With Christmas just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to begin booking your holiday plans. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to spend your holidays in Minnesota in 2021 in the Gull Lake region, you’ll find there are plenty of seasonal activities to be enjoyed! The following are a few you just won’t want to miss out on.
Enjoy a Performance of A Christmas Story
Christmas is a time of year that tends to come with a long lineup of fun traditions to indulge. This year, even if your travel plans have you heading to the Gull Lake region of Minnesota, you’ll find there are plenty of places to make the most of the traditional holiday fun. If you’re someone who has long loved to include a showing of the movie A Christmas Story into your holiday itinerary, you’re in luck! Holiday visitors are invited to make their way to the Stage North Theater on December 17th to enjoy a live performance of A Christmas Story right on stage. This fun dramatization puts Ralphie, his parents, teacher and the Red Ryder BB gun front and center for an entire audience to enjoy in a new holiday setting. The Stage North Theater is found at 1001 Kingwood Street in Brainerd, so book your ticket in advance and get ready for a fun for the whole family experience in Minnesota this Christmas!
Make It a Rock and Roll Christmas
Music has a way of defining the Christmas season, and if you’re ready to enjoy all of your holiday favorite with a rock and roll twist, this is the holiday event for you! On Friday, December 17th starting at 7:00 pm, the Rock & Roll Christmas show kicks off at the Gichi-Zilbi Center for the Arts in Brainerd. The center is located at 602 s 5th Street and ticket holders will be treated to a holiday spectacular quite unlike any other! This is considered a Las Vegas-inspired multimedia production that includes an eight-piece band, a game show, comedy, parodies, and of course, all-star musicians taking Christmas classics to a new Rock n’ Roll level of fun.
Visit Off the Rails Market
What would Christmas be without last-minute shopping? Whether you have a few items to pick up that have lingered on your list, you’re starting from scratch, or you just can’t wait to browse holiday goods, the Off the Rails Market is the place to be this year. This market is actually comprised of a series of shopping events but no matter when you drop by, you’ll find more than 60 local vendors on site including homegrown brands, artists, gardeners and more! The market is found at the Brainerd Exchange in the Northern Pacific Center and the entrance fee is only $2 at the door. The market runs through the entire month of December and visitors can feel great knowing that $1 of every entrance fee goes right back to the Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity. In addition to great shopping, guests can enjoy everything from raffle drawings, live music, and of course, delicious food to be savored as well.
Get Creative at a Wreath Workshop in Nisswa
If your Christmas plans have you in Nisswa on Friday, December 10th at 6:30 pm and you’re feeling creative, head over to 24735 State Highway 371 to take part in a wreath workshop that promises to be one-of-a-kind! Tickets can be purchased online in advance for this fun and festive activity that has participants walking away with a homemade piece of décor that will work as a great conversation starter in the home upon return. You’ll have the opportunity to use real pinecones, florals, evergreen branches and leaves to construct a beautiful wreath with the help of an experienced and friendly instructor. Classes are limited to 6-people at a time creating a peaceful and intimate setting in which to try out your new artistic skills!
Book Your Place at Holiday Strings
When a classical Christmas is just your style, you’ll be beyond pleased when you book your ticket to Holiday Strings. Hosted at Central Lakes College’s Dryden Theatre at 501 West College Drive, this performance promises to thrill. On December 8th starting at 7:30 pm the CLC string orchestra will bring their holiday concert known and loved as Holiday Strings to life on stage. The concert can be enjoyed in person or on a virtual platform. It’s a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the season and let the sounds of Christmas define your Gull Lake region getaway this year.
Book Your Stay Today
Whether you’re headed this way for Christmas or any other time of year, the property professionals at Gull Lake Beach Resorts can help you book a vacation rental that’s made to match. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting options and to start planning your next trip!
Make your list and check it twice, your visit to Gull Lake will be nothing but nice! Start planning now because you’re going to need more than 12 Days of Christmas to experience all the magical events taking place in the Brainerd Lakes area this holiday season. Here are our top 12 picks for celebrating the holidays in Minnesota-style to wrap up the year:
SERTOMA WINTER WONDERLAND
Twinkling lights strung into captivating displays are sure to put you in the holiday spirit as you drive through this breathtaking winter wonderland at Northland Arboretum, which runs from November 25 through the month of December. This spectacular holiday tradition includes a driving tour of 75 colorfully animated lit displays. Sure to add a sparkle of excitement, funds raised from this event benefit local clubs and nonprofit organizations. Over the past 14 years, the Sertoma Winter Wonderland has contributed nearly $250,000 back into the community.
