One of the most special and unique experiences your family can have during the Christmas season is to visit a live nativity event. When I grew up in Duluth we would go to one in our neighborhood and it was always a popular and fun event. It’s exciting for kids to see the Christmas story played out with costumed characters and live animals.
There are several live nativity events at churches in the Twin Cities this weekend, December 18th – 20th, and all of them include an opportunity to come inside, warm up with refreshments and even enjoy some more family activities! Plus they’re all FREE! (though donations may be accepted)
Knollwood Christian Church
3639 Quebec Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN
Friday, December 18th &
Saturday, December 19th
6:00 – 8:00pm
(Drive-by Nativity)
Come experience the events surrounding that very first Christmas. For many years now, many families and individuals make visiting our Live Nativity a Christmas tradition. You’ll see many live animals and members of the church dressed up in costumes portraying the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. And afterwards you’re invited to come inside and enjoy some delicious treats. It all takes place on the lawn of the church on December 19th & 20th from 6-8pm. The event is free but we accept all donations to our local food shelf.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
1965 East County Road E
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Saturday, December 19th
4:30 – 7:30pm
For the 23rd year, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake is hosting a FREE living nativity event. It’s family friendly, fun, and interactive and includes live animals. There is also an open house in the church with live music, refreshments, a kids area, and more!
Messiah United Methodist Church
17805 County Road 6
Plymouth, MN 55447
Sunday, December 20th
6:00 – 7:00pm
Messiah’s fifth annual Live Nativity Family Event has grown to become both an interactive and fun way for all to experience the true meaning of advent. The Living Nativity event offers a variety of opportunities to learn and hear the story of Jesus’s birth with five scenes sharing the story: Gabriel visiting Mary, the Wise Men visiting with King Herod, the Shepherds, the Inn, and the Manger with baby Jesus. Live animals will also be at the Living Nativity, along with a search spotlight to guide people to this special event.
Messiah invites nativity viewers to warm up inside the church with a light dinner, singing, activities for kids sponsored by Bloom Early Childhood Center, and a photographer to capture the evening fun, along with a mission area where participants can help assemble a health kit for refugees. At 7 p.m. all are invited to attend an early Christmas Eve service in the Sanctuary, with beautifully composed music accompanying the Christmas message. An ASL interpreter will be available at this service. This special service will close with candle lights. Childcare will be available.
ASL Interpretation: Two guided tours through the Living Nativity will be led by an ASL interpreter: one at 6:20 p.m. and one at 6:40 p.m. In addition, an ASL interpreter will be available at the 7 p.m. early Christmas service that follows the Living Nativity.
Do you know of any other live nativity events or other free family events at churches this weekend? Share them in the comments!
