December 3, head to the Montevideo VFW for an evening of Fine Wine Tasting from Hinterland Vineyard, along with a local business Tablescape Competition. On Saturday, December 4, a Ukrainian Christmas in the Village will be offered at the Historic Chippewa City in Montevideo, with horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, candy and bake sales, children’s crafts, crafters, and an old-fashioned radio show. Afterwards, head to the VFW for a Chilifest. And enjoy specials at Prairie’s Edge Casino throughout the weekend. 1-800-269-5527; www.montechamber.com
Hometown Holiday events will take place Thursday, December 2 through Sunday, December 5 throughout downtown Owatonna, with a Lighted Christmas Parade, carolers, refreshments, the Lighting of Lights at Central Park, and specials at downtown businesses. And on Saturday, December 4, head to the Little Theater of Owatonna for “Fruitcakes,” a hilarious holiday comedy! 1-800-423-6466; www.visitowatonna.org
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis will be the site of the 19th Annual Target Holidazzle Parades, Friday through Sunday evenings, November 26-28. Each parade will feature brightly lit floats, marching bands, celebrity grand marshals and over 200 costumed characters from popular children’s stories. Each parade begins at 12th Street at 6:30pm, traveling down Nicollet Mall to 4th Street, lasting approximately 30-minutes. Parades will also be offered Thursday through Sunday, December 2-19. 612/376-SNOW; www.holidazzle.com
A Lighting Festival will be held throughout the city of Taylors Falls, November 26-28, with a Grand Lighting, Santa Parade, tractor rides, an outdoor holiday booya, Santaland for the kids, 1855 Folsom House and private home tours, an International Bazaar, bake sale, a performance of “A Christmas Quilt,” and cash bingo. And on Saturday, November 27, enjoy a Wassail Party Craft Fair at the Community Center and Town House School Taylors Falls. 1-800-447-4958; www.fallschamber.org
Minnesota Pioneer Park in Annandale will be the site of an Immigrants’ Pioneer Christmas & Winter Market on Saturday, December 4. Just a few of the fun activities and unique holiday shopping opportunities will include demonstrations, hay wagon rides, carolers, a traditional Father Christmas display, stories and remedies at the Doctor’s Office, felting at the Millinery Shop, and time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be an array of special food and gift items, such as jams and jellies, meats, honey, breads, mustard, candies, sauerkraut and pickles, natural Simply Neutral cleaning products, and delicate scarves and ornaments. 320/274-8489; www.pioneerpark.org
The 18th Annual St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show will be held Friday through Sunday, December 3-5 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. This is the largest show of its kind in the United States, featuring information and products for affordable ice fishing and winter sports, with more than 170 exhibitors and ice fishing experts, innovative products, free seminars, outdoor programs and organizations, a variety of children’s activities at the trout pond, and much more! 651/726-8240; www.stpaulicefishingshow.com
And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances include:
The Miss Minnesota USA and Miss Teen USA Preliminary Pageant & Finals at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, November 27 & 28
Tony Sandler at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 28
Bye Bye Liver at Camp Bar in St. Paul, December 3
Mannheim Steamroller: Christmas at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 3 & 4
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 3 & 4
The Blenders at the Pantages Theatre, December 3-5
The New Standards at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 3-5
The “1940′s Radio Hour” at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, December 3-19
101.3 KDWB’s Jingle Ball at the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 6
Spirit of Christmas at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 8-12
Disney On Ice : Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey at the Xcel Energy Center, December 9
Daryl Hall & John Oates at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 10
Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas at The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul, December 11
Lorie Line: Making Spirits Bright at the Historic State Theatre, December 11 & 12
Peter Ostroushko at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 11
Home For The Holidays at the Pantages Theatre, December 12
Ozzy Osbourne at the Target Center, December 12
John Trones at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, December 14
All Is Calm at the Pantages Theatre, December 16-19
Billy Elliot -The Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 16 – January 9
Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre, December 17-19
Heart at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, December 18
The Girl Singers of the Hit Parade – Christmas Show at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center in Minneapolis, December 20
