Minneapolis Holiday Events 2025: Your Complete Guide to Christmas Fun
Looking for the best things to do in Minneapolis this holiday season? We've rounded up the top holiday events in the Twin Cities, from festive pop-up bars and Christmas markets to ice skating rinks and dazzling light displays. Whether you're planning the perfect date night or looking for fun weekend activities with friends and family, these are the holiday experiences you won't want to miss.
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🍸 Pop-Up Bars & Cocktail Experiences
Festive drinks and holiday cheer await at these magical pop-up bars
🍸 The Jingle Bar at Chilango
A popular East Coast concept making its Minneapolis debut. Expect wall-to-wall decor, themed cocktails, and "Cocktails and Carols" on Wednesdays.
Where: Chilango, West Lake St. | When: Dec 4 – Dec 28
🎅 Down Through the Chimney
Hotel Emery's immersive experience features a "North Pole" vibe with Blitzen's Dive Bar hidden inside.
Where: Hotel Emery, Downtown | When: Nov 26 – Dec 27
✨ Jingle Giles
A massive, over-the-top display with over 100,000 lights and an 18-foot tree inside the distillery.
Where: Earl Giles Distillery, Northeast | When: Through Jan 24
✈️ Holiday Flight Club
An immersive dining experience in the basement bar with a "trip around the world" theme. Tickets/reservations required.
Where: Travail Kitchen, Robbinsdale | When: Nov 21 – Jan 3
⛳ Miracle at Puttery
The famous "Miracle" pop-up brand takes over the mini-golf venue with kitschy decor and signature mugs.
Where: Puttery, North Loop | When: Through Dec 31
🌴 Bina's Tiki Christmas
A tropical twist on the holidays with island-inspired decor and drinks.
Where: Bina's Bar, Northeast | When: Through early Jan
🔴 The Red Nose Room
A long-standing local favorite with a cozy, traditional Christmas bar feel.
Where: Red Cow Uptown | When: Nov 21 – Jan 4
🐕 Bassett Hound Howl-iday Bar Our Pick!
Conveniently located next to the Minneapolis Christkindl Market, this cozy, dog-friendly pop-up offers festive cocktails like "Santa's Manhattan." Pet-friendly photo ops with Santa on select Saturdays!
Where: North Loop Green (350 N 5th St) | When: Nov 1 – Dec 31
Hours: Wed-Fri 2-10PM | Sat 11AM-10PM | Sun 10AM-7PM (Closed Mon & Tue)
👾 Dorit's Tavern (Gremlins Theme)
An 80s-style "Gremlins" themed bar at Surly Brewing.
Where: Surly Brewing Co. (Pizza Upstairs) | When: Through Dec 31
🔥 Hell-a-Dazzle
Hell's Kitchen transforms its underground lair into a sparkling holiday wonderland.
Where: Hell's Kitchen, Downtown | When: Through early Jan
🌮 Nico's Holiday Pop-Up
"Navidad" themes with festive lights and tequila cocktails.
Where: Nico's Taco Bar (Uptown) | When: Through Jan 4
🎁 Holiday Markets
Shop local, find unique gifts, and soak in the festive atmosphere
🏠 Minneapolis Christkindl Market Must Visit!
An outdoor German-style market with wooden huts, glühwein (mulled wine), and crafts.
Where: North Loop Green | When: Weekends, Nov 21 – Dec 21
Hours: Fri 4-9PM | Sat 11AM-9PM | Sun 11AM-7PM
🇪🇺 European Christmas Market
The region's largest authentic outdoor market, modeled after those in central Europe.
Where: Union Depot, St. Paul | When: Weekends, Nov 28 – Dec 21
Hours: Fri 3-9PM | Sat 11AM-9PM | Sun 11AM-6PM
🏬 Dayton's Holiday Market
A curated market of local vendors in the historic department store building.
Where: The Dayton's Project, Nicollet Mall | When: Nov 13 – Dec 27
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM | Sun 11AM-5PM
🌿 Field & Festival Holiday Market
A bustling market inside the greenhouses at Wagner's Garden Center.
Where: Wagner's Garden Center | When: Weekends, Nov 1 – Dec 21
Hours: Sat & Sun 10AM-2PM
🎪 Minnesota Merry Market
A large market experience at the fairgrounds with over 80 vendors, food trucks, and adult beverages.
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul | When: Dec 13-14 & Dec 20-21, 10AM-4PM
🏔️ Nordic Village Market at Four Seasons
Located on the rooftop pool deck, featuring local makers and "The Lodge" for festive cocktails.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis | When: Weekends through Dec 21
Hours: Mon-Fri 4-11PM | Sat-Sun 11AM-11PM
🏃 Holiday Runs & 5Ks
Burn off those holiday cookies while spreading festive cheer
🧥 U.G.L.Y. Sweater Dash (5K)
An evening run through the lighted trees of the park celebrating the "Ugliest" holiday sweaters with a post-race party at Park Tavern.
