Family weekend fun: Holiday lights, frontier celebration

Buildings, yards and public places are all aglow this time of year. The St. Paul Police Foundation's annual Holiday Lights in the Park is bright and cheery. It features more than 60 holiday-themed displays located on a driving path. (5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. $10 per vehicle. Phalen Park, Wheelock Pkwy. and Phalen Dr., St. Paul. http://saintpaulpolicefoundation.com/holiday-lights.) The Universe of Light: Holiday Light Show is at the Mall of America. The interactive show puts guests in a festive mood with lights, music, fog and snow effects. (7, 8 & 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sun. South entrance of Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America, 60 E. Broadway, Bloomington. 952-883-8810. www.mallofamerica.com.)

Have a slower-paced afternoon away from the winter fracas at this vintage outing. Sing carols 'round the pump organ and hear excerpts from Gideon Pond's 1862 Christmas sermon. Enjoy hot cider and treats. 1:30-4 p.m. Sun. $2. Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St., Bloomington. 952-5638674. www.ci.bloomington.mn.us.)