Linda Eder Home for the Holidays at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, December 21
The Girl Singers Of The Hit Parade: Sirens Of The 60s at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, December 26 & 27
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, December 27
Donny & Marie at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 31
New Year’s Eve Danceteria at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 31
Tina and the B-Sides at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 31
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater, January 8
Trampled By Turtles at First Avenue in Minneapolis, January 14
Guster at the Historic State Theatre, January 28
Shrek the Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, February 1
World’s Toughest Rodeo featuring Toughest Cowboy at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, February 4
Jeff Dunham at the Target Center, February 13
Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 16
Gaelic Storm at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 24
Clay Aiken at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, March 5
Imagination Movers “In A Big Warehouse” Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, March 19
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151, or visit www.ticketmaster.com
Central Minnesota
The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd will be the site of Sertoma’s Winter Wonderland, Thursday through Saturday evenings, November 25-27, with a driving tour of more than 60 colorfully lit displays, including many new displays. Winter Wonderland will also be open Wednesday through Saturday, December 1 through January 1. The Holiday Village featuring Santa Claus is open Friday and Saturday nights. 218/829-8770; www.sertomawinterwonderland.com
Christmas in the Fort will be offered at the Runestone Museum in Alexandria, Friday, November 26, when you can listen to carolers and children’s choirs, enjoy hot cider, stroll through the Fort, visit with Santa, and join in the festivities. 320/763-3160; www.runestonemuseum.org
Downtown Little Falls will be the site of a Santa Parade on Friday, November 26 at 6:00pm, with festive music and floats decorated with holiday lights. Santa will be present for pictures. The Linden Hill Mansions in Little Falls will offer Christmas at the Mansions Tours daily, Friday, November 26 through Sunday, December 5 – come tour four floors of the historic Musser and Weyerhaeuser mansions, and enjoy live music, complimentary hot apple cider and cookies, and spectacular decorations around every corner. Discounted admission is offered with a food shelf donation. And on Saturday, November 27, head to the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in Little Falls for a 1918 Christmas With The Lindbergh’s, and see living history characters portray family members and hired workers readying the house for Christmas. The Visitor Center’s gallery exhibits and gift shop will also be open. 1-800-325-5916; www.LittleFallsMN.com
The World Famous Fish House Parade will be held along the streets of downtown Aitkin on Friday, November 26. Typically five- to ten-thousand spectators come to witness this annual ritual, with outrageously decorated fish houses traveling through town. You will also enjoy live music, great food, craft sales, retail promotions, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, and the annual Turkey Trot run and walk. Bring your camera, and don’t miss the fun! 1-800-526-8342; www.aitkin.com
West St. Germain Street in downtown St. Cloud will be the site of the Winter Nights and Lights Parade on Saturday, December 4, with lighted floats, music and fun at 5:00 p.m. After the parade, Santa will appear at the Radisson Hotel to visit with the children. Other festivities include Breakfast with Santa at the Green Mill, reindeer sleigh rides, holiday shopping at the many unique and specialty stores, and lots of great dining options. Please bring non-perishable food items for the Food Drive. And don’t miss Laughing All The Way at the Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre in St. Cloud, December 2-5. This comedy show will take you back to the days of the Andy Williams and Perry Como TV Christmas Specials, with wonderful music, sketch comedy, heartfelt Christmas stories, and multimedia presentations. Laughing All The Way performances will also be offered December 9-11, and December 16-18. 320/257-8600; www.stclouddowntown.com
A Holly Days Celebration will be held in Glencoe from Monday, December 6 through Saturday, December 11. The celebration includes the annual medallion hunt, Christmas at the Library, a Christmas Jubilee party with Santa & his reindeer, the Tour of Lights, and a holiday bake sale, culminating with the Holly Days Parade, one of the largest lighted Christmas parades in the region, on Saturday evening. 320/864-3650; www.glencoemn.org/about-glencoe/things-to-do/holly-days-2010
Northwest Minnesota
Downtown Park Rapids will be the site of the St. Joseph’s Hospice Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 26. Santa will be arriving on his sleigh, and there will be caroling and a live nativity. And don’t miss the Yuletide Sampler at participating merchants throughout downtown Park Rapids. 1-800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
