If you’re a Minnesota resident or will be visiting our gorgeous winter wonderland for the holidays, this is for you!

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After Thanksgiving you can expect Minnesota to turn into Christmas Central. There are so many things to do leading up to Christmas and many of them are totally free. I’m going to share as many as I can because I LOVE a free event, especially for kids! The holidays are already so expensive for so many of us. Take advantage of any free event you can to add in some holiday magic for yourself and your family.

Tree lighting at town square. Unless you live in a small town, you may not know that your town or neighboring city does an annual tree lighting. This is usually located downtown or at City Hall. You can check your city’s website to see when and if they are having one. It’s usually the last week of November or first week of December. And these are actually kiiiind of a big deal! Lots of them have a Santa appearance, a place to drop off letters to Santa, cookies and hot chocolate, music, reindeer, and more. It’s a GREAT free community event and totally kid friendly.

Holiday markets. These are usually a weekend thing and run around Thanksgiving right up to the weekend before Christmas. If you aren’t familiar, holiday markets are a place to shop local, offering unique handmade gifts and decor. It’s free to attend, so the only money you spend is what you purchase, but it is pretty dreamy just to walk around and take it all in too.

I’ve gotten some of my favorite mittens and hats from holiday markets, as well as some delicious homemade goods like jams, honey, and salsa. We also got our favorite holiday decorations from the German Christmas shop that always pops up at the European Christmas Market in St. Paul.

Some of the markets are even outdoors, giving even more major holiday vibes while you shop in the snow sipping hot chocolate or coffee. The bigger ones (like the St. Paul European Christmas Market) also have food and stands to get wine and beer. This can be a family event for an afternoon or early evening or a great date night!

Holiday Train from Canadian Pacific. This is something we have started making a tradition because we always have SO much fun! And the event itself is totally free to experience.

If you have never seen a train decorated with Christmas lights…you are missing out. It sounds like something worth missing, but this is definitely NOT boring and your kids will absolutely love it. Check out the Canadian Pacific website to see if your city, or one near you, will be on their list of stops. We only have to drive about 15 minutes from our house to see it. There is a dedicated date and time when the train arrives, so you have to make sure you plan for it!

The actual event lasts about an hour and includes seeing the train arrive (get there early and dress warm!) which is pure magic because almost every single train car has holiday lights on it. Then, one of the train cars opens up and there is LIVE music from a band or artist that play music for about half an hour. You do not actually get to ride on the train, but it’s so festive and actually for a great cause.

Each city the train stops in asks that you donate to the local food shelf. There is a dedicated area set up to make your donation. We usually bring a brown bag of canned goods (about $20 worth) and drop it off right when we get there so we don’t have to hold onto it.

In the past, there have been characters walking around (the Grinch, Olaf and Elsa from Frozen, snowmen, minions) and even some fun activities for kids to do. Last year, Viv got to take a ride in a mini train made of small barrels pulled behind a four-wheeler that were decorated). She absolutely loved it and it was completely free. Each city it stops in has a slightly different experience, but the two we have been to have been worth the experience!

Parking is also usually a little tricky because parking is usually limited. You’ll probably have to walk a little ways to make it to the tracks. Make sure you plan ahead of this one so you don’t miss out! This isn’t just a Minnesota thing either! They go to several states in the U.S. so if you aren’t a MN native, check their map to see if it goes near you!

Bentleyville. “Tour of lights” in Duluth, MN. Right on Lake Superior with spectacular views right near great shops and restaurants. This has gained so much popularity in recent years, so you WILL have to plan ahead unless you live nearby. Definitely do your research if you plan to stay the night. It’s shocking to me that this is a free event because it is so big! Parking is $10 and you should bring a food or toy for donation as your “entrance fee.”

Winter Lights at the Arboretum. Located in Chaska, MN, the 1,200 acre University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is open to the public year round. They do an impressive event of light exhibits starting in November going through January. This event is not free, costing around $30 per person. The cool part is that children 15 years old an under who are accompanied by an adult get in FREE. Kids will still need a ticket, so make sure you include them if you are purchasing online, but it will be $0 unless it is a themed night.

This year they also added the option of taking a heated coach bus in that drops you off and picks you up at the front entrance. The bus leaves from the Chanhassen Transit Station, which is covered ramp parking a short distance away from the Arb. If you are interested in that option, you’ll need to purchase bus tickets along with your entry tickets. This is a kid-friendly event, but also makes a great date night. My husband and I went several years ago on a date night and it was very fun and definitely memorable.

Tour Holiday Light Displays. This one only costs you the gas for your vehicle. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I think sometimes we forget the joy that comes from just piling in the truck and touring the Christmas lights in our own neighborhoods. People have some impressive displays right in their front yards and all it takes is a drive around town at night to find them!

It’s the perfect way to spend an evening before the kiddos go to bed, and you can even have everyone put their jammies on before leaving to minimize the bedtime chaos when you return home. We like to bring hot chocolate with us while we drive around and listen to our favorite Christmas songs. The best part is you can make this last as long or as short as you want to!

Mall of America. While malls are becoming a thing of the past, MOA during the holidays packs in all kinds of fun. A new exhibit this year called Candy Cane Institute is an interactive experience that gives a behind the scenes experience of the North Pole, with an appearance from Santa along the way. For $10 (M-Th) or $12 (F-Sun), get a 10-15 minute peak with the elf scientists as they create holiday magic.

They also have Festival of Trees on display now that includes 75 decorated trees from various businesses. This is totally free and can be viewed during mall hours located on Level 3. The purpose is to raise money for education across Minnesota. Raffle tickets may be purchased for a chance to win prizes.

There is also the Holiday Music Festival returning this year with performers, community groups, and school choirs all excited to bring music and holiday cheer. From December 12th-December 29th in the Rotunda, you can enjoy free entertainment while you shop or sit and enjoy while they perform.

For a full list of their events, check out their website.

Tubing at Elm Creek Park Reserve. Located in Maple Grove, MN, the tubing hill opens December and runs through mid-March, weather depending. This one varies from year to year, but they usually have tubing open Wednesday-Sunday. There are never any definitive hours posted, so before you go you’ll want to check their website to make sure they are open and to check ticket prices.

These are just a few suggestions that I know so many people enjoy living here in Minnesota. In no way is this a full list and there are always things popping up at local stores, restaurants, and parks. A great way to stay in the know about what’s going on around you is by joining a community Facebook page, or checking your city website’s event page.

Whatever you decide to check out this holiday season, I hope you have the best time and enjoy making truly special holiday memories!