Last year the European Christmas Market at Union Depot ran on weekends from November 28 through December 21, 2025. That came to four weekends, and the first one was Thanksgiving weekend. This year the market opens Friday, November 20, and runs five weekends.
That one-week shift lines the market up with the other two big openings in Lowertown. Mears Park turns on its winter lights Thursday evening, November 19, and GLOW opens at CHS Field that night as well. All three open within about 24 hours, on a few blocks between 5th Street, Broadway and Kellogg Boulevard. In 2026, Lowertown's holiday season starts the week before Thanksgiving.
The Farmers' Market Closes Out November First
Before the lights go on, the same blocks still have the farmers' market. The Saint Paul Farmers' Market lists Lowertown market dates on November 7, 8, 14 and 15, with outdoor Saturday markets on the 7th and the 14th. Saturdays run 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The outdoor market is at 290 5th St. E. and the indoor market is at 308 Prince St. E.
On the west side of downtown, the Rice Park Tree of Lights ceremony is listed for Saturday, November 14, the same day as the last outdoor Saturday market on the Lowertown calendar. The last market Sunday is the 15th. Four days later, Mears Park lights up.
Thursday, November 19: Mears Park at 4, GLOW at 5
The Mears Park Winter Lighting Celebration runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at 221 5th St. E. It's free and includes live music, games, hot cocoa and s'mores as the park's lights come on. Organizers ask guests to RSVP so they can plan supplies, and they welcome donations toward the cost of the lights.
GLOW's first night overlaps with the lighting. The festival is a walk-through light show at CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., and the main entrance is on Broadway between 5th and 6th streets. Entry is timed by the hour starting at 5 p.m. Guests can arrive any time during their ticketed hour, last entry is 8 p.m., and the field closes at 9. Because the Mears Park event ends at 6, a 6 or 7 p.m. GLOW ticket lets you do both on opening night.
You can't buy GLOW tickets at the gate. Here's what to know before you go:
- Price: $22.75 for ages 13 and up, $12.75 for ages 3 to 12, and free for ages 2 and under, before taxes and ticketing fees
- Purchase: online and in advance only, and nonrefundable
- Entry: a mobile PDF ticket, or a printed copy
- On site: cashless purchases only
This year's new exhibits are Wand-er Land, an interactive installation, and Arctic Adventure. Returning favorites include Santa's Shack, Glitter Critters, the Slide and the Zip Line. GLOW runs on select dates through January 3, 2027.
Friday, November 20: The Market Opens at 3
The European Christmas Market sets up on Union Depot's East Plaza at 240 E. Kellogg Blvd. Admission is free. The market is outdoors, with three large heated tents where visitors can warm up and buy Glühwein, a hot spiced mulled wine, and other drinks. The organizer describes it as an outdoor market with more than 80 vendors.
Weekly hours:
- Fridays, 3 to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After the stalls close on Fridays and Saturdays, the market runs "After Hours" from 9 to 10 p.m., with last call in the heated tents. The new 2026 Kid Zone has free crafts in its own activity tent, including ornament coloring, toy painting, cookie decorating and letters to Santa. Carousel and train rides are also on the program.
Five Weekends, Each With Something Else Going On Downtown
The added weekend changes the calendar. Thanksgiving weekend used to be opening weekend. Now it's the market's second weekend, and the Friday after Thanksgiving gets longer special hours of 1 to 9 p.m. The market also overlaps with several other downtown events this season:
| Market weekend | Also downtown |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20–22 | Mears Park lighting and GLOW's opening night on Thursday the 19th |
| Nov. 27–29 | Thanksgiving weekend; market open 1–9 p.m. on Friday the 27th |
| Dec. 4–6 | Landmark Center's 48th Annual Holiday Bazaar, Dec. 4–6 |
| Dec. 11–13 | The Music Man at the Ordway, which runs Dec. 8–27 |
| Dec. 18–20 | The market's final weekend; GLOW runs through Jan. 3 |
The first weekend of December puts both of downtown's big holiday shopping events on the same days. The Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar at 75 5th St. W. is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 4, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5, and children 12 and under get in free. That gives you an indoor bazaar on the west end of downtown during the day and the outdoor market at Union Depot until 9 p.m. The Ordway's The Music Man at 345 Washington St. runs through the market's last two weekends.
Where the Evening Continues
The Mears Park event page suggests heading to a neighborhood restaurant after the lighting. These places are all close by. Check their hours against your plans, because they vary more than the event schedules:
- Lost Fox, 213 E. 4th St., is open 8 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. That makes it an option after both GLOW and After Hours.
- 1881 Eating House is inside Union Depot at 214 4th St. E., Suite 110. It's open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, which matches the market's Friday and Saturday hours. On Sundays it serves brunch only, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Bulldog, 237 E. 6th St., opens daily at 11 a.m., and the kitchen closes at 11 p.m.
- 6ix Mears is at 235 E. 6th St. and takes reservations.
- Bullvino's and Phê Coffee share the address 289 5th St. E.
- Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant, 308 E. Prince St., Suite 140, is closed Tuesdays. It's open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Dark Horse Bar & Eatery is at 250 E. 7th St.
Two newer places on the west side of downtown fit the Landmark Center and Ordway nights. According to Visit Saint Paul, Jenni's Café opened in April 2026 inside Landmark Center, and Meritage Underground opened in August 2026. The Pioneer Press lists that venue as Meritage Underground/The Pearl Speakeasy, located beneath Meritage at 410 St. Peter St.
Getting In and Out on Event Nights
Union Depot is the eastern end of the METRO Green Line, which runs between Target Field in Minneapolis and Union Depot. The train stops at the market's front door, so you can get there without parking.
For drivers, the market lists Union Depot lots C and D at 392 E. Kellogg Blvd. as the closest parking, at an event rate of $10 to $14. Union Depot's own parking page shows event rates of $10 and $15, accepts card and mobile payment only, and says event pricing replaces the usual $4 evening and weekend rate. Lot A's entrance is at Sibley Street and Kellogg. Lot B has entrances at Kellogg and Broadway and at Sibley and East 2nd, and it's the closest lot to the depot's passenger services. GLOW lists nearby surface lots, ramps and street parking around its Broadway entrance.
Lowertown's three holiday openings take about one evening and the next afternoon to see. If you're thinking about how a Lowertown loft or a Saint Paul home would show during this season, or how the neighborhood itself sells it, Shane Spencer is happy to walk through it with you. Let's Connect — Request a Confidential Consultation.
