Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.

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Just some of this week’s highlights include the annual Winterer’s Gathering & Arctic Film Festival, Christmas City of the North Parade, Cheese and Chocolate Weekend, AC/DC at the Excel Center, a Holiday Gathering, and Christmas in our City.

Northern Minnesota

The North House Folk School in Grand Marais will hold their annual Winterer’s Gathering & Arctic Film Festival from Thursday through Sunday, November 20-23. This multi-day educational event celebrates the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional ways of life in the north. Participants will enjoy winter travel seminars, courses and workshops complimented by inspiring and thought-provoking international films about arctic life. To learn more, dial 1-888-387-9762, or visit www.northhouse.org

The Christmas City of the North Parade will be held Friday, November 21 in Canal Park and throughout downtown Duluth, with colorful lighted floats, marching bands and pageantry. And on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 & 23, head to Lake Superior College in Duluth for the annual Festival of Trees, with over 140 of the area’s top crafters and vendors participating. To find out more, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or check out www.visitduluth.com

The 12th Annual Snowflake Parade will take place along Main Street in Cambridge on November 22. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Chili Feed at the American Legion. For more information, dial 763/689-2034

The Trek North High School in Bemidji will be the site of the Bemidji Community Art Festival on November 22. In addition to fine arts and crafts by area artists, there will be art activities for children, and theater and live music performances offered throughout the day. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or visit www.visitbemidji.com

The “Polar Express” will depart from Fitger’s Brewery Complex in Duluth each Friday through Sunday, November 28 through December 21. Passengers will travel along the Lake Walk, disembark at the Lake Superior Railroad museum, and enjoy a walkway lit by luminaries and an enchanting antique model railroad display. To learn more, dial 1-800-423-1273, or check out www.northshorescenicrailroad.org

Pelican Rapids will hold a Christmas Kickoff & Lighted Horse Parade on Friday, November 28. Highlights include a lighted horse parade with horses and floats decorated with holiday lights, as well as old-fashioned music, carolers, the lighting of the community tree, a kids’ dance performance, and other old-fashioned Christmas activities. To find out more, dial 218/863-1221, or visit www.pelicanrapidschamber.com

The 17th Annual World-Famous Fish House Parade, seen in USA Today and on A&E, HGTV and Comedy Central, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on November 28 through downtown Aitkin. Come see decked-out fish houses, wacky floats, and celebrity guests. In addition, there will be live music, lots of food, craft sales, and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information, dial 1-800-526-8342, or check out www.aitkin.com

The city of Melrose will offer the annual Melrose Holiday Kick-Off on November 28, with a visit from Santa and his reindeer at Lake Wobegon Trail Park, the Mini-Dazzle Parade, fireworks over the Sauk River Park, and family activities all afternoon and evening. For further information, dial 320/256-7174, or visit www.melrosemn.org

The ‘Twas The Lights Before Christmas Parade & Oldtime Christmas will be held November 28 throughout International Falls. Come enjoy a wonderful parade with floats, bands, and ice shanties. Afterwards, head to Smokey Bear Park for cookies, hot chocolate and dog sled rides. And on Saturday, November 29, head to Cinema 5 for Movies with Santa. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

On Saturday, November 22, head to Calhoun Square in Minneapolis for the annual Coffee Festival, and enjoy the best coffee, tea and desserts offered in the Twin Cities. For more information, dial 612/824-1240, or visit www.calhounsquare.com

A Cheese and Chocolate Weekend will be offered Saturday and Sunday, November 22 & 23, at six wineries along the Three Rivers Wine Trail, all located within the St. Croix, Mississippi, and Cannon River valleys. Wine lovers can spend a day or a weekend visiting wineries, and sampling local cheeses, wonderful chocolates and quality wines. Call Alexis Bailly Vineyard, at 651/437-1413, or check out www.threeriverswinetrail.com for more information.

