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Twin Cities Mom Collective

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle

Holidazzle 2019 | Twin Cities Moms Blog

It’s truly a Minnesota tradition to bundle up and head out to the Holidazzle during the holiday season. This year, you and your family can enjoy this holiday celebration at Loring Park! It’s free, open to the public, and full of fun that people of all ages can enjoy! This year’s Holidazzle features annual favorites as well as new activities to enjoy.  Here are a few tips to navigating the Holidazzle including parking and directions, food and beverage vendors, gift shops, activities, free ice skating and skates for all ages, and more!

The best part of the Holidazzle and the set up put together by our sponsors the mpls downtown council, is that you could attend each weekend and find a completely different experience. Food and gift options are different depending on the day you visit, as is the entertainment and programming. With free entry, this spin on a longtime Minnesota tradition is one of the best values for family entertainment you’ll find throughout the holiday season!

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

Cost: Did you know the Holidazzle is completely FREE?! There is no admission cost to enter!

Hours: The Holidazzle is open Thursdays through Sundays from November 29th-December 22nd.

Thursdays from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Fridays from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sundays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Loring Park is the home of the Holidazzle again this year! The park is transformed into a truly magical holiday experience. See the map to find where your favorite food, beverages, and shops are located.

What to Expect: You can expect a Minneapolis-centric experience that includes well-known local businesses and products. Enjoy prepared food and beverages, packaged food, merchandise, free music and other festive entertainment for all ages, free skating with complimentary skates for all ages, and much more. This event is completely outdoors, however warming houses are located throughout the grounds! Portable restrooms are also available.

Stay connected: Share your experience with us at Holidazzle. Follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and interact with us using the hashtag #holidazzle. Plus, use our Snapchat filter to show your friends what you’re enjoying most at Holidazzle!

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

Free Rides each Saturday: Get to the Holidazzle by bus or by light rail with a free-ride pass each Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Take the free survey, then print a pass for each rider to bring along or show yours digitally when you use a bus or light rail. Passes are exclusive to each weekend. Passes for each Saturday can be downloaded at www.holidazzle.com/directions!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

Directions: To get directions from your specific location, click here!

Entrances: There are several ways to enter the Holidazzle including the walking paths near the intersections of Harmon Place; Maple Street, Willow Street; Grant Street, and the pedestrian bridge near Oak Grove Street.

Parking: Holidazzle’s recommendation is to park at the Minneapolis College parking ramp (1420 Hennepin Avenue). They will offer $5 parking from 4 pm-11 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 10 am-11 pm on Saturdays and Sundays at Holidazzle.

Rides Shares: Taking an Uber or a Lyft? Have your driver pick you up or drop you off at the corner of Yale Street and Willow Street (address: 60 Willow Street).

Other options include:

IDS Center Parking Garage (80 S. 8th St, entrance between 7th & 8th)

Parade Park (400 Kenwood Parkway)

Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Ave)

Metro Ramp (90 S. 9th Street)

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

Get your holiday shopping done while your kids play at Holidazzle! We have a great collection of local vendors on site offering foods, drinks and gifts that will make your holiday experience memorable. The products are ones you can’t find anywhere else in one place. Enjoy! Learn more about our vendors at www.holidazzle.com/vendors.

Prepared Foods:

Cindy’s Cinnamon Roasted Nuts (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Enjoy the season’s smells and tastes with this family-owned business selling cinnamon roasted almonds, pecans and cashews.

Fair Faves Cheese Curds and Mini Donuts (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) A Midwestern favorite, stay warm with a helping of local cheese curds or sweet mini donuts as you stroll through Holidazzle!

Fresco’s Foods (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Fresco’s is a female owned small business specializing in serving foods from all over the globe. Fresco’s will offer a variety of options at Holidazzle, including Corn Chowder Stew, Australian Meat Pie, Farm house chicken pie, winter Garden veggie pie, Mac N Cheese, Warm Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing, and Three Cheese Mac N Cheese. They will have a good variety of gluten free and vegetarian options. Plus, enjoy an exclusive offering on Thursdays like Beer Braised meat Pies and Beer Cheese smoked mac n cheese.

