The North Loop isn't just for dinner anymore—this winter, it's a full-blown holiday destination. The neighborhood's biggest draw this year is the Minneapolis Christkindl Market, a sprawling, authentic German-style outdoor market at the North Loop Green every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 21 to December 21. Expect Glühwein (mulled wine), live music, activities for the kids—including a visit with Santa, roasted nuts, and Alpine wooden stalls packed with European crafts under twinkling lights. Need a break from the cold weather? Warm up in the Basset Hound, a hotspot and family-friendly bar right next to the North Loop Green plaza. They've transformed into the Howl-iday Bar, and have sharable snacks, cozy holiday lights and festive cocktails perfect for the season.

Pro Tip: Parking near North Loop Green can be tight during the market. Save yourself the headache and take the Metro Transit Blue or Green Line to Target Field Station—it drops you off right at the market's doorstep.

For a high-end winter experience, the Four Seasons' Nordic Village features private dining from four to 8 guests in heated, stylish cabins through February 28, 2026. Picture a four-course meal of Danish smorgasbord, Swedish meatballs, cedar plank salmon, and epic Scandinavian desserts. In addition to the private dining, the Four Seasons will also host European-inspired holiday markets in November and December featuring local artists and makers and have transformed the Lodge into a winter cabin-style bar.

Finally, no holiday in the North Loop is complete without a cocktail in the Hewing Hotel’s decorated lobby. It’s arguably the most photographed room in the city this time of year, but for good reason—the timber-and-brick interior actually feels warm enough to make you forget the windchill.

For Your Gift List: North Loop Holiday Shopping

The North Loop is the city's premier shopping neighborhood, and that goes double for holiday shopping. You’ll find a luxe gift for pretty much anyone. Head to MartinPatrick3 for the stylish guy, and be sure to admire their award-winning festive window displays—all about gingerbread plushes exploring Minneapolis landmarks this year. Parc Shop and Umei are your destination for the minimalist design lover. The Foundry and Madge Home offer a totally giftable selection of curated home goods, and Pacifier has something for the most fashionable kids.

Warm Up Here: Festive Food and Drink in the North Loop

Reservations to the North Loop’s hottest restaurants can be hard to come by if you didn't book a table a month in advance, but don't worry. You can often snag a seat at the bar at Spoon and Stable if you arrive when they open. Similarly, Bar La Grassa is famous for its loud and lively energy, and the bar area is fair game for walk-ins craving their legendary fresh pasta. Monte Carlo is the spot to thaw out with a steak, dry-rub wings, and a martini at the copper-topped bar. For something lower stakes but just as delicious, head to Red Rabbit for a spicy salami pizza or Parlour for their famous burger and an Old Fashioned. For a cold drink to pair with the cold, Inbound BrewCo is the spot for seasonal slushies in their massive, dog-friendly taproom.

Mark Your Calendar: Events Happening Throughout North Loop

• December 4th: North Loop’s family- and pet-friendly Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Nordic Plaza
• December 4th & 5th: North Loop Art Fair at the Itasca Event Center
• December 6th: Santa Cycle Rampage MSP
• December 13th: Modist Brewing’s holiday market
• December 14th: The Hewings's Shop and Swap market and clothing exchange

Downtown is the traditional, nostalgic heart of the Minneapolis holiday season. The magic is in the timeless big-city experiences: strolling down Nicollet to see the shop windows and holiday lights, visiting the massive, glittering Christmas tree in the IDS Center, and getting tickets for a holiday show at the MN Orchestra. The biggest news this year is the shopping. The beloved Dayton's Holiday Market is back, bringing multiple floors of holiday decor, gifts, and treats from 100+ local makers. It’s joined by other pop-ups like the Chameleon Shoppes (with a spotlight on women- and BIPOC-owned businesses at a strollable series of downtown locations) and the Holidays on Nicollet Market popup inside the IDS center featuring 60+ local artists, turning downtown into a true Minneapolis shopping destination again.

