St. Paul's Union Depot is a new destination for holiday fun

Dec. 4-13: Union Depot is billing itself as the "Hub for the Holidays," bursting with seasonal fun. On Dec. 4, the festivities begin with a lighting of the depot's holiday tree, fireworks and the first in a series of free holiday movie nights. A European Christmas market — re-creating the open-air Christkindlmarkts in Germany and Austria — feature handmade gifts and decorations. Sip on spiced mulled wine and snack on European-inspired delicacies. Visitors can even take some of the goodies home during a bake sale. The Canadian Pacific holiday train rolls through with performances by Kira Isabella and Doc Walker, and families are invited to take a ride with Santa on the North Pole Express. See the elves at Santa's village hard at work before a return to Union Depot for refreshments. (For details, see ­uniondepot.org/holiday.)