When: Sunday, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM | Where: Louisiana Oaks Park, St. Louis Park
Price: ~$45
🦌 Reindeer Run (5K, 10K, 15K) Popular!
One of the most popular holiday traditions in the city around Lake Harriet with costume contests (Santa, Reindeer, Elves) and a kids' run.
When: Saturday, Dec 13, 2025 | 5K at 9:30 AM, 10K/15K at 7:30 AM
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell | Price: $46 - $62
🎆 Miles for Files (New Year's Run)
A community run held on New Year's Day to start the year active.
When: Jan 1, 2026 at 9 AM | Where: Minneapolis
Price: Free - $54 (depending on package)
🎄 Christmas Lights & Displays
Dazzling light displays to illuminate your holiday season
🌟 GLOW Holiday Festival Must See!
A walk-through experience with over a million lights, an enchanted forest, and a giant slide at the St. Paul Saints' stadium.
Where: CHS Field, St. Paul | When: Nov 20 – Jan 4
Time: 5-8PM entry, closes 9PM | Price: Adults ~$21.75, Kids ~$12.75
🏮 Illuminate Festival of Lights
A large-scale indoor/outdoor lantern festival featuring Chinese acrobat performances and cultural displays.
Where: Pan Asian Center, Maplewood | When: Nov 7 – Jan 1
Hours: Fri 4-10PM | Sat 12-10PM | Sun 12-7PM | Price: $15-$25
🌲 Winter Lights at the Arboretum
A stunning walking tour through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's gardens. 2025 theme is "botanical" with an indoor evergreen forest.
Where: Arboretum, Chaska (~30 min from Mpls) | When: Nov 21 – Dec 30 (Select dates)
Time: 4:30-9PM | Price: $10 (Members) - $25 (Non-members)
🚗 Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes
A drive-through display around Vikings HQ featuring digital animations, "Prehistoric Christmas" dinosaurs, and a giant Bigfoot monster truck.
Where: 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan | When: Nov 21 – Jan 3
Time: 5:30-10PM (9PM Mon-Thu) | Price: ~$30-$40/vehicle
🏛️ Summit Avenue
The longest stretch of Victorian homes in the country with stunning classic light displays. The Governor's Residence (1006 Summit Ave) is usually a highlight.
Where: Summit Ave, St. Paul (Start near the Cathedral and drive west) | Price: Free!
🎄 Rice Park
A classic downtown St. Paul tradition wrapped in millions of twinkling lights creating a magical canopy perfect for a winter walk.
Where: 109 W 4th St, St. Paul | When: Lit nightly mid-November through winter | Price: Free!
🏠 Holiday Lights on York Avenue
A collaborative neighborhood display of 9-11 homes with over 90,000 lights synchronized to music on 91.5 FM. Donations encouraged for Merrick Food Shelf.
Where: 1526 York Ave, St. Paul | When: Nov 28 – Dec 31, 5-10PM nightly | Price: Free!
⛸️ Ice Skating
Glide into the holiday spirit at these scenic rinks
💎 Centennial Lakes Park Romantic!
A 10-acre lake groomed daily where you can skate under bridges and along canals in a very romantic/picturesque setting.
Where: 7499 France Ave S, Edina | When: Expected late December
Hours: Mon-Fri 4-9:30PM | Sat 10AM-9:30PM | Sun 12-9:30PM | Price: Free (Rentals ~$10)
🔄 Central Park Ice Loop
A refrigerated 810-foot loop that meanders through the park. One of the first to open because it doesn't rely on lake ice.
Where: 12000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove | When: Nov 28 – mid-March
Hours: Daily 10AM-9PM | Price: Free (Rentals $8.50)
🏈 Winter SKOLstice at Viking Lakes
Features "Skate the Omni" rink and pond hockey rinks near the Vikings' practice facility.
Where: 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan | When: Nov 21 – Feb 22
Price: Free open skate (Rentals available)
🕺 The ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center)
A covered outdoor rink with fresh air without snow on the ice. Features "Disco Ball Ice Skating" on select Fridays!
Where: 3700 Monterey Dr, St. Louis Park | When: Open now through March
Price: Free (Rentals $3)
🏟️ Parade Ice Garden (Indoor)
Located right near the Sculpture Garden and downtown – the most convenient indoor option for city dwellers. Features three rinks and year-round skating.
🎄 Make This Holiday Season Magical! 🎄
Whether you're sipping festive cocktails at a holiday pop-up, shopping for unique gifts at a Christmas market, or gliding across the ice under twinkling lights, the Twin Cities has something magical for everyone this holiday season. Happy Holidays from Zesty Dates!
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