A Festival of Lights will be held Friday, November 26, in downtown Walker. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures and to listen to children’s holiday wishes. At dusk, the town will light up from an array of holiday floats and the lighting of the park. And on Saturday morning, November 27, take part in the two-mile Reindeer Run & Walk – a wonderful way to start off the holiday season. 1-800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Downtown Baudette will be the site of Frost Fest and the 2nd Annual Holiday Light and Fish House Parade on Saturday, November 27. In addition to a hilarious parade, enjoy a tree lighting ceremony, singing, great food, and more. 1-800-382-3474; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
A Winter Wonderland will be offered in downtown Crookston, on Friday, December 3. The celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m., with more than 1,500 luminaries lining the downtown streets, leading to Central Park. Retail stores will remain open until 8:30 p.m., offering Christmas treats and special sales. Carolers will stroll the streets, popping in and out of stores, singing holiday tunes. A Festival of Trees will be offered at Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall, with a silent auction of large and apartment-sized decorated trees and wreaths. At Santa Land, enjoy pictures with Santa, visits with the elves and Mrs. Claus, holiday treats, crafts, and other surprises. And weather permitting, there will be a bonfire and sleigh rides in Central Park. 1-800-809-5997; www.visitcrookston.com
Heritage Village in East Grand Forks will be the site of an Ol’ Fashioned Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 5, with visits with Santa, local choirs, carolers, sleigh rides, wagon rides, Christmas cookies, hot drinks, and Christmas ornament-making activities. Visitors will also enjoy the self-guided tours of the many Heritage Village buildings. 218/773-3952; http://egfheritage.com
Northeast Minnesota
A North Shore Hoilday-Thanksgiving Family Traditions Weekend will be offered in the cities of Schroeder, Tofte, Lutsen and Grand Marais from Thursday, November 25 through Sunday, November 28. Just some of the many highlights include Thanksgiving dinners and buffets, a Thanksgiving Festival at Lutsen Mountains, the 5th Annual Holiday Market at Last Chance Art Studio in Lutsen, horse-drawn trolley rides in downtown Grand Marais, Harvest Your Own Christmas Tree with a naturalist at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, a Grand Marais Community Holiday Bazaar, a Hovland Christmas Art Festival, a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Grand Marais, a Holiday Concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais, pictures with Santa and his sled dogs at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais, and Boutique Holiday Shopping at galleries and gift shops throughout North Shore communities the entire weekend. The North Shore will be offering festivities and events centered on a different theme each weekend through Christmas: Handmade Traditions Weekend – December 3-5, Artisans and Authors Weekend - December 10-12, Gems of the North Weekend - December 17-19, and A Very Merry Christmas – December 24-25. Please call ahead for specific days and times. 1-888-922-5000; www.cookcountymnevents.com
Spirit Mountain in Duluth will be the site of the 18th Annual AMSOIL Duluth National Snocross, Friday through Sunday, November 26-28. Come see the world’s best snowmobile drivers push the limit, with nearly 1,000 participants and roughly 36,000 fans attending. Qualifying rounds will take place each day, with finals on Sunday. 218/722-4011; www.visitduluth.com
A Home for the Holidays Family Celebration will be held in Cloquet, Friday through Sunday, December 3-5, with a Christmas Parade, bonfire, caroling, horse-pulled trolley rides, hay rides, children’s activities, art projects by children grades K-5, and contests for the best decorated light pole, storefront and float. 1-800-950-4668; www.santashomefortheholidays.com
“Polar Express” Train Rides will be offered December 3-5. Departing from Fitgers, the train will travel along the Lakewalk, arriving at the Duluth Depot for an enchanting reading of “The Polar Express,” and returning to Fitger’s for hot chocolate and cookies by a campfire. “Polar Express” Train Rides will also be offered December 10-12, and December 16-18. And while in Duluth, December 4, check out the Get It Local Gift Fair at Peace Church in Duluth. Featured will be locally-made gifts and local services for sale by non-profit organizations raising money for programs in the Twin Ports. 1-800-4-duluth; www.VisitDuluth.com
Weihnachtsfest will be held Saturday, December 4, in the city of Biwabik, with a tree light lighting ceremony, fireworks, ethnic crafts at various craft fairs, live music and entertainment, a “Candy Haus” in the decorated Schuster Park, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Kinderfest, ethnic foods and bake sales. 218/865-4183;
