MINNEAPOLIS — From a peppermint pub crawl to the Viking's SKOL Line, there is plenty to expect at this year's Holidazzle Festival.
The big winter celebration is returning to its roots on the Nicollet Mall after a few years in Loring Park and canceling in 2023.
Holidazzle organizers say they are transforming downtown Minneapolis into a free, community-focused winter wonderland, with musical performances on two stages (indoor at IDS and outdoor on the U.S. Bank Stage). There will be local vendors for gift shopping, food trucks, putt and play minigolf, roller skating, and you can share wish lists with Santa at his North Pole outlet between 8th and 9th Streets, organizers say.
The opening ceremony begins at 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 18, with the Minnesota Chorale and the drumbeats of the Vikings’ Skol Line. At 6:15, organizers say there will be a performance by Minneapolis’ own “7th Favorite Hip Hop Person,” NUR-D.
New this year there will be a peppermint pub crawl on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. with several bars serving festival drinks. The crawl (21+) tickets are $25 per person or $80 for four people.
Throughout Holidazzle there will be three pop-up markets: Chameleon Market featuring BIPOC, women-owned businesses at Dayton at Gaviidae YMCA; Minneapolis Craft Market at IDS Center; Dayton’s Holiday Market in the Dayton’s Project. On Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 there will be the Very Vintage Holidazzle Market in City Center.
For a full list of all events happening each day of Holidazzle, click here.