Gorkha Palace (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Gorkha Palace offers authentic Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisine. They use high quality fresh ingredients sourced from local organic and sustainable farming. From the delectable, juicy, momo of traditional Tibet to the richly flavored spiced curries of Nepal and India, their eclectic cuisine reflects the flavors of the Himalayans.

Heavenly Bar-B-Que (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Heavenly Feast Bar-B-Que is a Twin Cities based, minority and veteran owned concession company. They provide real wood smoked meats and traditional sides for events around the metro area. Heavenly Feast will feature ribs, pulled pork and chicken with some traditional sides at Holidazzle.

iPierogi (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) iPierogi offers several pierogi treats on hand at this delicious Holidazzle stop, including pierogis with meat, pierogis with potato and cheese, and crepes/blintzes filled with cream cheese.

Kramarczuk’s (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) A staple of Minneapolis since 1954, Kramaczuk’s Sausages will bring its local tradition of producing delicious sausage from Northeast to Holidazzle, including their German Brat, Polish Sausage, all-beef hot dogs and a special Holidazzle sausage with cranberries and wild rice!

K-Town Street Food (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Stop in at K-Town Street Food and try out their fries or a few of their signature offerings, including Kimchi Fries, a Korean taco bowl (tortilla chips topped with choice of grilled meat, kimchi, choice of sauce) and Bulgogi Beef Empanada Puff Pastry (stuffed Bulgogi Beef, potato, tomatoes, Mexican cheese and onions). All sauces are hand-made and delicious with varying degrees of spice. A must try!

MSP Pretzel (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Fresh-baked (HOT!) Bavarian pretzels. Their hot smoked gouda cheese sauce is unbelievable paired with a cold craft beer. Enjoy Fresh Baked Bavarian Pretzels and Fresh Baked Buttered Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels at Holidazzle.

Poffertjes and More by The Littlest Pancake  (Nov. 29-Dec. 22) Have you tried a Poffertjes? You’ll want to stop and test out these tiny pancakes made just for you at The Littlest Pancake! Also, test out their soup and apple cakes which will be available as well.

Root To Rise Kitchen (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Root to Rise creates organic, vegan food from scratch. They use minimal, high-quality, sustainable ingredients in their food. Try their Mac N Cheese veg rolls, Tofu Hash Benedict with Mushrooms, Deep Fried Potato Skins, Pop Pastries, Walking Tacos and Pumpkin Thai Soup. Plus, enjoy exclusive food offerings on Thursdays and Sundays.

Tasty Gyros (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Tasty Gyros sells delicious Lamb Gyro sandwiches, scrumptious falafel sandwiches (vegetarian and vegan), and sweet flaky baklava. Their menu is popular with young and old, meat lovers and vegetarian. Tasty Gyros cooks everything to order on the spot with fresh ingredients and signature sauces.

Twin Cities Paella (Nov. 29-Dec. 22) Paella, a traditional Spanish rice dish, is sure to warm you up at Holidazzle this winter. Ingredients like Spanish short grain Rice, Saffron, Smoked Pimiento, Piquillo Peppers and Extra Virgin Olive Oil are all imported from Spain to keep the flavors authentic.

Beverages:

Fulton Beer (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Minneapolis-born, Fulton Brewing will be delighting adult Holidazzle goers two exclusive, limited-edition beers at Holidazzle this season. For those feeling extra festive the Small Talk Stout, a Chocolate Oatmeal Milk Stout was brewed just for you. The second exclusive is the Goodwill Gold Lager—it’s as easy-drinking as they come. Plus, Fulton will have Lime and Blood Orange Hard Seltzers as well as select Fulton favorites on tap. On Sundays, enjoy Holidazzle Brunch with a Fulton Bloody Beer.

Holidazzle Beverages (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Quench your thirst with local hot cider and water available, both of which complement the delicious local tastes and savory smells accompanying you through your Holidazzle journey!

