Twin Cities weekend: Holiday markets, Santa Cycle, Annunciation tree sale
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It's probably time to start your holiday shopping, and there's no shortage of places to look for the perfect gift.
- While not an exhaustive list, here are some of my picks for this weekend's markets in the Twin Cities and beyond.
🇸🇪 Cultural experiences
- Browse a Scandinavian marketplace at American Swedish Institute's Julmarknad Friday-Sunday, featuring over 60 artisans, live music, crafts and authentic food. ($12-$24)
- French cultural nonprofit Alliance Française will sell gifts with French flair at Marché de Noël in St. Paul Saturday morning. (Free, $10 donation suggested)
- La Doña Cervecería in Minneapolis hosts its third Guatemalan Holiday Market on Saturday, featuring handmade textiles, jewelry, home decor and more by Guatemalan artisans. (Free)
🚗 Worth a drive
- Over 150 vendors with handmade goods and vintage treasures will take over Canterbury Park Friday-Sunday for the return of Junk Bonanza. ($10-$20)
- Try bock-pocking with a glass of gluhwein in hand at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter's open-air Christkindlmarkt in Stillwater on Saturday. (Free)
- Grab a fresh-baked pie and locally made crafts at Aamodt's Apple Farm's Holiday Craft Market, also Saturday in Stillwater. (Free)
🎁 The tried-and-true
- The European Christmas Market is back in St. Paul Fridays-Sundays with 80+ booths, while Dayton's Holiday Market in downtown Minneapolis is open daily with over 100 vendors. (Both free)
- Arts and crafts show No Coast Craft-O-Rama celebrates its 20th year this Saturday-Sunday with a market featuring 60+ artisans. (Free)
More things to do ...
🎅 Bike Minneapolis dressed like Saint Nick at Saturday's Santa Cycle Rampage, where festive cyclists cruise to six different breweries wearing their holiday best. Start at 10am in the North Loop or join along the way. Free
🚙 Watch a holiday classic on the big screen at National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Day in Columbia Heights on Saturday. Rail Werks Brewing Depot will also host pre-movie trivia, an ugly sweater contest and an improv show. Free
- If you're feeling brave, bundle up for a screening of "Elf" in Northeast Minneapolis on Friday night; hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows provided. Free
💞 Get your tree while supporting Annunciation families at the Catholic church's Christmas tree sale this weekend. All funds raised benefit Annunciation Community Fund throughout the year, per the church. Free entry
⚙️ Prepare for winter driving at Car Care 101, a low-cost basic car maintenance class hosted by the St. Paul Tool Library on Sunday.
- The 90-minute session includes hands-on demonstrations, a Q&A and coverage of basic mechanical principles. $15