Here's What’s Happening in Downtown December 21-27

The mpls downtown calendar is packed with events and activities throughout the holiday season. Here is a preview of what’s ahead over the next week.

* * * * * Takeaways This Weekend * * * * * 

This holiday week is the perfect time to head downtown for a show! “A Christmas Carol” continues at the Guthrie, “Mrs. Doubtfire” is at Orpheum Theatre, “Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy” is at the State Theatre, and “All I Want for Christmas is You…to Elf Off” continues at the Dudley Riggs Theatre.

The Minnesota Timberwolves hope to take down the NBA In-Season Tournament Champion Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Plus, the Minnesota Vikings look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

For those hoping to eat out over the holidays, check out our list of restaurants that will be open down below!

Don’t forget about Holidays on Nicollet! There are pop-up shops featuring nearly 70 locally owned small businesses, plus 10 window displays along Nicollet, featuring holiday designs created by local artists. The Holidays on Nicollet experience runs every weekend through January 5. Great visuals and interview opportunities all month. Plus, you can find great musical performances over the lunch hour on select dates at Capella Tower, IDS Center, City Center, and U.S. Bank Plaza.

The mpls downtown can help you plan your next visit during the holidays and beyond! Check out mdc’s holiday guide at mplsdowntown.com/guides_activities/celebrate-the-season-in-mpls-downtown/, and the events calendar at mplsdowntown.com/events.

* * * * * Don’t Miss * * * * * 

Winter Warm-Up – Thursday & Tuesday | U.S. Bank Stadium

Peabo Bryson & Haley Reinhart: Home for the Holidays – Thursday & Friday | Dakota

Timberwolves vs. Lakers – Thursday | Target Center

A Swingin’ Christmas w/ The Andrew Walesch Big Band – Saturday | Dakota

* * * * * Thursday, December 21 * * * * * 

A Christmas Carol | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theater

Winter Warm-Up | 5 p.m. – U.S. Bank Stadium

Peabo Bryson & Haley Reinhart: Home for the Holidays | 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. – Dakota

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy | 7 p.m. – State Theatre

Mrs. Doubtfire | 7:30 p.m. – Orpheum Theatre

‘Art’ | 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theatre

All I Want for Christmas Is You…to Elf Off | 7:30 p.m. – Dudley Riggs Theatre

Timberwolves vs. Lakers | 8:00 p.m. – Target Center

* * * * * Friday, December 22 * * * * * 

A Christmas Carol | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theater

Mrs. Doubtfire | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Orpheum Theatre

Peabo Bryson & Haley Reinhart: Home for the Holidays | 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. – Dakota 

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy | 7 p.m. – State Theatre 

‘Art’ | 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theatre 

All I Want for Christmas Is You…to Elf Off | 7:30 p.m. – Dudley Riggs Theatre

Emo Nite | 8 p.m. – First Avenue

* * * * * Saturday, December 23 * * * * * 

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy | 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. – State Theatre

A Christmas Carol | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theater

‘Art’ | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theatre

Mrs. Doubtfire | 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Orpheum Theatre

All I Want for Christmas Is You…to Elf Off | 4:30 & 7:30 p.m. – Dudley Riggs Theatre

A Swingin’ Christmas w/ The Andrew Walesch Big Band | 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Dakota

* * * * * Sunday, December 24 * * * * * 

Vikings vs. Lions | 12 p.m. – U.S. Bank Stadium

Mrs. Doubtfire | 1 p.m. – Orpheum Theatre

Christmas Eve at Mara | 5 – 9:30 p.m. – Mara

* * * * * Monday, December 25 * * * * * 

Christmas Day at Mara | 11 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Mara

The Bad Plus | 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Dakota

* * * * * Tuesday, December 26 * * * * * 

A Christmas Carol | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theater

Winter Warm-Up | 5 p.m. – U.S. Bank Stadium

The Bad Plus | 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. – Dakota

“Art” | 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theatre

All I Want for Christmas Is You…to Elf Off | 7:30 p.m. – Dudley Riggs Theatre

* * * * * Wednesday, December 27 * * * * * 

A Christmas Carol | 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theater

The Bad Plus | 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. – Dakota

“Art” | 7:30 p.m. – Guthrie Theatre

All I Want for Christmas Is You…to Elf Off | 7:30 p.m. – Dudley Riggs Theatre

* * * * * Weekly Happenings * * * * * 

Winter Maker’s Market | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – The Dayton’s Project (Daily)

Holiday Music at Capella Tower | 7 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 4 p.m. – Capella Tower (Monday – Friday)

Holidays on Nicollet Pop-Up Holiday Stores | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Various Locations (Tuesdays through Saturdays)

Holiday Under Glass Concert Series | 12 – 1 p.m. – IDS Center Crystal Court (Tuesdays – Thursdays)

Live Holiday Music | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – U.S. Bank Plaza (Tuesdays – Thursdays)

Farmer’s Market | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Lyndale Avenue (Saturdays and Sundays)

Nordic Village Market | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis (Saturdays and Sundays)

Handmade Holiday Market | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Lakes & Legends Brewing Company (Saturdays and Sundays)

* * * * * Restaurants Open During the Holidays * * * * * 

Mara | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day

Giulia | Christmas Day

Manny’s Steakhouse | Christmas Day

Breva Bar & Grill | Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

Butcher & The Boar | New Year’s Eve

Spoon & Stable | New Year’s Eve

Borough | New Year’s Eve

Guacaya Bistreaux | New Year's Eve

Dakota | Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year’s Day