Holiday festivities slated across the state
Some of the tourism events around the state of Minnesota this week, as provided by the Minnesota Office of Tourism.
For more information, visit http://www.exploreminnesota.com or call (800) 657-3700 or (651) 296-5029 in the Twin Cities area.
Visitors may take in over a million multicolored lights in a winter stroll during Walk The Wild Lights at the Minnesota Zoo in APPLE VALLEY, Nov. 24-Dec. 31. This annual holiday event features 58 lighted animal displays, as well as daily activities including lighted underwater dolphin viewing, pictures with Santa, Zoolab events for the kids, craft projects, holiday caroling and extended gift shop hours just for the little ones. Dial 952/431-9500 or 1-800-366-7811 to find out more.
The city of BEMIDJI will present First City Lights on Friday, Nov. 24, with a lighted parade, illuminated waterfront and fireworks beginning at 5:30 p.m. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223.
A Christmas City Of The North Parade will be held Friday through downtown DULUTH, with a Christmas parade, as well as lighting displays, choral music, Santa Claus and sled dogs. For further information, dial 1-800-438-5884.
The Annual Fairmont Glows Festival will take place on Friday with the lighting of Ward and Lincoln Parks, as well as a 6 p.m. parade through downtown FAIRMONT. For further information, dial 507/235-5547 or 1-800-657-3280.
The city of GRAND MARAIS will be the site of a Christmas Parade on Tuesday at 6 p.m. beginning at Broadway and Wisconsin Streets. For further information, contact the Grand Marais Visitors Bureau at 1-888-922-5000.
The city of MADISON will be the site of a Christmas Kickoff And The Opening Of Santaland on Friday, Nov. 24. Featured will be an indoor village of miniature buildings and decorations, as well as a Country Christmas Music Show. Santaland will remain open to the public through Sunday, Dec. 24. To learn more, dial 320/598-7301
The Festival Of Trees will take place today-Sunday in the city of MANKATO, with decorated trees, live entertainment, shops and gift stores, and a Snowtown for the children. To learn more, dial 1-800-657-4733, or access their web site at www.mankato.com
The Lighting Of The Luminaries will be offered by the city of NISSWA on Friday, Nov. 24. Just some of the highlights to be included are a lighting contest, luminaries along city streets, Santa arriving by fire truck, free cider and doughnuts, bonfires, caroling, horse drawn hay rides, a live nativity, dance review and fireworks display. To find out more, dial 1-800-950-9610.
The city of ROCHESTER will be the site of a Festival Of Trees from Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 26. Featured will be uniquely decorated Christmas trees, lights, music, and a craft boutique. To find out more, dial 1-800-634-8277
The Annual Autumn Festival at Canterbury Park in SHAKOPEE will take place today through Sunday. Featured will be more than 500 artists and crafters from over 30 states displaying and selling their handmade goods. In addition, there will be ongoing entertainment and wide variety of foods. For further information, dial 1-800-340-6361.
The city of STAPLES will present a Festival Of The Trees from Friday through Sunday with more than 40 uniquely decorated trees at Centennial Auditorium. To learn more, dial 218/894-1522 or 1-800-462-0203.
And, just some of the upcoming concerts & performances will include: A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR each Saturday through Feb. 17 at the Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul; MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER at the Target Center, Saturday; WIDESPREAD PANIC at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Saturday;
A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Saturday-Dec. 30; WARREN ZEVON at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Tuesday; THE BODEANS at the Orpheum Theatre, Wednesday; SAMMY HAGAR at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, Wednesday; SOUL ASYLUM at First Avenue, Wednesday; THE ICE CAPADES at the Target Center, Nov. 23-26;
FASTBALL at First Avenue, Nov. 24; PATTY LOVELESS at the State Theatre, Nov. 24; THE WALLFLOWERS at the Orpheum Theatre, Nov. 24; LEO KOTTKE at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Nov. 26; THE MUSICAL: CHICAGO at the Orpheum Theatre, Nov. 28-Dec. 3; DISNEY ON ICE at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Nov. 29-Dec. 3; THE ST. PAUL ICE FISHING, SNOWMOBILING AND WINTER SPORTS SHOW at Rivercentre in St. Paul, Dec. 1-3;
THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND at the Target Center, Dec. 3; THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 3 & 5; A WHITE CHRISTMAS WITH LORIE LINE at the State Theatre, Dec. 8-14; THE BLACK NATIVITY at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, Dec. 9-23; KDWB JINGLE BALL 2000 with BOYZ II MEN & 98 DEGREES at the Target Center, Dec. 11;
THE BALLET MINNESOTA NUTCRACKER at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, Dec. 15-17; JOHNNY MATHIS at the State Theatre, Dec. 15 & 16; LOYCE HOULTON'S NUTCRACKER FANTASY 2000 at the Orpheum Theatre, Dec. 15-23;
THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS VS THE GREEN BAY PACKERS at the Metrodome, Dec. 17; THE BLENDERS at the State Theatre, Dec. 21; THE STEELES CHRISTMAS CONCERT at the State Theatre, Dec. 22; THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS at the Target Center, Dec. 27; THE JAYHAWKS at First Avenue, Dec. 29 & 30. For further information on any of these performances, contact TICKETMASTER at 612/989-5151.