It's Not Christmas In Minnesota Until You Do These 12 Enchanting Things
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
With the holidays fast approaching – but warm weather still lingering – it may not feel like the white Christmas that Minnesotans are used to. But there still are plenty of ways to make it feel more like Christmas both indoors and out. We’ve made you this Christmas bucket list to get in the mood for the holidays. These 12 Minnesota attractions are traditions that will instantly put you in the Christmas spirit.
This classic event in Downtown Minneapolis is a staple of a Minnesota winter. Food, shopping, and the light-filled parade will make you ready for Christmas. Visit Thursday through Sunday until December 23.
Grand Meander/Facebook
A jaunt down the historic Grand Avenue is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Support local businesses, eat at tasty restaurants, and enjoy the community tree lighting. This year's Grand Meander is on Saturday, December 3.
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Whether you play pond hockey or prefer making figure eights on an indoor rink, ice skating is an essential holiday tradition in Minnesota. Plus, when you're done, you get to crack open the hot chocolate thermos in the warming house.
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This has become a yearly tradition at American Swedish Institute. Many Minnesotans celebrate their Scandinavian roots by oohing and ahhing over rooms ornately decorated for the holidays. This year, you can get in on the fun until January 13.
You wouldn't think a department store would have such a fantastic holiday display, but the Macy's in Downtown Minneapolis certainly does. On the 8th floor of Macy's, this store puts on a stunning display that has been going for more than 50 years. This year, Santaland goes from November 27 to December 24.
There are so many people across Minnesota who go all out with Christmas lights. Many are timed to radio stations, but even if they aren't, it still doesn't hurt to put on some holiday tunes as you drive around. If that doesn't put you in the holiday spirit, we don't know what will.
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Besides the Christmas City Express in Duluth, the Holly Trolley operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum is another great Christmas train option. Either way, you have got to ride a Christmas train at least once in your life. There's nothing more festive!
Even if you don't love going to the mall, there are dozens of great options for holiday shopping in Minnesota. The St. Paul European Christmas Market and Julmarknad at the American Swedish Institute are a few great options.
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There are plenty of places to meet Santa, but one of the best is at the Minnesota Zoo. On select Saturdays through December - 3, 10, and 17 - you can go meet Santa and visit animals at the same time. It gets even better for zoo members - you can sign up to have a snack with him.
While there has been some snow, many of us are still waiting for the season's first significant snowfall. When it happens, it will feel a lot more like Christmas.
Caroling is a great tradition that gets even greater when you visit a certain Minnesota town. In Stillwater, carolers decked out in Victorian costumes give a real sense of Christmases long past. They'll be out and about in downtown Stillwater Fridays and Saturdays until December 23.
Each year, the Canadian Pacific Railroad visits towns across the United States and Canada to raise money for charity. The train is decked out in holiday lights and, at every stop, a full band plays holiday music from one of the train cars. This year, the train stops in 21 Minnesota towns throughout early December.
Would you add anything to this Minnesota Christmas bucket list? Let us know in the comments. If you love holiday lights, check out this magical holiday lights road trip through Minnesota.
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