2008 Target Holidazzle Parades will begin Friday evening, November 28, and run each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 21. Each parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall, traveling between 12th and 4th streets, and features brightly lit floats, marching bands, celebrity grand marshals, and costumed characters from popular children’s stories. Before or after the parade, head to Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis for their annual Holiday Display in their 8th Floor Auditorium. To learn more, dial 612/376-SNOW, or visit www.holidazzle.com

On Friday, November 28, various locations in Taylors Falls will offer Holiday Festivities, including the Holiday at the Depot Art & Craft Sale, Christmas at the 1855 Folsom House Museum, and a performance by the Pleasant Valley Cloggers, the Grand Lighting of the Village & a Santa Parade and more in downtown Taylors Falls. Then on Saturday, November 29, Taylors Falls will be the site of a Wassail Party Craft Fair, when area crafters will sell a wide array of beautiful holiday gifts in the Community Center and Town House School. To find out more, dial 1-800-447-4958, or check out www.taylorsfallschamber.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, November 20-23
Susan Tedeschi at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 21
AC/DC at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, November 23
Leo Kottke with David Hidalgo & Louie Perez of Los Lobos at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 29
Peter Mayer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, November 29
Linda Eder-Home For Christmas at the Historic State Theatre, December 4
The Blenders-Holiday Soul Tour 2008 at the Pantages Theatre, December 4-7
Gretchen Wilson at The Myth in Maplewood, December 5
Kenny G. at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 5
A Sugar Plum Dream at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, December 6
Michael W. Smith at the Xcel Energy Center, December 6
The New Standards at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 6
Lorie Line at the Historic State Theatre, December 6-13
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center, December 7
John Trones’ Christmas In The City at the Pantages Theatre, December 8
The 29th Annual John Lennon Tribute featuring Curtiss A at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 8
Harry Connick, Jr. — A Holiday Celebration Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 9
Oasis, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals at the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 10
Brian Regan at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 11
The Steeles at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 12
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 12 & 13
Dan Wilson at the Pantages Theatre, December 13
Celtic Thunder at the Target Center, December 15
Sister Hazel at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 16
All is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre, December 18-21
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Package at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, December 18-21
Chip Davis’ Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 19 & 20
The Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre, December 19-24
Soul Asylum at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 19
Peter Ostroushko at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 20
The Gear Daddies at the Fine Line Music Cafe, December 26
The Bodeans at First Avenue, December 29
The Blue Man Group at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 30
Grease at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 30 through January 4
Reel Big Fish at The Epic in Minneapolis, January 10
Sesame Street Live-Elmo’s Green Thumb at the Target Center, January 14
Adele at the Fitzgerald Theater, January 20
Jewel at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, January 27
Spring Awakening at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, January 27
Freestyle Motocross at the Target Center, February 7
Annie at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 12
Fiddler On the Roof at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 24
Movin’ Out-Music By Billy Joel at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 6
Rent at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, March 25
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

Southern Minnesota

Bluff Valley Campground in Zumbro Falls will be the site of the KTTC Light Maze at Bluff Valley each Wednesday through Sunday evening, through November 30. This 1.5 mile drive-thru light tour features over 450 light displays, roughly 200 animated displays, nightly live entertainment, and Pepsi Night Light Park & Play activities including Night Light miniature golf, disc-golf, basketball-golf and wagon rides. Dinner buffets are also offered. To learn more, dial 1-877-467-3348, or visit www.BluffValley.com

Christmas in the Country will be held each Friday through Sunday, through December 7, at Thorn Crest Farm in Dundas, located just southwest of Northfield. Activities and highlights include cut-your-own Christmas trees, crafts, evergreen wreaths and garland, dried flowers, and a gift shop. A special visit with Santa Claus will also be offered on December 6. To learn more, dial 507/645-4182

The city of Fairmont will hold its annual Glows Parade on Friday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m., with wonderful floats, thousands of lights, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Afterwards, head to Immanuel Lutheran Church for a Chili and Oyster Stew Supper. To find out more, dial 507/235-5547, or visit www.fairmontchamber.org

