The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, but for individuals with sensory sensitivities, traditional festivities can sometimes feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the Twin Cities area offers a variety of sensory-friendly events that allow everyone to celebrate the season in a calm and inclusive environment.
From quiet Santa visits to low-stimulation performances and festive experiences tailored for neurodivergent individuals, these events ensure that everyone can enjoy the magic of the holidays. Check out our curated list of sensory-friendly holiday happenings to find the perfect event for your family!
Santa Claus Lane Sensory Friendly Hours
Friday Mornings, 10am - 12pm
Day Passes: $18 - 12 & under; $20 - adults
Camp Fire MN | 3300 Tanadoona Dr, Excelsior, MN
Santa Claus Lane is a holiday pop-up experience reminiscent of the North Pole, open every Friday through Sunday in winter 2024. During your visit, you'll be wrapped in holiday cheer as you enjoy a visit with Santa, shopping, walking llamas, and special performances.
Special Workshops at Santa Claus Lane: Holi-Dough Delight: Create & Play Sensory-Friendly Fun
December 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
December 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
$15 (this is in addition to the day pass)
Join us for a relaxed and sensory-friendly playdough adventure! Creators can dive into our "Create Your Own Playdough" station, where they can mix, mold, and add scent to their very own festive dough, or explore our pre-made playdough play area, complete with fun tools for hands of all sizes and abilities. This workshop offers hands-on, inclusive fun without the pressure, along with tools and helpers so everyone can participate, no matter their unique needs. Plus, if the playdough isn’t your thing, we’ve got a cozy coloring station where you can explore your artistic side in an accessible, welcoming space. Come squish, create, and color your way through the holiday magic!
Ahh-tism Smiles' Sensory-Friendly Santa & Fun
December 7, 8:30am - 1pm
Chalet Dental Care | 1651 Dale St N, Saint Paul, MN
FREE
December 14, 8:30am - 12pm
Carousel Pediatric Dentistry | 15160 Foliage Ave, Suite 110, Apple Valley, MN
FREE
Join Ahh-tism Smiles for this sensory-friendly event!
No lines or waiting!
15 minutes with the big guy himself
Digital photo(s) to capture the magic
A special gift from Santa
Cookies and cocoa with Mrs. Claus
Penguin bowling
Time to explore a dental office and ask questions with the pros
Sensory Santa Experience
December 8, 2pm - 5pm
7500 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie - Main Level, Event Space
FREE
Bring the family for an afternoon full of holiday joy:
Private, one-on-one Santa time (reserved for children with special needs)
Balloon creations by the Amazing Scott
Family Photo Booth
Storytime Corner
Sensory Holiday Stations
Letters to Santa
Festive snacks and treats
Sponsored by Ana Elder Homes and Northway Academy, this event is open to all families, and we’re so excited to welcome everyone! Due to the high level of interest, we’re offering reservations for 1 on 1 Santa sessions for the kids in the ASD community. Don't worry, each family will get a photo opportunity—whether that’s a moment with just your kiddo or a full family shot.
Santa Cares at Southdale Center
December 8, 9:30am - 10:30am
Southdale Center | 10 Southdale Ctr, Edina, MN
Santa Cares events allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Santa Magic photo experiences in an inclusive environment that improves comfort, enjoyment, and participation among children with sensory sensitivities.
Sensory-Friendly Children's Cooking Class: Grinch Goodies
December 14, 11am - 12pm
Savage Library | 13090 Alabama Ave, Savage, MN
$15/person
Ready to whip up some holiday magic? Join See Me Neurodiverse for a 1-hour kids and parents cooking class where we'll bake some Grinch Goodies!
Bring your little chefs for a fun and festive baking experience, where we'll mix up tasty treats and holiday cheer. Treats will be made without artificial colors, sugars, or flavors. All supplies are provided and no clean up for you!
Cookies & Cocoa with The Sunshine Social Club
December 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
5116 Gateway St SE, Suite 201, Prior Lake, MN
FREE
Celebrate the holiday season with us at the Sunshine Social Club's new location! We’re excited to invite you to enjoy cookies and cocoa in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This fun event is perfect for individuals aged 21 and up, along with their families, as we continue our mission to support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Come sip on delicious cocoa while you decorate some tasty cookies! We’ll have all the supplies ready for you, and the best part? It’s absolutely FREE! Just a little favor—we kindly ask that you register in advance so we can make sure there are enough treats for everyone.
Bedtime Stories with Santa! (Virtual)
December 23, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom Virtual Meeting
FREE
This holiday season, Peterson & Co Real Estate is offering a sensory-friendly virtual Bedtime Stories with Santa event! Through a virtual Zoom call, your child will have the opportunity to connect with Santa in a relaxed, pressure-free setting.
With flexible participation, your child can engage in whatever way feels most comfortable for them. This virtual event offers a special moment with Santa in a familiar, safe environment - free from the crowds and distractions of a traditional visit.
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Sensory Friendly Performance
January 3, 2025, 7pm
UnitedHealth Group Stage | Children's Theatre Company | 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this CTC holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most! Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart.
Designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities but welcome to all! At our Sensory Friendly performances, sensory modifications are balanced with preserving the engaging theatre experience desired by all children and families.
Know of other holiday events geared towards neurodivergent individuals and families? Please email us at info@seemeneurodiverse.org so we can add them to this list.