Annual Winter Events

Holidazzle Parade – FREE
Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, from 12th Street to 4thStreet, 6:30pm
Begins Friday, Nov. 25th and will continue Thursdays-Sundays until December18th
With lighted carriages and floats, this parade features a different [usually] local grand marshal, choir, and band each night.

Macy’s 8th Floor Santaland & holiday show- FREE
700Nicollet Avenue
Continuing through the end of December, this year’s featured theme is “A Day in the Life of an Elf”.

St. Paul Winter Carnival - FREE
2012: January 26th –February 5th
In1885 a New York reporter wrote that the city of St. Paul was “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation” in winter. Offended by this attack on their Capital City, the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce decided to not only prove that Saint Paul was habitable but that its citizens were very much alive during winter, the most dominant season. Thus was born the St. Paul Winter Carnival.  For ten days you can see spectacular snow and ice sculptures and, on several of these days, watch parades.

Buy a Christmas Tree at the Farmer’s Market!
312E Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis 55405

US Pond Hockey Championships - FREE
Lake Nokomis, January 20-22, 2012
4955West Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Minneapolis 55417

U of MN Outdoor Recreation: Annual Winter Gear Sale
Wednesday and Thursday, December 7-8
Hours:12-6pm
Minneapolis Campus Rec Center

City of Lakes Loppet
Saturday and Sunday, February 4-5, 2012
This is a cross-country ski festival celebrating the beautiful trails and lakes of the Twin Cities.  The Luminary Loppet is a breathtakingly beautiful evening event for all ages.