Explore Minnesota Events Report 12.2.09

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Explore Minnesota Events Report   

Just some of the highlights this weekend include the A North Shore Holiday in and around the cities of Grand Marias and Lutsen, the Festival of Lights and the 7th Annual Winter Nights & Lights Parade in St. Cloud, the 17th Annual St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show at the St. Paul RiverCentre, and an Old-Fashioned Christmas throughout the city of Wabasha.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Northern Minnesota

Numerous activities will be offered during A North Shore Holiday held Friday through Sunday, December 4-6, in and around the cities of Grand Marias and Lutsen. Highlights include a North Shore Winter and Holiday Crafts Weekend at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, and Art Underground at Betsy Bowen Studio in Grand Marais. And on Saturday, December 5, enjoy the annual Christmas Craft & Bake Sale at the Evangelical Free Church in Grand Marais, the Grand Portage Holiday Craft Sale at the Grand Portage Lodge Conference Room in Grand Portage, the Hovland Christmas Artisan's Sale at Hooked on Art in Hovland, the Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale & Open House at the Grand Marais Art Colony in Grand Marais, and the Tofte Merchants Holiday Open House in downtown Tofte. To find out more, dial 1-888-922-5000, or check out www.anorthshoreholiday.com

On Saturday, December 5, Weihnachtsfest will be held at the Park Pavilion and throughout the city of Biwabik, with a lighting display, ethnic crafts, live music and entertainment, a Candy Haus, horse-drawn carriages, fireworks display, ethnic foods and a Kinderfest! Biwabik is located northeast of Eveleth. For more information, dial 218/865-4183, or visit www.cityofbiwabik.com

The city of Grand Rapids and nearby towns will be the site of numerous holiday festivities on Saturday, December 5, including the annual Christmas in the Logging Camp at the Forest History Center, the annual Holiday Marketplace & Members' Exhibit at the MacRostie Art Center, the Christmas Extravaganza Winter Wonderland at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the 10th Annual Craft Show at Bovey Village Hall, the Deer River Holiday Craft Sale at King Elementary School in Deer River, and more! For further information on any of these events, please dial 1-800-355-9740, or check out www.VisitGrandRapids.com

The 14th Annual Ol' Fashioned Christmas Festival will be held Sunday, December 6 at the Heritage Village in East Grand Forks. Featured will be Santa Claus, hay rides, live reindeer, old-fashioned ornament making, Northern Lights miniature train displays, homemade cookies, and Christmas music in the Village church. Admission is free, but donations are requested. To find out more, dial 218/773-3952, or visit http://egfheritage.com

Friday through Sunday, December 11-13, Robinson Park and Quarry in Sandstone will be the site of the 5th Annual Sandstone Ice Festival. Welcome in the winter season with ice climbing, winter camping, snowshoeing, skijoring and skiing, as well as climbing and winter camping clinics and gear demonstrations. There will also be door prizes and a fireworks display! To learn more, dial 612/82-8190, or check out www.sandstoneicefest.com

A Holiday Heritage Festival will be offered at the Community Center in Aurora on Saturday, December 12, with an appearance by Santa, along with a tree-lighting ceremony, craft vendors, and a variety of holiday treats. For more information, dial 218/229-3525, or visit www.auroramnchamber.com
Central Minnesota

The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd will be the site of the Sertoma Winter Wonderland, Thursday through Sunday, through January 3. Featured will be breathtaking lights reflecting off sparkling white snow and strung into captivating displays - many new displays have been added this year. Proceeds go to area charities. To learn more, and for rates and times, dial 218/829-8770, or visit www.sertomawinterwonderland.com

St. Cloud will host various holiday events and performances the weekend of December 4-6, including the annual Festival Of Lights & Lighting Ceremony on Friday at the St. Cloud Hospital, It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show at the Paramount Theatre and the 7th Annual Winter Nights & Lights Parade along West St. Germain Street on Saturday, and A Christmas In Ireland at Petters Auditorium at the College of St. Benedict and Girl Singers Of The 50's Hit Parade Christmas Show at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday. For specific rates, times and locations, dial 320/257-8600, or check out www.stclouddowntown.com

Christmas At The Mansions will be offered daily through December 6 at two historic mansions in Little Falls. Other festivities offered this Saturday, December 5 in Little Falls include Christmas 1918 With The Lindbergh's at the Lindbergh Historic Site, the 33rd Annual Carousel Of Crafts at the Little Falls Community Middle School, and Christmas Teas at the Waller House. For rates and times, and for further information on any of these, dial 1-800-325-5916, or visit www.littlefallsmn.com

Historic Fitgers Brewery Complex in Duluth will offer midday Polar Express and evening Bentleyville Light Display train tours on Saturday and Sunday, December 12 & 13. On Saturday, also enjoy Breakfast with Santa, and on Sunday, visit with Santa & His Reindeer. For more information, dial 1-888-FITGERS, or check out www.fitgers.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Landmark Center in St. Paul will hold its annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar, Thursday through Saturday, December 3-5. Come enjoy one of the Landmark Center?s longest running and most beloved traditions, with over 80 local artisans participating in a juried craft show. For rates and times, dial 651/292-3225 www.landmarkcenter.org

Target Holidazzle Parades will take place along Nicollet Mall, from 12th Street to 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis, each Thursday through Sunday, December 3-20. Celebrating the 18th season, this year's parade will include dazzling lights, festive floats, marching bands, celebrity grand marshals, and over 200 costumed characters from popular children's stories. Each parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts approximately 30 minutes. For more information, dial 612/376-SNOW, or check out www.targetholidazzle.com

