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! I’ve done this guide every year for a few years and I have found that many have continued, even through COVID, some haven’t, and some new ones have started.
So here they are -several live nativity events at churches in the Twin Cities this season, plus they’re all FREE! (Though donations may be accepted) And this year – 2023 – I found MORE Live Nativity events!
Thank you to Presentation of Mary Catholic School in Maplewood for sponsoring this guide!
There’s a place for you at Presentation! Located in Maplewood on the border of East Saint Paul, Presentation of Mary Catholic School serves infants – eighth grade. We prepare our students academically and spiritually to be faith-filled and forward-thinking citizens. We partner with families to fulfill this mission by inviting all God’s children into our community. Our school is a place where students can flourish, grow, and develop according to their God-given dignity through rigorous curriculum and opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge as Christ would with wisdom, compassion, and grace. Our community is a warm and welcoming place that becomes like a second home to families and where life-long friendships are made. We invite all to join us at our All-School Open House on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 from 9:30am – 12:30pm to learn about all we have to offer families. The day begins at 9:30am with Mass followed by a pancake breakfast, Scholastic Book Fair, and Open House where families can meet our amazing staff and kids can complete fun activities! RSVP for the Open House here! Learn more here.
Free Live Nativity Events in the Twin Cities 2023
These events are listed in order by DATE: (all are subject to change)
Cross View Lutheran Church Edina
6645 McCauley Trl W
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Saturday, December 2nd
10:00am – 12:00pm
Cross View’s NativityFest is on Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. It’s a FREE community event including: •A Live Nativity with Real Animals •Creative Crafts •Fun Family Photo Ops •Delicious Treats •Engaging Storytelling
Grace of God Lutheran Church
420 Hayward Ave N
Oakdale, MN 55128
Saturday, December 2nd
4:00 – 6:00pm
Come and experience Bethlehem! This is an interactive indoor walk-through Christmas experience featuring a step back in time to see and hear the story of the first Christmas in Bethlehem. Including story-telling, take home crafts, free Christmas photos and Christmas treats.
St. John’s Lutheran Church
202 W. 8th St.
Hastings, MN
Saturday, December 2nd
5:00pm
Live Nativity
3921 277th Ave NW
Isanti, MN 55040
Saturday, December 2nd from 3:00 – 6:30pm
Saturday, December 3rd at 9:00am (during worship)
On Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd Long Lake Lutheran Church will be transformed into the town of Bethlehem. You can meet the angel Gabriel, who saw it all. Meet Mary & Joseph who heard and believed. Meet the innkeeper’s wife, the shepherds, and the wise men. You can smell the straw and you can see the live animals. See the beautiful baby Jesus and come away with the true meaning of Christmas in your heart. Bring your camera for picture opportunities. After your visit to Bethlehem join us in the fellowship hall for a chili and chicken wild rice soup supper. 
Christmas Family Adventure.
Oak Hills Church
1570 Yankee Doodle Rd
Eagan, MN
Sunday, December 3rd
3:30 – 6:00pm
This year, Christmas Family Adventure is better than ever – we’ll have a live Nativity with petting zoo, hot cocoa, cookies, a kids’ craft, a Polar Express train ride, and an opportunity to meet Santa! This event will be indoors and out, so dress appropriately. Be sure to invite all of your friends and neighbors to join you for this fun, FREE, Christmas event.
The Christmas Experience
Woodbury Baptist Church
6695 Upper Afton Rd
Woodbury, MN 55125
Saturday, December 9th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Join us as we travel through the Christmas story as we celebrate the greatest gift ever! You’ll walk through live nativity stations that share the story, leading up to Jesus’ birth and end in celebration as we sing Christmas carols around the fire, warm up with sweet treats and see how others celebrate Christmas all around the world. Info here.
Live Nativity Drive-Thru
New Brighton Christian Church
1500 29th Ave NW
New Brighton, MN
Saturday, December 9th
5:30pm – 8:00pm
Experience scenes telling the Christmas Story through the eyes of Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and wiseman without leaving the warmth of your car. Free for everyone! They’re also accepting nonperishable donations. Info here.
St John the Baptist School
215 Broadway St. N.
Jordan, Minnesota
Friday, December 15th
5:00 – 7:00pm
http://www.knollwoodcc.org/
Knollwood Christian Church
3639 Quebec Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN
Friday, December 15th & Saturday, December 16th
6:00 – 8:00pm
Come join us for our Live Nativity celebration on December 15th & 16th, 2023 from 6-8pm each night. The presentation will include several stations with actors from the church portraying the characters surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
http://www.ststephenwbl.org/
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
1965 East County Road E
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Saturday, December 16th
4:30 – 7:30pm
For 29+ years St. Stephen Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake has hosted a living nativity event. It’s listed on their calendar for 2023 here. Check their website for details.
Minnetonka United Methodist Church
17611 Lake Street Ext
Minnetonka, MN 55345
Sunday, December 17th
4:00 – 5:30pm
Experience the story of Christ’s birth afresh as you walk from scene to scene, interact with the animals, sing Christmas carols and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate!
Also see my guide – Holiday Lights & Events in Minnesota 2023!
Plus this guide: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Events in Minnesota 2023
Images in this post: Nativity scenes: Images by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay All others are from sites linked in event.