Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota: Your Ultimate Holiday Guide
If you have explored different corners of the globe during Christmas and enjoyed this festival as you wanted it to be, believe us, St. Paul, Minnesota, too, will not let your expectations down. If you don’t believe us, then this is the time you should spend Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota.
No other city in the world allows visitors to go through the literary icons of history and spoil them with a rich, festive, and magical experience in a snowy winter wonderland atmosphere. During your stay in this city during Christmas, you can be a witness to several festive events, including the European Christmas Market and the GLOW Holiday Festival.
St. Paul, Minnesota, can also give you an opportunity to explore thousands of holiday lights that light up Summit Avenue, besides other neighborhoods.
Reaching St. Paul, Minnesota
Fly into MSP (Minneapolis-St. Paul) International Airport and catch a taxi or the METRO Blue Line to visit the city. Alternatively, you can think of driving too, as St. Paul has good connections to other cities by highway.
1. GLOW Holiday Festival
Visitors who attend GLOW Holiday Festival on Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota can enjoy lots of themed areas like the Bright Bikes, the Tremendous Tree, and the Enchanted Forest, besides the exclusive light sculptures and seasonal vignettes.
GLOW holiday festival is another attraction that features outdoor fun, including a zip line and a huge snowy slide. You can also enjoy a Selfie Plaza, where you can take lots of pictures to make your festive season in this city memorable.
While visiting the festival, make it a point to browse through the unique gifts that come from the local artisans at the GLOW gift shop. You can also attend the motto “Tis the season of giving,” which involves making donations to the local charities.
2. Union Depot
Can you think of Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, and not visiting the Union Depot of this city? Certainly not. It hosts the yearly European Christmas Market, which is a thrilling outdoor festival that features more than seventy vendors selling unique gifts and crafts of Europe, European-inspired drinks and food, and live performances.
If you have kids, take them to this event so that they can enjoy the activities that cater to their tastes. You will certainly be amazed with the big European Christmas Market, as it offers everyone a chance to get immersed in a festive atmosphere that is inspired by the traditional Christkindl Markets.
Here, various stalls sell holiday treats, unique gifts, and handmade crafts. However, when it is a shopping fiesta, can food and drinks be far behind? You can enjoy a huge array of European delicacies besides warm mulled wine while you explore the market.
3. Rice Park
This Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, take out time for Rice Park, which changes into a winter wonderland. It features a forty-foot-tall Christmas tree that is adorned with 50,000 lights harmonized with music.
As the park is illuminated during Christmas, it becomes nearly impossible to recognize the park. This family-friendly event also includes entertainment and free food to encourage community spirit and support the needy local families.
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4. Combo Park Zoo & Conservatory
You will not go wrong with your decision to visit Como Park Zoo & Conservatory this Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota. Fortunately, you will find the zoo to remain open even on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
The chief attraction of this place is the grand flower show that features a warm color palette with many holiday blooms and poinsettias. Whoever visits it is bound to get indulged in the green and humid environment that seems opposite to the cold winter of Minnesota.
Though you aren’t required to shell out money to visit the zoo and the conservatory, you can always opt for donations so that you support their working process.
5. The Cathedral of St. Paul
Your Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, refuses to end when you don’t visit the Cathedral of St. Paul. Visiting it offers you a chance to go through many indoor and outdoor music and light shows with a drive-in experience.
Again, you will find the cathedral to be holding masses on both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Let’s find out more about the services of Cathedral Festival of Lights:
- Carols and Hymns – Traditional Christmas songs of God.
- Prayers – Prayers are common at the cathedral that are offered for the families, church, and people who are no more.
- Biblical Readings – Here, passages from the Isaiah books are read besides the Gospel.
- Nicene Creed – It is one of the cathedral services.
- Homily – This is a message or sermon that comes from the clergy.
- Eucharist – It is a sacrament where wine and bread are offered that represent Lord Jesus’s blood and body.
Additional Mention
Skating and Holiday Rinks in St. Paul
Love skating? Check out Rice Park ice rink, which is a preferred location for lots of families. Another well-known choice is Groveland Ice Rinks. It has several rinks and includes a big skating area.
Regardless of the season, you can skate in Groveland; however, the availability is dependent on the temperature and weather.
Best Places to Eat in St.Paul
Though you will come across lots of restaurants this Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, take your pick based on your preferences and budget. A few options worth trying out are
- Oceanaire Seafood Room –Oceanaire Seafood Room is a preferred option for lovers of seafood.
- DeGidio’s Restaurant – DeGidio’s Restaurant boasts a historic background and is well-known for its Italian-American food, especially its tomato sauce and spaghetti.
- Moscow on the Hill – Want to savor food in a cozy and charming atmosphere? Moscow on the Hill will serve your purpose. It is one of the best restaurants to get hearty dishes, including Ukrainian, Eastern European, and Russian.
The best places to stay in St. Paul
Regardless of whether you look for affordability, luxury, or a mixture of both, you will find no dearth of places that can make your Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, extravagant and unforgettable.
Among many options, you can choose Hampton Inn & Suites. This hotel offers extravagant family rooms that give excellent sea views, air-conditioned rooms, and amenities like a hairdryer, coffee and tea maker, refrigerator, sofa bed, and microwave.
Some added benefits you can enjoy are that every room has a television with free WiFi. Additionally, you will get a fitness room, swimming pool, and lounge for your comfort. It also has an electric vehicle charging station, paid on-site private parking, and a minimarket.
There are some other choices of hotels too in St. Paul where you can stay comfortably:
- Radisson Hotel St. Paul Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul Downtown
- SpringHill Suites St. Paul Downtown
- Celeste of St. Paul
- Residence Inn by Marriott St. Paul Downtown
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Why does it seem ideal to choose St. Paul for your Christmas?
Spending Christmas is not about eating good food and attending church events only, and St. Paul makes this notion true. This city spoils everyone to go through a winter wonderland while engaging in different festive events. All visitors who spend Christmas in St. Paul Minnesota, enjoy a mind-blowing display of holiday lights and ice skating.
St. Paul also offers sumptuous food, cultural events, unique attractions, and local brews that make it an ideal destination to spend your holiday season. Now, if you extend your vacation to January, you can be an eyewitness to a long-running festival that encompasses parades, family-friendly activities, and ice carvings.
