We will be visiting the Minneapolis area the first week of December to attend the St. Olaf Christmas concert. This will be a first for us. Looking for suggestions of other Minnesota unique things to do. Am willing to drive within two hours of the twin cities, weather permitting.

Two Christmas traditions are the Holidazzle Parade down the Mall each evening and Macy's 8th Floor auditorium animated display.

Here are links to past years:

http://www.holidazzle.com/page/show/...out-the-parade

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=883084

If Northfield is having its downtown Christmas stroll while you are there, it is just lovely. All the shopkeepers do something special, like serving a snack or hot chocolate or having live music, there are reindeer to pet, lots of unique boutiques, and it's all just really charming. I also like Grand Avenue in St. Paul for boutique shopping and dining; Cafe Latte has great cakes!

I hope you enjoy the concert, it's one of my favorite memories of Northfield!

Minneapolis has two great art museums and a world-class symphony with a fantastic conductor, Osmo Vanska.

We live on the east coast, but it is a place we would go for the culture.

Check out White Bear Lake. http://www.explorewhitebear.org/
Most likely the lake will not be frozen solid enough for the ice boats before Christmas.

Two more in Minneapolis:

The Hennepin Avenue United Methodist church used to do a beautiful living Nativity presentation. Not sure if they still do. Others might know for sure.

The Guthrie Theater does a stellar production of A Christmas Carol each year. A super family tradition with lots of music. Very happy way to start the season.