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. The best part is you.

The Dayton’s Project Winter Market

The Dayton’s Project is 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 their Winter Market, which showcases a fantastic array of 65 makers and brands from across the state that have gathered to bring unique craftsmanship and talent together downtown, adding a spark of magic into Minneapolis and The Dayton’s Project. Look for everything from Red Wing Shoes, Faribault Woolen Mill, Sanborn Canoe, Molly Pepper, Brooke and Lou, Fox Lake Furniture, Sweet Heaven, The Smiling Olive and much more. 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.

Holidazzle in Loring Park

Enjoy Holidazzle in Loring Park this holiday season! Holidazzle will return to mpls downtown from Nov. 25 through Dec. 18 and include food, beverages, shopping, entertainment and fun in Loring Park Holidazzle is a mpls downtown holiday tradition that creates a community gathering place and holiday destination for people of all ages to come together and celebrate winter.

 Holidazzle focuses on featuring local people, places and products that showcase the local food and art scenes, active lifestyle, local entertainers, and community groups that make our city and region unique and special. Join us Fridays (5-9 pm), Saturdays (12-9 pm) and Sundays (12-6 pm) in Loring Park from November 25 through December 18! Holidazzle fireworks take place each Saturday at 7:15 pm. Mpls College is offering $5 or less parking during all Holidazzle hours, and Metro Transit is offering Free Ride Passes on Saturdays from 11 am – 10 pm. Visit the Holidazzle.com directions page for more information.

Holiday Village at Young Quinlan Building

This holiday season, join The Black Market Events, The Roho Collective, and Strive Bookstore for a month-long holiday market celebrating BIPOC joy, success, and creativity, on the street level of the historic Young Quinlan Building at 901 Nicollet Mall. Featuring 40+ local artists, makers, authors, and chefs, as well as a full schedule of special events, The Holiday Village highlights collaborative entrepreneurship and a community-oriented shopping experience. Visit the village and experience the gift of true joy. The market is supported by the Chameleon Shoppes initiative of the mpls downtown council. Chameleon’s mission is to connect, incubate, and accelerate BIPOC and women entrepreneurs as part of a movement to create a vibrant and inclusive Downtown Minneapolis. >> Learn More

Located: Young Quinlan Building – 81 S. 9th Street  |  Dates: November 25 – December 24  |  Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm

Spend an Afternoon at Orchestra Hall

Orchestra Hall is a great place to celebrate the holiday season! Read up on the holiday performances and grab your tickets here!

The Princess Bride in Concert – Nov. 26 (8 pm), Nov. 27 (2 pm)

Color of Music – Nov. 29 (10 am & 11:30 am), Nov. 30 (10 am), Dec. 1 (10 am, 11:35 am)

Promise of Peace – Dec. 2 (8 pm), Dec. 3 (2 pm), Dec. 3 (7:30 pm)

Elf in Concert – Dec. 17 (2 pm, 7 pm), Dec. 18 (2 pm)

Les Miserables at the Orpheum Theatre  |  A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater

Head out to a show this holiday season. At the Orpheum, Les Miserables will be here in mpls downtown throughout the holiday season! Set in the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miserables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeles testament to the survival of hte human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of hte most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Catch this Broadway musical at the Orpheum Theatre from December 6 – December 18.

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 November 12 through December 31st. 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 20 at 3:25 pm VS Dallas Cowboys

November 24  at 7:20 pm VS New England Patriots

December 4 at 12:00 pm VS New York Jets

December 18 at TBD VS Indianapolis Colts

December 24 at 12:00 pm VS New York Giants

Timberwolves

November 21 at 7:00 pm VS Miami Heat

November 27 at 2:30 pm VS Golden State Warriors

November 30 at 7:00 pm VS Memphis Grizzlies

December 3 at 7:00 pm VS Oklahoma City Thunder

December 7 at 7:00 pm VS Indiana Pacers

December 18 at 6:00 pm VS Chicago Bulls

December 19 at 7:00 pm VS Dallas Mavericks

December 21 at 7:00 pm VS Dallas Mavericks

December 31 at 7:00 pm VSDetroit Pistons

 

Chameleon Shoppes 

Chameleon Shoppes 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, B’Youtique and Sistah Co-Op featuring Strive Publishing 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. Enjoy holiday lighting and festive winter greening brought to you by the Mpls Downtown Improvement District.

