(Saint Paul, MN) Saint Paul will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland this holiday season from November 25 through January 1 as figurines of classic nutcrackers and gingerbread men, and a giant 75-foot decorated tree dazzle visitors to Rice Park. With the backdrop of the castle-like Landmark Center and enchanting snowfalls, millions of twinkle lights will set the trees aglow as a children's holiday train winds through the park and horses and carriages line up to give spectators rides around the downtown area. The stunning tree will be as tall as the iconic Rockefeller Center tree in New York. The Wells Fargo WinterSkate Ice Rink will be set up at Landmark Plaza across from Rice Park from November through January to complete the wintry scene. Open skating, which will be free to the general public, will be featured Monday through Friday from 12-2 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 3 pm and from 5-10 pm. The rink will also be used for organized sports, skating clinics and group lessons.

Complimenting the activity in the Rice Park area will be live performances of Irving Berlin's classical holiday musical White Christmas at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts from December 1- January 7. Across the park, The Saint Paul Hotel will offer special holiday teas including a Christmas Tea incorporating performances of It's a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play which runs from December 18-23.

"Saint Paul has always been a favorite spot for visitors during the holidays, but this year, our spectacular 75-foot holiday tree, holiday train and skating rink will rival even New York's Rockefeller Center," said Brad Toll, vice president of marketing for the Saint Paul RCVA. "We welcome visitors from across the country and all over the world to come experience Saint Paul's amazing winter wonderland, as well as the first-rate theatrical offerings and family entertainment we have planned for this 2006 holiday season."

The list of holiday special events is dizzying, but for starters, there is Festival of Trees at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel on 11/8, the celebration of the Hmong New Year at RiverCentre 11/25-27 and the Skandia Festival at Landmark Center 12/10. For more of a historic perspective of the holidays, check out the Hill House Holidays at the James J. Hill House or the Ramsey House Holidays at the Alexander Ramsey House. Both historic sites are decorated to the hilt and offer tours with costumed guides depicting various holiday activities in turn-of-the-century Saint Paul.

For families with kids in tow, children's activities and exhibits will also be scattered throughout the city. Santa's Train Stop, at the Jackson Street Roundhouse near downtown Saint Paul runs weekends from December 3-17. Children can take pictures with Santa and experience steam locomotives. Saint Paul's Children's Museum, Science Museum, History Center and Fort Snelling are always wonderful places for children and all will have themed exhibits during the holidays. Visitors can also take in the BODY WORLDS exhibit at the Science Museum, which has been extended through Dec 3.

Shopping is first and foremost for many visitors in November and December and the city offers an array of wonderful stores and special events where visitors can browse for that unique gift. December kicks off with two terrific shopping opportunities - the Grand Meander on Saint Paul's Grand Avenue 12/2 is a holiday celebration along a collection of specialty and boutique shops located just north of downtown near the Cathedral and stately Summit Avenue. Visit the decked out one-of-a-kind shops, listen to carolers, ride trolleys and take the tots to Breakfast with Santa. That same weekend of 11/30-12/2, Landmark Center will feature its annual holiday bazaar, a must see for specialty gifts or new holiday items to spruce up your home. Don't forget your ice skates to take the family for a spin on the adjacent outdoor ice rink.

Many visitors want to plan a stop at Mall of America, the nation's largest shopping and entertainment center featuring over 500 specialty shops and dozens of restaurants, theaters, a theme park and Underwater Adventures, a 1.2 million gallon aquarium. This year MOA will erect the world's largest gingerbread house, a 65' structure that visitors can walk through and admire. Mall of America is located just 10 minutes from Saint Paul and is open daily.
Saint Paul also has wonderful gift shops within many of its fabulous museums, making it a great way to combine family fun and gift shopping. Check out the shops within the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Art and the Science Museum of Minnesota for educational gifts for all ages.
The Twin Cities area has more theater seats per capita than any other city with the exception of New York, so it's no surprise that many visitors combine holiday shopping and outdoor activities with theatrical performances while visiting Saint Paul.

Theatrical offerings include Inspecting Carol, performed by Actors Theatre aboard the Minnesota Centennial Showboat on the Mississippi River 11/24 - 12/17, Lutefisk Champ and Other Frozen Holiday Tales at the Great American History Theatre 11/25-12/31, Penumbra Theatre's Black Nativity 11/30 - 12/24 and The Odd Potato at the Minnesota Jewish Theatre 12/18-22.

To ring in the New Year in grand style, Landmark Center hosts a Five Star New Year's Celebration complete with champagne, glamour and live lounge music. Saint Paul maintains its wintry glow well after the holidays, as the city celebrates the Saint Paul Winter Carnival January 26 through February 4, 2007. The nation's oldest winter festival features over 75 events including parades, car races on ice, marathons, pageantry and competitions. Rice Park and Landmark Plaza will be adorned with intricate ice carvings and Harriet Island Regional Park with snow sculptures, a snow slide as well as the primary site of many carnival activities.

For detailed information on festivals and events as well as performance and ticket information, visit the web site at www.visitsaintpaul.com and follow the Events Calendar link or call 1-800-627-6101.