Christmas in our City will be held Saturday, November 22, in downtown Waseca. This holiday kick-off features an official lighting of the tree at the courthouse, sleigh rides, a parade, the arrival of Santa Claus by fire truck, and lots of cookies and hot chocolate. To learn more, dial 507/835-3260, or check out www.wasecamn.info

Lake City will hold its annual Holiday Gathering on November 22, with a multitude of deals and store specials, drawings, the unveiling of the holiday decorations and lights, Christmas carolers, hot chocolate, and more! For further information, dial 1-800-369-4123, or visit www.lakecity.org

The annual Holidaze Parade & Festivities will be held November 22 throughout downtown Willmar. Highlights will include fun adult and children’s activities, a chili supper at Bethel Church, a tree lighting ceremony in Selvig Park, the Holidaze Parade, and a post-parade party at Northern Grounds. For more information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or check out www.seeyouinwillmar.com

The 7th Annual Downtown Red Wing Holiday Stroll will take place Friday, November 28, with a spectacular holiday lighting ceremony, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, a chili feed, holiday parade, live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, prize give-aways, carolers, and musical performances. To learn more, dial 651/388-7737, or visit www.redwingholidaystroll.com

The city of Blue Earth will host Christmas Wonderland on the Town from Saturday, November 29 through New Years Eve, December 31. Come drive through this charming city and see spectacular animated holiday light displays. Then on Saturday morning, November 29, enjoy the annual Scarfing of the Jolly Green Giant, and share some treats with Santa Claus at Green Giant Park. To find out more, dial 507/526-2916, or check out www.blueearthchamber.com

Winter can be a special time of year.  Many savor the season that turns Minnesota into a snowy wonderland, and brings with it some special treats. Here are ten to try.  Some are winter-only fun, and others are things that are especially great to do in the winter.

1.  Hibernate…..But Not at Home!

If your idea of the perfect winter activity is to cozy in, go right ahead!  But, as an antidote to cabin fever, and as a special treat, plan a hibernation getaway at a resort or inn.  Indulge and find someplace with a fireplace and whirlpool.  If the kids are coming along, choose a motel with a pool for them to romp in.  Bring games to play, books to read and movies to watch.  An added bonus to hibernating away from home: there’s no nagging house chores to do.  Just hang out and relax.  And maybe, after all that relaxing, you’ll get a hankering to take a break from your hibernation…..and take a winter walk!

• Find a place to stay

2. Take a Hike.

And this winter, if nature cooperates, try a snowshoe hike.  The interest in snowshoeing has skyrocketed in the past several years.  Twenty state parks and a number of resorts offer snowshoe rentals (call ahead; rentals may only be available on weekends).  Although the first few steps may feel awkward, most people find they are soon able to navigate easily over the snow cover. You can snowshoe anywhere in state parks except on groomed ski trails, and several parks offer learn-to-snowshoe guided hikes.  Some state parks offer snowshoe hikes to watch for animal tracks in the snow, and others offer moonlight snowshoe hikes.  See the list of snowshoe programs and other naturalist events at state parks this winter on the calendar at mndnr.gov

3. Go to the Tropics.

Yes, you can get a taste of the tropics right here in Minnesota.  Ramble along the Tropics Trail at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.  It’s warm and humid, with lush green foliage and colorful orchids. The residents range from flamingos to tree kangaroos, and the giant coral reef tank of colorful tropical fish is downright mesmerizing.   Another hot spot is the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, a beautiful glass jewel in St. Paul’s Como Park.  Stroll through the fern room, the sunken garden with its seasonal displays, and the Palm Dome, with tall tropical palms, flowering orchids and bromeliads.  A recent conservatory addition is the Tropical Encounters rainforest.  See mahogany and banana trees, sting rays, leaf-cutter ants, free-flying birds and many other rainforest plants and animals.  The zoo and conservatory can transport you across the globe, to another climate entirely.  For more info:

