Things To Do

St. Paul?s European Christmas Market started small, just 12 stalls open for three days. It?s grown immensely since then. This year the event runs 12 days with 60 kiosks. The event takes place outdoors, at the Union Depot the first three weekends in December. The market offers handmade European gifts, food and beverages.

Gingerbread Wonderland is back at the Norway House in Minneapolis. Hundreds of cookie creations are on display including notable local landmarks like the John H. Stevens house and the Highland Park water tower. There?s also an incredible depiction of Norway?s Arctic Cathedral. The event runs through January 8th. The Norway House is open Tuesday through Sunday.

For the first time in three years, children are back sitting on Santa's lap at the Mall Of America (MOA), but that's not the only change you may notice at The Santa Experience this year.

This massive holiday light display dances in time to the best songs of the season. Grab a snack from the festive food & drink vendors and enjoy the show. The event runs November 24 through January 1.

FOX 9's Shayne Wells stops by the Fika Cafe at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis to check out the holiday menu.

One of Minnesota?s most iconic department stories is back for the holidays and offering up a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. The Winter Maker?s Market has returned and expanded. There are 65 local vendors including many heritage brands from Minnesota. The shops take up much of the lower level including the former JB Hudson space and don?t miss the Grande Gallery on the skyway level. The market will be open through January 13th, Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Bootstrap Coffee Roasters is now Backstory Coffee Roasters and they’ve opened a second location in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood. Backstory has a beautiful new space with vaulted ceilings and velvet wallpaper inside the lobby of The Duffey Flats. Many historic elements of the buildings past helped shape its design. The wallpaper was created with old photos of Minneapolis and the wood shelving is reclaimed wood from the building when it was the Minneapolis Iron Store. Backstory Coffee Roasters Minneapolis location is open seven days a week from 7am to 3pm. The space can also be used for co-working.

The flowers are in bloom and waterfalls flowing at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. But in this case, they?re just part of the winter lights experience that opens to the public on Thursday, November 17th. This is the 6th year for the botanical-themed event and it boasts many new additions including a s?mores village with fire pits, more butterflies and giant glowing winter willow tree. The stops are closer together than years past so the total walk is about three-quarters of a mile. Also, the towering poinsettia tree is back at the Oswald Visitor Center. Winter Lights at the Arb runs through January 1st. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time online.

Netflix series "Bridgerton" truly captured people?s attention with its vivid take on London?s high society circa the early 1800s. The music, the costumes, the dancing and even the queen appear to have all been plucked off the screen and placed in the Twin Cities for ?The Queen?s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience.? The event runs through December 30th and takes place inside the Lighthouse Artspace.

After a pandemic pause, Minnesota Roller Derby returns starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. This new season will come with changes in the form of all new home teams that have been completely re-drafted. Those teams will have new names and logos as well, but don’t fret, the halftime dance party will stay the same. Fans can purchase tickets at the door or on Ticketmaster.