The state of hockey lives up to its name this week as the Twin Cities hosts the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships at Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena at Mariucci.
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The 10-day event features national teams of top players under the age of 20 competing for the gold medal, with semifinals and finals held Sunday and Monday in St. Paul. The undefeated U.S. team will face Sweden, another undefeated team, at 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve at Grand Casino Arena.
Follow game results at twincities.com/tag/world-juniors-hockey or sign up for our Scoreboard newsletter at twincities.com/newsletters.
For those looking to occupy their time between games or forgoing the tournament altogether, here’s a list of five activities to indulge in around Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Go ice skating
Head Coach Bob Motzko signs a banner during a Minnesota Gophers open practice at the Roseville Skating Center in Roseville on Jan. 7, 2019. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Centennial Lakes Park in Edina offers outdoor ice skating through a 10-acre lake. Skaters are able to glide through a path full of narrow, meandering canals that connect three main ponds.
The activity is free for those who bring their own skates. Those looking to rent skates can do so inside of Hughes Pavilion for $10.
Concessions such as snacks and hot cocoa are available for purchase at the site.
Indoor ice skating is also available at nearby places such as Bloomington Ice Garden and the Roseville Skating Center, which has an indoor ice arena, outdoor skate park and “North America’s largest sheet of refrigerated ice.”
Go skiing or snowboarding
The slopes at Afton Alps are almost ready for skiers and snowboarders on Nov. 28, 2023. The popular ski and snowboard resort was making snow for the opening day of its 60th season. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Go-to skiing and snowboarding spots for Twin Cities residents include Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington and Buck Hill in Burnsville. Both are known for their accessibility and family friendly activities such as tubing.
Hyland Hills Ski Area is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Their holiday hours and rates can be found by visiting threeriversparks.org/location/hyland-hills-ski-area.
Buck Hill is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Their holiday hours and rates can be found by visiting buckhill.com.
A larger resort offering a more extensive experience in the east metro is Afton Alps, which is part of the Epic Pass network.
Afton Alps is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Their holiday hours and rates can be found by visiting aftonalps.com.
Visit the Ice Castles
People explore ice archways at the Ice Castles at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Jan. 3, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
The Ice Castles attraction located on the State Fairgrounds has returned for its 15th year this winter season.
Complete with ice slides, caverns and archways, crawl tunnels, LED-lit ice sculptures, frozen tap, concessions and snow tubing, the immersive experience is dubbed a winter wonderland.
Ticket prices and hours of operation can be found by visiting icecastles.com/minnesota.
Watch a play or musical
Adelyn Frost and Reed Sigmund in Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which runs through Jan. 4. (Glen Stubbe / Children’s Theatre Company)
The Twin Cities has a thriving arts scene, making it easy to find a play or musical to watch. A few to catch this week include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Dinner for One” and “White Christmas.”
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is a stage adaptation of the beloved children’s book by Dr. Suess. The show runs until Jan. 4 at the Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis. Showtimes and ticket prices can be found by visiting childrenstheatre.org.
“Dinner for One” is a comedic show full of improvisation inspired by a European physical comedy sketch from the 1960s. The show runs until Jan. 4 at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. Showtimes and ticket prices can be found by visiting jungletheater.org.
“White Christmas” is a stage adaptation of the 1954 film inspired by the Irving Berlin Christmas song popularized by Bing Crosby. The show runs until Jan. 4 at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters in Chanhassen. Showtimes and ticket prices can be found by visiting chanhassendt.com.
Listen to live music
Around every corner in the Twin Cities is a venue with live music leaking out from under its doors, inviting inside anyone with ears willing to listen.
The historic Bunker’s Music Bar and Grill in Minneapolis, for example, offers beer and burgers with a side of live rock, blues and reggae performances from local musicians. Their hours of operation and events calendar can be found by visiting bunkersmusic.com.
Berlin in Minneapolis, on the other hand, is a cozy space known for live jazz, electronic and experimental music performances from local musicians and DJs, accompanied by a full cocktail, wine and beer menu. Their hours of operation and events calendar can be found by visiting berlinmpls.com.
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A larger live music venue is Green Room in Minneapolis, which features a balcony, a lounge and an outdoor patio. The venue is known for throwing lively events, including hosting local bands and international touring DJs. Their hours of operation and events calendar can be found by visiting greenroommn.com.
Similarly, Minnesota Music Cafe in St. Paul attracts an energetic crowd every night with the venue’s retro interior, full bar, large dance floor and local and touring musicians alike jamming out to a diverse range of music. Their hours of operation and events calendar can be found by visiting minnesotamusiccafe.com.
For a more casual, divey setting, head to Turf Club in St. Paul. This historic bar is known for hosting local and touring musicians in genres such as indie rock, punk and country on both their main stage and their smaller basement stage called the Clown Lounge. Their hours of operation and events calendar can be found by visiting first-avenue.com/venue/turf-club.
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