The 17th Annual St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show will be held Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6 at the St. Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul. This is the largest ice fishing show in the United States, and features more than 130 exhibitors offering everything related to ice fishing. There will also be children's activities, the Reel 'Em In ice fishing pond, daily seminars, new 2010 sled and ATV models, winter sports products, and much more! For further information, and for rates and times, dial 651/265-4800 - discount coupons online at: www.stpaulicefishingshow.com

Saint Paul's historic Grand Avenue will be the site of the annual Grand Meander on Saturday, December 5. Come celebrate the season at Grand Avenue businesses, located between Dale and Snelling, and enjoy Breakfast with Santa, two art and craft fairs, holiday shopping, a soup tasting, trolley rides, roasted chestnuts, Santa's reindeer, and carolers. To find out more, dial 651/699-0029, or visit www.grandave.com

An Old-Fashioned Holiday Weekend will be offered in downtown Afton, Saturday and Sunday, December 5 & 6, with festive holiday shopping, Breakfast with Santa, horse and wagon rides, Christmas carolers, pictures with Santa, picture frame decorating, and story time in front of a fireplace. To learn more, dial 651/436-8883, or check out www.aftonmnarea.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Fezziwig's Feast - A Telling Of A Christmas Carol at Wigington Hall on Harriet Island in St. Paul, December 3-20
Bryan Adams at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 4
Fight Night ? Heavyweights Hit Target at the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 4
Soul Asylum at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 4
The New Standards at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 5
The Swell Season at the Historic State Theatre, December 5
The KDWB Jingle Ball 2009 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, December 6
Kenny G. at the Historic State Theatre, December 6
The 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute featuring Curtiss A at First Avenue, December 8
David Archuleta at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 9
Home for the Holidays at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, December 10
The Underground Revival at the Historic State Theatre, December 10
Disney On Ice Princess Classics at the Xcel Energy Center, December 10-13
Fame! The Musical - Dinner & Show Package at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 10-14
The Blenders at the Pantages Theatre, December 11
The Steeles at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 11
Katie McMahon at The O?Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, December 12
An Intimate Christmas with Lorie Line ? The 20th Anniversary Show at the Historic State Theatre, December 12 & 13
A Christmas Carol at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 15
All Is Calm at the Pantages Theatre, December 17
Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 17-27
Loyce Houlton?s Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre, December 18-20
Peter Ostroushko at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 19
The Gear Daddies at Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 26
The Harlem Globetrotters at the Target Center, December 26
New Year's Eve 2010 - Deep Space Danceteria at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 31
The Steve Miller Band at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, January 2
Carnival China Style at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, January 10
WWE Presents Monday Night Raw at the Target Center, January 11
Dreamgirls at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, January 12-17
Sesame Street Live : 123 Imagine With Elmo & Friends at the Target Center, January 13-17
Young Frankenstein at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 9-14
The Pink Floyd Experience at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 11
The Wailin? Jennys at The O?Shaughnessy Auditorium, February 19
B.B. King and Buddy Guy at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 20
Mamma Mia! (Touring) at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 9-14
Baby Wants Candy at The O?Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, March 19
Bill Engvall at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, March 20
Cheech & Chong at the Historic State Theatre, March 26
The Wizard of Oz at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 26-28
Cats at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 14-16
U2 360? Tour at the TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, June 27
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Southern Minnesota

Holiday Happenings will be held throughout downtown Olivia, Thursday through Saturday, December 3-5, with an Electric Lite Parade, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas Contata Concert, free horse-drawn sleigh rides, a Reindeer walk & run, and more! For further information, dial 320/523-1350, or check out www.oliviachamber.org

The Village of Yesteryear in Owatonna will present Christmas in the Village, Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5. Highlights include horse-drawn sleigh rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, the famous cookie sale, festive music, and more! Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. And on Saturday, December 5, the city of Owatonna will be the site of the annual Historic Holiday House Tour. To learn more, dial 507/451-1420, or visit www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org

Deck the Falls will be offered throughout Cannon Falls on Saturday, December 5, with open houses at downtown stores, a visit from Santa, seasonal music, a parade, the lighting of the community tree, and other activities. To find out more, dial 507/263-2289, or check out www.cannonfalls.org

On Saturday, December 5, a Holiday Fest Celebration & Fireworks Display will be offered in downtown Jackson. For more information, dial 507/847-3867, or visit www.jacksonmn.com

An Old-Fashioned Christmas will be held Saturday, December 5, throughout Wabasha, with a Cookie Walk & Church Bazaar, Artist Studio Tour, National Eagle Center open house, visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus & their elves, cookie decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, a sing along with the Carolers, and lots of holiday shopping specials. For further information, dial 1-800-565-4158, or check out www.wabashamn.org

The city of Caledonia will be the site of a Hot Air Balloon Rally, Friday through Sunday, December 4-6. Come see 10 to 15 hot air balloons lift off at scheduled times on Saturday and Sunday. And throughout the weekend enjoy Breakfast with Santa, a Wine Tasting & Silent Auction, and a variety of other Old-Fashioned Christmas and Winter Wonderland festivities. To learn more, dial 1-877-439-4893, or visit www.caledoniamn.gov

Christmas in the County will be offered by the Mower County Historical Society at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin on Saturday, December 12, with holiday crafts, a bake sale, holiday lights display, sleigh rides, silent auction, and a visit from Santa! To find out more, dial 507/437-6082, or check out www.mowercountyhistory.org