Wander Minnesota: Kicking Off The Holiday Festival Season
Happy Halloween! And get ready—it's time to kick off the holiday festival season. What November's list doesn't reflect is the vast number of tree lighting, welcome to winter, get ready for the holidays festivals and craft fairs. Check your local community chamber for local information. Don't forget to check the Minnesota Historical Society's event page; they've always got something interesting going on.
Minneapolis
Art Attack
Nov. 4-6
The Northrup King Building will be open, full of art and artists, all in time for the holidays.
Lutsen
Annual Masters' Bluegrass Weekend
Nov. 4-6
The 26th annual celebration of bluegrass in a beautiful locale. This year's featured instrument is the guitar.
St. Paul
Hmong New Year
Nov. 5-6
Visit the Warner Coliseum at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to learn more about the Twin Cities' Hmong community, and enjoy live music, dancing, a beauty contest, and food.
Rochester
Mayowood Mansion Christmas Tours
Tues.-Sun., Nov. 8-27 (No tours on Thanksgiving)
Advance registration required. Visit the home of the Mayo Clinic founder and see it decorated for the holidays, with guided tours to explain the historical significance of the home, and will include visits from Santa.
Two Harbors
Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting
Nov. 10
The anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald is commemorated with special tours that allow visitors to see the lighthouse beacon lit from inside the lighthouse, the only time each year that this privilege is available. Bring warm clothes.
Madison
Norsefest
Nov. 10-12
Ludefisk eating contests. You don't want to eat? Go to watch. Also—other kinds of food. And art shows, and a talent show, and Norsky bingo.
Grand Marais
Lake Superior Storm Festival
Nov. 11-13
Celebrate Lake Superior's wild side at this annual festival, featuring speakers, Taking Fashion by Storm fashion show, and a Wave Dash, among many other events.
Blue Earth
The Scarfing of the Jolly Green Giant
Nov. 12
Be there by 10:30 a.m., or you'll miss the spectacle of Santa being lifted by machine to wrap a warm scarf around the Giant's neck.
Minneapolis
MCAD Annual Art Sale
Nov. 17-19
This is your chance to find that "artist on the verge." MCAD students create and sell artworks. Go early—this is a popular event.
Grand Marais
Winterer's Gathering & Arctic Film Festival
Nov. 18-20
The North House Folk School outdoes itself with this festival, including all manner of winter skill courses (building a wood stove, snowshoe construction, build a traditional toboggan), ski and gear swap, winter camping, and movies about all aspects of life in the frozen regions.
Minneapolis
Harvest Jam
Nov. 18-20
The Minnesota Bluegrass Old-Time Music Association began this festival just a few years ago, combining old-time bluegrass with live concerts, workshops, contests, and a banquet, all at the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel.
Duluth
Bentleyville
Nov. 19-26
Billed as the largest free walk through a lighting display, Bentleyville opens daily on Nov. 19 and has an enormous display of holiday lights, all along Lake Superior at Bayfront Park. You can also, for a small fee, nominate someone to be put on Santa's Naughty or Nice lists.
Aitkin
Fish House Parade
Nov. 25
Wild and crazy ice fishers decorate their fish houses and take them on parade prior to settling them on the frozen lake for the season.
Minneapolis
Holidazzle
Thurs-Sun, Nov. 25-Dec. 23
Back to Loring Park this year, Holidazzle will offer ice skating, Santa visits, fireworks, movie nights, live music, food, and shopping.
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.
