Holiday Arts Guide: Festivals, events, family fun and a whole lotta lights

Nov. 27—Trees are festooned with glittering lights, Santa is riding a train, the Cathedral of St. Paul is going to be awash with colorful images and there are events, displays and festivities throughout the Twin Cities. Here's some of what's ahead in the festivals and families department.

Remember to check on COVID-19 safety protocols before heading out.

Hub for the Holidays

St. Paul's Union Depot is already rolling with holiday festivities. The European Christmas Market opened Nov. 26 and runs weekends through Dec. 19. The shopping, food and entertainment at the European-style outdoor market is spread out on the plaza this year, with more space for visitors stopping at the vendor kiosks. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. For a full list of vendors and the entertainment schedule, go to stpaulchristmasmarket.org.

On Dec. 4, the lights will be switched on for the giant holiday tree outside the depot during the Holiday Tree Lighting, complete with fireworks, live music and a showing of the movie "Elf." The 2022 Winter Carnival button design will be unveiled at 4:30. The movie starts at 7.

Families can hop on a holiday train for a quick trip to the North Pole on the North Pole Express, which departs from St. Paul's Union Depot the first two weekends in December. Passengers travel in vintage railcars and there's singing, treats and a look at Santa's shops and elves preparing for Christmas. The North Pole Express is operated by an all-volunteer staff of the Friends of the 261 train group. The cars will be pulled by a Milwaukee Road #261 steam locomotive the first weekend and by a restored Milwaukee Road #32A streamlined locomotive on the second weekend. For info and tickets (which usually sell out quickly): 261.com/npe.

The Holiday Bake Sale at Union Depot is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11.

For all the details, go to uniondepot.org/holiday.

Nature Illuminated at the Minnesota Zoo

Opening Dec. 2: Nature Illuminated, which features dozens of larger-than-life animals illuminating the night, is back for a second year at the Minnesota Zoo. Nature Illuminated focuses on conservation. According to the Zoo: "From stunning swimming skills to displays of Herculean strength, the narrated tour will shed light on an incredible variety of finely tuned animal survival skills." It's a drive-through event, as it was in 2020, from Dec. 2-Jan. 2. Then from Jan. 6-16, it becomes a walking experience, so visitors can get a closer look at the custom pieces of animal art. Tickets are on sale now and all tickets must be purchased online and in advance at mnzoo.org.

Circus Juventas' 'Blizzard'

Weekends Dec. 10-19: Circus Juventas is presenting its second holiday show. The St. Paul youth performing arts circus stages shows under the big top every summer, but added a holiday show last year. The 2021 show, "Blizzard" features Circus Juventas' flying trapeze team and other acts in a story of "three naughty elves who wreak havoc in the North Pole when they accidentally open 'The Book of Tales' and unleash all our favorite classic Christmas characters," according to a news release. Circus Juventas, 1270 Montreal Ave., St. Paul; $30 for children, $40 for adults, available at circusjuventas.org.

GLOW at the Fairgrounds

Through Jan. 2: The holiday light experience GLOW is back at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds this winter. But last year's drive-thru event is walk-thru for 2021. GLOW premiered in 2020 with lights, seasonal scenes and displays and a 100-foot lighted tree. This winter's version includes Sky Glider rides, more food vendors, more displays and the three-story Glow Palace. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to glowholiday.com. Tickets will be sold for specific dates and entry times.

MORE LIGHTS TO THE EAST

Big Rock Creek near St. Croix Falls, Wis., has drive-thru and walk-thru options for its 12 themed light displays that include Candy Cane Lane, Enchanted Forest and Whoville running Nov. 26-Jan. 2. Miracle at Big Rock touts 10 million lights. Big Rock also has hayrides or sleigh rides, fireworks on weekends, shopping, food trucks and cocktails, cookie decorating, private luxury tents to rent — and helicopter rides to hover over it all. Miracle at Big Rock is open seven nights a week, with drive-thru from 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays and walk-thru Thursdays-Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m. Big Rock Creek is at 1674 Wisconsin State Highway 87, St. Croix Falls, Wis. Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for kids and $12 for veterans. (Veterans also get in free on Thursdays.) Tickets are available at miracleatbigrock.com or at the door.

In Somerset, Wis., Sam's Christmas Village and Light Tour has more than 8 million lights in its tour, as well as a European-style Christmas market, s'mores cabins, reindeer, Santa and a bar and grill. Tickets are pay-on-arrival, $15 for adults, $10 for kids 3-10 and 2 and younger get in free. It's drive-thru Mondays and Tuesdays, walk-thru Wednesdays through Sundays through Jan. 2. Parking is $10 Wednesdays-Sundays. For info: samschristmasvillage.com.

