Thanksgiving Week in Minneapolis
Need a reason to get out of the house during the Thanksgiving holiday? Minneapolis has plenty! Check out all the fun things happening in the city during Thanksgiving week.
In Minneapolis, Thanksgiving serves as the official start of the holiday season. It’s the week when we pause to enjoy the beginning of this special season with people we love – whether shopping at holiday markets, enjoying our favorite traditions, gathering at cozy restaurants and cocktail bars, watching the big game, or enjoying a classic holiday show at the theater, there are plenty of things to do during Thanksgiving week in Minneapolis.
We know you still have a long list of people to buy gifts for. Check out holiday markets and boutique shops for one-of-a-kind unique gifts or take a short drive to the Mall of America, where you can shop for everyone under one roof.
Local holiday markets: Even when it’s snowing, Minneapolis can’t stop/won’t stop opening doors of pop-up shops and markets in support of local artists, vendors, and small businesses. Find the perfect gift while enjoying festive food, live music, and holiday activities!
- Holidays on Nicollet: a retail popup experience on the Southwest street level corner of the IDS Center (formerly Hubert White Menswear) with a curated selection of local artists and makers this holiday season.
- Field and Festival Holiday Market: a bustling hub of local farmers, foodies and artists at Wagner's Garden Center.
- A Handmade Holiday Market: Visit with local artists and makers while sipping delicious beers with autumn cheer at Brühaven Craft Co.
- Minneapolis Christkindl Market: Inspired by the Christmas markets of Europe, this outdoor wonderland in the North Loop transports you to a world of twinkling lights, alpine style wooden huts and the cozy aroma of mulled wine.
- Check out more holiday pop-ups and local shopping spots all season.
Take a break from the dining and shopping and experience the incredible theater and art scene in Minneapolis. Bond with your loved ones over beautiful art, energizing music, or a captivating performance at one of our many theaters.
Theater. The holiday theater scene in Minneapolis is bustling with classics like:
- A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theatre
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Children's Theater
- Brave New Workshop's Big Christmas Energy
- Late Night Comedy at Indeed Brewing
- Check out all the must see shows of the season
Art and Museums. Minneapolis is home to several world-class museums featuring a variety of exhibits from classical to contemporary works:
- At the Moulin Rouge (Mia)
- Sophie Calle: Overshare (Walker)
- More Various, More Beautiful, and More Terrible (Weisman)
- A Thousand Nesting Dolls (The Museum of Russian Art)
- Tomte: the Gnome, the Myth, the Legend (Minnesota History Center)
Music. Listen to some live music will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
- Back to the Future in Concert at the Minnesota Orchestra
- Julglädje: Family Holiday Concert: Songs, stories, games, and smiles are the hallmarks of julglädje (American Swedish Institute)
Watching the game on TV with friends and family is part of many Thanksgiving traditions. But why watch it on TV when you can catch the game live? Our stadiums are bringing it during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend – catch any of these games all within a couple of miles of downtown.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Kick off the holiday week at Target Center and cheer on the Timberwolves as they take on the Houston Rockets. Or, catch them on Friday when they go head to head with the Sacramento Kings. They're not done yet — they face the LA Clippers later in the week. Snag some tickets!
- University of Minnesota Gophers Football and Hockey: The University of Minnesota has quite the line up over Thanksgiving weekend. Watch the Men's Hockey Team play Alaska Fairbanks November 29 and 30, or catch one of the best rivalries in college football when the Gophers host Penn State on November 23.
- Minnesota Vikings: If you can extend your stay an extra day, grab tickets and head to U.S. Bank Stadium for a Sunday match-up on December 1 to see the Vikings go up against the Arizona Cardinals.
- Explore our parks: Want to challenge some family members in a game of flag football? In Minneapolis, we have plenty of parks to do just that. Check out our favorite parks in the city.
- Go for a hike: Walk off that Thanksgiving feast with one of our nature trails or urban walks. Here are 10 great Minneapolis hikes for the entire family.
- Turkey Day 5K: Warm up your Thanksgiving appetite with the Annual Turkey Day 5K Minneapolis! Join runners, joggers and walkers for Minneapolis' Thanksgiving day - turkey trot - tradition.
- Gingerbread Wonderland: Check out more than 250 gingerbread structures including tons of familiar buildings and landmarks created by our community, professional bakers and gingerbread enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
- Winter Lights: Stroll through the Arboretum gardens decked out in Winter Lights. Enjoy fresh air as you explore outdoor light displays, highlighting flowers, trees and the beauty of nature, on the one-mile self-guided walking route.