My Hot Picks for adventures include the Lunar Eclipse Snowshoe experience, the release of the award-winning Silhouette Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, the amazing Kristin Chenoweth performs with the Minnesota Orchestra, tour the Capitol for the Arts and Artists tour or celebrate MLK weekend by visiting the 1968 exhibit before it closes.
Dec. 8 – Jan. 27, Bloomington
Skate the Star
Mall of America is excited to announce a new experience for guests this holiday season! Skate the Star is a custom-built ice rink located at the North entrance of MOA®. Skating o the 12,000 square-foot ice rink is free if you bring your skates; skate rental is available for $5. Mall of America. 952-883-8800
Jan. 4 – Feb. 28, St. Paul
Omnifest
The very popular annual Omnitheater film festival begins January 4 at the Science Museum of Minnesota’s William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater with five films running in rotation on its 90-foot domed screen. Included in this year’s festival are Ring of Fire, Journey to Space, National Parks Adventure, The Greatest Places, and Tornado Alley. 651-221-9444
Jan. 12 – Feb. 28, Excelsior
Ice Castles
Ice Castles is the must-see winter wonderland where fairy tales are brought to life with twinkling lights, magnificent archways and towers, ice-carved tunnels, fountains and slides ready to be explored. The Commons. 866-435-2850
Jan. 17-26 (Thursdays through Saturdays), Minneapolis
Naked Stages
The 2018 Pillsbury House Theatre Naked Stages fellows, A.P. Looze, Anat Shinar, and Chitra Vairavan, will each premiere an original performance. A creative opportunity unlike any other in Minnesota, Naked Stages is the culmination of a 7 month training fellowship that provides four emerging performance artists with the time, resources and mentorship they need to bring their distinctive visions to life on stage. Pillsbury House + Theatre. 612-825-0459
Jan. 19, Stillwater
Silhouette Imperial Stout Bottles & Release Party 2019
Celebrate the release of the award-winning Silhouette Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with a full day of bottle pick-up, food and fun winter activities. As day turns to night, attend the Snowball Formal — come dressed in your most fancy-pants attire to get entered into free raffles for awesome prizes. Be sure to get your formal photo with your date before stepping into the winter wonderland filled with live music, unique barrel tastings, food, activities, dance contest, the crowning of the Snowball King and Queen (could be you!) and more great fun. Lift Bridge Brewery. 888-430-2337
Jan. 19, Minneapolis
Kristin Chenoweth with the Minnesota Orchestra
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth brings her sparkling wit, nonstop charm and incredible vocals back to Minneapolis for an encore of her phenomenal 2017 performance. Minnesota Orchestra. 612-371-5656
Jan. 19, St. Paul
Capitol Art & Artists Tour
See the grand murals, sculptures and lavish decorations at the Capitol, and learn about the elaborate conservation work recently performed to bring the art back to its original appearance. Hear stories about the artists, learn about the muralist movement in America, and see how the art, architecture, and overall decorative plan harmonize to make the Capitol one of the premier public buildings in the United States. Various rooms will also be open to tour, and two tours will be offered. Minnesota State Capitol. 651-296-2881
Jan. 19-21, St. Paul
MLK Weekend + “The 1968 Exhibit” Closing Family Activities
Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and reflect on the legacy of 1968 with art activities, service projects and performances throughout the weekend. Plus, stop in to see The 1968 Exhibit before it closes. Minnesota History Center. 651-259-3000
Jan. 20, Oakdale
Lunar Eclipse Snowshoe Adventure
Gather with others to watch the total lunar eclipse (aka the Blood Moon) while snowshoeing on a luminary-lit trail. Later, enjoy a roaring bonfire, hot cocoa and s’mores while watching the moon slowly disappear and turn red. Fee includes snowshoes, but you can also bring your own. Oakdale Discovery Center. 651-280-7299
Event highlights around the state this week include:
Jan. 18-19, Worthington
Winterfest
Jan. 19-21, St. Paul
MLK Weekend + “The 1968 Exhibit” Closing Family Activities
Jan. 18 – Feb. 10, Spicer
Spicer Winterfest
Jan. 18-19, Hackensack
Back to Hack Winter Festival
My Hot Picks for adventures include the Lunar Eclipse Snowshoe , celebrate the release of the award-winning Silhouette Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Kristin Chenoweth performs with the Minnesota Orchestra, tour the Capitol for the Arts and Artists tour or celebrate MLK weekend by visiting the 1968 exhibit before it closes.