Ring in the Holidays at 5 Festive Events Around the Twin Cities

Minnesota is a natural winter wonderland, making it a perfect backdrop for a variety of seasonal activities. Here are some of the festive events taking place near our Springs Twin Cities luxury apartment communities.

Movies are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Savage Parks & Recreation is sponsoring a screening of The Polar Express, a modern holiday classic that uses motion-capture to turn the performances of Tom Hanks and other actors into realistic animated images. Showtime is 7 p.m. and admission is free, but be sure to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets or other seating.

The Twin Cities Ballet adds some local color to the traditional holiday story that's beloved by all ages. The show is set in front of familiar Twin Cities locations such as Rice Park and the banks of the Mississippi River. There will be two evening and three matinee performances, and tickets range from $18 to $36.

Take a step back in time to the early 1900s at this annual event, which is centered around the theme of the Charles Dickens favorite, A Christmas Carol. Ride a horse-drawn trolley through the beautifully-lit village, where you'll discover demonstrations of traditional holiday activities such as woodworking, printmaking and cooking. Hours are 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids ages 4 to 12.

The Zoo is a delightful place to visit any time of the year, but the addition of Santa Claus makes it even more magical. The big guy will be available for photos from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Zoo admission is $18 for adults and $12 for kids ages 3 to 12.

Get a glimpse of 19th-century Minnesota holidays at this historic park that includes original features dating back to the mid-1800s. Enjoy traditional folk art performances and tour homes that display culturally authentic decorations. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids ages 2 to 17. Visit the website for dates and times.

Does your family have a favorite holiday tradition? Share it with us in the comments!