Plan Now for Arboretum's Packed Weekend of Family Holiday Activities

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be the setting this Saturday, Dec. 8, of the 33rd annual "Messiah" Community Sing-along with the Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra. A popular baritone and former Twin Cities resident, Thom Dreeze will return as one of several guest soloists for this holiday event which takes place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the Oswald Visitor Center's MacMillan Auditorium.  

The sing-along is free with gate admission. Here's a summary of weekend events:  

Ongoing - Making Spirits Bright 

Check out the 20-foot live poinsettia tree, whimsical seed sculptures in holiday themes, a life-sized candy-themed board game in the Arboretum Restaurant, a kids' holiday shop and more. Photos with Santa: 10:30 a.m.-noon; 12:30-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Storytimes at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekends.

Holiday Family Breakfast 

Saturday, Dec. 8, 9-11 a.m., MacMillan Auditorium. Enjoy a festive breakfast brunch. $14.99 member; $16.99 non-member; $6.99 for children 10 and under. Call 612-626-3951.

Live Music!  Minnetonka Choral Society 

Saturday, Dec. 8, 11-11:30 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m., Great Hall. 

Weekend Family Fun: Ginger and Spice

Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4 p.m., Learning Center. 
Holiday Tea. Saturday, 2:30-4 p.m., Tea Room, Snyder Bldg. $26 member/ $29 non-member, plus tax. 612-626-3951 or www.arboretum.umn.edu/teatime.aspx.

Live Music!  F-Sharp Keyboard Duo 

Sunday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Visitor Center Great Hall. 

Weekly Sunday Brunch. Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Arboretum Restaurant. Enjoy breakfast potatoes, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, omelets, caramel rolls and fruit. No reservations necessary.  $10.99 adults; $5.99 ages 12 and under.  Free for ages five and under.  Continues every Sunday through March 17. 

Live Music! Dragonfly. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, Visitor Center Great Hall. Folk and holiday tunes sung by a talented group of five seniors who perform frequently at community venues.

Book-signing with Jim Gilbert. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, Gift Store. Naturalist / writer Jim Gilbert will sign copies of his new book "Minnesota Outdoor Wonders" at the Arboretum Gift Store.

'Messiah' Sing-along with Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Chorus, featuring baritone soloist Thom Dreeze. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, MacMillan Auditorium.

For more details on any of the above events, check the website at www.arboretum.umn.eduor call 952-443-1400.  

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, is part of the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and is located 9 miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen.  The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educational facility. Open 363 days a year, admission is $12 for adults and ages 13 & older, free for ages 12 and younger and always free for members.