Things To Do

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is home to the oldest male polar bear in North America. In fact, Neil is celebrating his 29th birthday Dec. 9. It’s a two-fer because his companion Nan is also another year older turning 30. She’s now in a three-way tie for oldest female polar bear in North America. The celebration included cupcakes on top of decorated barrels. Their roommate Kulu also got to enjoy the party and had the most fun. At just 5- years old, he continued to play with the barrels long after the cupcakes were gone. The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Claw machine arcades are popping up all over the Twin Cities. These types of machines are quite popular in Japan and are typically filled with colorful plushies. Neko Clawww is one of the newest spots in Roseville. And while claw machines are one of the most frustrating arcade games, the staff there will "fluff" the machine if you’re striking out. Neko Clawww is open seven days a week on Lexington Avenue near Larpenteur Avenue. There are similar arcades in Bloomington and Maplewood as well.

Bring on the lights! Glow Holiday Festival is back for year five. They’ve placed more than a million lights inside CHS Field in St. Paul. This is a walk-through experience with food and beverage options plus a zip line and giant slide. GLOW Holiday Festival runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 5, 2025, from 5-9 p.m. on select nights.

One of the most charming holiday events in the Twin Cities has opened for the season. Night Trains runs every Saturday evening from 3-7 p.m. through the last Saturday in February. The museum adds holiday lights to the miniature towns and trains while also dimming the lights inside so it glows. The museum is marking 90 years, and this is the 30th year of Night Trains. The museum is located at 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8 in St. Paul. Admission to this special show is $15 per person and free for children ages 4 and under.

This time of year, lutefisk dinners are a popular destination for those with Scandinavian heritage in the Midwest. Dan Haglund, of Sons of Norway, joined FOX 9 All Day to chat about a recent lutefisk dinner in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

A German-style market inspired by Chicago’s Christkindl Market is coming to Minneapolis this winter. FOX 9’s Se Kwon has more on the holiday festivities.

A collection of dolls is bringing steady crowds to The Museum of Russian Art. The ‘A Thousand Nesting Dolls’ exhibition will be on display through March 9. The show includes some of the earliest dolls ever created and shows the craft as it developed over the years with a large variety of styles and themes. The museum is located at 5500 Stevens Ave. in Minneapolis. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.