During the winter, Minnesota becomes a picturesque landscape covered with fluffy snow. This is a fitting setting for any Christmas event. Minnesota offers a variety of Christmas events for residents and out-of-town travelers. Choose from Christmas events for the whole family or a romantic night out with your significant other. Whatever the mood, Minnesota has a Christmas event that is ideal.
Few things are more romantic than a moonlit sleigh ride with a loved one. Bundle up with warm blankets and enjoy some hot chocolate while relaxing in a sleigh complete with horses adorned with jingle bells. Bring the whole family during the daytime hours and delight the kids with a magical sleigh ride. Several Christmas tree farms offer this service in Minnesota in six different counties including Hansen Tree Farm in Ankoa County, Thorn Crest Farm in Dakota County, Rum River Tree Farm in Hennepin County, Happy Land Tree Farm in Pine County, Cupkie Christmas Village from Otter Trail County and Goldenman Christmas Trees in Sherburn County. In the case of no snow, most businesses substitute the sleigh ride with a hayride on a wagon.
Embrace the Christmas spirit by attending a concert presented by the Minnesota Orchestra. Throughout the month of December, the Minnesota Orchestra performs an array of seasonal music. Some of the events scheduled are "Messiah," "Star of Wonder," "Scandinavian Christmas" and "Jingle Bell Doc." Celebrate the Christmas holiday by sharing the gift of music with family and friends. Make this a night on the town or take the family to a daytime performance.
Throughout Minnesota in December, cities and counties have traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies. Chisago City's Lighting Festival occurs in Moberg Park, the City of Chanhassen has a celebration in the city center, while Burnsville's Winter Light Ceremony happens at Nicollet Commons Park. These ceremonies usually attract crowds of people who come to watch a large evergreen tree be lit with Christmas lights. Tree-lightings offer entertainment like craft fairs, food booths, holiday music and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. Other activities include games, balloon artists, ice sculpting, face painting and petting zoos.
Treat the family to a Minnesota Christmas light display. The festive twinkling of Christmas lights reflecting on the great lakes is a wondrous sight. Make plans with family and friends to view this spectacular holiday sight. Thousands of Christmas lights spread on trees are shaped into holiday symbols like angels, presents, nutcrackers, reindeer and Santa Claus. There are more than a dozen large-scale Christmas light displays around Minnesota. The city of Duluth, Minnesota, boasts it has the biggest Christmas light display in the Midwest, according to Bentlyvilleusa.org. The Bentleyville Tour of Lights uses more than 3 million lights with the background setting of Lake Superior. Visits with Santa and an assortment of holiday treats complete this Christmas event.
