Can't wait for the holidays in Oakdale? Check out our guide to all the festive happenings! For Oakdale residents and wandering souls alike, our guide is your compass to holiday magic.
Popular Events: Step aboard the North Pole Express for a whimsical journey that captures the spirit of the season with enchanting sights and festive activities. The Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night features a warm community gathering where families can enjoy seasonal films under twinkling lights. And definitely don't forget Christmas in Germany, where you can immerse yourself in delightful traditions and German treats. Explore more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Oakdale
- North Pole Express (St. Paul)
- Christmas in Germany (St. Paul)
- Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night (St. Paul)
- A Prairie Home Companion Christmas (St. Paul)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra (St. Paul)
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Bach's “Brandenburg” Concertos (St. Paul)
- Winter Wonderland
- GLOW Holiday Festival (St. Paul)
- Oakdale Christmas Indoor Market
- Christmas in Excelsior (Chriskindlsmarkt) (Excelsior)
See these and even more events listed below!
Oakdale Holiday Light Displays
GLOW Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and zip line experience.
Description:
GLOW Holiday Festival is a spectacular event featuring over a million lights, interactive displays, and unique attractions like the Vixen’s Zip Line and Giant Snowy Slide. It offers a boutique shopping experience with local vendors and a chance to donate to local charities.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: GLOW Holiday Festival
Chanhassen Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live reindeer and festive holiday lights.
Description:
The Chanhassen Tree Lighting Ceremony features live reindeer, treats, bonfires, s'mores, carolers, and a special visit from Santa, all set against the backdrop of City Center Park's holiday lights.
Where: Chanhassen | More Info: Chanhassen Tree Lighting Ceremony
Savage Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Community holiday celebration with hot cocoa and live music.
Description:
The Savage Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall features hot cocoa, a bonfire, and live holiday music, celebrating a community holiday tradition.
Where: Savage | More Info: Savage Tree Lighting Ceremony
Lakeville Holiday Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Musical performance by local high school choir during the holiday lighting.
Description:
The Lakeville Holiday Lighting Ceremony features a musical performance by Lakeville South High School's Encore Singers, along with the lighting of the downtown area, and warm beverages and cookies.
Where: Lakeville | More Info: Lakeville Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Oakdale Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas in Germany
What to Expect:
Traditional German food and drinks in a festive setting.
Description:
Celebrate German Christmas traditions with warm beer, hot mulled wine, bratwurst, pretzels, homemade soup, and German cake. The GAI Haus will be decorated with seasonal goods for sale, and music will fill the Rathskeller ballroom.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Christmas in Germany
Oakdale Christmas Indoor Market
What to Expect:
Local shopping with fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Description:
The Oakdale Christmas Indoor Market offers a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, canned items, floral arrangements, and honey. It is held at the Oakdale Discovery Center, providing a unique shopping experience with over 20 local vendors.
Where: Oakdale | More Info: Oakdale Christmas Indoor Market
Christmas in Excelsior (Chriskindlsmarkt)
What to Expect:
German-themed holiday market with live reindeer and festive activities.
Description:
The Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt is a traditional German-style Christmas market featuring handmade ornaments, unique toys, and delicious holiday treats. Enjoy live music, reindeer, and festive activities for the whole family.
Where: Excelsior | More Info: Christmas in Excelsior (Chriskindlsmarkt)
Blaine Winter Celebration
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with live music and kids' shopping spree.
Description:
The Blaine Winter Celebration at Tom Ryan Park features a variety of activities for the whole family, including live holiday music, s'mores by the fire, hot chocolate, and beautiful park lighting. Children can participate in a kids' secret holiday shopping spree inside Blaine City Hall, with gifts ranging from $1 to $11 and free gift wrapping.
Where: Blaine | More Info: Blaine Winter Celebration
Grand Meander
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping with Santa visits and special deals.
Description:
Shop local and meander along Grand Avenue while enjoying holiday treats and entertainment. Special visits from Santa and great deals to complete your holiday gift list.
Where: Eagan | More Info: Grand Meander
Oakdale Holiday Shows and Entertainment
North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Historic train ride to meet Santa Claus.
