Things to do in the Twin Cities, the week of 12/9

Things are a little slower this week as we head into much busier weeks ahead with the holidays!

Things to do for the Family

Top Pick: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train with Sheryl Crow

     Come out to enjoy a free concert, see the train and donate to a good cause. Cottage Grove will be one stop this Saturday on a nation-wide tour of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to create awareness and to drive donations for local food shelves. While the event is free you are heavily encouraged to bring a donation, so don't be a mooch! The North Pole station, which opens at 4pm will be set up in the city and will feature family-oriented activities including ice-carving, hot chocolate, and a chance for kids to meet and greet Santa. Finally at 5:00pm the Sheryl Crow concert will begin.
    

    Disney on Ice: Passport Adventure is at the Xcel Energy Center this weekend starting on Thursday. See award-winning figure skaters as they dance around in jumbo costumes and do tricks. Tickets run $18 to $71 depending on where you sit and what show you go to as they run all day and not just as night so the kids can get back in time for bed.


   The Winter Wonderland at The Shoppes of Arbor Lakes is this weekend at the Shoppes of Arbor Lakes on Saturday and Sunday. The event will feature carolers, shopping discounts, live reindeer and of course, Santa. It's Minnesota, if you weren't ready for the cold yet you should be!

Things to do for Adults

Top Pick: St Paul Santa Crawl

       This is easily one of the better planned pub crawls in the Twin Cities. The St Paul Santa Crawl is Saturday at 3pm. Most dress like Santa but if you don't feel like being a jolly old man, you can dress up pretty much however you want long as "your naughty bits are covered" as the website says. 15 different bars participate and there are party buses running between some of the longer stretches. The wrist bands are $20 a person and can be picked up at Ragstock locations with a prepaid online voucher and also you'll get a coupon for 20% off your attire. The wristband gets you access to the party bus shuttles as well as discounted drinks, however thanks to toys for tots donations bins located at each bar will get you a free drink per donation. What else will there be? Live reindeer, caroling, costume contests, drunk gift-wrapping contests, photo booths, XXX cookie decorating and Holiday Blingo! That's a lot of activities for your adult holiday spirit.

      Lowertown SantaCon a rival Saint Paul pub crawl and is also happening this weekend. It involves a different group of bars and restaurants. The web site states "This is a REAL pub crawl"- shots fired! There's a brass band and a route that will go from bar to bar with the crowd. Santa and holiday-related costumes are highly encouraged.You can RSVP via the official facebook page and the crawl will start at 6pm.

Things to do for Foodies

Top Pick 4X4 Culinary Minnesota Wine Series: 

 The 4x4 Culinary Minnesota Wine Series is on Thursday at 6:30pm. The event will feature four Minnesotan wines and five courses from Joan Donatelle, chef and Byerly's culinary instructor. Cost is $55 for Arboretum members and $65 for non-members. The menu looks pretty tasty and you'll get to have pairings for each course so that's a pretty decent price if you're a thrifty sort.

Things to do for the Arts

Top Pick: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

        The famous pop rock group renown for their holiday hits are back in the Twin Cities and right in time for the holidays. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is this Saturday for two shows at the Target Center, both 3 and 8 pm. The tickets for both shows go on sale on Friday at noon and a portion of proceeds will go the Salvation Army. 

       The famous Andrew Lloyd Webber play is coming across the pond. Cameron Mackintosh's new production just finished up a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom and now is coming to Minnesota. The Phantom of the Opera opens this Friday at the Orpheum. Tickets range from $39 to $130.

   Tidings of Joy- Christmas Festival Exultate's choir and orchestra will be playing in various locations this weekend in Minneapolis and St Paul. They will be playing a selection of old time tunes and songs to celebrate the seasons. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors or students.

Unusual Activites

Top Pick: A Very Die Hard Christmas

      What doesn't say Christmas more like Die Hard? Dancing, Singing and Bloodshed! A Very Die Hard Christmas opens this Friday at the Bryant Lake Bowl and runs through the holidays. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Do something a little different for Christmas.