• mnzoo.org
• comozooconservatory.org

4. Savor Some Spa Time.

These are a treat anytime, but somehow, especially deserved during the winter, when dry air takes a toll.  Facials and skin treatments, nail treatments, various massages and other body treatments, such as oil wraps, replenish moisture and are simply relaxing.  It’s even more of a treat when you don’t have to rush home afterward, but make it part of a getaway.  Several resorts and lodges near Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Alexandria and elsewhere have on-site spas.  A country estate near Litchfield became Birdwing Spa more than 20 years ago, and focuses totally on spa services, wellness classes and fitness activities, including tai chi and yoga, along with a healthy spa cuisine.  For more info:

• List lodging with spa services on-site

5. Get to a Game.

It’s one thing to watch the game from the couch, but it’s another thing entirely, much more engaging, to be there in person.  Winter means hockey and basketball to sports fans.  Get your tickets now and be in the stands for all the excitement.  Check the sports listings on page 8 of this issue of the Explorer for the schedules for home games for the Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves, and University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

• View home game schedules for pro sports

6.  Go for a Scenic Drive.

Really!  One of the things to love about winter is that it can be incredibly beautiful.  The scenic places you visit in the summer or fall are just as scenic in the winter, in an entirely different way.  The North Shore Scenic Drive, following Highway 61 along the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior, offers amazing views: frozen waterfalls, a deep meringue of snow frosting the pines, massive chunks of ice piled up along the Superior shore.  To the south, Highway 61 follows the Mississippi River between Red Wing and LaCrescent.  Blue-green ice decorates the soaring limestone bluffs, and at some points the drive offers panoramic views of the winter landscape.  For more info:

• www.superiorbyways.com
• www.mnmississippiriver.com

7.  Make It Romantic.

Reserve a room in a lovely B&B or historic inn, enjoy a special dinner out, and spend some quality time with your very special person.  Because really, what’s more important?  The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association prints a guide to more than 100 inns throughout the state.  Resorts, lodges and luxury hotels in the city provide lots of other options.  For more info:

• List Minnesota bed and breakfasts
• www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org

8.  Splash Down at a Waterpark.

Take a winter break with the kids, and find the kid in yourself at the same time.  There are now numerous indoor waterparks in Minnesota, at hotels and resorts across the state.  The young and young at heart are entertained for hours with slides and tubes, water buckets, water geysers, lazy river tube rides and more wet fun and games. Most waterparks have areas geared toward the small fry, as well as adventures for the older kids.  There are several hotels with extensive indoor waterparks in the Brainerd/Baxter and Twin Cities areas, and in several other cities from Owatonna to Duluth to Thief River Falls.

• List lodging with indoor waterparks

9. Try Ice Fishing.

It’s the winter sport anyone can do!  It’s low-tech, no frills fishing and a good excuse to hang out with your kids (and learn something new together) or with your friends and enjoy a winter day.  You can sit on a stool in the open air and bask in the sun, or fish from the warmth of a heated ice house (some come with bunks and other comforts).  Dozens of resorts can set you up for a day or weekend of ice fishing.  Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs and Leech are among the biggest ice fishing haunts, but dozens of resorts on smaller lakes offer ice fishing as well.

• List ice fish house rentals

10.  Frolic at a Festival.

Minnesotans certainly know how to play with winter.  There are winter festivals all across the state, featuring the kind of fun you can only have this season of the year.  There are all kinds of fun and games, from the classic to the somewhat crazy.  For instance, there’s the frozen lefse fling at Ole and Lena Days in Granite Falls, turkey bowling during the St. James Winter Carnival, the mukluk ball at Ely’s Winter Carnival, golf on ice at the Wayzata Chilly Open, a polar plunge at Detroit Lakes (they do it in Duluth, too) and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run for the hardy during Ice Box Days at International Falls.  There’s the bizarre, but also the beautiful, with dazzling, intricate ice sculptures at several festivals, including the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the granddaddy of them all.

