Thanksgiving and the long weekend that follows are always filled with food, family, fun, and much more in Rochester, MN! From shopping local to welcoming in the holiday season, here are six fantastic ways to savor every precious moment of your holiday weekend.
Burn off those calories. The 9th annual Rochester Turkey Trot 5k Run and Walk at Soldiers Field Park on Thanksgiving morning promises donuts at the finish line. Plus, this race benefits the local nonprofit Red Drop Resources.
Welcome Santa to town. A beloved Rochester holiday tradition, Here Comes Santa Claus includes the daring rescue of Santa atop Old City Hall and the magical holiday tree lighting ceremony on Peace Plaza. This year’s event is Friday, November 28, 2025 from 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by Mrs. Claus' workshop at the Historic Chateau Theatre!
Here Comes Santa Claus event | Photo credit Alpha Digital courtesy Rochester Downtown Alliance
Get a head start on holiday shopping. Sign up for Experience Rochester's Holiday Shopping Pass: a free, mobile-exclusive digital pass offering special deals, discounts and a chance to win a $500 gift card while supporting Rochester retailers this season. It's a great way to support Rochester's local retailers.
Take a walk back in time at Mayowood Mansion. While the History Center of Olmsted County provides tours of the historic Mayowood Historic Home for most of the year, tours in the holiday season are extra special, as the mansion is completely decked out in amazing Christmas decorations. Historic Mayowood Christmas Tours run select days through December 18, 2025 (no tour on Thanksgiving Day). Find the complete schedule here. This year’s theme is “A Traditional Christmas at Historic Mayowood.”
Meet and greet Santa Claus. Sargent's on 2nd is hosting Santa Claus as well as Drop-In Spruce Top Workshops, live music, and local food & drinks November 28-30 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Santa will be reading stories and wandering the greenhouse, spreading holiday cheer.
Sit back and enjoy live holiday entertainment. Christmas with C.S. Lewis on Saturday, November 29 kicks off Mayo Civic Center's packed season of live holiday entertainment. Rochester Civic Theatre's production of Disney's Frozen also begins November 29 and runs through December 21, 2025.
Christmas With C.S. Lewis is November 29 at Mayo Civic Center
The next big event is always just around the corner. Browse our Events Calendar for things to do in Rochester, MN.