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🚂Merry Markets & Holly-Jolly Trains

🚂Merry Markets & Holly-Jolly Trains

Your weekly scoop of Twin Cities fun.

Joe Carmack
December 10, 2025

A few too many negatives in that forecast for our liking. This week, we’re leaning into holiday cheer that won’t ding your gift budget, so peek our snazzy new labels below if you’re feeling thrifty.

Cheers,
-Joe & Haley

P.S. We’ve started up a Hotdish Instagram, if you’re into that sorta thing.

Your Weekend Forecast

Holiday Train at Union Depot

12/13

This stop brings a fully decked-out holiday train right into the heart of the city, complete with live music from the outdoor stage and plenty of room to wander around and take it all in. The rail cars are brightly lit, the atmosphere feels festive without being over the top, and the whole thing has that fun, once-a-year energy that makes it easy to hang out for a bit with friends or family. If you get the munchies there is an all day holiday bake sale.

Comedy Night

12/13

It’s a laid-back stand-up show at a local brewery where you can catch a fresh lineup of comedians in an intimate space. The lights are low, the drinks flow, and there’s just enough buzz to make the laughter land without feeling over the top. Expect quick, sharp sets and a casual evening hanging out with folks who appreciate a good punchline.

Ice Skating with Santa

12/13

An outdoor skating loop gets a little extra charm for the season: lights, music, and a chance to meet Santa during a relaxed, family-friendly evening of skating. Whether you bring your own skates or rent them, it’s a casual way to enjoy winter air, holiday decorations, and an easygoing community atmosphere under the holiday lights.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

12/12-13

It’s a screening of a classic holiday movie accompanied by live orchestral music, blending familiar characters and seasonal nostalgia with the richness of a full musical score. The mix of film and live performance gives a warm, cinematic-and-concert feel — gentle laughs, cozy scenes, and just enough magic for the season.

Santa’s Train Shop & Caboose Ride

12/13-21

It’s a cozy little detour where kids can wander through decorated train cars, meet cheerful characters, and poke around a holiday shop. The highlight is a short ride in a real caboose, giving everyone a chance to settle in and enjoy a slow, charming loop that feels straight out of an old holiday storybook.

Start your night at Graze Food Hall in the North Loop. This neat spot brings together a handful of small kitchens under one roof — each run by talented local chefs. You and your date could grab something from one vendor (say, a double-smashed burger and fries from the “Two Mixed Up” stall) and maybe split a crispy turmeric-tortilla pizza or a poke bowl, then settle into a cozy corner. The mix-and-match, informal setup means you’re not locked into one cuisine — just whoever’s got something that hits the spot.

Later, head over to Inbound BrewCo-taproom a few blocks away, where a “paint & sip” night is going on. It’s a relaxed, low-key art session: you get canvas, brushes, paint, and time to work at your own pace while sipping a drink (brew or otherwise). There’s no pressure to produce a masterpiece — it’s more about laughing over brush strokes, maybe messing up on purpose, and enjoying a mellow, creative evening together.

Holiday markets are popping up all over the Twin Cities. Whether you’re browsing for gifts or just wandering with cocoa in hand, here are a few of the good ones happening this month.