What to do in Minnesota: 5 things to do this weekend (Dec. 13-15)
File photo person takes a photo with a camera on a tripod of the Milky Way. (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Go stargazing at a dark sky festival, shop for baked goods, or check out holiday light displays at events this weekend.
Dark Sky Festival
- Cook County, Minnesota
- Dec. 12-14
- Some events are free while others have a fee
Cook County is hosting its sixth annual Dark Sky Festival to celebrate having one of the darkest skies in the world. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is just one of 17 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries on Earth, and is the largest with just over a million acres, according to their website.
The jam-packed weekend includes both indoor and outdoor activities to celebrate the night sky. Participate in nighttime walks and telescope viewing, arts and crafts activities, presentations with NASA, documentary screenings, and more. Find more information on the festival and full itinerary here.
Coon Rapids tree lighting festival
- Boulevard Plaza, Coon Rapids
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- Free to attend
Get into the holiday spirit at the Coon Rapids tree lighting festival. The event features live music, coco and cookies, fire pits to stay warm, tree lighting, fireworks and more.
The event is free to attend and runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, click here.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights
- Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth
- Nov. 23-Dec. 28
- Free
America's largest free walk-through light display returns to the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth. Santa and Mrs. Claus return, as well as bonfires for marshmallows, popcorn and hot cocoa. Find more information here.
2024 Holiday Bake Sale at Union Depot
- Union Depot, St. Paul
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- Free to attend
The Union Depot is hosting more than 40 local Twin Cities bakeries and food vendors at the 2024 Holiday Bake Sale. People can shop for sweet treats while enjoying musical performances.
The event is free to attend on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, click here.
Bloomington indoor farmers market
- Bloomington Civic Center
- Saturday, Dec. 14.
- Free to attend
Enjoy the Bloomington Farmers Market while indoors on Saturday, Dec. 14. You can shop at more than 40 vendors for handmade gifts, seasonal decor, baked goods and more.
The farmers market hosts four indoor dates from November through March. The event on Saturday runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To see a full list of vendors, click here.