Hip-hop nutcrackers and a huge holiday lights show: Your weekend planning guide
We're one week out until Thanksgiving, which means the holiday season is upon us. Several seasonal attractions are opening this weekend to fill you with holiday spirit.
From free events to family fun to adults-only, here's a roundup of events to get you out of the house — or not.
Free: Lighten up at Bentleyville
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Stroll under the glow of more than 4 million lights at America's largest free walk-through lighting display in Duluth, Minn.
Bentleyville began as Nathan Bentley's home light display in Esko, Minn. It eventually grew so large that Duluth offered to host it on the waterfront.
On average, more than 200,000 people visit, according to Bentleyville officials.
For families: Behind the scenes with the toymakers
'Tis the season for elves and the man himself, Santa.
"A Day in the Life of an Elf" opens this weekend on the eighth floor auditorium at the Macy's in downtown Minneapolis.
The animated display tells the story of Santa's elves as they prepare for Christmas.
Admission is free.
For adults: Say cheese (and chocolate)!
Explore food and wine pairings at the Three Rivers Wine Trail Cheese and Chocolate Weekend.
Three Rivers Wine Trail is comprised of five Minnesota wineries, all located within the St. Croix, Mississippi and Canon River valleys. All five wineries are participating in the wine tastings.
Indoors: A classic rebooted
This ain't your typical "Nutcracker."
"The Hip Hop Nutcracker" keeps Tchaikovsky's classic score but moves the story to contemporary New York City. Oh, and ballet dancers are out &mdash b-boys and b-girls are in.
Not a weekend event — shows are Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ordway.
Outdoors: Skating in a winter wonderland
Downtown St. Paul is turning into a winter wonderland beginning this weekend.
The grand opening of the Wells Fargo WinterSkate, a free and artificially chilled outdoor skating rink, and tree lighting at Rice Park is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Saturday. The rink officially opens for skating after the ribbon-cutting.
Skate rental is $4 per person or free for those who show their Wells Fargo check cards or credit cards.
A bonus for this year: Professional skating coaches will be on hand this season to teach you some new moves or help you brush up on old ones. The "Learn to Skate" clinics are part of special events leading up to the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Xcel Energy Center in January.