Holiday Happenings at the Arboretum

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum invites shoppers to think "green and local" this holiday season. 

The Arboretum Gift Store will highlight locally made products through special samplings on "Green Friday" (Nov. 29) and on Saturdays until Christmas.  Here's the schedule:

·      Friday, Nov. 29 - "Green Friday." Enjoy delicious samples from Waconia-based Laketown Chocolates and Ames Honey of Watertown, Minn., from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Gift Store alcove in the Arboretum's Oswald Visitor Center.  This is also the kickoff of "Double Discount" days when Arboretum members receive a 20% discount on regularly priced merchandise (through Dec. 8). The Gift Store offers a wide assortment of one-of-a-kind home and garden decor, books, local artisan jewelry and food products.

Additional shopping events at the Arboretum Gift Store:

·      Saturdays, Nov. 30-Dec. 21 - Samplings with Ames Honey, Hometown Chocolates and Kettle Creek Kitchens, 1-3 p.m. Gift Store alcove.

·      Sunday, Dec. 1 - Book-signing with chef and food writer Beth Dooley, author of "Minnesota Bounty: The Farmers Market Cookbook," 1-3 p.m.

·      Sunday, Dec. 8 - Naturalist and author Jim Gilbert will sign his "Minnesota Nature Notes" book and calendar, 2-4 p.m.

It's all part of the Arboretum's Making Spirits Bright holiday season. 

From Nov. 29 to Jan.5, visitors can enjoy a 20-ft. Live Poinsettia Tree, made of more than 500 white poinsettia plants soaring to the ceiling of the Great Hall.  It is capped by a sculpted glass tree-topper - "Star of Minnesota" - created by Craig Mitchell Smith whose glass art will be featured in the Arboretum's 2014 "Nature in Glass" summer exhibition.  It is joined by several large festively decorated trees and glistening decor in the Oswald Visitor Center Great Hall and Restaurant, plus the Snyder Building.

Holiday Live Music: To celebrate the season, talented local musical groups will perform traditional favorites and new tunes in the Great Hall (unless otherwise noted).  

·       Saturday, Nov. 30: Dragonfly (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Minnesota Chorale, 1:30-3 p.m.;

·       Sunday, Dec. 1: Minnetonka Chamber Choir, 11 a.m. & noon; Celebration Brass, 1:30-3 p.m.;

·       Saturday, Dec. 14: Minnetonka Choral Society, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m..

·       Saturday, Dec. 14: 34th Annual Messiah Sing-Along, with bass soloist Thom Dreeze and the Minnetonka Association of Music, 2-4 p.m. (in MacMillan Auditorium);

·       Sunday, Dec. 15: F Sharp piano duo, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; OVation, 1:30-3 p.m.;

·       Saturday, Dec. 21: Grant Piano Studio, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Minnesota Chorale, 1:30-3 p.m.  (All performances are free with gate admission.)

Visits with Santa. Visit with the Santa and have photos taken on Saturdays, Dec. 7-21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Thursdays, Dec. 12 & 19, 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday sessions are open to family members and pets.   

 Holiday Story Times. Seasonal storytimes in the Oswald Visitor Center's Great Hall.  Weekends: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, Dec. 7 & 8, Dec. 14 & 15 and Dec. 21. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

'How to' Decorating Demos - Ice Decor & Natural Ornaments! Ice decorating: Saturday, Dec. 14; Natural Ornaments: Sunday, Dec. 15. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Visitor Center. Free with gate.

Traditional Holiday Teas. Nov. 30, Dec. 4-22 & 26-30. Time: 2:30-4 p.m. Snyder Building Tea Room. $26 member/ $29 non-member, plus tax.  612-626-3951 or www.arboretum.umn.edu/teatime.aspx. 

Holiday Sale Weekend, Dec. 6-8.  Auxiliary Holiday Sale, (9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri.& Sat & 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.).  MN Herb Society Sale and Photo & Art Students Sale (9-4 Saturday & 10-4 Sunday).  

Weekend Family Fun: Gifts of the Bees. Saturdays and Sundays in December from noon to 4 p.m. (drop-in basis), Learning Center. Learn all about life in the hive! Free with gate.

A Holiday Affair- Ladies Night Out. Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m., Oswald Visitor Center. Holiday shopping, decorating tips and music by Jazziblu. Wine tastings too!  $15. Presented by Savvy Magazine. 

Gourmet Dinners. Fridays, Dec. 13 &  Jan.10, at 6:30 p.m.  $70 member/ $75 non-member. Celebrate the holidays at exquisite multicourse gourmet dinners, with wine pairings, prepared by our Arboretum Catering professional chefs and served in the charming Arboretum setting.  For reservations, call 612-626-3951 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/finedining.aspx

Arboretum Outdoors! With Hoigaard's. Friday, Dec. 27.  Learn snowshoeing with Hoigaard's staff who will provide equipment to try. 11 a.m., 12:30 & 2 p.m.  Oswald Visitor Center. 

Hot Chocolate Walk. Saturday, Dec. 28, with naturalist Matt Schuth. 10 a.m.-noon. $10-$25.  

Ar-BRR-etum! Tuesday, Dec. 31, all day. Free admission for x-country skiers & snowshoers.