Statewide tourism events listed

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 more than a million multicolored lights in a winter stroll during Walk The Wild Lights at the Minnesota Zoo in APPLE VALLEY, through Dec. 31. This annual holiday event features 58 lighted animal displays, as well as daily activities and events. Dial 952/431-9500 or 1-800-366-7811 to find out more.

Christmas In The City will be offered by the city of AUSTIN through Dec. 24, with sleigh rides, carolers, music, hot chocolate, Santa Claus and a tour of Christmas lights. For more information,dial 1-800-444-5713.

Madrigal Dinners will be offered by Bemidji State University, in the city of BEMIDJI, through Saturday, with a recreation of a Renaissance Christmas, including a meal, humorous masques, a Royal Court and music. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223.

A Christmas Wonderland Of Lights will be offered by the city of BLUE EARTH through Jan. 1, featuring a fantasyland drive with animated lighting displays. To find out more, dial 507/526-2916.

Visitors may take in a Festival Of Lights throughout downtown DULUTH and at Canal Park through Dec. 25, with lighting displays, decorations, parades, special events and more. For further information, dial 1-800-438-5884.

The city of EAST GRAND FORKS will be the site of First Night, a non-alcoholic New Year's celebration, on Sunday, Dec. 31. Highlights will include music, children's activities, concessions and fireworks at midnight. For further information, dial 701/746-2709.

Fairmont Glows will be offered through Jan. 1, with Christmas lights throughout downtown FAIRMONT and city parks. To find out more, dial 1-800-657-3280.

Naniboujou Christmas Carol Dinners will be offered at Naniboujou Lodge in GRAND MARAIS on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 27 & 28. For more information, dial 1-888-922-5000.

The city of MADISON will be the site of Santaland, with an indoor village of miniature buildings and decorations, through Sunday, Dec. 24. To learn more, dial 320/598-7301.

The city of MANKATO will present A Celebration Of Lights through Jan. 1, with Broad Street and Mary Circle filled with holiday lights and decorations. For further information, dial 1-800-657-4733.

Downtown MINNEAPOLIS will be the site of Holidazzle Parades each Wednesday through Sunday, through Dec. 23, including Tuesday, Dec. 26. Parades begin at 6:30 p.m. and run along Nicollet Mall from 12th to Third streets, with fairy-tale themed floats, marching bands, celebrities, and Santa in his sleigh. For further information, dial 612/376-SNOW.

Dayton's Department Store in downtown MINNEAPOLIS will be the site of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, with the magical story depicted through 3-D animated displays, including descriptions of the 45 vignettes. The displays, along with Santa Claus, can be found in the eighth floor auditorium each day through Dec. 31. To find out more, dial 612/375-3018.

A Winter Festival And New Year's Celebration will be offered by the city of OUTING at Lueschers Park on Saturday, Dec. 30, with a bonfire, fireworks display, activities, food and refreshments. To learn more, dial 218/792-5578.

The city of PIPESTONE will be the site of the Festival Of Trees through Dec. 31, with uniquely decorated trees, a toy and doll room, music, and horse drawn wagon rides on select evenings. To learn more, dial 1-800-535-7610.

The fairgrounds in the city of ROSEAU will be the site of Frostbite Days from Dec. 28-31, with sanctioned ice track snowmobile racing, as well as food, entertainment and a dance. Guests and participants may find out more by dialing 1-800-815-1824.

Folkways Of The Holidays will take place each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23 at Historic Murphy's Landing in SHAKOPEE. Folkways of the Holidays is a recreation of 19th century celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah, with costumed villagers greeting visitors in 11 historic homes decorated in different ethnic traditions. Each weekend day features a different holiday tradition with special folk arts performances. To find out more, dial 952/445-6901.

The city of SPRINGFIELD will present a Nativity Pageant from Friday through Sunday with music, live animals and a large cast of performers. To learn more, dial 507/723-6210.

Weekend Daytime Holiday Tours will be offered at the Alexander Ramsey House in the city of ST. PAUL each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31, where visitors will be greeted in the Carriage House and escorted through an historic mansion filled with holiday decorations. To learn more, dial 651/296-8760.

A Holiday Nights Lights Display will be offered at the ST. CLOUD VA Hospital through Jan. 1, with a lighted magical kingdom including Frosty, Santa Claus, his reindeer and more. For further information, dial 1-800-264-2940.

A Christmas At The Sperry House will be offered in the town of WILLMAR at an 1890s Yankee-pioneer house each Sunday through Dec. 31. In addition, the Kandiyohi County Museum will be the site of a Festive Forest Holiday Exhibit through Dec. 31. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747.

And, just some of the upcoming concerts & performances in the TWIN CITIES vicinity include: A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR each Saturday through Feb. 17 at the Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul; A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis through Dec. 30; THE BLACK NATIVITY at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul through Dec. 23; THE BALLET MINNESOTA NUTCRACKER at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, Friday-Sunday; JOHNNY MATHIS at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Friday and Saturday; LOYCE HOULTON'S NUTCRACKER FANTASY 2000 at the Orpheum Theatre, Friday-Dec. 23; THE BLENDERS at the State Theatre, Dec. 21; THE STEELES CHRISTMAS CONCERT at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Dec. 22; THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS at the Target Center, Dec. 27; THE JAYHAWKS at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Dec. 29 & 30; SESAME STREET LIVE at the Target Center, Jan. 17-21; CINDERELLA at the State Theatre, Feb. 13-18; STARS ON ICE at the Target Center, Feb. 14; THE BACKSTREET BOYS at the Target Center, Feb. 17; PANTERA at the Target Center, Feb. 20; BILL COSBY at the State Theatre, March 10; STOMP at the State Theatre, May 8-13.

For further information on any of these performances, contact TICKETMASTER at 612/989-5151.