Sociable Cider Werks (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): Straight from their home in Northeast Minneapolis, Sociable Cider Werks brings its expertise to Holidazzle to help you enjoy the festive atmosphere with sips of a Minnesota favorite. This year’s Fat Bike Mulled Apple is even more sweet when served warm and is made from freshly-squeezed apples—never concentrate. Plus, they’ll have a new Candy Apple cold cider to enjoy as well! And on Sundays during Holidazzle Brunch, they’ll be selling mimosas.

The Wandering Mug (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) New to the Holidazzle lineup in 2019, the Wandering Mug is a local and mobile coffee shop food truck. This year at Holidazzle they’re selling delicious hot chocolate, hot cider, hot tea, and hot coffee. They’ll also have a few specials including chai lattes and pumpkin spice hot chocolate. Coffee beans from local roaster True Stone.

Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

Minneapolis Craft Market (Nov. 29-Dec. 22) The Mpls Craft Market will be bringing approximately 20 makers each weekend to Holidazzle! Their space will be packed full of local artists and makers selling handmade jewelry, clothing and accessories, woodwork, home decor, prints, fiber art and more. The lineup of artists will be different each day, so visit us throughout the weekend and you’ll always find something new.

This year’s Mpls Craft Market makers include: Adorned With Grace LLC, AnJartica, Awesome Industries, Ballerina Botanicals, Beeper Bebe, Big Stick Studio, Blue Egg Farmstore, Blue Turtle Handmade Crafts, Cara Corey Designs, Cheese Brothers, DK Wood Toys, Fair Anita, For Knit Me Knot, Freynika Chocolate, Fuzzbutt Boutique, GoGo Glam Household Goods, Hensa by Liz Rae Weddings, Hey Pupper, Ivan Idland, Juniper & Spruce, Kbella Jewelry, Knits Jewelry and More, Lenny the loon, Lower Woodland Studio, Lucy iburg, Mad Owl, Made By Linnae, Map Lamps, Megan Murrell Illustration, Mrs., North Country Craft, Oakleafleather, Oh Fer Cute, One of a Kind, Psycholights, s meyer designs, SHEMA, Skyline Specs, Sneckys, Stella Sparrow Design, Stick it to Winter, and The Vintage Studio.

The Abbey Alpacas (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Never fear winter again. Let the little sisters and brothers of The Abbey wrap you in the luxury of genuine Alpaca. The Abbey raise their own alpaca in Minnesota. Their fleece is seven times warmer than wool, softer than cashmere and hypoallergenic. Don’t miss their toasty warm ALPACA SOCKS, and their hand-made HATS, MITTENS, and SCARVES. Plus, come see their alpacas on Sundays of Holidazzle (Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22)!

The Beer Dabbler (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) The Beer Dabbler Store is your one-stop shop for everything craft beer. From apparel to local beer art, bottle openers, tap handles and 100s of kinds of specialty glassware, you’ll find beer gear from your favorite local, regional and national craft breweries.

Cabin Customs (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Cabin Customs creates custom metal gifts, ornaments and designs. Find anything from Minnesota or America themed items, custom lakes, custom states, custom ornaments, and much more.

Hippy Feet (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Each time you purchase a pair of these trendy socks from Hippy Feet, they will donate a pair of socks to someone in need. Their long-term mission is to create a program where they offer part-time employment to those experiencing homelessness in our community.

KCM Woodwork (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) KCM Woodwork makes high-quality wood crafts by hand, including painted and engraved wooden signs, coffee mug holders, wine racks, baby half moon-shaped cradles, six-foot cedar light houses, light tea candle holders with bases, wall decorations, wooden centerpiece boxes with mason jars/flowers, and more.

Northern Drift (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Northern Drift is a casual lifestyle brand developed by a Minnesota husband and wife team, and inspired by the nautical side of the land of 10,000 Lakes. Our goal is to provide timeless products that reflect a love of life out on the lake, and chasing summer all year long.

North Shore Apparel/Martin’s (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Based in Excelsior, North Shore Apparel/Martin’s brings Minnesotans high-quality lake gear. Hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts will be on sale at Holidazzle, as well as pajamas, socks, scarves, cashmere, candles.

