Free 2010 Holiday Christmas Music and Concerts in Southwest Minneapolis Suburbs

Here's a guide to some free or inexpensive holiday, Christmas, and Christian church service music performances in the southwestern suburbs of Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota, including Bloomington, Excelsior, Edina, Eden Prairie, Deephaven, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata, and one big freebie in Minneapolis.

One thing to consider, while penciling in your calendar dates, is the wide variety of free Christmas music programs available. There is something for everyone, from religious music, to brass bands, choral bells, and Christmas carols. All of these events, as far as I can tell, are free. Most would like you to bring a donation of canned goods or a free-will donation of cash. You should plan on arriving early at most of these events.

Check local calendars for new items as they are added. One to check can be found at Minnesota Public Radio:

Some of the bigger churches in the area seem to be charging for tickets, so I didn't include some of those, although their programs are probably well worth the ticket prices. Grace Church in Eden Prairie would not allow me browse events or ticket prices unless I registered at the site, which I declined to do. Also, Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie has many Holiday music events, but there are tickets sold for those that I looked at.

Don't forget to make it a memorable Christmas Eve by attending your favorite church Midnight Mass, starting at around 10:30PM on Friday, December 24.. Get there a little early as these fill up quickly.

BLOOMINGTON, MN

Friday 11/26/10
Holiday Music Festival
Mall of America Best Buy Rotunda and Sears Court, Bloomington, MN
10:00AM until 8:00PM
From the Mall of America website: "Take a break from your holiday shopping to enjoy a wide range of school groups, church groups and professional musicians performing in the Best Buy® Rotunda and Sears Court on November 26-December 23. The Grand Piano in the Rotunda has been supplied by Music Connection Pianos."
Website: http://www.mallofamerica.com/#/main/home/home

Sunday 12/5/10:
2010 Twin Cities Area Christmas Celebration
Heart of the City Band - Christmas Celebration Ensemble - Bells of St. Andrew Bell Choir - Shepherd of the Valley Brass - Operation Christmas Child
Christmas Carols
2:00-4:00PM
Mall of America, Best Buy® Rotunda, 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN

DEEPHAVEN, MN

Sunday, 12/12/10
7:30PM
The Church of St. Therese of Deephaven, 18325 Minnetonka Blvd., Deephaven

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN

Sunday 12/10/10:
7:30PM
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN

EDINA, MN

Sunday 12/12/10:
Just Friends Big Band
noon - 7:00PM.
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
phone: (952)833-9540
Website: http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/content/facilities/edinborough_park/cultural_events/index.htm

Thursday, 12/16/10
7:30PM-9:30PM
SW Christian Christmas Concert
Calvary Church, 5300 France Ave S., Edina, MN

Sunday 12/19/10:
7:00PM Bend of the River Big Band
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
phone: (952) 833-9540

Friday 12/17/10
7:00PM - 8:00PM
Holiday Concert - Copper Street Brass Quintet CSBQ
Crossview Lutheran Church, 6645 Mccauley Trl W, Edina, MN
Website: http://www.copperstreetbrass.com/home.html

Thursday 12/23/10:
Noon. Holiday's with Professor Piano
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
phone: (952) 833-9540

Sunday 12/26/10:
7:00PM
Jim Berner
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
phone: (952) 833-9540

EXCELSIOR, MN

Friday through Sunday 11/26/10 to 11/28/10:
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt
4th Annual Open air Christmas Market
Excelsior Thanksgiving Weekend Extravaganza Christkindlsmarkt
Listen to Christmas music while you shop!
Free
Friday & Saturday 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Sun. 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Lyman Park, 337 Water Street in Excelsior, MN 55331
Grand Opening Parade 11/26/10: 9:30AM - 10:00AM
Many singing groups, Minnetonka High School Chamber Choir, German Christmas Music, Arbor Bells and much more all days. Schedule of artists appearing is still being determined. See website for up-to-date details.
Website: http://www.excelsiorchristkindlsmarkt.com/

Sunday 12/5/10:
Holiday Concert
4:00PM
Trinity Episcopal Church, 322 2nd Street, Excelsior, MN 55331
(952) 474-5263

Thursday 12/9/10:
318 Café
318 Water St.
Excelsior, MN 55331
(952) 401-7902
8:00PM
From Website: "Celtic Holiday concert with Laura and the Lads (Gary Rue, guitar and vocals; Michael Bissonnette, (percussion) Great food and beverages, lovely listening room. Laura's powerful array of wind instruments includes wooden flutes,many whistles, concertina, Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes, French Cornemuse, Spanish Gaita, Medieval English Greatpipes, Leicester smallpipes, gemshorn and voice."
$10 - reservations recommended.
Website: www.three-eighteen.com

Sunday 12/26/10:
9:45AM, 11:05 AM
Mary Beth Carlson Guest Performer (pianist)
Westwood Community Church
3121 Westwood Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331
Info: (952) 224-7300
No ticket price listed.
Website: http://www.marybethcarlson.com/calendar.php

