This season the Twin Cities and Hamline are presenting some of the best holiday events ever, including the new Minneapolis Market and the End of Semester Party. Check out this list of a few local events coming up this month.

The Minneapolis Holiday Market is located downtown in Peavey Plaza, right off of the Nicollet Mall. It is titled, “a quaint village, showcasing an authentic European Holiday experience with shopping, entertainment, and delicious food & drinks,” by their website, minneapolisholidaymarket.com. The Market takes place now until Dec. 24, with a fairly low cost of $6 per person.

For something a little more low-key, check out Rice Park, which includes the Wells Fargo Winter Skate—a large ice rink that allows patrons to either bring their own skates or rent some for just a few dollars—Holiday Lights in the Park, and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Skating goes all the way until Feb. 1, Lights are until Jan. 1, and the Winter Carnival is from Jan. 22-Feb. 1. All of these are free and open to the public!

If you are looking for something more in the spirit of Christmas, the Union Depot in downtown St. Paul is hosting The North Pole Express Holiday Train. Guests will be placed on a vintage steam locomotive, meet and talk with Santa, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats along the way. Tickets for the experience are a little higher, at around $20, but some would say it’s worth the cost. Event dates are limited to Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, so get on board while you still can.

While there are lots of things to do in the Twin Cities, there will be exciting activities occurring on Hamline’s very own campus! Hamline Orchestra (Dec. 13) from 2-4pm in Sundin Music Hall and the Women’s Chorale (Dec. 14) from 3-5pm, also in Sundin Music Hall.

Two annual Hamline favorites are also coming up this week. The first is RHA’s Late Night Study Breakfast, which will take place in the Anderson Center from 9-11pm on Thursday, Dec. 11. The event will include free food, door prizes, music, and a very special announcement made by Programming Board and HU Radio for the acts of the second annual Winter Wonder Jam.The second is the End of Semester Party (EOSP), hosted by Hamline Programming Board. This Roaring Twenties- themed event will include free food, massages, snow globes, live music and much more! It will be happening on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1-4pm in the Anderson Center Forum.