KRINGLE MARKET
Held in the gallery and gift shop at The Crossing Arts Alliance, this annual holiday shopping event boasts an amazing selection of art, fine crafts, art supplies, holiday gifts, and much more, all created by local artisans. The market is open daily through Christmas Eve – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t miss this fun shopping experience and great opportunity to support the Gull Lake community’s makers and artists!
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Brainerd with festivities that begin Saturday, November 27 just in time for Small Business Saturday. The Holiday Passport Promotion begins the same day and runs through December 12. Shoppers will earn a passport stamp for each purchase made at a participating business (one stamp per visit per day). A grand prize drawing will be awarded on December 16. Check out the downtown lights and decorated storefronts during the Third Annual Downtown Window Walk on Friday, December 3 from 5 to 7 p.m., as well as the return of Santa’s Workshop the first three Saturdays in December. This free event will take place at 614 Front Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include seasonal crafts, pictures with Santa and more.
HOLIDAY MAKER WORKSHOPS
To gear up for the holidays with a special homemade touch, join Copper Creek Garden Center in Nisswa for the following how-to sessions: on November 22, Advent Wreath Workshop, on November 28, Christmas Lantern Workshop; on December 3, 4, and 10, Holiday Wreath Workshop; and on December 11, Evergreen Centerpiece Workshop. Tickets can be purchased online and guests can BYOB to sip while you work!
DIY WINTER CENTERPIECE
Create a beautiful winter centerpiece at Landsburg Nursery in Brainerd on December 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. You’ll add your own fresh greens, make yarn trees, add some ribbon and berries, maybe a pine cone or two and then…voila! You have a gorgeous centerpiece that will last all winter and you can tell everyone at the table that you made it! Cost is $70 and the activity is led by The Frugal Farmhouse.
MAKE N’ TAKE WINTERGREENS WORKSHOP
Each Saturday in December until Christmas, the workshop at Landsburg Nursery is staffed with design experts to help you create a holiday masterpiece. Get great personalized advice, free use of tools, and a free application of Wilt Stop, plus you’ll have tons of fun and you’ll get to leave the mess behind! Fresh locally grown evergreen products and accents will be available to purchase. Bring in your own pots or purchase some new ones onsite. Gather a group of 8 or more and schedule your own make n’ take party.
A CONCERTO FOR THE HOLIDAYS
On December 5 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., enjoy a free winter concert at the Tornstrom Auditorium. Musicians from the Heartland Symphony Orchestra will warm your heart with the sounds of the season.
ELF, THE MUSICAL
This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. Based on the beloved holiday film, the comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. The festive production by Brainerd Community Theatre will run December 14-16 at the Chalberg Theatre in Brainerd.
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Dramatized from the popular 1983 movie, the play is set in the 1940s, when a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. This impressive production by Stage North Theater Company will run December 16-19 at the Franklin Art Center in Brainerd.
SANTA PAWS AT BUSTER PARK
You and your trusty companion are invited to the playground for dogs for a photo with Santa and Mrs. Paws, December 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Buster Dog Park in Brainerd. Elf helpers will take photos so you can help stage or even be in the photo with your cute canine. And, if your pup was a good dog this year, Santa may even have some special goodie bags to give away!
FULL MOON SHOWSHOE HIKE
Don the winter gear and head to Northland Arboretum on December 18 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a hike under the full moon. Cost is $20 for the guided hike and includes hot chocolate and cookies!
THAT HOLIDAY FEELING
Tyke’s Carpet Castle proudly presents, Sinatra and Company “That Holiday Feeling,” a fun-filled variety holiday show featuring the talents of award-winning vocalist Tim Patrick, accomplished singer and producer Colleen Raye and top-notch big band vocalist Debbie O’Keefe, each bringing their own brand of talent and charisma to the stage. Catch this special production at the Gichi-ziibi Performing Arts Center in Brainerd on December 19 at 6 p.m.