Description:
Join Friends 261 for a holiday tradition where you can ride historic steam and diesel trains to the North Pole, meet Santa, and enjoy festive activities and treats.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: North Pole Express
Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
What to Expect:
Free community event with holiday activities, tree lighting, and a movie screening.
Description:
Join Union Depot for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration & Movie Night. The event features the St. Paul Winter Carnival 2023 Button Reveal, a holiday performance by The Mistletones, and a tree lighting ceremony followed by fireworks. Enjoy free cider, photo ops, craft stations, and a light-up wand giveaway for kids. The evening concludes with a showing of the holiday favorite, Elf, with concessions available for purchase. Visit the European Christmas Market on the East Plaza for unique gifts and European-inspired food.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
A Prairie Home Companion Christmas
What to Expect:
Classic holiday entertainment with a nostalgic twist.
Description:
A Prairie Home Companion Christmas features a festive evening of music, storytelling, and holiday cheer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN, with all ages welcome.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: A Prairie Home Companion Christmas
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Bach's “Brandenburg” Concertos
What to Expect:
Baroque masterpieces performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Description:
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra presents Johann Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg" Concertos, featuring Artistic Partner Richard Egarr. This annual holiday tradition showcases the enduring Baroque masterpieces with the virtuosity of the SPCO musicians as soloists in five of the six concertos. The concert features a diverse range of instruments and musical styles, including the First Brandenburg Concerto with its jovial outdoor ambiance and the Sixth Brandenburg Concerto with its lower string palette.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Bach's “Brandenburg” Concertos
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
What to Expect:
Grand return of "The Lost Christmas Eve" with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents a spectacular holiday show featuring their beloved rock opera "The Lost Christmas Eve," with a grand return to the stage after a decade. The performance includes an all-new, dazzling spectacle packed with pyrotechnics, lasers, and incredible storytelling. The celebration continues with a high-energy second set featuring the group's greatest hits and fan favorites. The story follows a bitter old businessman who, after a life of solitude and regret, finds redemption through a chance encounter with a mysterious girl.
Where: St. Paul | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Oakdale Other Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn hayrides and petting zoo activities.
Description:
Join Oakdale Recreation for a community-building celebration of winter at the Discovery Center and Oakdale Nature Preserve. Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, a petting zoo, bonfire with s'mores, holiday crafts, visits with Santa, and candy cane hunts. The event also features face painting and breakfast and lunch options.
Where: Oakdale | More Info: Winter Wonderland
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Maplewood (2 miles)
- Woodbury (3 miles)
- South Saint Paul (6 miles)
- Saint Paul (6 miles)
- White Bear Lake (9 miles)
- Inver Grove Heights (9 miles)
- Cottage Grove (9 miles)
- Roseville (10 miles)
- Shoreview (12 miles)
- New Brighton (14 miles)
- Minneapolis (15 miles)
- Eagan (15 miles)
- Lino Lakes (15 miles)
- Hastings (16 miles)
- Richfield (17 miles)
- Fridley (17 miles)
- Rosemount (17 miles)
- Bloomington (18 miles)
- Saint Louis Park (19 miles)
- Blaine (19 miles)
- Golden Valley (19 miles)
- Coon Rapids (19 miles)
- Edina (20 miles)
- Brooklyn Center (20 miles)
- Crystal (20 miles)
- Apple Valley (20 miles)
- Burnsville (20 miles)
- New Hope (21 miles)
- Savage (22 miles)
- West Coon Rapids (23 miles)
- Minnetonka Mills (23 miles)
- Farmington (24 miles)
- Plymouth (24 miles)
- Andover (25 miles)
- Maple Grove (25 miles)
- Lakeville (26 miles)
- Eden Prairie (26 miles)
- Champlin (26 miles)
- Minnetonka (27 miles)
- Prior Lake (28 miles)
- Chanhassen (29 miles)
- Shakopee (30 miles)
- Ramsey (31 miles)
- Chaska (33 miles)
- Northfield (36 miles)
- Elk River (38 miles)