# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Minneapolis–St. Paul, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 6 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-parades/
- Christmas break (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-break/index.md
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- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/llms.txt

## Christmas parades

- **Shakopee Holiday Fest** at Holmes St., First Ave. and Sommerville St., Shakopee. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Parade at 5 p.m.; tree lighting and fireworks right after. Price: Free to watch. The moving parade is back this year through downtown Shakopee. Stay for the tree lighting and fireworks that follow. Official page: https://shakopee.org/holiday-fest/ (checked 2026-10-31)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Rice Park, Downtown St. Paul. When: Sat, Nov 14, 2026. Time: 2026 time not posted yet. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/activities-events/large-public-events-parks (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony** at Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville. When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026. Time: 6 p.m. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.burnsvillemn.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=21601 (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Excelsior Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Excelsior Veterans Memorial (Lake St. & Excelsior Blvd.), Excelsior. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: Not listed. Santa and the Minnetonka High School Choir. Official page: https://www.excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com/celebrating-the-season/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Holiday in Hopkins** at Downtown Hopkins, Hopkins. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Festivities 2–4:45 p.m.; tree lighting 5 p.m. Price: Not listed. Tree lighting at the Elks Lodge after an afternoon of activities. Official page: https://www.thinkhopkins.com/m/calendar/event/detail/2778 (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Anoka Tree Lighting** at Anoka City Hall River Plaza, 2015 First Ave., Anoka. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 3–6:30 p.m.; tree lit about 6. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://www.anokamn.gov/513/Anoka-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-31)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Tree of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/events/tree-of-lights-tree-lighting-ceremony-rice-park/): next dates Nov 14, 2026
- [Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/events/burnsville-winter-lighting-ceremony-nicollet-commons-park/): next dates Nov 25, 2026
- [Excelsior Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/events/excelsior-tree-lighting-ceremony-veterans-memorial/): next dates Nov 28, 2026
- [Holiday in Hopkins](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/events/holiday-in-hopkins-downtown/): next dates Dec 5, 2026

## 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).
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- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Minneapolis–St. Paul in 2026?
Shakopee Holiday Fest: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Parade at 5 p.m.; tree lighting and fireworks right after (Shakopee).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Minneapolis–St. Paul?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Minneapolis–St. Paul free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).