MINNEAPOLIS — Holidazzle returns to downtown Minneapolis this holiday season after taking a year off due to funding issues.
Adam Duininck, chairman and CEO of the Downtown Minneapolissays there will be some notable changes to the event. Firstly, it will be another festival without a parade component, placement Nicollet Mall – which he calls “Minnesota’s Main Street” – in the heart of it.
“Last year was a good time for us to pause and think about the future of Holidazzle?” said Duininck. “We are going to close the streets on Nicollet Avenue from Sixth (Street) to Peavey Plaza.”
He says each block along Nicollet will have a different theme and different activities, including rides, meetings with Santa Claus and the luxury of warming yourself at various campfires.
“There will be all kinds of activities for children and families, there will be stages with music, vendors, all kinds of light and energy activities that will really light up the city in a big way,” Duininck said.
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He also encourages businesses to host their holiday parties during the downtown event.
While many will miss the iconic parade, Duininck says organizers are investigating whether footage of parades can be projected along the route.
“If you want to come and have a cup of coffee, a drink or a cocktail, you can just sit and watch the footage of the old parades,” he said.
He says organizers have gone to great lengths to ensure the event is truly dazzling, and he hopes it will be a great way to showcase Nicollet Mall.
“The city and Metro Transit are most actively moving buses from Nicollet and activating Nicollet as a fully pedestrianized area,” Duininck said. “That’s something we talk about a lot at the Downtown Council. How can we make Nicollet itself a place where people want to come and visit? And to do that, we need to activate it year-round.”
Holidazzle runs from Wednesday December 18 to Sunday December 22. It is open from Wednesday to Friday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
