Don’t feel like shopping? Here are 10 fun holiday weekend things to do.

Our ideas for the weekend after Thanksgiving: Holiday shows and lights and state parks and much more.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
November 28, 2025 at 12:00PM
Check out the Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. (Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Holiday revelers looking for something to do this weekend will find activities and events that everyone in the family can enjoy. Check out our list of suggestions, from exploring state parks and touring exhibits to taking in a holiday show or marveling at lights displays.

Here are 10 options:

American Swedish Institute

Feast your eyes on the “Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter” exhibit where the Turnblad Mansion is transformed into a winter wonderland and Tomte and his friends discover holiday characters. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 4. $12-$20. 2600 Park Av., Minneapolis; asimn.org.

Cirque Du Soleil

Enjoy Soleil’s first holiday show, ‘Twas the Night Before..., an acrobatic adaptation of the poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Sun. Continues through Dec. 7. $53-$140.80. Northrop auditorium, 84 SE. Church St., Minneapolis; northrop.umn.edu.

Gingerbread Wonderland

Enjoy a sweet treat and explore the baked goodies in this annual gingerbread village. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Continues through Jan. 3. $5-$10. Norway House, 913 E. Franklin Av., Minneapolis; norwayhouse.org.

Historic Mayowood Christmas Tour

Costumed interpreters will take visitors back to 1951 to explore the history of the Mayo family’s Christmas celebration. 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $45. 3720 Mayowood Road, Rochester; olmstedhistory.com.

Magic of Lights

Load up your car and enjoy a drive-thru of colorful LED lights illuminating traditional and trending holiday characters and more at Viking Lakes. 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Continues through Jan. 3. $37-$80 per car. Viking Lakes, 668 O’Neill Dr., Eagan; magicoflights.com.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Guests will enjoy a special treat with free admission to the exhibit, “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine.” Families can also enjoy storytelling, early-morning prizes and more. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri. Also at MIA, enjoy the free film, “Smoke Signals,” a story of Native American friends who take a trip from Idaho to Arizona together and what they discover about their friendship and their culture. 2 p.m. Sat. 2400 3rd Av. S., Minneapolis; artsmia.org.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Stroll past the “Winter Lights,” including a new “Indoor Forest,” featuring more 80 trees, pathways, gardens and buildings decked out with bright lights and creative holiday decorations. Advance online reservations required. 4:30-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Continues on select days through Dec. 31. Free for members and ages 15 and younger, $25. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chanhassen; arb.umn.edu.

Minnesota state parks

Get out and burn off some of your Thanksgiving dinner calories while you explore state parks. Admission is free to all parks and recreations areas on Fri. Many state trails that offer biking, in-line, hiking and more are always free. dnr.state.mn.us.

Minnesota State Parks Magazine Story - With an Ice wall, formed from the running water from a small creek as a backdrop, Steve Ramberg skis down the Cascade River at Cascade River State park.
Will there be snow in state parks this weekend? A skier enjoys Cascade River State Park. (Brian Peterson, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Thankful Together

Enjoy a free concert by pianist Steven C accompanied by musicians and singers Billy McLaughlin, Jillian Anderson, Kathryn Budzien, Jack Cassidy, Diane Tremaine and Nathan Wilson. 3 p.m. Fri. cathedralsaintpaul.org.

Winterapolis Light Up

Celebrate winter in downtown Minneapolis Friday with family-friendly events and experiences including live music, trolley bus rides, a sports mascot meet and greet, seasonal crafts and more. At 6:05 p.m., visitors can gather inside the IDS Crystal Court to watch a holiday tree lighting ceremony (reservations requested, but not required at winterapolislightup2025.eventbrite.com), and folks outside can gaze at the lights along the Nicollet Mall and on downtown buildings, plus check out holiday decorated storefronts. 5-7:30 p.m. Fri. winterapolis.org.

about the writer

about the writer

Colleen Coles

News Assistant

Colleen A. Coles is a news assistant. She writes Quick Trips for the Travel section, a weekly round-up of festivals and events happening in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. She also compiles the calendar of events for the Home and Garden and Taste sections.

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