Ready for the holidays, Edina? Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. For Edina natives and visitors alike, our guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
In the heart of the season, the GLOW Holiday Festival transforms Edina into a winter wonderland with stunning light displays and festive activities. With local artisans and delicious treats, the European Christmas Market showcases the charm of European traditions. And the Holiday Flower Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting floral arrangements to brighten up the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Edina
- GLOW Holiday Festival (St. Paul)
- European Christmas Market (St. Paul)
- Holidays on the Hill Tours (St. Paul)
- Holiday Flower Show (St. Paul)
- A Christmas Carol (Minneapolis)
- Cirque Musica (Burnsville)
- Mannheim Steamroller (Prior Lake)
- European Christmas Market (St. Paul)
- Dayton’s Winter Maker’s Market (Minneapolis)
- Charlie Brown Christmas (Minneapolis)
See these and even more events listed below!
Edina Holiday Light Displays
GLOW Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Over a million lights and a zip line experience.
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival is a spectacular event featuring over a million lights, new exhibits, a zip line, and a boutique shopping experience at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: GLOW Holiday Festival
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive drive-through holiday light display with iconic characters.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie and life-sized dinosaurs celebrating Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Eagan | More Info: Magic of Lights
Sever's Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Over 2.5 million lights coordinated to festive holiday tunes.
Description:
A massive 2.5 million light display synchronized to holiday music, featuring festive food and drink vendors, and a drive-thru experience suitable for the whole family.
Where: Shakopee | More Info: Sever's Holiday Lights
Bentleyville Tour of Lights
What to Expect:
Largest free walk-through lighting display in the country.
Description:
Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a free walk-through Christmas lighting display featuring over 5 million lights, with Santa, bonfires, and festive activities.
Where: Duluth | More Info: Bentleyville Tour of Lights
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a lakeshore property.
Description:
Explore over 20 miles of musical synchronized lights at the Spirit Winter Festival Lights in Waconia, featuring attractions like Candy Cane Lane, a life-size Nativity scene, and real live winter llamas.
Where: Coon Rapids | More Info: Winter Wonderland
Edina Holiday Markets and Shopping
European Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic traditional holiday market with European crafts and delicacies.
Description:
The European Christmas Market in St. Paul offers a unique shopping experience with over 70 vendors, live entertainment, and European-style food. Visitors can enjoy handmade crafts, kids' activities, and festive performances.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: European Christmas Market
Dayton’s Winter Maker’s Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with 78 local vendors.
Description:
Dayton’s Winter Maker’s Market is a curated retail experience showcasing heritage brands from Minnesota, featuring 78 vendors offering unique apparel, home goods, gourmet foods, and local crafts.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Dayton’s Winter Maker’s Market
European Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic traditional holiday market with handmade European crafts and local delicacies.
Description:
The European Christmas Market in St. Paul offers a unique shopping experience with over 70 vendors, live entertainment, and European-style food. Visitors can enjoy gift shopping, kids' craft activities, and festive performances.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: European Christmas Market
Julmarknad
What to Expect:
Celebrating Swedish heritage with high-quality, handmade gifts.
Description:
Julmarknad is a holiday market and festival at the American Swedish Institute, featuring handmade goods from over 60 local artists, pop-up musical performances, family crafts, storytime, and festive foods.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Julmarknad
Nordic Julemarket
What to Expect:
Unique blend of Nordic culture and local shopping.
Description:
The Nordic Julemarket at Utepils Brewing features 25 vendors offering Nordic-inspired and imported goods, along with good beer and food trucks in a welcoming ambiance.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Nordic Julemarket
Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted gifts by local artists.
Description:
The Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar features handcrafted gift items from 80 local artists, including jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and more. Festive music and delicious treats enhance the shopping experience.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Keg & Case Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping experience with local artisans and gourmet food vendors.
Description:
Keg & Case Holiday Market offers a diverse array of local vendors selling handmade crafts, gourmet foods, and unique gifts. The event features a lively atmosphere with live music and festive decorations.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Keg & Case Holiday Market
Selby at Snelling Shop by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping event with in-store sales and treats.
Description:
Shop by Candlelight at Selby at Snelling offers a holiday shopping event with sales, giveaways, and yummy treats inside the shops. Enjoy great service, prices, and selections.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Selby at Snelling Shop by Candlelight
Edina Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Flower Show
What to Expect:
Stunning display of poinsettias and other holiday florals.
Description:
The Como Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show features hundreds of poinsettias and other holiday florals, including yellow poinsettias accented with other plants. This annual event, which began in 1925, is the Conservatory's most well-attended event of the year.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Holiday Flower Show
Mannheim Steamroller
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday concert with multimedia effects and 15 musicians.
