Your December Scouted
Here at The Scout Guide Minneapolis, we’re sort of addicted to the holiday rush that we get from… the holiday rush! Festive performances with family and friends, sipping on Christmas spirits and shopping for unique locally made goods are some of our favorites to dive into, fluffy pom-pom hat first. If you’re looking for a few excuses to rock your sparkliest Christmas sweater or simply want to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the season as any proper elf would, read on. Even when it’s cold outside, Minneapolis is brimming with all the magic, joys, and pleasures that’ll keep you and yours toasty warm.
MEMBER EVENTS
Bachman’s Holiday Ideas & Inspiration for the Home Self-Guided Tour
@shopbachmans | Holiday cheer awaits at the Holiday Ideas & Inspiration for the Home Tour. Discover inspirational design ideas for home and outdoors that celebrate the best of the holiday season at Bachman’s on Lyndale. Your self-guided tour will include a visit to inspiring rooms and styled vignettes featuring design ideas that invite you to warm up to winter and celebrate all that glitters and all that grows.
Horse Crazy Market at the Minnesota State Fair Coliseum in St. Paul
@horsecrazymarket | Saddle up for a weekend of festive fun at Horse Crazy Market! Join This Old Horse on Friday, December 1st (12pm – 8pm) and Saturday, December 2nd (10am – 6pm) for an unforgettable holiday experience at the Minnesota State Fair Coliseum. They have swag bags, raffle tickets, mini horses and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! Not to mention insightful speakers, delicious food concessions, and 70+ unique vendors—all in one place!
J. Carver Distillery Holiday Open House & Boutique
@jcarverdistillery | Start your holiday shopping and find the perfect gift for your loved ones at J. Carver Distillery’s sip and shop event on Thursday, December 7th, from 5 – 8:30pm. This event celebrates artisans, crafters, and other small local businesses who are looking forward to showcasing their products for you just in time for the holidays!
Cosmic Child Crystals at the December Gift Market at the Arboretum
@cosmicchildcrystals | Find inspiration for even the most hard-to-shop-for recipients at the Arboretum’s December Gift Market, featuring work from local crafters and artisans including our very own Cosmic Child Crystals. Swing through the market from 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday, December 9th and 10th.
@bricklinen | On December 1st at their Stillwater location and on December 8th at their Wayzata location, Brick + Linen will treat you to live music, local vendors, warm beverages, and a festive, fun event that radiates cozy holiday magic, and helps you check off your gift list.
Winter Makers Market at The Dayton’s Project
@daytonsproject | Get ready for all the nostalgic feels because Dayton’s is bringing back The Santa Bear! The 2023 unlimited Santa Bear will be available to purchase at the third annual Winter Maker’s Market at The Dayton’s Project which will run through December 3oth. There you’ll also find a flower market, giftable gourmet foods, and 78 local vendors showcasing their goods at this holiday favorite retail experience.
Holiday Market at Malcolm Yards
@malcolmyardsmarket | If you’ve never visited The Market at Malcolm Yards, it’s a unique space that hosts out of this world food and drink experiences, and is a community that supports food and drink innovation. Reward yourself for being on the nice list this year with shopping from more than 20 local makers and indulging in the best food in the city at their Holiday Market at Malcolm Yards on December 9th and 10th.
Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival
@amswedinstitute | On December 2nd and 3rd, be immersed in all things Scandinavian at the Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival. This event doesn’t just have a little for everyone, it has a lot, including story time, festival foods, pop-up musical performances, family crafts, and so much more. Soak up great shopping and lots of fun while you learn about this dynamic culture.
Swing by Utepils Brewing Company on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for amazing beer at the 8th Annual Nordic Julemarket. Inspired by the cultural Christmas traditions of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, this free event, great for the entire family, will be filled with shopping, folk music dancing, and did we say really amazing beer?
Minneapolis Craft Market’s Old St. Anthony Holiday Bazaar
@mplscraftmkt | Get your comfiest shopping shoes on for this holiday extravaganza on December 10th at the scenic Machine Shop. You’ll have two floors of local handmade goods to look forward to, along with DJ Buster Baxter at the turntable and The Get Down Coffee Co at the ready to keep you going all day long.
Winter Wreath and Porch Pot Making at Hewing Hotel
@hewinghotel | Join Sip ‘N Bloom on December 14th at Hewing Hotel for expert instruction on porch pot design or wreath making. This event will get you and your front door or porch into the holiday spirit as you create a gorgeous piece that is sure to spread holiday cheer (plus, you get bragging rights that you made it!)
@plantyqueens | Who wants a new holiday tattoo? Head over to PlantyQueens on December 16th from 12pm – 4pm for fab eats, incredible shopping from over 40 vendors, delish drinks, a PlantyQueen holiday discount, and a tattoo artist for some added seasonal dazzle. And don’t forget to take a minute to enjoy this quaint shop that offers affordable and adorable plants to other Planty lovers.
FOOD & DRINK
Stories Behind the Menu – Heather Jansz of The Curry Diva
@mosaicvenuemn | The Curry Diva herself, Heather Jansz, will be featured as the Stories Behind the Menu chef at Mosaic on December 7th. Learn about her journey from Sri Lanka to Minnesota and onto The Curry Diva. You’ll be delighted in her story and the exotic, tropical flavors you’ll be indulging in during this educational, entertaining, and delicious event.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Rosalux Gallery 18th Annual Open Door
@rosalux_gallery | With much excitement, Rosalux welcomes the artists of Open Door XVIII on December 2nd for a unique and larger than life exhibition. Running through December 31st with an artists reception on December 9th that is open to the public, this colorful and interesting display showcases 49 artists that will be sure to teach, inspire, and entertain you.
Hazel Belvo: For Love at the Minnesota Museum of American Art
@mnmuseum | Follow along as you learn about Hazel Belvo’s life and legacy including interesting insights into her deep relationships and feminist worldview as well as the struggles of women artists while caring for others. You will be thrilled and awe-inspired as you take in these gorgeous works. Hazel Belvo: For Love runs through May 24th, 2024 at the Minnesota Museum of American Art.
MUSIC
Christmas with Lorie Line 2023
@amescenter | Bring the fellow music lovers in your life to Lorie Line’s all new solo piano show in the Masquerade Dance Theatre at Ames Center on December 2nd. She’s simple and elegant and aims to put on an intimate afternoon that’s sure to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
The New Standards Holiday Show
@hennepintheatretrust | This distinguished jazz trio (and friends) has been pleasing crowds since 2008 and they’re thrilled to be back in Minneapolis. Join them either December 1st or 2nd as they share unexpected surprises, an all-star lineup and an atmosphere filled with winter merriment.
THEATRE
Christmas at The Local at Theater Latté Da
@theaterlatteda | An intimate show at Theater Latté Da plays Tuesday through Friday every week through December 31st. Friends gather, songs are sung, and memories reignited with a little mystery sprinkled in. Be sure to catch this special show that involves a little bit of something we can all relate to this time of year.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at the Orpheum Theatre
@hennepintheatretrust | We’ve all felt the power that is a Mannheim Steamroller’s song. Now you can experience them live at the Orpheum Theatre with lights and multimedia effects that make them even more powerful, if you can believe it. You’ll leave filled with light and joy and a couple of your favorites stuck in your head.
@fitzgeraldtheater | The 17th annual Metropolitan Ballet’s Nutcracker is back for another joyful season. There will be fresh choreography and another talented cast of artists on stage for this favorite family tradition that you must add to your holiday calendar.
