In 2026, the Christmas parade near Minneapolis–St. Paul is Dec 5. Shakopee Holiday Fest is Dec 5 and is free to watch. This page lists six parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates. Each one links to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 2026 time not posted yet25NovWedBurnsville Winter Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 6 p.m.28NovSatExcelsior Tree Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 6:30 p.m.5DecSatHoliday in HopkinsTree lighting · Festivities 2–4:45 p.m.5DecSatAnoka Tree LightingTree lighting · 3–6:30 p.m.5DecSatShakopee Holiday Fest
Parade · Parade at 5 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Holmes St., First Ave. and Sommerville St. · Shakopee
Good to know: The moving parade is back this year through downtown Shakopee. Stay for the tree lighting and fireworks that follow.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Rice Park · Downtown St. Paul
Excelsior Veterans Memorial (Lake St. & Excelsior Blvd.) · Excelsior
Good to know: Santa and the Minnetonka High School Choir.
Downtown Hopkins · Hopkins
Good to know: Tree lighting at the Elks Lodge after an afternoon of activities.
Anoka City Hall River Plaza, 2015 First Ave. · Anoka
Good to know: The 36th year. Santa and Mrs. Claus wait in the Santa Shack, and horse-drawn trolleys run until just before the mayor counts down to the lights.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Twin Cities
Keep planning
November: things to do in Twin CitiesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Twin CitiesEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Twin CitiesFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in Twin CitiesFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in Twin CitiesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Twin CitiesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in Twin CitiesHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesSledding in Twin CitiesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rules
Thanksgiving weekend in Twin CitiesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in Twin CitiesKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in Twin CitiesPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in Twin CitiesBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Twin CitiesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in Twin CitiesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Twin CitiesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in Twin CitiesWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in Twin CitiesStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth soccer and basketball in Twin CitiesSoccer and basketball for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Shakopee Holiday Fest: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Parade at 5 p.m.; tree lighting and fireworks right after (Shakopee).
Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rice Park: Sat, Nov 14, 2026, 2026 time not posted yet. Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony at Nicollet Commons Park: Wed, Nov 25, 2026, 6 p.m. Excelsior Tree Lighting Ceremony at Excelsior Veterans Memorial (Lake St. & Excelsior Blvd.): Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Holiday in Hopkins at Downtown Hopkins: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Festivities 2–4:45 p.m.; tree lighting 5 p.m. The full list is on the tree lighting page.
Four of the six we list are free to watch: Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony, Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony, Anoka Tree Lighting and Shakopee Holiday Fest. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony, Holiday in Hopkins and Anoka Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
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 every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One email a week. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony