Pedal to the metal and Happy Hanukkah: Your weekend planning guide

Hanukkah menorah
People pass a large menorah sponsored by the Lubavitcher Center during the 2009 Hanukkah celebration in Philadelphia.
Matt Rourke | AP 2009

Celebrate the Jewish festival of lights and get on your fat bike and ride.

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: Away in a manger — or 200

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Check out not one, not two, but 200-plus Nativity scenes — including a live one — at "The Wonder of the Nativity" at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rochester, Minn.

Some are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand while others have figures that are 14 inches tall.

For families: The origins of "Minnesota"

"Minnesota Welcomes You" sign
A "Minnesota Welcomes You" sign on U.S. Hwy. 53.
Jimmy Emerson | Creative Commons via Flickr 2011

Where did our state name come from?

The Dakota language is the first language of Minnesota, but few Minnesotans know the meaning of the name of their state.

Learn about Mnísota and other indigenous place names throughout the state, try local indigenous foods, learn to prepare a traditional Dakota berry pudding and more at Feast of Words on Saturday at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis.

The event is free, but reservations are required.

For adults: Yippee ki-yay, Father Christmas!

"A Very Die Hard Christmas"
"A Very Die Hard Christmas"
Courtesy of Brad Erickson

Head on over to the Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis for opening weekend of "A Very Die Hard Christmas," because yes, the film technically qualifies as a Christmas movie.

The plot line will be familiar to fans of the film ("High above the city of L.A., a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages and declared war. One man has managed to escape. An off-duty cop is hiding somewhere inside. He's alone, tired ... and he doesn't like Christmas") but features a few noteworthy differences like singing and dancing.

The show runs through Dec. 19, with performances starting at 10 p.m.

Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door.

Indoors: Celebrate the Jewish festival of lights

National Menorah
Last year, he national menorah was lit during a ceremony marking the start of Hanukkah in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 16, 2014. This year, Hanukkah begins Dec. 6.
Cliff Owen | AP 2014

Hanukkah, the eight-day commemoration of the Maccabees' rededication of the Temple after their victory over the Syrians, begins this weekend.

Take in "The Chanukah Guest," from the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, which is back, beginning this weekend, at the Highland Park Community Center in St. Paul.

The play tells the story of Bubba Brayna, renowned in her village for her potato latkes, as she preps for the first night of Hanukkah. A knock at the door reveals an unexpected — and very hungry — visitor.

Tickets are $18.

Bonus: On Dec. 12, the Jewish Community Center of the Greater St. Paul Area is hosting "Light up the Night: A Special Hanukah Celebration." The free event will feature a glow-in-the-dark dance, light-up activities and a community candle lighting. There's even a 21+ celebration that night.

Outdoors: Pedal to the metal

Fat bikes
Fat bikes get their name for the over-sized tires the bikes employ to ride over snow, sand and other difficult terrain.
Derek Montgomery | For MPR News 2014

Test your speed and skill on a 10.5-mile loop through trees and snow in the Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race series, beginning this weekend.

Six races will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays between now and Feb. 27, 2016, alternating between the Elm Creek and Murphy-Hanrehan park reserves in the metro area.

Weekly competitors add their top three finishes for a chance at being crowned the Frozen Frolic champion.

Cost is $12 for preregistration or $15 on the day of the race. Or, pay $60 for all six races at both parks.