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 Lakes & Legends Brewing Company.
- Quincy Street Holiday Market: Will be hosting dozens of local makers for one of the biggest markets of the year!
- 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 & Dance. The holiday theater scene in Minneapolis is bustling with classics like:
- Twas the Night Before…by Cirque du Soleil
- A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theatre
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Children's Theater
- Hip Hop Nutcracker
- Christmas at the Local at Theater Latte Da
- 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:
- In Our Hands: Native Photography, 1980 to Now (Mia)
- Among Friends: The Generosity of Judy and Ken Dayton (Walker)
- Urban Cadence & Why Look at Animals (Weisman)
- The Wintertime Carnival: Traditions of Old (The Museum of Russian Art)
- History Hijinx: The Life and Art of Charles M Schulz, Peanuts exhibit (Minnesota History Center)
Music. Listen to some live music will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
- Home Alone in Concert at the Minnesota Orchestra
- Julglädje: Family Holiday Concert: Songs, stories, games, and smiles are the hallmarks of julglädje.
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 weekend at Target Center and cheer on the Timberwolves as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Or, catch them on Friday when they go head to head with the Sacramento Kings. Click here to snag 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 Michigan State, November 24th and 26th, or catch one of the best rivalries in college football when the Gophers host the Wisconsin Badgers on November 25.
- Minnesota Vikings: If you can extend your stay an extra day, grab tickets and head to U.S. Bank Stadium for a Monday night match-up as the Vikings go up against the Chicago Bears.
- 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.