The cold winter months are no match for families in Minneapolis who are looking for fun! Whether you’re in search of an outdoor activity to burn off some energy, or a holiday-centered event, this list gathers together the top winter experiences for your whole family to enjoy in Minneapolis.
Explore Winter Lights
Bundle up and enjoy the fresh air as you stroll through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum decked out in Winter Lights. All new this year is a color-changing tunnel, a winter village on Scarecrow Hill, and a field of sunflowers. Be sure to stop by s’mores village to warm up near a fire and satisfy your sweet tooth. Tickets are required so be sure to reserve yours ahead of time.
The Great Northern Festival
A truly unique event, The Great Northern Festival is all about gathering community to celebrate the beauty of the North and the excitement of winter! Ten days of events including music and performances, public art, food, and more gets started on January 25, 2024.
Enjoy Classic Winter Sports
Minneapolis is not short on ice skating and hockey rinks! Just 10 minutes from downtown, Roseville Skating Center is home to the largest outdoor refrigerated sheet of ice in North America, the OVAL and Roseville Ice Arena. Be sure to also check out Parade Ice Garden and Northeast Ice Arena which also offer skate rentals and are great spots for ice skating and hockey.
Sledding/Tubing
Grab your sled, tube, or toboggan and head out for hours of fun at one of the city’s many designated sledding hills! Theodore Wirth Park, Columbia Golf Club, and Valley View Park are a few of our favorites.
City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival is a cross-country ski festival for the whole family to enjoy. The three-day festival showcases a variety of competitive races, unique tournaments, and even a snow sculpture contest! Get a closer look at all of the festival events plus some other great family-friendly events hosted by The Loppet Foundation at the link we provided above.
An Evening with the Minnesota Orchestra
There are some great opportunities for your children to enjoy some of their favorite movies with scores performed live by the Minnesota Orchestra! Your family can choose from Home Alone In Concert, Frozen in Concert, and this list of concerts appropriate for children of all ages for a unique experience. Be sure to check out this link for a full list of family-friendly events.
The Gardner School Encourages Learning All Year
The Gardner School provides families with a community of caring teachers and staff who understand the importance of building a solid foundation for each child’s learning experience. To learn more about our Minneapolis preschools, contact us to set up a tour.