‘Tis The Week Before Christmas. Here Are Some Fun Things To Do.
Family arriving for the holidays? Here are a few ideas to keep them entertained and out of the house for a bit. And if COVID concerns have you staying close to home and keeping gatherings small, you still need to get out of the house, right?
If you’re planning a visit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, check to make sure these places are open. And check, too, for COVID protocols such as reservations and mask requirements.
Flowers and reindeerThe point is poinsettias in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at St. Paul’s Como Zoo. The Holiday Flower Show has hundreds of red, orange and yellow novelty poinsettias in the annual display, a tradition that started in 1925. The show includes several new varieties of poinsettias, 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 the folks at Como. The Holiday Flower Show runs through Jan. 9.
And you can keep an eye on the reindeer at Como Zoo 24/7 via Reindeer Cam. Mabel, Abby and Forest are the three reindeer who live at the zoo. You might even catch a few arctic fox that look into the reindeer habitat once in a while. “The reindeer holiday habitat includes a Christmas-themed barn complete with a live advent calendar and a map detailing Santa’s delivery route on Christmas Eve,” according to a zoo news release. Go to comozooconservatory.Org/reindeer-cam.
Visits to Como are free, but donations of $4 for an adult and $2 for a child are requested. Face masks are required throughout the zoo area and reservations are needed before you visit. (comozooconservatory.Org)
A new exhibition featuring works by artist David Hockney opened in mid-December and runs through Aug. 21. Hockney first gained attention in the 1960s Pop era with his brightly colored portraits and landscapes, according to the Minneapolis art museum. The exhibition, “David Hockney: People, Places & Things,” includes paintings, prints, drawings and theatrical works drawn from the Walker’s holdings of works by Hockney. (walkerart.Org)
Meander in MiaA new exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is the first museum retrospective outside of Japan of works by Japanese ceramist Kamoda Shōji. Though famous in his home country, Kamoda has not received much attention outside his home country, according to Mia, in part because he died in 1983 at age 49. “Kamoda Shōji: The Art of Change” features 49 of the potter’s works and will be on display through April 17. (artsmia.Org)
The Science Museum of Minnesota is exploring all things dinosaurs and fossils in “Ultimate Dinosaurs,” plus Omnitheater movies starring dinosaurs, paleontologist talks, presentations and events during “Days of the Dinosaurs.” This is in addition to the St. Paul museum’s resident dinosaur and fossil exhibits, of course. The Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition runs through April 10. (smm.Org)
Minnesota History CenterSoak up some state history without opening a textbook or searching online. In addition to the permanent exhibits that feature Minnesota’s Greatest Generation and a dive into the state’s weather, special exhibits right now include a look at “Main Street” author Sinclair Lewis, inspiring Minnesota women and Native communities, “Our Home: Native Minnesota.” (mnhs.Org/historycenter)
If you like your history on the natural side, the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum has dioramas, a planetarium and, of course, the massive woolly mammoth you can see through the window at night from Larpenteur Avenue in St. Paul. The Bell is open Wednesdays through Sundays (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). But there are special holiday visiting days Dec. 27 and 28. (bellmuseum.Umn.Edu)
For the kiddos“Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites” is a special exhibit through Jan. 2 at the Minnesota Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul. “Storyland” features seven beloved and award-winning picture books, including “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter, “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff. According to MCM, each story is transformed into a three-dimensional play space where children walk into and interact with the story and its characters. (mcm.Org)
Sure, you know how they endBut what’s a holiday season without a live theater feel-good tale? Children’s Theatre Co. Has the beloved musical “Annie” on stage through Jan. 9 (childrenstheatre.Org), and Scrooge finds redemption in a new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater through Dec. 27. (guthrietheater.Org).
ALL THE LIGHTS YOU CAN SEE
Holiday lights are GLOWing at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. 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. The lights are on through Jan. 2. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to glowholiday.Com. Tickets will be sold for specific dates and entry times.