Simple-Trends (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Simple-Trends offers a great variety of handmade items. The recycled wool sweater mittens are made with top-quality wool, cashmere and angora sweaters. They are lined with fleece for your hands to stay warm and soft all winter long. Simple-Trends’ headbands are just what you need for your lifestyle, whether it be for a run, fitness class or just a day out! They also make handmade purses, a new fall addition.

Three Rivers Farm syrup (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) Browse and enjoy an incredible selection of maple syrup flavors from this group based out of Lonsdale, Minn. Three Rivers Farm syrup includes about a dozen different flavors including blueberry, bourbon maple, cinnamon, cranberry, habanero, vanilla and more. Bottles come in a variety of sizes and packs. A great gift or purchase meant for sweet and savory meals alike. Stop by and enjoy!

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

The Holidazzle has entertainment in many forms including movies, live music, story time, fireworks and more! Some of these events happen each night while others only on certain days of the event. Take a look at the daily schedule here to plan your visit on a night that interests you and your family!

Holidazzle Movie Nights presented by Metro by T-Mobile

Join us for classic winter/holiday movies in our Winter Wonderland. Grab a spot on a haybale, or bring a chair/blanket and enjoy!

Friday, November 29 | 8:00 pm: A Christmas Story

Sunday, December 1 | 5:00 pm: The Grinch (2018)

Thursday, December 5 | 6:30 pm: Miracle

Sunday, December 8 | 7:00 pm: Polar Express

Thursday, December 12 | 7:00 pm: Home Alone

Sunday, December 15 | 7:00 pm: Smallfoot

Thursday, December 19 | 7:00 pm: Christmas with the Kranks

Sunday, December 22 | 5:00 pm: Elf

 ** All movie showings at Holidazzle include closed captioning

Musical Performances

We’re celebrating the holiday season with great musical performances throughout Holidazzle! Stop by and listen to a great collection of local bands, choirs and artists who will perform music on site each day. We’ve got a full list of performers at www.holidazzle.com/schedule. Check out who will be performing while you’re there!

Performance Deck Activities

Holidazzle has a new performance deck this year located right next to the Mpls WinterSkate rink and alongside Sociable Cider Werks. Stop by the deck to sit down, enjoy tasty food and beverages, and at specific times during Holidazzle stop by to enjoy musical performances, Story Time, glass blowing demos, cooking demos and more.

Holidazzle Fireworks presented by Xcel Energy

So often fireworks keep the kids up at all hours, but winter fireworks have you home in time for a more reasonable bedtime! Gather your family to watch fireworks light up the downtown sky! Join us for winter fireworks displays at Holidazzle this holiday season!

Friday, November 29 | 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 7 | 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 14 | 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 21 | 7:00 PM

Enjoy The Interactive Illuminated Art Installations

Enjoy the Interactive Illuminated Art Installations at Holidazzle. Holidazzle has enhanced lighting this year including a new interactive illuminated art exhibit—the Yeti! Christopher Lutter-Gardella, who created the Wolf and Moose that were part of Holidazzle in 2016-2018, has brought a new exhibit to life that will light up and allow viewers to peddle and engage in the art itself. The Yeti are comprised of 90 percent recycled waste-stream materials.

Ice Skating At Holidazzle

Enjoy outdoor skating in Downtown Minneapolis at the Minneapolis WinterSkate! The skating rink is open daily now through early March—including all Holidazzle operating hours. Skating is free and open to the public. Bring your own skates, or borrow a complimentary pair located in the Warming House courtesy of CenterPoint Energy. Skate sizes vary and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click Here for more information on skating downtown.

Drag Queen Bingo

Check out Drag Queen Bingo at Fulton Beer Garden. We’ve got bingo from 7-9pm on Dec. 6, 13 and 20! Bring friends, family, colleagues and neighbors and join in the fun.

2019 Family Guide to the Holidazzle | Twin Cities Mom Collective

Meet Santa Claus

Stop by and see Santa! Santa will be on site during ALL Holidazzle hours and will be available for photos and to tell him your wish list FOR FREE! Holidazzle is the only place downtown where you can meet Santa this year, and it’s an experience your kids will love. Enjoy a little time with Santa during your visit!

