Holidazzle is returning to downtown Minneapolis after being canceled last year. 2024 marks 11 years since the event has been held along Nicollet Mall after the celebration was moved to Loring Park for a handful of years.
Minneapolis Downtown Council President Adam Duininck says he hope the event can once again become a mainstay in the heart of the city.
"It showcases what the city's capable of and I'm hoping that this holiday festival does that again, and it continues to inspire action and activity," Duininck explains. "We have an opportunity to be one of the most incredible winter destination cities in the country and in the world, and I think that that's something we should embrace."
Duininck says while the five day festival won't include a parade, Nicollet Mall will host food trucks, mini golf, Santa and a light show.
Minneapolis Downtown Council President Adam Duininck while festivities will not include the traditional parade there will be plenty to enjoy along Nicollet Mall.
"It's going to be light installations and interactive activities," he says. "There's going to be potentially rides for kids. There's certainly going to be Santa. We're going to also, as a way to pay homage to the history of Holidazzle, we're going to show parade footage broadcasted on to one of the buildings."
City organizers are expecting the event to draw tens of thousands of visitors and is free to attend. The long-running parade down Nicollet was ditched in favor of the current iteration due to costs and calls for a more interactive festival according to Duininck.
Holidazzle started in 1992 hoping to lure more holiday shoppers downtown. That's no longer the case, mostly because there's very little retail left downtown. Minneapolis Downtown Council has put a renewed focus on Nicollet Mall the last few years after successful runs of the Taste of Minnesota, and events surrounding the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials this past summer.
Holidazzle Details
Hours:
Wednesday, December 18th, 4 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th, 4 – 9 p.m.
Friday, December 20th, 4 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 21st, Noon – 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 22nd, Noon – 6 p.m.
Location:
Nicollet Mall between 6th Street and 11th Street
Recommended Parking Options:
$5 Parking at LaSalle Court Ramp (801 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402) - Promo Code: Dazzle.
25% off Interstate Parking Locations in Downtown Minneapolis – click HERE to view locations.
$10 Parking at Gaviidae Commons (61 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402) - Promo Code: HOLI.
$5 Parking after 5pm Wed.-Fri. and all-day Sat. & Sun. at IDS Parking Garage (716 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402)
LaSalle at 10th (915 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis MN 55493)
11th Street Underground (1030 2nd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55403)
11th at Marquette (1111 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403)
900 Marquette MN2128 (900 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403)