Ten holiday shows to see this season in the Twin Cities
by Jay Gabler
December 06, 2021
Holiday shows are popping up at venues across the Twin Cities, from a cathedral of trees to a cathedral of…well, cathedral. Here are ten (plus!) great options.
Black Nativity at Penumbra Theatre
Penumbra Theatre is one of America’s preeminent Black theater institutions, and their annual production of Langston Hughes’s classic telling of the Christmas Story is not to be missed. Joyful and poignant, Black Nativity is full of songs that celebrate the divine spark, performed by some of Minnesota’s top talents.
A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater
Like the British Arrows, the Guthrie’s Christmas Carol has become so much a part of the holiday scenery in Minneapolis that locals occasionally need to be reminded how unique it is. Sure, a lot of theaters mount Dickens adaptations, but perhaps no other production in the country is as elaborate and skillfully crafted as the Guthrie’s. Plus, this year’s production is completely new, from script to sets. Only the source story is the same, and that’s the part you wouldn’t want to change.
British Arrows at the Walker Art Center
Not technically a holiday show, but the British Arrows have become a December tradition for many Twin Cities Anglophiles. This year’s crop of TV ads from the U.K. includes an animated story about the world’s most adorable dragon, a dry gin pitch from the droll Sipsmith swan, and a collection of grime-rapping tchotchkes who urge an IKEA run. Read more about this year’s British Arrows, which can be viewed either in person or online.
Winter Music Series at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Compared to 2020, this winter has safer opportunities to celebrate indoors - but getting out is still a great idea, and the epic Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is blazing brightly with Winter Lights. The light displays, ice sculptures, and s’mores are available every day the Arboretum’s open, but if you time it right you can also catch some live music from an eclectic lineup of local artists.
Ongoing through Dec. 19 (Music Series), Jan. 2 (Winter Lights)
GLOW Holiday Festival
If you’ve ever taken your flight of craft beer to drink at the Christmas tree display in the Agriculture Building, you know how magical it is to combine the holidays and the Minnesota State Fair. Last year, the GLOW Holiday Festival debuted as a drive-through experience; this year, visitors are being invited to ditch their wheels and walk through a range of seasonal displays. To answer your most pressing questions: (a) yes, there will be State Fair food and (b) yes, there will be a Prince Night.
From Our House To Yours at the American Swedish Institute
You’ll have to go to Eastern Europe to find all those Christmas castles from the Netflix movies - and anyway, they won’t look the same without the CGI snow. Fortunately we have our own European castle right here in the Cities, and it’s festooned with very real, extraordinarily sumptuous decorations for the holiday. This year’s seasonal programming at the American Swedish Institute includes a collaboration with the Hmong Museum - along with a veritable United Nations of holiday place settings. On Dec. 8, string duo the OK Factor will play an eclectic Christmas show; a livestream option is available if you’re ready to switch it up from The Christmas Switch.
Rock out with Gully Boys, Bad Bad Hats, Mark Mallman, and more
There are too many seasonal music shows to list, but our events calendar features some of the top contenders - including a Gully Boys residency, Bad Bad Hats’ Winter Ball, and Mark Mallman’s “Peace On Earth” Holiday Show. The number and nature of holiday songs will vary across shows, but all the artists will definitely guarantee you won’t be having a silent night.
Blizzard! by Circus Juventas
If you’re looking for a show to bring kids to, there’s something extra cool about watching other kids soar. That’s literally what they’ll do at Blizzard!, the holiday show from Circus Juventas. “Winter chaos is set loose at the North Pole,” warns the St. Paul institution. A little anarchy is inevitable at the holidays, but this time it won’t be you doing the acrobatics as you try to make your way across a living room strewn with gift wrap.
Merry Christmas from José James
Hometown hero José James is home again, and this time he’s bringing his warm and wonderful new Christmas album. He’ll be at the Dakota singing songs for the season as part of a stacked holiday lineup that also includes David Benoit’s tribute to Charlie Brown (a.k.a. Vince Guaraldi), two nights with the legendary Peterson family, and the triumphant year-end return of the Bad Plus.
Cathedral Festival of Lights: Starry Night
The Cathedral of St. Paul was built for worship…but the Archdiocese hasn’t been averse to lending its real estate for diverse entertainments. (Who can forget Crashed Ice?) This month, the Cathedral will feature both exterior and interior light shows designed to “celebrate the story of Christmas on a massive scale.” You know, kind of like if Hans Zimmer were the Little Drummer Boy.
Bring the Sing Solstice Celebration
It may seem like cheating to list a show where you’re the musical entertainment…but don’t worry, you’ll be in good company. Nur-D and Davina and the Vagabonds are among the artists leading a festive singalong at St. Paul’s historic Union Depot. Most of the light will be coming from your soul (don’t worry, it’s rechargeable), but not to be outdone by the big show up the hill, this solstice celebration will also include the world’s largest Lite-Brite sculpture. Hide it under a bushel? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Winter series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.