IlluminatingNature Illuminated, which features dozens of larger-than-life animals illuminating the night, is back for a second year at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. 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 must be purchased online and in advance at mnzoo.Org.
Something miraculous?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 through 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 has drive-thru and walk-thru options. (miracleatbigrock.Com)
Somerset has Sam’sIn 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, with drive-thru and walk-thru dates, through Jan. 2. (samschristmasvillage.Com)
Winter LightsThe gardens at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska 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. The display runs through Jan. 2. (arb.Umn.Edu)
5 To Find: Things To Do This Weekend
In girls first-round games, Norman and Howe will christen the tournament at 9 a.M., Bixby faces Seiling at noon, Lincoln Christian meets Classen SAS at 4 p.M. And Tahlequah collides with Holland Hall at 7 p.M.
For tickets, go to bok center.Com.
Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Tired of being cooped up with relatives? Get them out of the house and into a vehicle to check out the Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza on Rhema Bible’s campus, 1025 W. Kenosha St. In Broken Arrow.
Now in its 40th year, Rhema’s Christmas Lights Extravaganza features nearly 3 million lights. You can see them from 5:30-11:30 p.M. Daily through Jan. 2.
Admission is free for those who want to drive through or walk through the experience. Carriage rides are available for a fee. For more information, go to rhemalights.Org.
Philbrook’s ‘Abstract’ and ‘Anderson’
Escape from the stresses of the holiday season with a visit to the Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road, which has on display two exhibits that will give you some different ways to see the world around you.
Take 5: Cool Things To Do This Week
If you haven’t seen enough Christmas lights yet, definitely check out the WonderLight’s Christmas at World Wide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd., in Madison, from 5-7 p.M., 7-9 p.M. Or 9-11 p.M. Wednesday, open nightly through Jan. 9 - rain, shine or snow. Reservations are required. The drive-through display of lights is fully synchronized to music played through your car stereo! Millions of lights dance in sync to crowd-favorite Christmas music. This year, more than a dozen new lighted elements were added and playlist updated, so it will be different than you’ve seen before. The route is two miles long with 45-plus minutes of music. Timed ticketing is implemented to cut down on wait time. Tickets must be purchased in advance at wonderlightschristmas.Com/tickets.
Or head north for Christmas at Boonies Farm from 5-9 p.M. Wednesday or Thursday at Boonies Farm, 8863 Dustman Road, in Worden. There will be lighted tractor-drawn wagon rides, seasonal treats, photo ops and more. There will be a winter tube slide, snow play area, barrel train station tunnel ride, goat petting, s’mores and hot dog roasting, access to wine and brew barn, and an outdoor Christmas movie theater. Tickets available at www.Booniesfarm.Com/pricing .
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Continue or start a beautiful Alton tradition viewing the Christmas Eve Luminaries in the Middletown Historic District, by the Middletown Neighbors group. The tour is open to the public and free to view. Every year on Christmas Eve the Middletown neighborhood is illuminated by the soft glow of luminaries. If you are new to the area it is quite a site to see and truly brings the holiday spirit to the neighborhood. This is the perfect, socially distant safe excuse to get out and drive or walk around the neighborhood! The luminaries will be out around 4:30 p.M. Friday on Christmas Eve until 11:30 p.M. Saturday on Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!
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Enjoy a Christmas Eve Brunch from 8 a.M.-2 p.M. Friday at Eckert’s Country Store and Farms, 951 S. Green Mount Road, in Belleville. Reservations are encouraged at www.Buzztable.Com/widget/eckerts . Enjoy being down at the farm with a special holiday menu, cocktail and mocktail specials, and a visit from Mrs. Claus.
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Something totally unrelated to Christmas — but it could be, depending on what song you want to sing at Great Rivers Tap and Grill Karaoke Night from 9 p.M.-1 a.M. Saturday, located within the Best Western Premier Alton-St. Louis, 3559 College Ave., in Alton. This is your chance to unveil your hidden talent. Grab family, friends and join Partytime DJs every Saturday to sing and dance the night away!
