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!
There are several live nativity events at churches in the Twin Cities this month, and all of them include an opportunity to come inside, warm up with refreshments and even enjoy some more family activities! Plus they’re all FREE! (though donations may be accepted)
New Brighton Christian Church
1500 29th Ave NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
Saturday, December 8th &
Sunday, December 9th
6:00 – 8:00pm
For 36 years New Brighton Christian Church has provided a unique outdoor experience of the Christmas Story. Visitors have an opportunity to experience the wonder of the first Christmas as they drive past people in costumes along with a live donkey, camel and sheep in eight scenes beginning with angel Gabriel and ending with the coming of the wisemen. Music and scripture help explain the scenes and transform the church grounds to Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
Make this a part of your Christmas season traditions! Guests remain in their cars as they drive through the nativity so it is a great, free event to add while out admiring Christmas lights. Put your kiddos in their pajamas, pack the hot cocoa and stay toasty warm in your vehicles.
The live nativity runs Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th. Continuous showings begin at 6:00 pm and go through 8:00 pm.
No tickets or cost required, just intentional family time centering your hearts on the Reason for the Season.
Knollwood Christian Church
3639 Quebec Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN
Friday, December 14th &
Saturday, December 15th
6:00 – 8:00pm
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/707840926251314/
Come experience the events surrounding that very first Christmas. For many years now, many families and individuals make visiting this Live Nativity as a Christmas tradition. The presentation will include several stations with actors from the church portraying the characters surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. The portrayal will also include several live animals, including a camel, sheep, donkey and a cow!!!
There will be a treat inside and Christmas photo booth. All events are free but we do accept donations for our local food shelf (STEP).
Bethel Lutheran Church
670 W. Wheelock Parkway
Saint Paul, MN
Saturday, December 15th
5:30 – 8:00pm
On December 15th, Bethel Lutheran Church in Saint Paul will host “A Living Nativity”, a night where participants will experience events surrounding the very first Christmas. For the sixth annual year, families will have the opportunity to journey to Bethlehem to witness the story unfold with a live reenactment of the first Christmas, including live animals! Visitors also can enjoy live music and caroling, and warm beverages and treats. Doors open at 5:30pm, with periodic live shows starting at 6:00pm, concluding at 8:00. This event is for everyone of all ages! There is free parking in the church parking lot on St. Albans Street (on the west side of the church). No tickets necessary and the event is free! Come, experience the true Christmas story.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
1965 East County Road E
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Saturday, December 15th & 22nd
4:30 – 7:30pm
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/965696143639669/
For the 26th year, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake is hosting a living nativity event. It’s family friendly, fun, and interactive and includes live animals. There will be music and caroling, a photo booth, flavored hot chocolate, tasty treats, a kid’s craft area, and more! Mark your calendars for this family friendly event.
Messiah Church
17805 County Road 6
Plymouth, MN 55447
Sunday, December 16th
5:00 – 7:00pm
On Sunday, December 16th, visitors to Messiah Church will be transported back in time, to that star-lit night long ago when Jesus Christ was born. Walk through this free outdoor Living Nativity at your own pace from 5 to 6 pm and see the Christmas Story come to life! Five magical scenes share the story: the angel Gabriel visiting Mary, the Wise Men visiting with King Herod, the Shepherds, the Inn, and the manger with baby Jesus. Volunteers from Messiah – and live animals! – will help tell the story.
“The Living Nativity is Messiah Church’s invitation to the community to come and be blessed by a story that is 2,000 years old and see how that story comes to life,” said Steve Richards, Senior Pastor of Messiah Church.
The entire community is invited to attend this outdoor event, then warm up inside with a light dinner and entertainment. There will be activities for kids and an opportunity to participate in a service project – assembling health kits that will be distributed to disaster areas in the United States. (from https://www.messiahchurch.org/living-nativity/)
Do you know of any other Live Nativity Events in the Twin Cities? Let me know!