UNWRAP THE HOLIDAYS WITH A STAY AT GULL LAKE BEACH RESORTS
If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays in a true winter wonderland, look no further than Gull Lake Beach Resorts, where we pull out all the stops to create the perfect home base for enjoying all the activities of the season. We hope the holidays in Central Minnesota will become a new tradition for you and yours! Contact us today to book your festive getaway.
With 2020 officially behind us, people across the U.S. and the globe are looking to capture the best that 2021 has to offer. With so many plans and travels put on hold in the year we all left behind, it’s fair to assume that those with a passion for hitting the road in the name of exploration will find plenty to look forward to with Easter just around the corner.
Yes, those traditional and meaningful moments spent at home over the Easter holiday are important, but we have all spent so much time inside that if the opportunity presents itself to get out and pair our Easter celebrations with a fresh air moment, there’s no reason not to take it!
This year, when you’re considering trips that elevate your Easter experience in wonderful ways, be sure to set your travel sights on scenic Gull Lake, Minnesota, and its incredible surrounding communities. Not only is this destination refreshing, but it provides a beautiful backdrop for that holiday trip you definitely deserve in 2021.
Whether you’re a traveler that loves to relax, enjoys the outdoors, or can’t wait to explore, a Gull Lake getaway will definitelly inspire you. The following are just a few of many options when you’re ready to plan an unforgettable Easter 2021 away in Minnesota.
Explore Pillsbury State Forest
Time spent discovering the beauty of Gull Lake is a highlight of any trip this way, but for those that are ready to immerse themselves in forested beauty this Easter, a quick hop over to nearby Pillsbury State Forest is bound to please! This impressive area of protected land covers 25,612 acres of terrain and was first established in 1900.
Pillsbury State Forest holds the important title of being Minnesota’s very first state forest, making it a must-see for those that travel this way with a heart for history. Bundle up and enjoy traversing the hilly terrain while you admire the many sugar maple, red oaks, and black ash trees that call this state forest home. 27 miles of hiking trail wind through Pillsbury State Forest which can be explored on foot, bike, or by horseback when the weather is right!
Hike the Paul Bunyan State Trail
When you can’t wait to pair your Easter celebrations with a fresh-air moment and plenty of scenery, be sure to take time to check out the Paul Bunyan State Trail while you’re in town. This path boasts an impressive 112 miles to discover that runs through the heart of Brainerd and Baxter. Pick and choose how much of this paved trail you want to enjoy during your stay. Whether you make it a day-trip or just an afternoon, it’s a great option for spending time outdoors over Easter when you have little ones with you as well.
Book the Perfect Property for Your Gull Lake Getaway
Knowing you’ve booked an ideal vacation rental can boost your Easter away to new and exciting heights. Those who book with Gull Lake Beach Resorts will enjoy spacious, comfortable, and luxurious accommodations that make their Easter trip complete.
While Gull Lake and the surrounding communities are packed with options for enjoying dinner out, those that prefer to serve up a home-cooked meal instead can do so in these rentals. Many are equipped with full kitchens that offer spacious counters, plenty of cookware, and modern appliances to make whipping up that Easter dinner a breeze. Guests can then choose to dine indoors at the table or make their way outside to a patio or deck where furniture awaits to help you enjoy an amazing holiday alfresco moment.
Many guests have a favorite holiday movie they traditionally watch over Easter and a trip to Gull Lake this year doesn’t mean sacrificing that important moment. Gull Lake Beach Resort rentals are outfitted with access to Wi-Fi and high-speed internet so streaming that movie that means so much is only the touch of a button away.
No matter how you spend your Easter Gull Lake getaway, booking a rental with an amazing view is a must. Wake up each day of your stay and enjoy scenery that’s inspiring and inviting and well-paired with cozy furnishings that balance comfort and style. There’s really no reason not to pamper yourself a little this Easter.
Contact Us Today
Whether your plans have you enjoying a getaway to Gull Lake over Easter or heading this way another time of year, the property professionals at Gull Lake Beach Resorts are here to help. We’re committed to helping our guests create one-of-a-kind stays and are always available when you’re hoping to select a property that meets and exceeds all of your travel needs. Reach out today to learn more about our many impressive area vacation rentals and to begin planning your next exciting Easter getaway. We can’t wait to see you in Gull Lake soon!