Rice Park Delights Saint Paul Visitors this Holiday Season

Gingerbread House Contest and Decorated Trees Create Wild Winter Wonderland

Saint Paul, MN Saint Paul’s enchanting Rice Park will be transformed into a wintry wonderland this holiday season as figurines of classic nutcrackers, gingerbread men and a giant 75-foot decorated tree dazzle visitors to Rice Park. With the backdrop of the castle-like Landmark Center and glistening snowfalls, millions of twinkle lights will set the trees aglow, as a holiday train winds through the park and horses and carriages line up to give spectators rides around the downtown area. The stunning tree, lit with 30,000 multi colored LED lights, will be as tall as the iconic holiday tree in Rockefeller Center. The tree lighting event will take place on Saturday, November 28 at 6 pm and will feature a visit from Santa and musical entertainment.

Across the park, RiverCentre will host Saint Paul’s Wild Winter Wonderland featuring a gingerbread house contest by area chefs and a magical forest of artist-decorated trees which the public can view and bid on. The Thanksgiving weekend event will also include food and family-friendly activities. The Wells Fargo WinterSkate Ice Rink will be set up at Landmark Plaza across from Rice Park from November 28 through January 31 to complete the iconic scene. Free open skating will be featured Monday through Friday from 12-2 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 3 pm and from 5-10 pm. The rink will also be used for organized sports and group lessons.

Around Rice Park the Ordway Centre will feature Sister’s Christmas Catechism 11/19-12/27 and Beauty and the Beast from 12/15 – 1/3/10. The Saint Paul Hotel will offer special holiday teas including a Christmas Tea incorporating performances of It’s a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play from 12/14-16 and 12/20-23. For more of a historic perspective of the holidays, check out the Hill House Holidays at the James J. Hill House or the Ramsey House Holidays at the Alexander Ramsey House. Both historic sites are decorated to the hilt and offer tours with costumed guides depicting various holiday activities in turn-of-the-century Saint Paul.

For families with kids in tow, children’s activities and exhibits will also be scattered throughout the city. Santa’s Train Shop, at the Jackson Street Roundhouse near downtown Saint Paul runs weekends in December. Children can take pictures with Santa and experience steam locomotives. The Children’s Museum is another wonderful place for kids and will have themed exhibits during the holidays. Visitors can also take in the fabulous Titanic Artifact Exhibit at the Science Museum and view the omni film Titanica.

The holiday period is also a great chance to see the outstanding Greatest Generation exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.

Shopping is first and foremost for many visitors in November and December and the city offers an array of wonderful stores and special events where visitors can browse for that unique gift. December kicks off with two terrific shopping opportunities – the Grand Meander on Saint Paul’s Grand Avenue 12/5 is a holiday celebration along a collection of specialty and boutique shops located just north of downtown near the Cathedral and stately Summit Avenue. Visit the decked out one-of-a-kind shops, listen to carolers, ride trolleys and take the tots to Breakfast with Santa. That same weekend of 12/4-6, Landmark Center will feature its annual Holiday Bazaar, a must see for specialty gifts or new holiday items to spruce up your home. Don’t forget your ice skates to take the family for a spin on the adjacent outdoor ice rink.

Many visitors want to plan a stop at Mall of America, the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment center featuring over 500 specialty shops, dozens of restaurants, the new American Girl Store and Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park featuring exciting rides and lovable Nickelodeon characters such as Sponge Bob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer. Mall of America is located just 10 minutes from Saint Paul and is open daily.

Saint Paul also has wonderful gift shops within many of its fabulous museums, making it a great way to combine family fun and gift shopping. Check out the shops within the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Art and the Science Museum of Minnesota for educational gifts for all ages.

The Twin Cities area has more theater seats per capita than any other city with the exception of New York, so it’s no surprise that many visitors combine holiday shopping and outdoor activities with theatrical performances while visiting Saint Paul. Theatrical offerings include Holy Bells, A Deer Camp Christmas at the Lowry Theater 11/27-1/3-10, Fezziwig’s Feast by Actors Theatre at the Harriet Island Pavilion 12/3-20, Sisters of Swing at the History Theatre 11/21-12/20, Of Mice and Men at [Back to Press Releases Main]