From live music performances and Broadway musicals to holiday festivals, markets, and so much more, there’s something for everyone downtown this holiday season. Scroll down to dive into the seasonal festivities downtown has to offer to you and your family this winter. See you downtown.
The Dayton’s Project and The Departments at Dayton’s
The Dayton’s Project is newly reopened and ready to host you for the holidays. Enjoy holiday window displays, special musical performances, and entertainment through December at The Dayton’s project. Plus, get your holiday shopping in at The Department at Dayton’s which showcases a diverse array of vendors from across the state that have gathered to bring unique craftsmanship and talent to The Departments at Dayton’s, adding a spark of magic into Minneapolis and The Dayton’s Project. Experience the magic of this seasonal makers market inside the Dayton’s Project Monday-Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sundays from 12 pm – 5 pm.
Performances include:
November 24 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
November 28 – Delphia Cello (Cello Duet) (2pm-4pm)
December 1 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
December 1 – De La Salle HS Choir (3pm-5pm)
December 3 – Katia Cardenas + Accompaniment (3pm-5pm)
December 4 – Breck HS A Capella (TBD)
December 7 – Mill City Jazz (Jazz trio) (11am-1pm)
December 7 – De La Salle HS Choir (3pm-5pm)
December 8 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
December 10 – Reception Jazz (Jazz Trio) (3pm-5pm)
December 11 – St. Paul Quartet (Solo Violin) (11am-1pm)
December 11 – The Mistletones Carolers (3pm-5pm)
December 12 – Delphia Cello (Cello Duet) (2pm-4pm)
December 15 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
December 15 – Holiday Singers Carol Singers (3pm-5pm)
December 17 – De La Salle HS Choir (3pm-5pm)
December 18 – Visitation HS Choir (12pm-1pm)
December 18 – Edina HS Chamber Singers (1pm-2pm)
December 18 – Visit from Santa Claus
December 18 – Mistletones Carolers (3pm-5pm)
December 19 – Holiday Singers Carol Singers (1pm – 3pm)
December 20 – Central HS Choir (4pm-6pm)
December 22 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
December 22 – Holiday Singers Carol Singers (1pm -3pm)
December 29 – Paul Hjelmstad (Solo Piano) (11am-1pm)
Holidazzle moments at Peavey Plaza and Loring Park
Enjoy Holidazzle moments in Loring Park and throughout mpls downtown this holiday season! The Holidazzle Yeti will be at Peavey Plaza from Nov. 26 through Dec. 3. Free Santa Zoom virtual calls will be available on Saturday, December 4 and Saturday, December 11 (sign-ups to be announced soon), and from December 17-19 join Holidazzle in Loring Park (Friday, Dec. 17 – 5-9 pm; Saturday, Dec. 18 – 2-9 pm; Sunday, Dec. 19 – 11 am-5 pm). This year’s Loring Park festivities will include fun-for-the-whole-family experiences including seasonal entertainment, Santa, local foods and beverages, shopping form local small businesses, and amusement rides (Ferris Wheel, carousel and giant slide). Plus, Friday and Saturday will feature festive fireworks at 7 pm.
Spend an Afternoon at Orchestra Hall
Read up on the holiday performances and grab your tickets here!
Bach’s Christmas Orotorio – Dec 3 at 7:30 pm
Merry and Bright with Charles Lazarus – Dec 12 at 2:00 pm
Joyful Echoes with the Minnesota Orchestra – Dec 16th at 11 am, 17th at 8:00 pm, 18th at 8:00 pm, 19th at 2:00 pm
A New Year’s Celebration – Dec 31st at 8:30 pm and Jan 1st at 2:00 pm
Anastasia at the Orpheum Theatre
Head out to a show this holiday season. At the Orpheum, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is at home in Minneapolis at last! This dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Catch this new Broadway musical at the Orpheum Theatre from December 7th to December 19th.
Plus, experience an updated physical production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol this season including all-new scenic, costume, prop, lighting, and sound designs now through December 27th. Check dates/times and grab your tickets here.
(Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theatre Trust)
Catch A Game
Cheer on the Vikings and the Timberwolves downtown this holiday season at U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Center. Make sure to grab a bite to eat before or after the game and check out other downtown happenings to make it a day or even a weekend! (Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings)
Vikings
November 21 at 12:00 pm VS Green Bay Packers
December 9 at 7:20 pm VS Pittsburgh Steelers
December 26 at 12:00 pm VS Los Angeles Rams
January 9 at 12:00 pm VS Chicago Bears
Timberwolves
November 20 at 7:00 pm VS Memphis
November 24 at 7:00 pm VS Miami
November 29 at 7:00 pm VS Indiana
December 6 at 7:00 pm VS Atlanta
December 8 at 7:00 pm VS Utah Jazz
December 10 at 7:00 pm VS Cleveland
December 17 at 7:00 pm VS Los Angeles
December 19 at 7:00 pm VS Dallas
December 27 at 7:00 pm VS Boston
December 28 at 7:00 pm VS New York
Chameleon Shoppes
The Chameleon Consortium is a private-public group dedicated to the experiential and economic vitality of downtown Minneapolis. Their purpose is to create vibrant downtown experiences by transforming empty retail spaces into equity opportunities for BIPOC- and women-owned businesses. Make sure to fit in shopping at each Chameleon Shoppes vendor this holiday season including Coconut Whisk Cafe, Uniquely Global, and Sistah Co-Op featuring SJC Body Love and TiAngy designs–all located in mpls downtown.
Holiday Lights at Peavey Plaza and on Nicollet
Explore mpls downtown in the glow of the holiday lights! Take in the decorations from Peavey Plaza up Nicollet as you shop, eat, and enjoy all downtown has to offer. Plus, remember the Holidazzle Yeti will be at Peavey Plaza from November 26 through December 3 with support from the Mpls Downtown Improvement District.
IDS Center Crystal Court festivities
Swing by the IDS Center Crystal Court to enjoy festive entertainment and decorations throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Music at Capella Tower
Enjoy holiday music at Capella Tower Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm starting Dec 7th through Dec 23!
December 7 – Gene Swanson (Guitar)
December 8 – Ipsa Música Loquitor (Flute and Piano)
December 9 – Chris Ward (Harp)
December 14 – 2nd Winds (Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon)
December 15 – Daniel Wascoe (Piano)
December 16 – Gene Swanson (Guitar)
December 21 – Juston Knoepfel (Viola)
December 22 – Ipsa Música Loquitor (Flute and Piano)
December 23 – Chris Ward (Harp)
Holiday performances at Dakota Jazz Club
The Dakota Jazz Club is a staple on Nicollet year-round, and that certainly holds true for their holiday season performances. Click here to browse their full schedule, which features performances almost every night now through Dec. 20.
Holiday Performances at Oracle and International Centre
November 30 – The BS project (11:30 am – 1:00 pm)
December 2 – Justin & Elisa Knowephel (11:30 am – 1:00 pm)
December 7 – FluteSpiration Quartet (11:30 am – 1:00 pm)
December 9 – DuoLeon will be performing (11:30 am – 1:00 pm)
December 14 – Duo Leon & The BS project (11:30 am -1:00 pm)
December 16 – Justin & Elisa Knowephel (1:00 am – 2:30 pm)
U.S. Bank Plaza Holiday Entertainment
All performances from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Dec 2 – Adam Daniel
Dec 7 – Adam Daniel
Dec 9 – Justin Knoepfel
Dec 14 – Laurie Leigh
Dec 16 – FluteSpiration
Dec 21 – Adam Daniel
Dec 23 – FluteSpiration
Artisan Holiday Market
Give the gift of art this season! Roho Collective, in partnership with Chameleon Shoppes, is presenting an Artisan Holiday Market that promotes shopping small and buying local showcasing works of art and craft items by Artists of Color. Find the market in the IDS Center on the skyway level in suite #254 Thursdays – Saturdays, December 2nd – 23rd, 11 am – 6 pm.
Mill City Winter Market
Mill City Farmers Market is dedicated to providing a safe and reliable year-round marketplace for small farmers, makers, and shoppers. Their winter farmers market is inside the beautiful Mill City Museum lobby (no ticket required) with 30+ farmers and makers select Saturdays November through April including December 4th and 18th and January 8th from 10 am – 1 pm.
Miracle at Stilheart
From now until December 30th, you can sip on drinks like Muletide, On Dasher, Christmapolitan, and Gin and Tonica at Minnesota’s first downtown distillery and holiday pop-up, Stiheart Distillery. There are Santa mugs and glassware (sold separately) with some of the cocktails available in kits to go. Open Wednesday-Thursday 5 pm – 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 12 am, and Sunday 2 pm – 9 pm – no reservations required.
Designer Tree-Dress Installation
Experience the magic of downtown Minneapolis in the historic Foshay Tower with a fresh take on decorating for the holidays. 18 local designers come together to display their holiday-inspired, tree-dresses in the main lobby space and front window. Enjoy these works of art now until Jan 2nd.