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Winter can be tough in Minnesota… but if you embrace it, it really is a magical time of the year. From festive events, outdoor adventures, and cozy indoor activities, there is no shortage of reasons to embrace the Minnesota winters and make the most of this enchanting season. In this guide, I invite you to discover this magic during winter. Whether you are a local seeking new experiences or a visitor eager to explore, here is an ultimate list of Minneapolis winter activities!

Minneapolis Winter Activities For The Spectator

Sports Game (Wild Hockey Game, Vikings Football Game, Timberwolves Basketball Game)

Websites: Wild, Vikings, Timberwolves

Enjoy a winter favorite by cheering on Minnesota’s professional sports teams! Through hockey (Wild), basketball (Timberwolves), and football (Vikings), these games provide an exciting atmosphere.

Comedy Show

Website: Acme Comedy Club

Have a night of laughter at a comedy show in Minneapolis. Embrace the ambiance of the city’s comedy venues and top-notch comedians, providing the perfect remedy for those winter blues. My favorite comedy venue is Acme Comedy Club or for a smaller, more casual venue with free or very cheap tickets try Sisyphus Brewing.

Movie / Play

Websites: Children’s Theater Company, Orpheum Theater, Guthrie Theater, AMC Theaters

Enjoying a movie night out or seeing a play is a perfect winter activity. I love the Orpheum Theater, but if you have kids, the Children’s Theater Company is a great option! Additionally, the Guthrie Theater is incredible for sophisticated plays. Many movies come out around the holidays so make sure to check out the upcoming movies.

Minneapolis Winter Activities For The Doer

Klondike Dog Derby

Website: Klondike Dog Derby

The annual Dog Sled Races in Excelsior, MN is a must for your Minneapolis winter activities list! You get to witness the thrilling tradition of dog sled racing! A skilled musher and their canine teams race through downtown Excelsior onto the frozen Lake Minnetonka. The dogs are exciting to watch and the environment is fun in the heart of winter in early February. Check out the website for the latest dates and schedules.

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival / Luminary Loppet

Website: City Of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

Experience the magic of winter at The Loppet, a Minneapolis winter festival on Lake of The Isles. The event is hosted by the Loppet Foundation which provides year-round programs to connect people to the outdoors. The festival celebrates winter sports through cross-country skiing races and snowshoeing and offers a diverse range of other outdoor activities for all ages. Additionally, the Luminary Loppet occurs at the same time and you can walk or cross-country ski through a candle-lit trail.

Outdoor Sports (Ice Skating, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Sledding, Ice Fishing)

Website: Outdoor Sports

Embrace the winter wonderland with a variety of outdoor sports! There are so many ways to truly embrace winter by getting outside. Check out the Minneapolis Parks website to find out where to do these activities and information regarding renting equipment.

Sauna Experience

A sauna experience is an immersive journey through relaxation and rejuvenation. Often combining the chill with the heat of the sauna, it is a perfect and unique winter activity. Pop-up saunas and sauna villages are extremely popular, so why not give it a try for yourself?! 

Sauna Village Hosted by The Great Northern: This is a sauna village located at The Market at Malcolm Yards and you get to immerse yourself in sauna culture. You are able to explore various types of saunas and experience multiple forms of heat, steam, and aromatherapy with the contrast of the cold winter air and snow.

Hewing Hotel: This hotel features a rooftop spa with a hot tub and sauna that overlook the Minneapolis skyline which all guests can enjoy. There are often sauna events such as this one which is a guided sauna steam aromatherapy and cold soak experience led by experts at Stokeyeard Outfitters. 

Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna: This is in Duluth, but it’s an incredible experience with a stand-alone sauna overlooking Lake Superior. You can book a private sauna session with just your group or hop in with others on a public day. You can switch off between sweating in the sauna and shivering in the cold via a cold water bucket, or depending on the weather, just stepping outside or taking a dip in Lake Superior. You will be provided with electrolytes and hot tea, as well as steam and essential oils for the sauna.

Minneapolis Winter Activities For The Explorer

Breweries, Restaurants, and Coffee Shops

Winter is the best time of the year to explore new breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops around Minneapolis! There are SO many! The comforting ambiance of all of these creates a go-to Minneapolis winter activity. 

A few of my recommendations:

Breweries:

• Utepils: Large indoor space and a large outdoor beer garden for the winter
• Forgotten Star: Outdoor curling rinks with a warming hut

Restaurants:

• Pizzeria Lola: Creative and delicious pizza owned by the award-winning chef Ann-Kim
• Gai Noi: Laotion restaurant that made the Times list of America’s 50 best restaurants
• Khaluna: Perfect way to feel like you have escaped the winter with its resort-style featuring creative Loation cuisines

Coffee Shops:

• Café Cerés: Coffee shop serving pastries from an award-winning pastry chef
• Backstory Coffee Roasters: Stunning ambiance and seasonal specialty coffee drinks
• FRGMT Coffee: A modern coffee shop that has a large, airy sitting area
• Shortwave Coffee: Neighborhood coffee shop with simple, but fun decor

European Christmas Market

Website: European Christmas Market

St. Paul has an incredible Christmas Market! It is set up like a traditional European Christmas Market and incorporates music entertainment and stalls selling handcrafted items and food. It is a great addition to your holiday traditions! The goal of the market is to provide a cultural event for the whole family and keep the traditions alive.

Mall of America (MOA)

Website: MOA

Mall of America has it all! Escape the cold by shopping, enjoying a thrilling amusement park, seeing a movie, playing mini-golf, eating at one of the many restaurants, and much more!

Walker Art Center, Minnesota Institute of Art (MIA), and Cafesjian Art Trust

Websites: Walker Art Center, Minnesota Institute of Art (MIA), Cafesjian Art Trust

Nourish your artistic soul at Minneapolis’ renowned cultural institutions. Immerse yourself in contemporary art at the Walker Art Center, explore the diverse collections at the FREE Minnesota Insititute of Art (MIA), and experience the intersection of art and culture at the Cafesjian Art Trust.

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This list of Minneapolis winter activities offers well-rounded experiences. From the exhilaration of sports events to the warmth of cultural venues and the joy of outdoor adventures, these activities collectively paint a vibrant picture of winter life in Minneapolis. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, art lover, or seeking winter thrills, Minneapolis in the winter has something to offer!

Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! I would love to give you more activities to survive the Minnesota winters!