Cathedral Festival of Lights

Dec. 15-19: The Cathedral Festival of Lights, which wrapped the Cathedral of St. Paul with a sound and light show in mid-December 2020, will be back and expanded. Presented by the Cathedral Heritage Foundation, the event will have an indoor light show as well as an outdoor show. The music and visuals will again come from Luxmuralis, an English company that is known for its light shows and made its first trip to the U.S. last year in St. Paul. There is a fee for the indoor, immersive show, "Starry Night." The free outdoor presentation was a drive-by last year, but will be a walk-up event this year, viewed from Cathedral Hill Park. An outdoor Christmas market is planned Dec. 16-18. For more info: cathedralheritagefoundation.org.

Landmark's Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar

Dec. 2-4: Artists set up more than 70 booths and sell all sorts of handmade items — including jewelry, decor, woven and wearable art, children's toys and clothes, handmade lotions, soaps and food items — in Landmark Center at the 43rd annual bazaar. There's also music and food. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, 12 and younger are free. For more info: landmarkcenter.org.

Holiday Flower Show

Dec. 4-Jan. 9: The Holiday Flower Show in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park is a tradition that began in 1925 and continues to be the most-visited flower attraction at the Conservatory. Red, orange, and yellow novelty Poinsettias will fill the Sunken Garden. Several new varieties of poinsettias will be on display including "Orange Glow," the first truly orange poinsettia and "Christmas Mouse," a red poinsettia with rounded bracts that resemble the shape of mouse ears, according to Como. There's also a Sunset Senior Stroll and Shopping event Dec. 7. The event is free, but donations are requested. Reservations are required. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; 651-487-8201 or comozooconservatory.org.

Holidazzle

Minneapolis holiday tradition Holidazzle has more activities downtown this winter and just one weekend of events at Loring Park. The "Yeti" illuminated interactive art installation will be at Peavey Plaza through Dec. 3. There are Holidazzle Santa Zoom virtual calls on Dec. 4 and 11. Holidazzle will be in-person at Loring Park Dec. 17-19, with local foods, beverages and shopping from area small businesses, fireworks (7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18), Holidazzle Yeti, amusement rides (carousel, Ferris Wheel, giant slide), fire pits, SnowGa (snow yoga) and more. The WinterSkate ice skating rink will not be part of Holidazzle and there will be no indoor heated tents. (holidazzle.com)

Night Trains

Saturdays from 3-7 p.m. through the end of February: A winter wonderland shrinks to model train size at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. And it gets all the more magical when the lights are turned down and the models of vintage trains and streetlights glow. The museum is located at 668 Transfer Road, #8, St. Paul; tcmrm.org.

Holidays with History

The Minnesota Historical Society has holiday tours, events, stories and decorations at many of its sites in Minnesota throughout the holiday season. A holiday favorite is the James J. Hill House, which gives a glimpse into what Christmas was like for the Hill family and their servants in the mansion on Summit Avenue. Guided tours take visitors through the basement and first and second floors, sharing stories that include Mrs. Hill's lavish seven-course holiday meal in 1910. Through Dec. 31. Tours run 60 minutes with the last tour time at 3:30 p.m. For more events and information, go to mnhs.org.

Santa's Train Shop

First three weekends in December: The Jackson Street Roundhouse and Museum becomes Santa's Train Shop, with food, music, train rides and — of course — Santa and Mrs. Claus. No reservations or limits on the train rides, which are 15 minutes long and go one mile back and forth on the track. Photos with Santa and Mrs. C are $5 and start at 11 a.m. Santa's Train Shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the end of December. 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St. Paul. For ticket prices, hours and shuttle info: 651-228-0263 or transportationmuseum.org.

Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Through Jan. 2: The gardens at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum have 16 winter light displays to walk through, with a warm-up midway through the walking tour at a bonfire, with s'mores packages for sale. There are music nights scheduled. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 5-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Tickets are $10 members, $15 non-members, free for children ages 15 and younger. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612-624-2200 or arb.umn.edu.

American Swedish Institute

Through Jan. 9: "From Our House to Yours — American Swedish Institute's Holiday Exhibition" marks the 50th year for ASI's holiday show. The historic Turnblad Mansion at the heart of ASI will be decorated by community curators representing Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, the Sami Culture Center and the Hmong Museum. The ASI courtyard is decorated with red holiday market stalls and activated with kubb, vendors, fires and live music on select days. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis; adult tickets $12; 612-871-4907 or asimn.org.