Insider Tip: Use the Skyway - you can hit the IDS Center tree, the Dayton’s Holiday Market, and lunch without ever stepping outside. Park at the heated IDS Center Ramp, take the elevator up, and follow the Skyway signs. No coat required!

For Your Gift List: Downtown Minneapolis Holiday Shopping

The markets and popups are the main event this season, but don't miss the permanent local gems. Strive Bookstore is a fantastic Black-owned shop ideal for finding books for everyone (with a focus on indie publishers and local writers), and mother-daughter-owned Kobi Co. offers beautiful, locally-made candles, bath bombs, and wellness gifts that come with their own curated Spotify playlists for ultimate relaxation.

Warm Up Here: Festive Food and Drink in Downtown Minneapolis

If you need to thaw out, make a beeline for the Butcher’s Tale, a sanctuary for carnivores and the omnivores who love them—order the 14-hour smoked beef long rib to pair with a banana bread Old Fashioned. For the most immersive drink in town, head to Hotel Emery’s Journey Down Through the Chimney 21+ holiday pop-up. You enter through a life-size chimney and emerge into a holiday world featuring a North Pole concourse and a Gingerbread Toy Factory. It’s a full-on narrative experience where the cocktails are just part of the story. After a show or a shopping spree, go for a classic steak dinner at Manny’s Steakhouse, where you can pick your favorite cut and fill the table with sharable sides like loaded mashed potatoes and lobster mac and cheese. Another great spot for a festive drink is Brit’s Pub, which hosts its over-the-top Frosty’s Bar holiday pop-up, where you can enjoy a peppermint cocktail beside a roaring fire with entertainment and trivia all in a real-life snow globe.

Mark Your Calendar: Events Happening in Downtown:

• December 3 & 4: Holiday Market at the Minneapolis Club
• December 12: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
• December 12 & 13: Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
• December 13: Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker
• December 14: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
• December 20: Polar Bear Pub Crawl

Uptown's holiday vibe is all about indie shopping and neighborhood charm. The neighborhood leans hard into seasonal specials with Holidays on Hennepin from Black Friday to New Year’s. Snap up a passport at any participating Uptown business and get offers throughout the neighborhood (think BOGO empanadas, brunch discounts, and free spin classes to work up a seasonal sweat).

For Your Gift List: Uptown Minneapolis Holiday Shopping

Beyond the holiday pop-ups that bring in local artists from around the region, Uptown is home to several great shops for gift gathering. Magers & Quinn is an institution and one of the city's best independent bookstores for gift-giving. Combine on Lake Street offers small-label designer clothing for women and men alongside fragrances, paper goods, and ceramics. Just a few blocks away, Moona Moono is a beautifully curated shop full of unique, trendy gifts from independent artists celebrating Asian and Asian American craft.

Warm Up Here: Festive Food and Drink in Uptown Minneapolis

When you're ready to drop your shopping bags, settle in at Barbette, the quintessential French bistro for warming up a gloomy winter day. Nico's Taco Bar transforms into a Navidad pop-up that is unapologetically maximalist—think frosted greenery, lights everywhere, and plenty of chips and guac. Also check out The Red Nose Room and Apres Ski Chalet pop-ups at the Red Cow Uptown location, where you can sip frozen cranberry margaritas and gingerbread White Russians. Lake & Irving offers fantastic craft cocktails and a solid dinner menu for Minneapolis-meets-Island fare, and Black Walnut Bakery is the ideal stop for a coffee and some of the best French baked goods in the city. And don’t forget to bundle up and take in the lights at Isles Bun & Coffee while you wait for a legendary caramel pecan bun in the chilly winter air.

Mark Your Calendar: Events Happening Throughout Uptown

• December 6: A Drinking Game Mn presents: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Looking for a less crowded holiday stroll? These spots are packed with charm.

Linden Hills

If you want a holiday stroll without the downtown crowds, go here. It’s the 'Hallmark Movie' version of Minneapolis. Mark your calendar for the annual Reindeer Day on December 6 for family fun (free cookies, crafts, storytime, and photos with Santa), and take a holiday ride with Santa on the Holly Trolley on the Como-Harriet Streetcar line Nov. 29–30 and Dec. 6–7. Bring your sweet tooth to the holiday pop-up from famed patisserie Marc Heu, featuring desserts, hot chocolate, and local artisans. And be sure to take a walk down to the Lake Harriet Bandshell to see the lights.

