Experience the festive wonders of Minnetonka with our comprehensive guide. Whether you're a resident or a traveler, our guide helps you explore the holiday magic of Minnetonka.
Popular events include the GLOW Holiday Festival, where enchanting light displays create a captivating winter wonderland. You'll also find the European Christmas Market offering authentic crafts and delicious seasonal treats. And don't forget the North Pole Express, a delightful train ride that takes you on a whimsical journey to meet Santa. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Minnetonka
- GLOW Holiday Festival (St. Paul)
- European Christmas Market (St. Paul)
- North Pole Express (St. Paul)
- The Santa Experience (Bloomington)
- Cathedral Christmas Market (St. Paul)
- Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar (St. Paul)
- Holiday Flower Show (St. Paul)
- Sever's Holiday Lights (Shakopee)
- Magic of Lights (Eagan)
- Holiday Maker's Market (St. Paul)
See these and even more events listed below!
Minnetonka Holiday Light Displays
GLOW Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Over a million lights and interactive exhibits.
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival is a spectacular holiday event at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, featuring over a million lights, new exhibits, a zip line, and unique shopping experiences.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: GLOW Holiday Festival
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with life-sized displays.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays that bring favorite holiday scenes and characters to life. Highlights include the larger-than-life Holiday Barbie display, the supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Eagan | More Info: Magic of Lights
Sever's Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light display with festive food and drink vendors.
Description:
Sever's Holiday Lights features a massive 2.5 million light display synchronized to holiday music, with festive food and drink vendors, making it a beloved holiday tradition for families.
Where: Shakopee | More Info: Sever's Holiday Lights
Minnetonka 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 Germany
What to Expect:
Traditional German holiday foods and drinks in a festive setting.
Description:
Celebrate German Christmas traditions with warm Glühwein, bratwurst, pretzels, homemade soup, and German cake in a beautifully decorated Rathskeller and ballroom. Enjoy seasonal goods and music while immersing yourself in German holiday customs.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Christmas in Germany
Holiday Maker's Market
What to Expect:
Charitable twist with vendors donating 7% of sales to support local scholarships.
Description:
The MN Christmas Market is an annual holiday marketplace showcasing homegrown brands, artisans, and makers with a charitable twist. Each vendor donates 7% of sales to a local charity, specifically the Santa's Scholarship fund, which supports refugee neighbors in Minnesota through 4-year scholarships.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Holiday Maker's Market
Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted gifts by local artisans in a historic setting.
Description:
The Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar features 80 local artisans selling unique handcrafted items, including jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and handmade soaps. The event offers festive music and delicious treats in a beautiful, historic venue.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Cathedral Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor market with live music and unique gifts.
Description:
The Cathedral Christmas Market offers a European-style outdoor celebration in the Cathedral Courtyard, featuring festive decorations, warm food, Glühwein, beer, unique gifts, fire pits, and a silent auction. Enjoy a variety of food trucks and live music in a beautifully lit setting.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Cathedral Christmas Market
Minnetonka Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Flower Show
What to Expect:
Vibrant display of yellow poinsettias and other holiday florals.
Description:
The Como Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show features hundreds of poinsettias and other holiday florals, showcasing a vibrant display of 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
North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive ride 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: St. Paul | More Info: North Pole Express
The Santa Experience
What to Expect:
Private and virtual Santa visits with unique photo options.
Description:
The Santa Experience in Bloomington, MN, offers unique in-person and virtual Santa visits with special photo opportunities and fun Christmas merchandise.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: The Santa Experience
Minnetonka Other Holiday Activities
Visits with Santa - Northtown Mall
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday photos with Santa.
Description:
Visit Santa at Northtown Mall, located in Burlington Court near Door 5, offering both walk-up and reservation options.
Where: Blaine | More Info: Visits with Santa - Northtown Mall
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Minnetonka Mills (4 miles)
- Chanhassen (4 miles)
- Eden Prairie (4 miles)
- Plymouth (7 miles)
- Edina (8 miles)
- Saint Louis Park (8 miles)
- Shakopee (8 miles)
- Chaska (10 miles)
- Golden Valley (10 miles)
- New Hope (10 miles)
- Crystal (11 miles)
- Richfield (11 miles)
- Bloomington (11 miles)
- Maple Grove (11 miles)
- Savage (12 miles)
- Minneapolis (13 miles)
- Brooklyn Center (14 miles)
- Prior Lake (14 miles)
- Burnsville (15 miles)
- Fridley (17 miles)
- Coon Rapids (18 miles)
- New Brighton (18 miles)
- Eagan (18 miles)
- Roseville (18 miles)
- West Coon Rapids (19 miles)
- Apple Valley (19 miles)
- Champlin (20 miles)
- Saint Paul (20 miles)
- Shoreview (21 miles)
- Blaine (22 miles)
- Rosemount (22 miles)
- Lakeville (22 miles)
- South Saint Paul (23 miles)
- Inver Grove Heights (23 miles)
- Ramsey (24 miles)
- Andover (24 miles)
- Maplewood (25 miles)
- Farmington (26 miles)
- Lino Lakes (26 miles)
- Oakdale (27 miles)
- Woodbury (27 miles)
- White Bear Lake (27 miles)
- Elk River (27 miles)
- Cottage Grove (28 miles)
- Hastings (34 miles)
- Northfield (36 miles)
- Faribault (44 miles)