IDS Center Crystal Court festivities

Stop by the Crystal Court in the IDS Center this holiday season to enjoy local live music performances! All performances will be from 12pm-1pm.

• November 29: Sarah Morris
• November 30: Singers from the Minnesota Chorale
• December 1: Stephanie Claussen
• December 6: Matt + Laurel
• December 7: Morningstar & Concert Choir
• December 8: Abha K.
• December 13: Ben Cook-Feltz
• December 14: Eagan Women of Note
• December 15: Dan Israel
• December  20: Happy Lance Brunious
• December 21: Heilicher Jewish Day School
• December 22:  Matthew Schmitz

Holiday Music at Capella Tower

Enjoy live music at Capella Tower this holiday season!

• Thursday, December 1:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Chris Ward (harp)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: TC Hot Club Duo (guitar/violin)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: The Second Winds (woodwind trio)
• Friday, December 2:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Brian Brink (piano)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Gene Swanson (guitar)
• Monday, December 5:
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Chick Cheer (vocal group)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Karen Hemphill (piano)
• Tuesday, December 6:
  • 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lux String Quartet (strings)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Lother Family (piano/guitar/vocals)
• Wednesday, December 7:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Gene Swanson (guitar)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Jolly Jazz (vocal/piano)
• Thursday, December 8:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Brian Brink (piano)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: The Second Winds (woodwind trio)
• Friday, December 9:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Chris Ward (harp)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Justin Knoepfel (viola)
• Monday, December 12:
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Robert Bell & Debbie Briggs (vocal/guitar)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Karen Hemphill (piano)
• Tuesday, December 13:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Lux String Trio (strings)
  • 4:00pm – 5:00pm: Brian Lothar (piano)
• Wednesday, December 14:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Gene Swanson (guitar)
  • 11:45am – 12:45pm: Ameriprise Choir (vocal group)
• Thursday, December 15:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Brian Brink (piano)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Musica Ipsa Loquitur (flut/piano)
• Friday, December 16:
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: The Second Winds (woodwind trio)
  • 4:00pm – 5:00pm: Nuance/a duo (piano/vocal)
• Monday, December 19:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Brian Falk (piano)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Chick Cheer (vocal group)
• Tuesday, December 20:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Justin Knoepfel (viola)
  • 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Lother Family (piano, guitar, vocal)
• Wednesday, December 21:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Gene Swanson (guitar)
  • 11:30am – 1:30pm: Lux String Trio (strings)
• Thursday, December 22:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Chris Ward (harp)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Nuance/a duo (piano/vocals)
• Friday, December 23:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am: Brian Brink (piano)
  • 11:30am – 1:00pm: Musica Ipsa Loquitur (flute/piano)

Holiday Music at City Center

Enjoy live music performances at City Center this December! Stop by on select dates from 11:30am – 12:30pm to enjoy live music, or on Tuesdays over the lunch hour to enjoy a live piano performance.

• December 1 – Merry Christmas with The Holy Rocka Rollaz
• December 8 – B2wins
• December 15 – Billy McLaughlin

Holiday Festivities at the Four Seasons including Nordic Village at Riva Terrace

Celebrate winter with Four Seasons through a variety of curated experiences found only in the Twin Cities. Explore Nordic Village at Riva Terrace. Embark on a culinary journey with globally influenced dishes blended with the best locally sourced ingredients. Lounge in their stunning indoor pool and hot tub as the snow falls and refreshing beverages flow. Or cheer for your favourite sports team – just a short walk from their doorstep – with friends and loved ones.

Click here to learn more about all of the holiday activities happening at the Four Seasons.

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 throughout November and December.

Holiday Music at U.S. Bank Plaza

Enjoy the holiday season at U.S. Bank Plaza this year. Stop by over the lunch hour (11am -1pm) on select Tuesdays and Thursdays in December to enjoy live festive music! The lineup includes:

• December 2: Adam Daniel
• December 7: Adam Daniel
• December 9: Justin Knoepfel
• December 14: Laurie Leigh
• December 16: FluteSpiration
• December 21: Adam Daniel
• December 23: FlueSpiration

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 from 10 am – 1 pm.