12/26/2024 -- Weekend Events Preview

TWIN CITIES WEEKEND PREVIEW — KEEPING YOU BUSY ✔

Today is December 26th

Here is what’s happening in the Twin Cities this weekend.

NYE Preview — Adult Events 🥂

New Years Eve is next week on Tuesday and if you’re like me, you have no plans yet. Don’t worry, there are plenty of events happening around the Twin Cities to keep you entertained until the ball drops at midnight.

🍾 Crystal Ball New Year’s Eve: Celebrate with stunning skyline views and entertainment on the 50th floor of the IDS Tower. | 12/31 | $99+ | 50th Floor IDS | more info

🍾 NYE with Davina 2024: Enjoy a night of blues and jazz with Davina and The Vagabonds, featuring a five-course meal. | 12/31 | $175/$105 | Dakota | more info

🍾 Masquerade at the Casino: Join a casino-themed masquerade ball with live music and dancing at Minneapolis Cider Co. | 12/31 | $35 | Minneapolis Cider Co. | more info

🍾 Rockin’ the Blues: Dance to the hits of the '80s and '90s at this lively celebration hosted by Transmission and First Avenue. | 12/31 | $69-$79 | Hilton Bloomington | more info

🍾 Mae Simpson's Rockin' New Year's Eve: Celebrate with live music at Turf Club featuring Mae Simpson. | 12/31 | $20-$25 | Turf Club | more info

🍾 Party 'Til the Ball Drops: Experience a magical evening of lights, games, and live music at Can Can Wonderland. | 12/31 | Varies by activity | Can Can Wonderland | more info

🍾 A Totally Rad New Year's Eve: Ring in the New Year 80s & 90s style at First Avenue. | 12/31 | $15 Advance | First Avenue | more info

🍾 Kiss Me—A 90s NYE: Relive the '90s with live music from You Oughta Know at 7th Street Entry. | 12/31 | $25 | 7th Street Entry | more info

🍾 Lucid Nights: Celebrate with a performance by Grammy-winning DJ Kaskade at the Armory. | 12/31 | $129+ | Armory | more info

🍾 New Year’s Eve at Berlin: Celebrate with a lively atmosphere and great drinks at Berlin. | 12/31 | Varies | Berlin | more info

🍾 New Year’s Eve Party featuring DJ Hampster Dance and Live Band Karaoke: Join for a fun-filled night of music and karaoke at Green Room. | 12/31 | Varies | Green Room | more info

🍾 Bollywood Masquerade: Experience an evening of vibrant music and dance at this themed celebration. | 12/31 | $35 | Skyway Theater | more info

🍾 InMotion: NYE Gala: Celebrate with a gala featuring live music and dancing. | 12/31 | $10 | Icehouse | more info

🍾 White Squirrel New Year’s Eve Party: Enjoy a free night of live music featuring local bands. | 12/31 | Free | White Squirrel Bar | more info

🍾 TC Swing’s NYE Dance with DJ Terry Gardner: Swing dance into the New Year with snacks and party favors. | 12/31 | $15 | 301 Main Event Center | more info

NYE Preview — Family Friendly Events 🎇

🎉 New Year’s Eve Family Skate Party: Celebrate the end of the year with skating, sledding, and S’mores. | 12/30 | FREE | Windom Northeast Park | more info

🎉 New Year’s Eve Family Package at Sun Ray Lanes: Family-friendly bowling package including food and drinks for a fun night out. | 12/31 | $70 | Sun Ray Lanes | more info

🎉Minnesota Children’s Museum Sparklerama: Enjoy dancing, music, party favors, and kid-friendly activities at this annual celebration. | 12/30 | $25 | Minnesota Children’s Museum | more info

🎉 New Year’s Eve on Ice at the OVAL: Enjoy skating, open hockey, bounce house, magician, and more family activities. | 12/31 | $10/$5 skate rental | Roseville OVAL | more info

🎉 Noon Year’s Eve at the VMCC: A fun pool party with games and crafts, culminating in a countdown to noon. | 12/31 | $10 | VMCC | more info