Description:
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis features classic Christmas hits in the distinctive Mannheim sound, accompanied by multimedia effects and 15 musicians playing over 20 instruments in an immersive setting.
Where: Prior Lake | More Info: Mannheim Steamroller
Cirque Musica
What to Expect:
World-class circus performance with new costumes and storylines.
Description:
Cirque Musica Holiday Show features awe-inspiring acrobatics, gravity-defying aerial feats, and talented musicians performing a spectacular blend of circus artistry and beloved holiday melodies.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: Cirque Musica
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Classic adaptation of Dickens' novella with a ghost story twist.
Description:
A Christmas Carol is a classic tale by Charles Dickens, where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, forcing him to confront his past, present, and potential future. This adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani stays faithful to the novella, framing it as a ghost story.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: A Christmas Carol
A Motown Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-oriented show with legendary vocalists from Ali Woodson’s Temptations, The Miracles, and The Contours.
Description:
A Motown Christmas features a world-class vocal group performing Motown's greatest hits and holiday classics with dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies.
Where: Burnsville | More Info: A Motown Christmas
Charlie Brown Christmas
What to Expect:
Faithful stage adaptation of a timeless television classic.
Description:
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage is a faithful stage adaptation of the Emmy and Peabody award-winning story by Charles M. Schulz. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts characters as they journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. The show features traditional Christmas songs and carols, making it a delightful experience for both children and adults.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Charlie Brown Christmas
North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive and vintage railcar experience with Santa visit.
Description:
Join Friends 261 for a nostalgic holiday journey aboard the North Pole Express, featuring historic steam locomotives and vintage railcars. Enjoy a short train ride to the North Pole, where Santa greets passengers and collects letters. The event includes holiday treats, entertainment, and activities at St. Paul Union Depot.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: North Pole Express
Holiday Express
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive ride with Santa visit.
Description:
Join the North Pole Express for a holiday journey featuring historic steam locomotives, vintage railcars, and a visit to Santa Claus. Enjoy holiday treats, entertainment, and activities at St. Paul Union Depot.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Holiday Express
Edina Other Holiday Activities
Holidays on the Hill Tours
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed tours highlighting the Hill family's stories and memories.
Description:
Explore the James J. Hill House during the holiday season, marveling at the sumptuous Gilded Age mansion's intricate details and holiday-themed exhibits.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Holidays on the Hill Tours
Holiday Walk in the Woods
What to Expect:
Santa Claus and live reindeer in a festive setting.
Description:
The Holiday Walk in the Woods features Santa Claus, live reindeer, and a North Star Donuts Food Truck, offering a festive atmosphere with various activities and treats.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Holiday Walk in the Woods
It's Santa Photo Time
What to Expect:
Personalized holiday photos with Santa.
Description:
Capture cherished holiday memories with Santa at Southdale Center, where you can reserve your spot for a private photo experience.
Where: Edina | More Info: It's Santa Photo Time
Caring Santa
What to Expect:
Private holiday photo sessions with Santa.
Description:
Capture cherished holiday memories with Santa at Southdale Center, where you can reserve a private photo session.
Where: Edina | More Info: Caring Santa
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Richfield (3 miles)
- Saint Louis Park (4 miles)
- Bloomington (4 miles)
- Minnetonka Mills (6 miles)
- Eden Prairie (6 miles)
- Minneapolis (8 miles)
- Savage (8 miles)
- Minnetonka (8 miles)
- Golden Valley (8 miles)
- Chanhassen (9 miles)
- Burnsville (9 miles)
- Plymouth (10 miles)
- Crystal (10 miles)
- New Hope (10 miles)
- Shakopee (11 miles)
- Eagan (11 miles)
- Roseville (12 miles)
- Apple Valley (13 miles)
- Prior Lake (13 miles)
- Brooklyn Center (13 miles)
- Saint Paul (13 miles)
- Maple Grove (14 miles)
- New Brighton (14 miles)
- Chaska (14 miles)
- Fridley (14 miles)
- Rosemount (15 miles)
- Inver Grove Heights (15 miles)
- South Saint Paul (15 miles)
- Coon Rapids (16 miles)
- Shoreview (16 miles)
- Lakeville (17 miles)
- Maplewood (18 miles)
- West Coon Rapids (19 miles)
- Woodbury (19 miles)
- Oakdale (20 miles)
- Blaine (20 miles)
- Farmington (20 miles)
- Cottage Grove (20 miles)
- Champlin (21 miles)
- White Bear Lake (21 miles)
- Lino Lakes (23 miles)
- Andover (24 miles)
- Ramsey (26 miles)
- Hastings (26 miles)
- Elk River (31 miles)
- Northfield (31 miles)
- Faribault (41 miles)