Get a taste of 'A Nordic Christmas' at American Swedish Institute

Continuing: When winter darkness shrouds the lakes and forests of the North, trolls or tomte brighten the landscape with magic and mischief. Each of the Nordic countries — Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland — has its own gnomes, trolls and fairy-tale characters. This year they'll be joined at the American Swedish Institute by Grandfather Frost and the Snow-Maiden, who traditionally deliver holiday gifts to Russian children. Gaily decorated Christmas trees and tables will represent holiday celebrations in Russia and the Nordic countries. Besides a life-size elf house, there will be bonfires in Holiday Square; a winter solstice celebration; "glögg tours" with nibbles from Fika, the institute's popular restaurant; music; performances; talks about Nordic myths and legends; a holiday market, and more. (Nov. 14-Jan. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue. and Thu.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. $5-$10. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av. S., Mpls. 612-871-4907, asimn.org.)