Winter Fun in the Twin Cities: Activities for Families

The Twin Cities offer a variety of activities that can make the winter season enjoyable for everyone.

Illuminate Festival of Lights

• Dates: Through the end of December
• Features: Hundreds of indoor lanterns and performances by the AmeriKing Yan Dong Chinese Acrobats
• Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with special holiday hours on certain days
• Tickets: Required and can be purchased online

GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field

• Features: Over a million lights, a carousel ride, a zipline, and other family activities
• Tickets: Timed-entry tickets required and must be purchased in advance
• Note: The festival is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card

Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum

• Features: Vintage model trains running through miniature villages decorated with snow and holiday decor
• Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. every Saturday, plus special dates in December and January

Afton Holiday Village

• Features: Horse-drawn wagons, carolers, tree lighting, crafts, bonfires, treats, and more
• Special Themes: Candy Cane Trail and Wrap It Up Festive Giving

Stillwater’s Hometown for the Holidays

• Twinkle Weekend: Free twinkle necklaces, meet-and-greet “Frozen” characters and Santa
• Candy Town Weekend: Cocoa with Santa, gingerbread man hunt, gingerbread house contest
• Furry Friends Weekend: Pet parade and costume contest, treats from the Grinch

North Pole Express

• Features: Real vintage trains taking you to the North Pole (far east end of the Union Depot property)
• Note: Tickets tend to go very fast, so book in advance

Circus Juventas: “Solstice”

• Features: A holiday show focusing on forest creatures’ quest to rescue Jack Frost and save winter
• Tickets: Available online and can be purchased in advance

The Grand Meander

• Features: Trolley rides, sugar cookie decorating, free caricatures, Golden Ladle Soup Tasting Contest, happy hour with Winter Carnival Royalty

Union Depot

• Events: Tree lighting, movie night, concert from the Mistletones, screening of “Elf”

Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival

• Features: Local artists, music, food, family craft projects, and games
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days
• Tickets: Timed tickets must be purchased online

Christmas in Germany

• Features: German holiday traditions, seasonal gifts, storytime, crafts, German model train exhibit
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days
• Tickets: Timed tickets must be purchased online

Minnesota Transportation Museum

• Features: Caboose rides, crafts, scavenger hunt, storytime, Lego village
• Tickets: Timed tickets must be purchased online

Celtic Holiday Hooley

• Features: Celtic variety show featuring singers, musicians, dancers, comedic sketches
• Performances: Seven performances including matinees
• Tickets: Online presale tickets available

Santa’s Workshop at Landmark Center

• Features: Photo with Santa, “time with festive animals, ” gift-making
• Note: Free and open to the public

Winter Skolstice Ice Festival

• Features: 8,000 square feet of ice, custom sculptures, two “striking installations, ” ice bar
• Tickets: Available online

Ice Castles

• Features: Ice sculptures, slides, mazes, tunnels, and more
• Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds