# Christmas break with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul, 2026 > What to do with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus ten dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between. - Last checked: 2026-10-21 - 2 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 17 dated outings - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-break/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/llms.txt ## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1 - **Science Museum of Minnesota**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Source: https://smm.org/visit (checked 2026-10-21) - **Bell Museum**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “The Bell Museum will be closed on select holidays, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.” Source: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/admissions/ (checked 2026-10-21) ## Christmas Eve - **The Santa Experience at Mall of America** at Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. When: Nov 15 – Dec 24, 2026. Time: See booking site. Price: Photos and merchandise for purchase; book a visit online. Intimate setting with Santa movies and photos. MOA posts sensory-friendly resources. Official page: https://www.thesantaexperiencemn.com/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Southdale Center** at Southdale Center, 10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 2 evenings (Dec 6, Dec 13). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0997 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Ridgedale Center** at Ridgedale Center, 12401 Wayzata Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55305. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 7 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14…). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0966 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Maplewood Mall** at Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55109. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0507 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Burnsville Center** at Burnsville Center, 1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville, MN 55306-6218. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0476 (checked 2026-11-03) ## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30) - **Northern Lights** at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318. When: Evenings Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, except Nov 26, Dec 24 and Dec 25. Time: 4:30–9:30 p.m. Price: Members $25; non-members $35; children through age 15 free with a ticket and an adult; parking free. Closed Thanksgiving night and on Dec. 24 and 25. Official page: https://arb.umn.edu/northernlights (checked 2026-11-09) - **GLOW Holiday Festival** at CHS Field, Downtown St. Paul, MN. When: Select dates Nov 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Hourly entry from 5 p.m.; closes 9 p.m. Price: Adults $22.75; children ages 3–12 $12.75; ages 2 and under free, plus fees and taxes. GLOW opens Nov. 19, 2026 and runs select dates through Jan. 3, 2027. Official page: https://www.glowholiday.com/festival-details (checked 2026-11-09) - **Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes** at Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Cir, Eagan, MN 55121. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m. Price: November-only any-day car $21.99 online ($25 at the gate; discount through Nov 30); Santa Saver any-day $34.99 through Nov 19; weekday $28.99; season pass $97.99. Official page: https://magicoflights.com/locations/viking-lake-mn/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Kiwanis Holiday Lights** at Sibley Park, Mankato, MN. When: Nightly, Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2026. Time: Sun–Thu 5–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–10 p.m. Price: Free; food shelf donations welcome. Tune to 90.1 FM for the light tunnel. Santa is in Friday through Sunday until Dec 20, and live reindeer are there nightly. Official page: https://www.kiwanisholidaylights.com/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Festival of Trees** at Mall of America, Bloomington. When: Nov 18, 2026–Jan 8, 2027. Time: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; hours vary. The display benefits the Mall of America Community Foundation. It is closed Thanksgiving Day. Official page: https://www.mallofamerica.com/directory/festival-of-trees (checked 2026-11-09) ## New Year’s Eve and Day - **Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Ridgedale Library** at Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Price: Free. An hour of New Year's stories, songs and dancing that ends with a 3-2-1 at noon. Kids from birth through preschool are the intended crowd, and the Friends of the Hennepin County Library cover it. No registration is listed. Official page: https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/events/6aadc354ca248a002916db2a (checked 2026-10-28) - **Noon Year's Eve at Eden Prairie Library** at Hennepin County Library – Eden Prairie, 565 Prairie Center Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30 a.m.–noon. Price: Free. A short half hour, which suits little kids. Stories, music and an activity lead into the countdown, and kids of any age can come with a caregiver. Official page: https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/events/6acffc709d27a0004550fce9 (checked 2026-10-28) - **Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Maple Plain Library** at Hennepin County Library – Maple Plain, 5184 Main St. E., Maple Plain, MN 55359. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. For children and their caregivers: New Year’s stories, songs and dancing, then a countdown to noon. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Official page: https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/events/6ad6b02229c3d60033311b8a (checked 2026-10-29) - **Northern Lights** at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318. When: Evenings Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, except Nov 26, Dec 24 and Dec 25. Time: 4:30–9:30 p.m. Price: Members $25; non-members $35; children through age 15 free with a ticket and an adult; parking free. Closed Thanksgiving night and on Dec. 24 and 25. Official page: https://arb.umn.edu/northernlights (checked 2026-11-09) - **GLOW Holiday Festival** at CHS Field, Downtown St. Paul, MN. When: Select dates Nov 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Hourly entry from 5 p.m.; closes 9 p.m. Price: Adults $22.75; children ages 3–12 $12.75; ages 2 and under free, plus fees and taxes. GLOW opens Nov. 19, 2026 and runs select dates through Jan. 3, 2027. Official page: https://www.glowholiday.com/festival-details (checked 2026-11-09) - **Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes** at Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Cir, Eagan, MN 55121. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m. Price: November-only any-day car $21.99 online ($25 at the gate; discount through Nov 30); Santa Saver any-day $34.99 through Nov 19; weekday $28.99; season pass $97.99. Official page: https://magicoflights.com/locations/viking-lake-mn/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Festival of Trees** at Mall of America, Bloomington. When: Nov 18, 2026–Jan 8, 2027. Time: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; hours vary. The display benefits the Mall of America Community Foundation. It is closed Thanksgiving Day. Official page: https://www.mallofamerica.com/directory/festival-of-trees (checked 2026-11-09) ## More holiday outings in Minneapolis–St. Paul - [The Nutcracker with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. - [Christmas markets in Minneapolis–St. Paul](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes. ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### What’s open on Christmas Day in Minneapolis–St. Paul with kids? Of the two places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Science Museum of Minnesota and Bell Museum are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan. ### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Minneapolis–St. Paul? On the calendar: The Santa Experience at Mall of America, Santa Photos at Southdale Center, Santa Photos at Ridgedale Center and Santa Photos at Maplewood Mall. ### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Minneapolis–St. Paul? None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open. ### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Minneapolis–St. Paul? On the calendar for Jan 1: Northern Lights, GLOW Holiday Festival, Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes and Festival of Trees. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change. ### Where can kids go sledding or snow tubing near Minneapolis–St. Paul? Elm Creek snow tubing and Elm Creek sledding hill. All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first. The full list, with height rules, is on [sledding hills and snow tubing near Twin Cities](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/sledding/). ### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Minneapolis–St. Paul? Northern Lights, GLOW Holiday Festival, Magic of Lights at Viking Lakes, Kiwanis Holiday Lights and Festival of Trees. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days. ### Where are the rest of the December plans in Minneapolis–St. Paul? The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/ice-skating/). ### Where can we cut a Christmas tree near Minneapolis–St. Paul? Choose-and-cut farms within about 40 miles, with wagon rides, Santa, cocoa and kid notes, are on the [Christmas tree farms page](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-tree-farms/). ### When is the tree lighting in Minneapolis–St. Paul? Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-tree-lighting/). ### How do you check these holiday hours? Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).