Linden Hills’ main drag is lined with some of Minneapolis’s best independent shops. Shop for unique children's books at Wild Rumpus (the bookstore with live animals—cats, birds, lizards, and chinchillas, to name a few) and arts and crafts supplies for kids and adults at Heartfelt. Check out Comma for expertly curated literary finds with a focus on Minnesota authors, and New Gild Jewelers for something sparkly and one-of-a-kind.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a “Turkey in the Hills” sandwich or seasonal Harriet Harvest salad at Picnic. Tilia is the ultimate neighborhood restaurant, focusing on sincere hospitality and elevated comfort food (think burrata Caesar salads and cheeseburgers with maple bacon jam). Or go for an upscale Argentinian holiday feast at Martina. And remember—it’s never too cold for ice cream, so order a scoop of Raspberry Chocolate Chip or Salty Caramel at Sebastian Joe’s, a Linden Hills institution since 1984.

St. Anthony Main & Old Town

For a dose of Minneapolis history and old-world magic, nothing beats the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main. With the Mississippi River rushing by and the skyline glittering across the water, it feels like a European village dropped into the Midwest. Catch an indie movie at MSP Film Society’s Main Cinema or just bundle up for a romantic winter walk along the riverfront paths to see the city lights from the best vantage point in town.

While it isn't a sprawling shopping district, the neighborhood is home to the ultimate holiday hosting destination: Surdyk’s Liquor and Cheese Shop. This Minneapolis market is non-negotiable for anyone planning a seasonal party. Step inside the high-energy cheese shop to sample gourmet cheeses from around the world, pick up share-worthy charcuterie, and browse one of the city's most extensive wine collections. It’s the place to build a custom gift basket or pick up a bottle of bubbly for New Year’s Eve.

When it's time to warm up, The Aster Café is the definition of cozy, setting the mood with flickering candlelight and live music. Order a round of craft cocktails alongside flatbread with apple, local bleu cheese, and bacon or a hearty Aster Cottage Pie to thaw out after your walk. (Every Tuesday bring your Aster Cafe receipt over to The Main Cinema next door for BOGO movie tickets.) For a truly special splurge, book a table at Alma. This James Beard Award-winning spot offers a prix-fixe dinner experience at the restaurant (choose between the Seasonal 3-Course or the Chef's 6-Course Tasting menu) that highlights winter ingredients at their absolute peak. The connected Alma cafe offers more casual fare, including baked goods, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

48th & Chicago

This sleeper-hit corner in South Minneapolis is a fantastic, self-contained holiday stop that feels like a step back in time. The anchor is the beautifully restored Parkway Theater, where the glowing retro marquee welcomes you in for holiday movie nights, stand-up comedy, and live music. It’s the ideal place to escape the cold for a few hours of vintage entertainment with a local crowd—and you can grab a pass to see all the season’s Christmas movies (from The Holiday to Love Actually) for just $45.

Before the show, take some time to hunt for treasures at the local shops. Dig through the racks at Stirling Castle Vintage, a neighborhood favorite for finding unique holiday fits, retro sweaters, and one-of-a-kind accessories. Just across the street, 14Hill is your go-to for curated modern gifts. Browse their collection of cheeky greeting cards, Minnesota-themed home goods, and locally poured candles to cross a few hard-to-buy-for people off your list.

For dinner, The Creekside Supper Club is a neighborhood favorite that leans all the way in with their "Winter Wonder Bar" pop-up. The classic Midwest supper club gets decked out with tinsel, lights, and ornaments, creating a nostalgic holiday vibe. Belly up to a booth for a “Wisconsin Style” Old Fashioned and a plate of their massive, steaming popovers made fresh to order, or warm up with a spicy curry and full Thai dinner at Bagu Thai.