Change is hard. I’m a creature of habit. For as long as I can remember, the holiday festivities in downtown Minneapolis were a highlight of the Christmas season. We’d wake up early on a Saturday morning to be first in line to see Santa after visiting the Macy’s 8th floor display. Then we’d shop a little, read some books at Barnes and Noble and go see the huge Christmas tree in the IDS tower. Around 5:00 we would head to the idyllic streets of Nicollet Mall to save our spot for the Holidazzle Parade. The only variable over the years is where we would eat (when my kids were little, it was hard to beat the quick service of the cafeteria-style Skyroom and as they have gotten older, we appreciate the ambiance and enhanced menu that The Oak Grill has to offer).
One year ago, as our family attended the final Holidazzle parade, I was curious about how the City of Minneapolis was going to replace this beloved tradition of so many Minnesotans. When I heard earlier this year that a German-inspired market – similar to Chicago’s Christkindlmarket – was in the works, I knew I would be there with bells and whistles on. Not only am I part German, but I also have a slight obsession with anything related to the region from my favorite musical, The Sound of Music.
These are a few of my favorite things from our recent trip to the Holidazzle Village and Minneapolis Holiday Market:
riding a darling carousel
seeing real reindeer
warming up with Caribou Hot Cocoa
listening to live music
tasting maple syrup
filling up the keepsake mug
writing letters to Santa
making Christmas crafts
finding fun ways to display said Christmas crafts
experiencing the magic of nighttime in downtown Minneapolis
A few words of caution…it was very crowded, like Disneyworld at Spring Break crowded. There were long lines to get in, long lines for the carousel, and don’t even think about using the restroom port-a-potties on site. There is an entrance fee for the market and I can only imagine how busy it would have been if the event was free. If I go again (I would love to take my German heritage parents), I would only go on a weekday when it is less crowded. The Market is not very stroller-friendly, so if you have a baby or toddler, plan for alternate accommodations.
Yes, change is hard. But in the spirit of Christmas…this is one change I am going to embrace.
So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu-
Karri
1 comment
Thank you for the review! i’ll be in the cities on the 21st and am considering swinging in to check it out. I’m not 100% I suppose it depends on the weather that day.