• Find festivals and events

With good reason, Twin Cities stages grab the spotlight for their line-up of theater, music and dance performances. But smaller stages in greater Minnesota offer some fine entertainment in towns that make fun weekend getaways. Most of these venues are little known out of their own communities, but they are worth checking out to catch some interesting performances. Some of these stages are in architectural gems.

For instance, plan an out-of-town New Year’s Eve to take in one of these concerts: the popular a cappella group Tonic Sol Fa at Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud, a Bluegrass New Year’s Eve with Monroe Crossing at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, or The Lettermen with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra in Duluth. Both the Sheldon and the Paramount are beautifully renovated classic theaters from the early 1900s.

Another architectural landmark is The Depot in downtown Duluth, home to several arts groups including the Duluth Playhouse. This winter’s line-up at the Playhouse includes “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “The Full Monty.” A classic St. Cloud Elks Club built in 1913 is now Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre. Among the winter productions are Neil Simon’s comedy “Barefoot in the Park” and Ken Kesey’s drama “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Several arts organizations are represented on Rochester’s entertainment calendar. The Rochester Repertory Theatre Company, celebrating its 25th anniversary season, is offering David Mamet’s comedy “Boston Marriage” in January and Wendy Wasserstein’s drama “Third” in March. The Rochester Civic Theatre has four productions on its stage this winter, beginning with “A Christmas Carol.” At the Mayo Civic Center, enjoy the Daddy Mack Blues Band from Memphis, Jan. 17, or the rock duo Air Supply, Feb. 8.

In nearby Winona, the St. Mary’s University Performance Center brings in some impressive talent every year. Among the highlights this season are pianist George Winston, Dec. 19; the Russian National Ballet performing “Sleeping Beauty,” Jan. 27; and Acrobats of China, Feb. 3. While you’re in town, visit the relatively new Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Further south is a little theater company with a big reputation, the Commonweal Theatre, now in a new state-of-the-art theater in Lanesboro. “A Christmas Carol” runs Nov. 29-Dec. 22.

These are just some samples of what’s happening around the state. Many of these venues also offer productions geared toward children. For more info on arts statewide:

• List upcoming theater
• List upcoming music & dance

Have you ever seen the intricate details of an eagle’s feathers or watch an eagle dive for lunch? It’s fascinating to see a bald eagle up close through a spotting scope, and amazing to have dozens to watch. This special experience is available all winter along parts of the Mississippi River in southeast Minnesota where the water doesn’t freeze. Migrating and resident eagles gather here to fish the open water.

Depending on how much of the river is free of ice, and whether the fall or spring migrations are taking place, more than a hundred eagles might be spotted at some locations, especially along a five-mile stretch of the river between Wabasha and the tiny village of Reads Landing. Three scenic pullouts along Highway 61 near Reads Landing offer good viewing.

In Wabasha, the National Eagle Center (877-332-4537), in a new facility right on the river, offers viewing through spotting scopes and binoculars on a deck along the river, or on cold days, just inside through floor-to-ceiling windows. On a typical winter day, dozens of eagles perch in trees along the river or sit on the ice. The spotting scopes provide incredible, up-close views of these magnificent birds. The scopes are available November through mid-March, when the spring eagle migration peaks. Inside, the center has exhibits all about eagles and some resident eagles you can observe right in front of you in a viewing area.

Another good place for eagle watching is at Colvill Park on the south side of Red Wing, just off Hwy. 61. From Feb. 14-Mar. 22, six Eagle Spot Weekends here offer spotting scopes and binoculars; experienced volunteers are available to answer questions about eagles. For more information, check with the Red Wing Visitors Bureau, 800-498-3444.

A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails, and all snowmobiles must have a $16 trail use permit. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. You may order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers at 1-888-665-4236. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html