With Christmas fast approaching, holiday cheer is spreading throughout the country. The twin cities have a variety of activities to help get you in the holiday spirit.

Daytonıs 8th Floor Displays
Daytonıs presents an annual Christmas-time favorite for many shoppers and onlookers. Each year, their eighth floor auditorium, Daytonıs puts together an elaborate display that depicts a certain childrenıs story. This year, Daytonıs is featuring Harry Potter and the Sorcererıs Stone, J.K. Rowlingıs first book in the Harry Potter series that has been taking the world by storm. This 10,000 ft. display tells the story in 45 vignettes, the largest in the auditoriumıs history. Although there is always a high turnout for the displays, Daytonıs expects a much higher turnout this year, due to the large following that Rowlingıs books have experienced.

Holidazzle Parade
Another fun family activity is the ninth annual Holidazzle Parade. This lighted parade travels down Nicolette Mall from 12th to 3rd Street in downtown Minneapolis. The parade runs from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, and Dec. 26 at 6:30 p.m. It includes many lighted floats depicting characters from fairy tales, movies and storybooks. It also features bands, choirs, and dancers that add to the variety of the show.

Light Shows
There are many spectacular light shows around the cities. One not to miss is "Arbor Lights." In this display, the trees and gardens of the Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen are decked out in holiday fashion. In addition to the lights, they have a bonfire and a nightly program.

The Minnesota Zoo also has a great light show called "Walk the Wild lights," including over one million lights and 58 larger-than-life animal figures.

"Holiday Magic" is a beautiful show in St. Paulıs Como Park. It includes holiday lights, candle-lit gardens and a free program.

Plays and Productions
There are also many shows going on throughout Minneapolis. "Charlie Brown Lives On" is playing at the McKnight Theatre at Ordway Center through Feb. 18.

"Absurd Person Singular," a show that captures three Christmas holidays experienced by three different couples, is being shown at Theatre in the Round from Nov. 24 through Dec. 10.

Last, but not least, "A Christmas Carol," is showing at the Guthrie Theatre. The 27th annual show captures Charles Dickensı story with enough variety to make it different from each of the previous yearsı shows.

Cross-Cultural Celebrations
For those looking for celebrations of the holiday season in other cultures, there are several displays capturing experiences from other lands.

The Minnesota History Center is featuring "Holiday Celebration," a cross-cultural holiday celebration in song and dance, and "Christmas in Scandinavia" is taking place at the American Swedish Institute. This Scandinavian Christmas includes trees and tables decorated in the holiday spirit from each of the five Scandinavian countries.

The twin cities have a variety of other events catering to a variety of different interests. Whether you choose to take in one of these listed or even none at all, have a fun and festive holiday season.