Check out our calendar of events to discover great ways to escape cabin fever in Minnesota.

Cultural Experiences

Learn about the heritage of the Native American tribes in Minnesota in November.

Taste & See

Sample the current offerings at Indigenous Food Lab Market, which opened in Minneapolis’ Midtown Global Market in June 2023. 

There’s a Native American artist behind every exhibit and event at All My Relations Arts, a Native American-run contemporary fine art gallery in Minneapolis. 

Experience

Located on an Onamia-area Ojibwe reservation, the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post state historical site showcases the tribe’s enduring 300-plus-year history here. 

Read & Learn

Author and Turtle Mountain Chippewa Louise Erdrich owns Minneapolis’ Birchbark Books, which features Indigenous American stories and handmade art. 

Learn about the lives of the local Ojibwe people, Dakota people and other tribal nations, from thousands of years ago through today, at the “Our Home: Native Minnesota” exhibit at St. Paul Minnesota History Center. 

Now–Dec. 30
A Christmas Carol

It’s been nearly 50 years since this holiday classic, featuring the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, first unfolded at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater. 

Now–Jan. 21 
Allan Sekula: Fish Story

For seven years starting in the late ’80s, photographer and theorist Sekula documented harbors and global port cities, from the U.S. to Korea. The result: the striking and thought-provoking “Fish Story,” considered one of the most important image-based research projects of the late 20th century, now on display at Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center. 

Nov. 18 
Diwali Celebration

All are welcome to celebrate India’s popular festival of lights, filled with food and music, at Empire Event Center in Rochester. 

Nov. 18–Dec. 26
Bentleyville Tour of Lights

This light display fills 20 acres with more than 5 million lights along Lake Superior in Duluth. The walk-through event also includes food options such as cocoa, cookies, popcorn and marshmallows for roasting (nonperishable food donations welcome). 

Nov. 19 
Patti LuPone in Concert  

Experience this Grammy Award-winning and Tony award-winning legend’s vocal love letter to Broadway at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. 

Nov. 24
Holiday Stroll

Seasonal reasons to explore downtown Red Wing abound: gingerbread house displays, cookie decorating, a holiday movie at the Sheldon Theatre and a lighted parade to cap the day. 

Nov. 25; Dec. 2, 9, 16
Annie’s Jul-Themed Coffee Parties

Come to the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia on one of the first three Saturdays in December for coffee and Jul cookies, plus other Swedish treats, along with holiday stories and shopping. 

Nov. 30
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Program

For more than 30 years running, Montgomery has put on a lighted downtown parade, followed by fireworks launched into the chilly night sky. 

Nov. 30–Dec. 2
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

An international cast including Ukrainian principal artists perform this dreamy holiday tale at Minneapolis’ historic Orpheum Theatre. 

Dec. 1–2
Holiday Harbor Village

Celebrate winter Grand Marais-style at this first event by tossing frozen fish, meeting sled dogs, supporting local shops and enjoying a sauna by the harbor. 

Dec. 1–3
Winterfest Celebration

An arts and crafts show takes place at the center of this annual Luverne celebration, which also includes a choral concert and other events throughout the community. 

Dec. 7–9
Dark Sky Festival

A weekend’s worth of events at Gunflint Lodge that focus on learning about the dark patch of star-filled sky above Grand Marais, the gateway to the International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

Dec. 15–17
Frozen in Concert

Bring your Anna and Elsa fans to take in the movie on the big screen, as the Minnesota Orchestra performs “Let It Go” and the rest of the memorable score live at Orchestra Hall. 

Dec. 16
Wreaths for the Fallen Ceremony

Help honor fallen veterans by placing wreaths on graves at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries across the state—in Duluth, Leech Lake, Little Falls, Preston and Redwood Falls. Fund contributions accepted, too. 

Dec. 28
Mania: The ABBA Tribute

ABBA fans, expect to hear plenty of your favorite hits during this re-creation of one of the iconic Swedish band’s most storied ’70s concerts, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. 

Jan. 1
First Day Hikes

It’s an annual tradition devised by America’s state parks: Start the new year right, with a hike through a state park near you. 

Jan. 12–14
Back to Hack

An outdoor festival up north in the middle of January? Hack, yes! Events for all styles include a fun run, a fishing contest, a big bonfire and a fireworks show, all in the little town of Hackensack.