Free Christmas Music Performances - Southwest Suburbs Minneapolis

Here is a partial list of some of the more interesting free Christmas music performances available this season. This list focuses on family friendly events in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Wayzata, Chaska and Victoria.

Minnesota has always been known as a great place for enjoying the arts. We have world class museums, art galleries, theaters, and music. In fact, Minnesota just voted yes to another sales tax increase that will provide money to the arts and environment. We pay for the arts, why not enjoy some free Christmas music this year?

With the holidays rapidly approaching, calendars will be rapidly filling up with family get-togethers and holiday parties. This year, the economy, prices of everything, and job uncertainty are of high concern to most everyone.

Accordingly, admission prices to Christmas plays, musicals, ballets, movies, and events might be out of reach of many budgets. Shoppers are cutting back on their planned expenditures for Christmas shopping. More people will be making their Christmas presents or creating dollar limits on gifts. More families will be drawing names rather than buying for everyone.

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 bell ringing, to 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 wonderful events. This list is sorted by date in December.

Thursday 12/4/08

6:30pm, Eden Prairie Community Band Ensembles, Eden Prairie Center, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie MN 55344.

6:00 - 6:30pm and 7:00 - 7:30pm, Arbor Bells Handbell Ensemble, Minnesota Arboretum , Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center, 3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318.Free admission to the Arboretum

Sunday 12/7/08

9:00am, Boy Choir , Usually need to purchase tickets to hear this group. Minnetonka United Methodist Church, 17611 Lake Street Extension, Minnetonka, MN, Morning Worship Service. Featuring Allegro.

9:00am and 10:30am worship services, Eden Prairie United Methodist Church, 15050 Scenic Heights Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. from the website: "Advent Cantata: The Chancel Choir and Orchestra present "Go Tell It!" by Jack Schrader. A joyous and faithful retelling of the Christmas story through song and narration. The cantata features a wonderful mixture of traditional carols and contemporary Christmas classics."

2:00pm, Eden Prairie Community Band Ensembles, JR Cummins House (Riley Park), 13600 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie MN, Dress for outdoor activities.

Thursday 12/11/08

6:00 - 6:30pm and 7:00 - 7:30pm, Wayzata Women's Chorus, Minnesota Arboretum, Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center,3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318. Free admission to the Arboretum

Friday 12/12/08

7:30pm, Minnetonka Symphony Chorus, Choral Reflections of Minnetonka, and Youth Chamber and Concert Choirs Ensemble, Minnetonka United Methodist Church, Hwy 101 and Lake St Extension, Minnetonka MN 55345.

Saturday, 12/13/08

3:30 pm at Ridgewood Church, 4420 Cty. Rd. 101 South, Minnetonka, MN. The 29th Annual Messiah Community Sing-A-Long will feature the Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra and guest soloists: Wendy Lukaszewski, Soprano; Suzanne Kennedy, Alto; Leanne Kampfe, Alto; David Nordli, Tenor; Gregory Douma, Bass. Free-will donation at the door.

7:00pm at Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata, MN, 125 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, MN 55391. The Singers Minnesota Choral Artists, What Sweeter Music: Christmas with The Singers. From their website: "A Twin Cities favorite, this celebration of the holiday season features new carol arrangements as well as works by Morten Lauridsen, Stephen Paulus, Matthew Culloton and a world premiere by composer-in-residence Abbie Betinis. Usher in the holidays with The Singers, and you even may be called upon to sing along."

Sunday 12/14/08

3:30pm at Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, MN 55391. Mr. Roger Satrang Hoel, Music Director. A Child's Christmas, The Choir returns to present its 15th annual "A Child's Christmas" concert. The concert also features the Minnetonka Concert Choir and Saint Paul Conservatory of Music Baroque Ensemble.

5:00pm, Christmas Concert ,12th annual Advent/Christmas Concert .Free. Donations accepted for the CAP Agency Food Shelf. Featuring Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise and Worship Band. Cake and coffee reception following concert, St. Victoria Church, 8228 Victoria Dr, Victoria MN.

6:30pm Sanner Renner, Eden Prairie United Methodist Church, 15050 Scenic Heights Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, From the website: "Sara Renner and The Elements" Sara Renner (the "voice of the Minnesota Wild"!) and her band "The Elements" will brighten your Advent season as they reflect the love, joy and beauty of God through their music." Free-will offering will be collected which will go to support "Teens Alone".

7:00pm, "Share the Warmth" Holiday Concert, Eden Prairie Community Band, Eden Prairie High School North Entrance, 7185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie MN. Benefit concert for PROP. Free-will donations accepted. The group will be collecting donated hats, mittens, canned food and money for the local food shelf.

7:30pm Juletide at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 715 Minnetonka Mills Rd., Hopkins MN, Free-will donation at the door. The Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra presents a delightful evening performing holiday music. Featuring Anderson: Sleigh Ride, Evans/Louer: Silver Bells, Herbert: Babes in Toyland, Bach: Aria No. 9, Cantata No. 4, Berlin: White Christmas, Anderson: Christmas Festival, Tschaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, op 71a

Thursday 12/18/08

5:00 - 5:30pm and 6:00 - 6:30pm Madd Jazz by the Mound Westonka High School at the Minnesota Arboretum, Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center,3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318. Free admission.

6:30 - 8:00pm, Eden Prairie Community Band Ensembles at the Minnesota Arboretum, Free admission.

6:30 - 9:00pm Glory of Christmas concert at Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie MN 55347

Sunday 12/21/08

3:30pm, Juletide, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN. Free-will donation at the door. The Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra presents a delightful evening performing holiday music. Featuring Anderson: Sleigh Ride, Evans/Louer: Silver Bells, Herbert: Babes in Toyland, Bach: Aria No. 9, Cantata No. 4, Berlin: White Christmas, Anderson: Christmas Festival, Tschaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, op 71a.