Minnesotans know that with the coming of bitter cold, something else is knocking on the door. The holiday season is a time of tales, readings, song, and reflection. Get your fill of lutefisk; hear the church bells rung “the old fashioned way;” take a tour of Hmong New Year; feel the melancholy of the farm; experience foreign students first encounters with turkeys and pumpkin pies; and learn the history of fruitcake. These are some of the wide-ranging stories of Minnesota holiday life that await your senses.
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary or created after 2005 can be found on our main content pages of MPR News, YourClassical MPR, The Current, APM Reports, and Marketplace.
December 18, 1982 - Dale Connelly and team present beloved “journalist” Bud Buck talking with a “specialty retailer” about holiday shopping gift ideas.
November 22, 1984 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton interviews Ron Libertus, of the Ojibwe Nation, on his thoughts on Indian studies and Thanksgiving. Libertus discusses the concept of “giving thanks.”
December 24, 1984 - A Christmas card from KSJN's Morning Edition. In this edition of The Sounds of the Season from Around the Twin Cities, a glimpse into the life of Toy Wonder Shop in Minneapolis, with owner Hass Benoit.
December 24, 1984 - In this edition of KSJN's Morning Edition: The Sounds of the Season from Around the Twin Cities, Doug Hamilton profiles a local Santa at Dayton’s department store.
November 28, 1985 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on the many dishes and preparations of a traditional Thanksgiving event on the Eidem Farm in Brooklyn Park.
December 31, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend visits the Minneapolis home of Charlotte Kula as she prepares latkes in celebration of Hanukkah. Kula shares her thoughts on the recipe and much more.
November 24, 1989 - MPR’s Chris Tetlin takes a walking audio tour of the Hmong New Year celebration held at St. Paul’s Civic Center.
December 7, 1990 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on new, weird Christmas program performed by the Warland Singers at the Ordway in St. Paul. Friend interviews Dale Warland and composer Herb Pilhofer.
December 21, 1990 - MPR’s Jon Gordon talks with local Christmas tree sellers on the merits of their product. The debate of artificial over real ensues.
December 26, 1990 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on a Kwanzaa production at the Minneapolis YWCA. Local performance artist Nothando Zulu describes the principles of celebration during event.