Photo Opportunities

Don’t miss your chance to take a photo in the Holidazzle Snowglobe! Back by popular demand, the football-shaped globe is a great place to take in the ambiance of Holidazzle and take a unique family photo you can’t get anywhere else. We’ve also got the Holidazzle sleigh on site! It’s another great place to get family photos taken during the holiday season. Stop by and take a photo on this fun new addition at Holidazzle!

The Thwing

This is a must-try this holiday season. The Thwing is inspired by one simple idea…play.  The approach is to create spaces where both kids and adults might find themselves caught off guard for just a moment and get swept up in the blissful joy.  The mix of wonder and intuitive simplicity pulls people in to discover. What they leave with are a giant smile, an opened soul and a little windswept hair. Jump on. It’s time to Thwing.

Holidazzle Kids Zone presented by U.S. Bank

Don’t miss out on the Holidazzle Kids Zone presented by U.S. Bank, which will include a collection of fun activities for all ages and abilities to enjoy. The Kids Zone at Holidazzle is a huge hit for young and old enjoying a holiday night out, and this year the Kids Zone will be bigger and better than ever with a climbing wall, slides, maze, tunnel, hay bales and more.

And more! Check out these fun activities throughout Holidazzle:

Alpacas and adoptable rescue animals on Sundays (December 1, 8, 15 & 22, 11 am-7 pm)

Come visit us on Sunday and meet Lincoln, Blinkin’, Nod, and our other friendly Alpacas from 11 am-7 pm at The Abbey Alpaca tent!

Rescue animals on site each Saturday and Sunday

Stop by each weekend day to meet rescue animals from local organizations!

  • 30: North Star Great Pyrenees
  • 1: Underdog Rescue
  • 7: RAGOM Rescue
  • 8: Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue
  • 14: Pet Haven Rescue
  • 15: Midwest Animal Rescue
  • 21: MN Pitbull Rescue
  • 22: MN Companion Rabbit Society
Story Time at Holidazzle – Saturdays & Sundays

Don’t miss out on Story Time at Holidazzle featuring children’s books told by great story tellers, authors and even Santa! Stop by for stories at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm on Saturdays.

 Skating performances

Join us on opening night at 5 pm for a fun, flash-mob style skating performance by American Ice Theater on the Mpls WinterSkate rink. Keep an eye out for more pop-up performances throughout the winter.

Glass Blowing demonstrations

Stop by each Friday night from 5-10 pm for lamp lighting style glassblowing demonstrations at the Holidazzle performance deck next to the Mpls WinterSkate rink. Purchase one of their hand-crafted ornaments while you’re there.

Sunday brunch (11 am-2 pm)

Bring your Sunday Funday Brunch plans to Holidazzle and enjoy a Bloody Beer in our Fulton Beer Garden or a Sociable Cider Works Mimosa. Pair these delightful beverages with our exclusive Sunday Brunch items created by our Holidazzle food vendors and watch the game on one of our TV’s.

Cooking Demos – Sundays (1-3 pm)

We’ll have members of the Minneapolis culinary community on site on select Sundays to showcase their talents in fun ways. Check Holidazzle.com/schedule for more information, then stop by the performance deck and enjoy.

Silent Disco (Thursdays, 5 pm – 9 pm)

Lace up your skates and grab a pair of lighted headphones every Thursday for Silent Disco skating. You can choose between three different channels and its all FREE!

Craft + Vinyl Night (Thursdays, 5-9 pm)

Test your crafting skills on Thursdays in the Fulton Beer Garden while SolSta Records curates the playlist for your listening pleasure. Lets face it, music always sounds better on vinyl and you can purchase some for your own collection from the vinyl pop up shop!

Most Epic Dog Day (December 8th)

For dog lovers, stop by on Sunday, Dec. 8! They’ll give away dog-related items and have a dog contest in the early afternoon!

Yeti Day (December 15th)

Holidazzle will be giving away a limited number of plush Yetis on Sunday, Dec. 15. Stop by to get yours!

Keep up with all of the Holidazzle fun!

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