The Annual Minneapolis Holidazzle Christmas Parade: An Unbiased Guide

Each Christmas season, thousands of Minnesotans pull on their parkas, brave the wind chill and venture outside for the annual Minneapolis Holidazzle Parade. Yes, outside! Minnesotans are a hardy lot!

Holidazzle is a night time parade down NIcollet Mall (Minneapolis' main shopping avenue.) Each year about a dozen brightly-lit floats wend their way past the chosen frozen, promoting the season, good cheer and Holidazzle happiness. The parade runs for several weeks beginning around Thanksgiving and running through the holidays. Check the website www.holidazzle.com for this year's parade dates.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A FUN VISIT:

Each year, local downtown merchants arrange a variety of special shopping events in conjunction with the parade. These deals include a special "Hot Seat" section where you can sit in a heated parade area (with a qualifying purchase.) Make a day of it, and check out the special Macy's exhibits and downtown events. Nicollet Mall is within easy walking distance of the Target Center, and not too far from the Guthrie Theater, Metrodome and other downtown Minneapolis attractions. Take in a Timberwolves game or some theater after the parade.

Don't pass up a warm spell! Minnesota weather can be very uncertain in December. If there's a warm spell, take advantage of the opportunity and visit Holidazzle early in the season. The closer you get to Christmas, the more the chance for subfreezing temperatures. (Performances are sometimes canceled due to extreme cold...watch the local TV news.)

If you do plan to attend during an extreme cold spell, dress warmly, and take advantage of the many merchants and heated skyways along Nicollet. You can view the parade quite nicely from the skyways, but the good viewing spots fill up fast, so arrive early!

The parade actually moves very slowly. It starts at the far western edge of Nicollet Avenue and doesn't reach the Washington Street end for about half an hour. So, if you arrive late, head for the eastern end of Nicollet.

Although Santa Claus always ends the parade, for some reason the promoters have chosen Mother Goose characters for most of the floats. Don't ask me what this has to do with the holiday season, but at least the spirit is festive.

Most of the people working and marching in the parade are volunteers. If you feel the desire to dress up in a brightly-lit costume and parade in front of your fellow Minnesotans, contact the parade organizers for details. (Note: If you want to be involved, contact organizers early! Volunteer spots fill up very quickly!)

It IS possible to find free parking! You may have to walk a few blocks, but many meters are enforced only until 6 p.m. and never on Sundays. (Read the meters to be certain.)

Sunday evenings can be one of the best times to visit. It is less crowded, many of the businesses will have extended holiday hours and parking on the streets in most areas is free.

Minneapolis is well-known for it's many restaurants, pubs and clubs, many within easy walking distance of the parade.

If you can't make it in person, there is usually a live local TV broadcast of the parade early in the season, which is repeated near Christmas day.

Happy Holidays!