HOPKINS, MN

Friday 12/3/10:
7:30PM
Free - donations accepted.
Songs of the Season
Choral Reflections of Minnetonka and Minnetonka Chamber Choir
Zion Lutheran Church of Hopkins, 241 Fifth Ave., Hopkins, MN
Website: http://musicassociation.org/

Sunday 12/12/10:
Festival of Holiday Music
Church of St. Joseph, 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
4:00PM
The St. Joseph Music Ministry and Friends Present
"Festival of Holiday Music" Advent & Christmas Celebration in Word and Song
Love's Eternal Light
From the website: "Program presented by the St. Joseph All-Parish Choir, Bell Ensemble, Schola, Faith Formation Singers, soloists, instrumentalists, and readers. Program includes music for the Advent & Christmas Seasons - along with some fun holiday pieces! After the concert please join us in the social hall for a holiday reception, book signing and international creche exhibit. All are invited to this special Christmas music event!"
Website: http://www.stjosephhopkins.org/2010/11/05/festival-of-holiday-music-december-12/

MINNEAPOLIS, MN Free Christmas Concert

Saturday 12/4/10:
MN Orchestra Target Free Family Concert: Sleigh Ride
2:00PM and 4:00PM Orchestra Hall
Price: free
1111 Nicollet Mall; Minneapolis, MN
From the Minnesota Orchestra website, "Travel from one country to the next on a sleigh ride led by great composers! You'll hear Rimsky-Korsakov's Dance of the Tumblers, plus sleigh-ride inspired favorites by Mozart and others. Celebrate the New Year as they do in Japan, with the stirring finale from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. For a grand conclusion, the Orchestra will share the stage with hundreds of elementary-age violinists!"
Website: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/season/event_detail.cfm?id_event=1011058

MINNETONKA, MN Free Christmas Concerts

Saturday 12/4/10
7:30PM
Sounds of Youth
Minnetonka Youth Choirs
All Saints Lutheran Church, 15915 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka, MN

Saturday 12/4/10:
3:30PM
Annual Messiah Community Sing-Along
Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra and guest soloists
Ridgewood Church, 4420 Cty. Rd. 101 S., Minnetonka, MN

Friday 12/10/10
7:30PM
Free. donations accepted.
Songs of the Season
Choral Reflections of Minnetonka and Minnetonka Chamber Choir
Minnetonka United Methodist Church, Cty. Rd. 101 & Lake Street Ext., Minnetonka, MN
Website: http://musicassociation.org/

WAYZATA, MN Free Christmas Concerts

Sunday 12/5/10:
3:30PM
Minnetonka Chamber Choir "A Child's Christmas"
Wayzata Community Church
A United Church of Christ Congregation, 125 Wayzata Boulevard East, Wayzata MN 55391
(952) 473-8877
From the website: "All music events at WCC are open to the public, and most are free.
Dr. Roger Satrang Hoel, Music Director. The internationally-recognized Minnetonka Chamber Choir returns to present its 17th annual "A Child's Christmas" concert. The concert also features the Minnetonka Concert Choir and Saint Paul Conservatory of Music Baroque Ensemble. The Chamber and Concert Choirs are auditioned choirs for girls in grades 6-12."
Website: http://www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60683

Saturday 12/11/10
7:30PM
What Sweeter Music: Christmas with The Singers
Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata, MN
From the website: "The Singers welcome the holidays with "What Sweeter Music," a mix of new and old carols, hymns and works written for the holiday season. Arvo Pärt's Magnificat will be presented along with new carol arrangements by Abbie Burt Betinis, Joshua Shank, Paul Rudoi and Matthew Culloton."
Website: http://www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60683

Sunday 12/12/10
9:00AM
Music Sunday "A Thrill of Hope"
From the website: "A miracle has occurred in Bethlehem that will change the world forever! We invite you to witness the birth of Jesus Christ as told by our Children and Youth. You won't want to miss this family friendly musical celebration!"; Autumn Toussaint, Director of Children's Choirs
Wayzata Community Church
A United Church of Christ Congregation, 125 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN
(952) 473-8877
From the website: "All music events at WCC are open to the public, and most are free.
Website: http://www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60683

Sunday, 12/12/10
10:45AM
A Day for Dancing
WCC Chancel Choir, Wayzata Symphony Orchestra Winds, WCC Good Works Community Theatre Dancers,Thomas Paulson, Director of Music From the website: "This contemporary suite of medieval Christmas carols is laid out in accordance with the traditional Lessons and Carols originating from Kings College, Cambridge. In keeping with their medieval heritage, each carol is meant to be danced."
Wayzata Community Church
A United Church of Christ Congregation, 125 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN
(952) 473-8877
From the website: "All music events at WCC are open to the public, and most are free.
Website: http://www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60683

Sources:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/mpr/events.eventsmain
http://www.mallofamerica.com/#/main/home/home
http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/content/facilities/edinborough_park/cultural_events/index.htm
http://www.excelsiorchristkindlsmarkt.com/
http://musicassociation.org/
http://www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60683