Our Holiday Event Picks
Guide to the Holidays in Saint Paul
Looking for some fresh winter holiday traditions to brighten up the season? Saint Paul is ready to help you celebrate.
Whether you’re looking for holiday events, where to shop for the perfect gift, a night out at the theatre, Christmas concerts, the best light displays, or take-home holiday meals, we’ve got a full list of ways to make the season bright.
Revel in the magic of the season at a holiday event
Night Trains
Saturdays through Feb 24 (plus bonus dates around Christmas/New Year's) | Twin City Model Railroad Museum
For more than 80 years, the Twin City Model Railroad Museum has created to-scale displays of trains and depots. The annual Night Trains events illuminate these tracks at this great family outing. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Shop by Candlelight
Nov 9 | Selby West
More than two dozen shops along Selby West invite friends, neighbors, guests, and all shoppers to mingle by candlelight. Participating businesses will have glowing luminaries outside, and inside guests will find treats, beverages, discounts, raffles, coupons, gift cards, music, and exclusive specials and sales to celebrate the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Rice Park Tree Lighting powered by Xcel Energy
Nov 10 | Rice Park
Live music, holiday photo ops and hot cocoa will lead up to the flipping of the giant switch turning downtown Rice Park into a twinkling winter wonderland, featuring a 40' fully lit, decorated tree. Presented by the Salvation Army.
GLOW Holiday Festival
Select dates Nov 16 - Dec 31 | CHS Field
Stroll through a dozen seasonal scenes featuring over a million holiday lights, sELFie Plaza, Enchanted Forest, Bright Bikes, Tremendous Tree, and so much more! Plan a stop by the GLOW Gift Shop to stock up on unique gifts from local artisans. This brilliant event is fun for the whole family.
European Christmas Market
Nov 24 - Dec 17, Weekends | Union Depot
This European-inspired, open-aired market and magical Christmas Village at Union Depot is the most authentic Christmas Market in Minnesota. More than just a market, you can hop on the holiday carousel, be in awe over the holiday train, and enjoy kids activities and 50 acts of live entertainment.
Holidays on the Hill Tours
Dec 1 - Dec 31, Th-Sun | James J Hill House
Experience Christmas in 1910—both upstairs and downstairs—in the sumptuous Gilded Age mansion of railroad titan James J. Hill. Enjoy self-guided access to holiday-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour highlighting holiday stories and memories from both the Hill family and their staff.
North Pole Express
Dec 1-3 & 7-10 | Union Depot
All aboard! The North Pole Express is chugging into Union Depot the first two weekends of December. Take a short train ride to the North Pole, meet Santa and his elves and enjoy meeting some entertaining characters along the way! Tickets must be reserved in advance.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Dec 2 | Union Depot
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 2012 Union Depot building restoration and the tree lighting includes a special celebration. The evening includes the unveiling of the St. Paul Winter Carnival 2023 button followed by live entertainment from The Mistletones and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Finish the evening with the classic holiday movie, Elf. The tree will be lit through the remainder of December on the North Plaza, the perfect backdrop for family holiday photos!
Holiday Flower Show
Dec 2 - Jan 7 | Majorie McNeely Conservatory
The Holiday Flower Show tradition began in 1925 and continues to be the most anticipated and visited flower attraction at the Conservatory. Elegant white poinsettias accented with plants will fill the Sunken Garden with warmth and light.
Christmas in Germany
Dec 2-3 | Germanic-American Institute
Experience German holiday traditions during his two-day event featuring authentic food and drink, local vendors and fun activities for all ages. An outdoor food market will have beer, hot mulled wine, bratwurst and German cake.
Santa’s Workshop
Dec 10 | Landmark Center
Get a free photo with Santa, and stay for games, gift making for loved ones, JB Eckert reading classic children’s Christmas stories and a festive holiday setting at Landmark Center.
City of Saint Paul Holiday Events
Check out these free winter special events and holiday parties happening in the city of Saint Paul!
Do Your Holiday Shopping at One of These Markets
MN Christmas Market
Nov 18 | Union Depot
The MN Christmas Market is an annual pop-up holiday market that showcases homegrown brands, artisans, creators and makers, with a charitable twist.
Keg & Case Holiday Market
Nov 24 - Dec 23, Weekends | Keg & Case Market
Indoor holiday market with carolers, local artisan pop-ups along with Happy Land Tree lot starting Nov 18, open 7 days a week!
European Christmas Market
Nov 24 - Dec 17, Weekends | Union Depot
This European-inspired, open-aired market and magical Christmas Village at Union Depot is the most authentic Christmas Market in Minnesota. Shop for handmade European crafts or unique gifts from local vendors, drink Glühwein (spiced mulled wine), and taste European-inspired delicacies during four weekends in November and December.
Holiday Maker's Market
Nov 26 & Dec 3 | Urban Growler Brewing Company
Shop local while you sip local from over 20+ different vendors at makers at Urban Growler. You're sure to check lots of gifts off your list at the first woman-owned brewery in Minnesota!
