9 Ways To Spark Your Holiday Spirit Around the Twin Cities

We’re officially less than one week away from Christmas!  In case you’re feeling a bit “Grinch-like” this holiday season or if you’re just looking for new ways to celebrate the Spirit, your Local Gurus have put together a list of some surefire places around the Twin Cities to turn this holiday into the jolliest yet!  In no particular order – let’s dive right in…

Located in NE Minneapolis, Betty Dangers is a must visit anytime throughout the year!  But around the holidays they take their kooky, fun-loving vibe to a whole new level with “Mary’s Christmas Palace”, where they’ve transformed their entire restaurant with wonderfully tacky decorations, lights, bulbs, and garland galore!  They don’t stop with just the decorations though, they’ve created an entire holiday themed food and cocktail menu to accompany the festive vibes.  A must visit this holiday season!  

Photo courtesy of Betty Danger’s Facebook Event Page.

Recently voted one of the Top Ten Holiday Markets by USA Today, the St. Paul European Christmas Market at Union Depot is a must-visit!  Featuring an array of local vendors, food options, and displays this charming winter village will make you feel like you’ve taken a trip overseas to a quaint European village.  More so, our pals at Metro Transit are offering FREE rides on the Green Line every Saturday and Sunday of the market!

Photo courtesy of Union Depot’s Facebook Page.

The Holidazzle at Loring Park has something for everyone.  Shop local as you make your way through their craft market, cheers your friends and family over a pint in the Fulton Beer Tent, fill up on a wide range of eats, take a skate on the ice skating rink, warm up with a spiked cider from Sociable Cider Werks, and so much more!  

Photo courtesy of the Holidazzle’s Facebook Page.

While you can see wonderful Christmas light displays all around the Twin Cities, not much can top the grandeur of the lights in Rice Park.  Maybe it’s the historic buildings surrounding this little city park or our love for our Capital City, but either way this light show is a must visit during the holidays!
Photo courtesy of the Visit St. Paul website.

If you’re in the western Twin Cities (or even if you’re not!) this pop-up Christmas Cocktail Bar in Excelsior, MN is a must!  The Old Log Theatre has transformed their old cabin into the “Jingle Bar” to help us celebrate the season with over the-top décor of lights, garland, ribbons, baubles, ornaments, and a holiday soundtrack sure to make you merry and bright.  Their restaurant, Cast & Cru, has created specialty Christmas-themed cocktails that play on classic holiday flavors.  This one is only open on select Friday’s prior to Christmas, so make sure to check out their Facebook page for times.

Photo courtesy of the Old Log Theater’s Facebook event page.

This special installment at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be sure to have you embrace the season!  Take a walking tour through an array of outdoor displays that feature a mix of artist installments of dazzling seasonal lights.   Running now through January 5!

Brewery Craft Markets

The rise of craft breweries in the Twin Cities is a wonderful thing year around, but during the holidays these taprooms are transformed into fun-filled holiday markets featuring local makers and their amazing products!  During almost every weekend from late November through Christmas you can sip some suds while you shop!

Photo courtesy of Lakes and Legends Brewing Facebook event page.

The Swedish American Institute is a historic gem in the middle of Minneapolis and every holiday season they deck the halls of this historic house!  Step back in time as you explore this treasure and hear stories of holiday traditions from Sweden and beyond!

For the last several years Lawless Distilling Company transforms their quant cocktail room into the “Miracle at Lawless”.  Featuring a festive display of garlands, lights, holiday figures, beads, bulbs, and more – the second you step into their facility you are transformed into a jolly land of mistletoe and holly.      While their decoration display is quite impressive, it doesn’t come close to how impressive their line-up of signature holiday craft cocktails.

Photo courtesy of Lawless Distilling’s Facebook Page.