Create your holiday schedule in Hastings! Our guide features all the top festive events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday charm of Hastings.
Popular events include the Bentleyville Tour of Lights, a dazzling display where millions of lights transform Bayfront Park into a winter wonderland. The European Christmas Market offers a unique shopping experience, featuring artisanal gifts, delicious treats, and traditional music that captures the essence of the season. And the GLOW Holiday Festival showcases stunning light displays and festive activities that bring joy to attendees of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Hastings Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Hastings
- Bentleyville Tour of Lights (Duluth)
- European Christmas Market (St. Paul)
- North Pole Express (St. Paul)
- GLOW Holiday Festival (St. Paul)
- Christmas in Excelsior (Christkindlsmarkt) (Excelsior)
- Union Depot Holiday Tree Lighting (St. Paul)
- Blaine Winter Celebration (Blaine)
- Hopkins Farmers Holiday Market (Hopkins)
See these and even more events listed below!
Hastings Holiday Light Displays
Bentleyville Tour of Lights
What to Expect:
Largest free walk-through lighting display in the upper Midwest.
Description:
Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a free walk-through Christmas lighting display in Duluth, featuring over 5 million lights, festive decorations, and family-friendly activities like roasting marshmallows and meeting Santa.
Where: Duluth | More Info: Bentleyville Tour of Lights
GLOW Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and zip line experience.
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, features over a million lights, interactive displays, and unique attractions like the Vixen’s Zip Line and Giant Snowy Slide. The event also includes a boutique shopping experience at the GLOW Gift Shop and supports local charities.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: GLOW Holiday Festival
Hastings Holiday Markets and Shopping
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
Christmas in Excelsior (Christkindlsmarkt)
What to Expect:
German-themed Christmas festival with live reindeer and artisan booths.
Description:
The Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt is a German-themed Christmas festival featuring live reindeer, Father Christmas, and a variety of artisan booths selling handmade ornaments and unique gifts. Enjoy traditional German foods, live music, and festive activities for the whole family.
Where: Excelsior | More Info: Christmas in Excelsior (Christkindlsmarkt)
Hopkins Farmers Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local farmstead produce and unique holiday gifts.
Description:
The Hopkins Farmers Winter Market offers a variety of local, fresh produce, meats, cheeses, dairy products, and handcrafted specialty items. Enjoy live music and explore the market located at the Hopkins Activity Center.
Where: Hopkins | More Info: Hopkins Farmers Holiday Market
Hastings Holiday Shows and Entertainment
North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Historic steam train ride with Santa visit.
Description:
Join Friends 261 for a nostalgic holiday train ride aboard historic rail cars pulled by the Milwaukee Road 261 steam locomotive and the Milwaukee Road 32A, E9 diesel. Enjoy a short train ride to the North Pole, where Santa will greet passengers and collect letters. The event includes holiday treats, entertainment, and activities at St. Paul Union Depot.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: North Pole Express
Union Depot Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony with fireworks display and holiday movie screening.
Description:
Join Union Depot for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration and Movie Night. The event features the unveiling of the St. Paul Winter Carnival 2023 button, a holiday performance by The Mistletones, and a tree lighting ceremony followed by a fireworks display. Guests can enjoy free cider, photo ops, and craft stations. The evening concludes with a showing of the classic holiday movie Elf, with concessions available for purchase.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Union Depot Holiday Tree Lighting
Hastings Other Holiday Activities
Blaine Winter Celebration
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities including live music, s’mores, and a kids' shopping spree.
Description:
The Blaine Winter Celebration at Tom Ryan Park features the lighting of the park with beautiful lights, live holiday music, s’mores by the fire, hot chocolate, and Santa and his reindeer. Children can participate in a kids' secret holiday shopping spree inside Blaine City Hall, where gifts range from $1 to $11 and gift wrapping is free.
Where: Blaine | More Info: Blaine Winter Celebration
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cottage Grove (7 miles)
- Inver Grove Heights (12 miles)
- Rosemount (13 miles)
- Woodbury (14 miles)
- South Saint Paul (14 miles)
- Farmington (16 miles)
- Eagan (16 miles)
- Maplewood (16 miles)
- Oakdale (16 miles)
- Apple Valley (18 miles)
- Saint Paul (18 miles)
- Lakeville (20 miles)
- Burnsville (21 miles)
- Bloomington (23 miles)
- Richfield (23 miles)
- Roseville (23 miles)
- Savage (24 miles)
- White Bear Lake (25 miles)
- Northfield (25 miles)
- Minneapolis (26 miles)
- Edina (26 miles)
- Shoreview (27 miles)
- Prior Lake (28 miles)
- New Brighton (28 miles)
- Saint Louis Park (28 miles)
- Golden Valley (30 miles)
- Lino Lakes (31 miles)
- Fridley (31 miles)
- Eden Prairie (31 miles)
- Crystal (32 miles)
- Minnetonka Mills (32 miles)
- Brooklyn Center (33 miles)
- New Hope (33 miles)
- Shakopee (33 miles)
- Coon Rapids (34 miles)
- Minnetonka (34 miles)
- Chanhassen (34 miles)
- Blaine (34 miles)
- Plymouth (35 miles)
- Chaska (37 miles)
- Faribault (37 miles)
- Maple Grove (37 miles)
- West Coon Rapids (38 miles)
- Andover (40 miles)
- Champlin (41 miles)