11 Wells Holiday Market
Dec 2, 9 & 16 | 11 Wells Spirits
Every Saturday morning in December leading up to Christmas, 11 Wells is hosting a holiday market. Stop by to get some holiday shopping done and enjoy delicious cocktails while you do.
Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Nov 30 - Dec 2 | Landmark Center
In its 45th year, this holiday tradition is your go-to for finding unique and handcrafted gift items by the area’s finest artists. Festive music and delicious treats add to the enjoyment of holiday shopping.
Cathedral Christmas Market
Dec 7 - 9 | Cathedral of Saint Paul
Get festive at this European-styled outdoor Christmas Market in the back Cathedral Courtyard. It will be festively decorated with plenty of delicious warm food, and cold and hot drinks, including mulled wine known as Gluehwein, a warming tent with music, and unique gifts for sale.
December Holiday Bazaar at The Black Market
Dec 9 | The Case Building
The Black Market invites you to start, or finish, your holiday shopping buying from local, black-owned businesses in the Twin Cities. Shop a multitude of vendors providing services, home goods, personal care items, books, art, gifts and more - many of which will be offering special deals and sales for the holiday season.
Holiday Bake Sale
Dec 9 | Union Depot
Take home treats from the top bakeries in the Twin Cities at the annual Holiday Bake Sale at Union Depot. Shop 30+ local bakeries and food vendors in a day filled with cookies, candy and fun! Enjoy live entertainment, meet local baking influencers and be the first 200 in line for a free gift bag!
Gather with loved ones for holiday theatre
Black Nativity
Nov 28 - Dec 24 | Penumbra Theatre
A beloved holiday tradition. Directed by Lou Bellamy, this homegrown Christmas show makes a triumphant return with familiar faces and new talent.
Peter Pan
Dec 6 - 31 | Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Step into an enchanted world this holiday season with this high-flying musical that has been delighting audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new adaptation.
It’s a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play
Dec 8 - 23, Th-Sun | The Saint Paul Hotel
Reconnect with the magic of the holiday season and step back in time with this live radio play. See this classic story brought to life through a live performance as a WCCO radio drama at The Saint Paul Hotel. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of this timeless tale with your family and friends. Tickets include dinner and the show.
A Hygge Holiday
Dec 8-10 & 15-17 | Circus Juventas
Bring the magic of circus to your yuletide celebrations with A Hygge Holiday. This Cirque du Soleil-style performance flips, tumbles, and careens through glittering woods and snow-dappled clearings and will transport audiences to the beautiful and bewitching North Woods and leave them exhilarated by soaring acrobatics and dazzling artistry.
Nutcracker
Dec 9-10 | Fitzgerald Theater
Don’t miss this holiday tradition! Metropolitan Ballet’s 17th annual Nutcracker! The classic story comes to life with fresh choreography and a cast of talented artists under the direction of Erik Sanborn of the Metropolitan Ballet. A family favorite that’s delightful for all ages!
Celtic Holiday Hooley
Dec 15 -17 | Celtic Junction
This hosted variety show is a party for all ages with Irish music, stories, sketches, step dance, caroling, and more. Expect wacky good fun with brief guest appearances from holiday characters including The Grinch, and yes, even Santa Claus! Presented by the O’Shea Irish Dancers with a world-class band.
...or a concert
Pentatonix: The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year
Nov 25 | Xcel Energy Center
Gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable holiday season, Pentatonix will unveil their 12th overall full-length and seventh holiday album, The Greatest Christmas Hits. The three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning and Daytime EMMY® Award-nominated vocal quintet will get your in the holiday spirit.
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Corelli’s “Christmas” Concerto
Dec 2 | Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Get in the holiday spirit with a full-bodied work that is both mournful and energetic, SPCO trumpeter Lynn Erickson will play a dazzling Baroque concerto.
Christmas Festival Concert, Christmas Together with Steven C.
Dec 7 - 8 | Cathedral of Saint Paul
Gather your friends and family for a festive evening of music and celebration at the Cathedral of Saint Paul! Multi-platinum recording artist and composer, Steven C, will perform his 7th annual Christmas Together concert the first two nights of the Cathedral Christmas Festival.
Sons of Serendip - Christmas: Beyond the Lights
Dec 14 | Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Billboard-charting classical crossover quartet will bring their unique combination of charm and musical prowess to the Ordway stage in a special concert featuring selections from their second studio album Christmas: Beyond the Lights.
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concerts: Handel’s “Messiah”
Dec 16 | Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music’s most beloved traditions and join the SPCO for our extremely popular annual performances of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec 30 | Xcel Energy Center
Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra's highly-anticipated Winter Tour with a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve".
Celebrate with a holiday meal from your favorite restaurant
Planning a holiday gathering with friends and family? Here are 10 spots with space for groups that are sure to please your family and friends.
Check out our list of Saint Paul restaurants that are ready to help you create a festive and stress-free holiday dinner with take-out options. Some restaurants may sell-out, so we recommend planning ahead and checking to confirm availability.
There’s plenty of holiday cheer to share in Saint Paul—we'll let you know what’s coming next on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL.