Minneapolis Holidazzle Parade

Every Thursday thru Sunday during the holiday season, a dazzling display of lighted floats, bands, and costumed characters make their way down Nicollett Mall in Minneapolis. In 2011, Holidazzle celebrated its 20th year of bringing joy to both kids and adults. And they'll keep doing it for years to come.

Normally, the 25 minute parade runs from the day after Thanksgiving through the Sunday before Christmas and starts at 6:30 PM. For details on this year's dates and schedule, visit the official Holidazzle website. It looks like Nov 23 - Dec 23 in 2013!

Special thanks to Visual Images 1 at Flickr for this really cool collage!

The Holidazzle Parade runs from 12th St S to 4th St S down Nicollett Avenue in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

You can print out a map which shows the parade route in red as well as the skyway system in blue.

Personally, we stay at the Residence Inn for the weekend so that we can do a little family Christmas gift shopping, go to the 8th floor Macy's holiday display, and eat at some of the great restaurants in the area. We like this particular hotel because it is right across the street from Macy's and is on the skyway system so that you don't have to go outside.

December in Minnesota = COLD

Since the Holidazzle parade takes place in the evening, temperatures and those dreaded wind chills can reach well below zero. But don't fret, you have several options when it comes to staying warm while still enjoying the parade.

1) Each year target sets up a heated tent between 11th and 12th streets on Nicollet Mall. Not only do you get heated seats along with free personalized hot cocoa favors and apple cider, but you also get a primo view of the parade. RESERVE your "Hot Seats" early though - seats are limited and cost $9 each.

2) There are 3 skyways that cross directly over Nicollet mall on the parade route so if you arrive an hour or so before the parade, you can stand in the semi-heated skyways for a view of the festivities below.

3) My favorite option is arriving about 1 1/2 hours before the parade and heading on over to the Barnes and Noble store. You can grab a cup of coffee, your favorite book, and take up residence in front of the second story windows that overlook Nicolett Mall.

Fight Hunger and Have Fun!

Each year, Ameriprise Financial has a food and financial drive to support the Emergency Foodshelf Network. They send out a merry band of volunteer collectors to walk the parade route collecting food gifts and monetary donations from parade-goers. So if you are heading down to the Holidazzle Parade, be sure to bring along some cans or boxes of non-perishable food items such as instant rice, cereal, canned veggies or fruits, tuna, boxed potatoes, hamburger helper, etc.

According to their website, Ameriprise Financial along with parade-goers have raised 424,594 dollars and pounds of food at the Target Holidazzle parades. Each year Ameriprise matches the holiday gift donations up to $20,000.