🎉 Winter Lights Family New Year’s Eve Party at the Arboretum: Celebrate with a magical walk through winter lights and enjoy games and crafts. | 12/31 | $30 | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | more info

🎉 Family New Year’s Eve Party at Edinborough Park: Play at the indoor playground, enjoy dancing, magic shows, and photo booths. | 12/31 | $13 | Edinborough Park | more info

🎉 Candlelight and Ice at Wood Lake Nature Center: Walk a luminary-lit trail and warm up by a bonfire with indoor activities. | 12/31 | $8 (reservations required) | Wood Lake Nature Center | more info

Road Trip: Miracle at Big Rock

If you’re looking to get out of the Twin Cities for a day, take the short drive (45 minutes) up to St. Croix Falls for the Miracle at Big Rock Festival.

Light Display

• Over 25 million Christmas lights spread across a mile-long trail

• Option for walk-through or drive-through tours

• 20+ unique themes and special vignettes

Activities for All Ages

• Sledding hill and wagon rides

• S'mores making stations

• Virtual reality sleigh ride

• Live entertainment

• Local carolers and cookie decorating

Special Attractions

• Fireworks every Friday night, Veterans Night, and New Year's Eve

• LIVE reindeer visits on select nights

• Santa and Christmas character sightings

• 14-foot moon display perfect for photos

Food and Shopping

• Various food trucks featuring local restaurants

• Heated indoor holiday vendors

• Local artisans and kids activities in the heated barn

• Crafted holiday-themed cocktails

Ticket Information

• Walk-through tickets: $20/person (ages 13+), $15/person (ages 3-12 and veterans/seniors)

• Children 2 and under: Free

Learn more and get tickets here.

Music 🎙

❯ Lamont Cranston | Blues Saloon | 12/27 | $20 | More Info

❯ Jaki Blue | First Avenue 7th Street Entrance | 12/27 | $21 | More Info

❯ Soul Asylum: Slowly but Shirley Tour | First Avenue | 12/28 | $35+ | More Info

❯ The Bad Plus | Dakota | 12/27-28 | $35+ | More Info

❯ Wild Ryde Newbie Night | Uptown VFW |12/28 | $15+ | More Info

❯ DeVotchka | First Avenue | 12/29 | $35+ | More Info

❯ Twin Cities Catholic Chorale: Franz Schubert Mass in G | Church of St. Agnes | 12/29 | More Info

Sports 🏈

🏈 MN Vikings v. Green Bay Packers | 12/29 | $435+ Secondary Market | More Info 

🏀 MN Timberwolves v. San Antonio Spurs | Target Center | 12/29 |  $15+| More Info

🏀 MN Gopher Mens Basketball v. Morgan State |12/29 | $18+ | More Info

🏀 MN Gopher Womens Basketball v.Penn State | 12/28 | $12 | More Info

🏒 MN Frost v. Montreal Victoire | Xcel Center | 12/28 | $33+ | More Info

Miscellaneous…Something for Everyone

❯ American Girl Doll Rave | First Ave | 12/27 | $12 | More Info

❯ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™: The Musical: Celebrate 60 years of the beloved animated movie as Rudolph navigates being different on a mission to save Christmas. | 12/27 | $5+ | Stages Theatre Company | more info

❯ Scrooge in Rouge: Enjoy a bawdy musical riff on A Christmas Carol that promises laughter and entertainment for all ages. | 12/26-12/29 | Varies | Open Eye Theatre | more info

❯ Not Your Mother's Silent Night: Enjoy a cozy evening (with a dash of feminine spice) full of wintry stories and songs by 5 local songwriters – Roz Prickel, Monica Livorsi, Grace Stefan, Lori Lofstrom, and Katherine Fried. | 12/28 | $20 | The Hive Collaborative | more info

Planning Ahead! Events coming up the next few weeks 📆

Here are some notable events to keep your eye on and add to your calendar.

❯ Art Shanty | 1/18 | More Info

❯ Taylor Swift Day at Inbound BrewCo | 1/25 | More Info

❯ Minneapolis Home and Garden Show | 1/31 | More Info