There is nothing more magical than the countdown and slow drum roll anticipation of hitting the switch and lighting up the Christmas trees in our homes. Cities around the Metro bring that same magic and hometown feel with their own versions of the great holiday tree lighting. You’ll find big parties, cozy main street events, fireworks, refreshments, and of course many visits with Santa in this list of Tree Lighting Events all over the Twin Cities Metro. Look for your local community or join in a new one and find your magic this holiday season!
NORTHEAST:
RICE PARK TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | 109 W 4th St, St Paul, MN | November 10, 5:30 PM
Enjoy live music, food trucks, and outdoor games leading up to the main event flipping the switch for Rice Park’s Lighting Ceremony powered by Excel Energy.
TAYLOR FALLS LIGHTING FESTIVAL | Bench Street, Taylor Falls, MN, November 24, 6:00
Festivities run all weekend including the big event of the Grand Lighting of the Christmas Village and Christmas Parade on Bench Street Friday night. Be sure to wear your flannel!
STILLWATER TWINKLE PARTY & TREE LIGHTING | Lowell Park, 201 Water St N, Stillwater, MN | December 2, 4:00-6:00 PM
On top of all the seasonal fun on Main Street, don’t miss Stillwater’s Twinkle Party! Free Twinkle Lights for any takers or wear your own lights to add to the fun! Celebrate the official lighting of the City of Stillwater’s Christmas Tree in Lowell Park at 5:30 p.m. – music and more (including a visit from Santa around 5:00!)
UNION DEPOT TREE LIGHTING | 214 4th Street East, St. Paul, MN | December 2, 5:00-9:00 PM
Festivities for this crowd favorite begin with the kick-off of the St Paul Winter Carnival Button unveiling at 5 PM, followed by live entertainment with The Mistletones and then Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 PM. Be sure to stay for the classic holiday movie showing of Elf. Can’t make it that night? The tree will be up all season long, perfect for family photos!
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SOUTHEAST:
ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING | 14375 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN | November 20, 6:00 PM
Join the Rosemount Mayor in the celebration as he chooses a special member of the audience to light the tree! Carolers will sing, then cookies and juice will be served inside the Steeple Center.
BURNSVILLE WINTER LIGHTING CEREMONY | Nicollet Commons Park, 12550 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337 | November 22, 6:00 PM
Local choirs, refreshments, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus add to the lighting ceremony with 200,000+ lights and a 30-foot-tall tree.
LAKEVILLE HOLIDAY ON MAIN | Pioneer Plaza, Lakeville, MN | November 28, 6:00 PM
Kick off the 2023 Holiday Season in Downtown Lakeville at the Holiday Lighting Ceremony featuring Lakeville South High School’s Encore Singers, warm beverages, and tasty treats.
HOLIDAYS IN THE HEIGHTS | Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN | December 1, 6:00-7:00 PM
Start the evening lighting the Holiday Tree at the northeast end of VMCC and then come inside for ice skating with Santa with beverages and snacks! The tree is located just outside the VMCC at the Northeast end. Skating with Santa will take place from 7-8:30 and is $6 for those who register in advance.
AFTON VILLAGE HOLIDAY | Afton, MN | December 1, 5:00-8:00 pm
The charming St. Croix river town of Afton, MN. will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Horse & Wagon rides, Strolling Carolers, Artist Gift Market, Children’s Crafts, festive food & drinks and more all weekend with the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday evening.
EAGAN ANNUAL COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING | Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy Eagan, MN | December 5, 4:30-7:00 PM
In addition to the tree lighting ceremony at 5 pm, you can enjoy live music by local artists, story time with Santa, free hot chocolate and kids crafts, activities, and more!
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SOUTHWEST:
WACONIA COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING | City Square Park | 100 E Main Street, Waconia | November 24, 6:00 pm
Caroling, hot cocoa, and visits with Santa add to this tree-lighting event. Bring a new, unopened toy for the Waconia Toy Drive.
WAYZATA LIGHT UP THE LAKE CELEBRATION | Depot Park, 402 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN | November 24, 4:00-7:00 pm
Santa and reindeer, a candy cane hunt for the kids, and a parade of lights are all part of the tree-lighting festivities in Wayzata.
EDINA TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | 50th & France, Edina, MN | November 25, 4:30-6:30 PM
Ring in the holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony among other seasonal activities.
SAVAGE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | Savage City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage, MN | November 30, 5:30-7:30
Celebrate the season with activities for everyone to enjoy including hot cocoa, a bonfire, and live holiday music. Bring a new toy to donate to Santa Cop Night and then stay for the tree lighting event.
BUFFALO DECK THE HALLS | Sturges Park, 505 2nd Ave S Buffalo, MN | December 2, 3:00-5:00 PM
Help Buffalo Deck the Halls with family fun concluding with the official tree lighting at 5 PM. Bring a new toy or non-perishable food item to donate!
CHANHASSEN TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | City Center Park, 7700 Market Blvd, Chanhassen, MN | December 2, 5:00 pm
An annual holiday event with tree lighting followed by refreshments, live reindeer, gingerbread house displays, and Santa Claus.
CHASKA’S HOMETOWN HOLIDAY | 300 N Chestnut Street, Chaska, MN | December 2, 2:00-5:00 PM
Features crafts, outdoor games, hot cocoa and cookies & pictures with Santa Claus.
SHAKOPEE HOLIDAY FEST TREE LIGHTING | Downtown Shakopee, MN | December 3, 2:00-6:00 PM
Holiday Fest is an open-street celebration to kick off the holiday season! You will find something fun for all including a vendor market, pictures with Santa, a walk-through parade, tree lighting, and fireworks!
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NORTHWEST:
OSSEO MINIDAZZLE CELEBRATION | Boerboom Veterans Park, 416 Central Avenue Osseo, MN | December 1, 6:00-8:00 PM
Begin with the Light Parade down Main Street and then stay for pictures with Santa, a fire truck ride, and the great tree lighting.
ROGERS HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | 12716 Main Street, Rogers, MN | December 1, 6:00-8:00 PM
Begin the night with hot cocoa, cookies, caroling, and special activities with the tree lighting at 7:00 PM.
PLYMOUTH HOLIDAY AT THE HILDE | Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minnesota | December 2, 3:00-6:00 PM
Celebrate the holiday spirit in Plymouth with a lighted winter walk, the Old Fashioned Christmas corner, visits with Santa and his reindeer, and a craft to take home.
ANOKA HOMETOWN HOLIDAY | 2015 First Avenue North, Anoka, MN | December 2, 3:00-7:00 PM
Welcome the season with a Hometown feel as Anoka lights its Christmas Tree in Anoka City Hall River Plaza. Festivities are spirited and free. Check the website for the full schedule.
ROBBINSDALE ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & SING-ALONG | Robbinsdale City Hall, 4100 Lakeview Ave, Robbinsdale, MN | December 5, 6:00-7:00 PM
Join in the caroling fun at the annual holiday tree lighting in Robbinsdale.
