Weekend Happenings: Take the Whole Family Out

Holiday Lights Tour

Mall of America Transit Station

24th Avenue, Bloomington, MN

Sat., Dec. 20th, 2014

6:00 pm

Cost:  Adults $29, Seniors (55+) $28, Students (13-21) $23, Children $20, Children 5 and under are free when not occupying a seat

The Holiday Lights Tour travels through colorful city streets and past the beautiful decorative lights of local merchants and residents.  While aboard a warm, deluxe motorcoach, a knowledgeable tour guide provides commentary on the fascinating holiday traditions and local lore.  You'll experience quaint residential neighborhoods as well as glittering city streets.  Bundle up and hop on board!

Making Spirits Bright

MN Landscape Arobretum

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN

Fri. - Sun., Dec. 19-21, 2014

Various times throughout the day

Cost:  Admission: $12 for ages 13 and up, 12 years and younger FREE; Various activities and classes may require additional fees

'Tis the season for celebrating the serenity of winter beauty, the gifts of family and friends ... and childlike wonder.  If you have a lot of family in town this weekend for the holidays, you're sure to find something to do at the MN Landscape Arobretum.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presents "Making Spirits Bright," a season of live music, visits with Santa, a 20-ft. Poinsettia Tree and other holiday trees decorated in natural ornaments. Making Spirits Bright runs Nov. 28-Jan. 4.   

Here is a sampling of some of the things you can do throughout this event:

• Live Music from "Arbor Bells" handbell ensemble, "Westside Strings" violin music, "Select Chambor Choir of Waconia High School"
• Excelsior Winter Farmer's Market
• Photos with Santa
• Holiday Story Times
• Holiday Tea
• Wintergreen Mysteries Family Fun Learning Activities
•  "Holiday Spirits," art displays, paintings festive and serene capture the mood of the season
• Sunday Supper: Enjoy classic comfort foods – served family style – at Sunday Supper in the Arboretum Restaurant.
• Arboretum Outdoors! with Hoigaard's:  Learn Nordic Walking techniques
• Hot Chocolate Walk  with naturalist Matt Schuth.

Christmas By Design: ASI's Christmas Rooms

American Swedish Institute

2600 Park Avenue, MPLS

Fri. - Sun., Dec. 19-21, 2014

Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sun., Noon to 5:00 pm

Cost:  Free/ ASI members and kids ages 5 and under; $9 - adults, $7 - ages 62 and above,
$5 - ages 6-18 and full-time students with ID

An “Only in Minnesota” holiday experience, the beloved ASI Christmas Rooms celebrate the holiday traditions of the five Nordic countries (Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden) in ornately decorated rooms throughout Turnblad Mansion.

The 2014 Christmas Rooms celebrate “Christmas By Design” with a look at how design plays a role in creating holiday traditions, and how these traditions influence modern design. Featured Nordic designers include Swedish glass artist Ingalena Klenell and Arne Jacobsen of Denmark. This year, a sixth holiday room celebrates local design in Minnesota showcasing how Scandinavian design has influenced design in the state, with works by Blu Dot, Forage Modern Workshop, and The Foundry Home Goods of Minneapolis.

Waconia Wine Country Wassail Tour

Waconia Area Wineries

Sat. & Sun., Dec. 20-21, 2014

Noon to 6:00 pm

Cost:  $35 per ticket

A collaborative tour with the three award-winning Waconia Wineries--Parley Lake, Schram Vineyards, and Sovereign Estate. Celebrate the season and benefit the Minnesota Military Family Foundation by participating in the Winery Wassail Weekend. Your ticket ($35) gets you 3 sample size pours and a souvenir glass from each winery. Select from wine, beer, cider, or wassail. You can visit each winery at your leisure between noon and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Festive events, activities, food, and music at each location.