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Drive-Through and Walk-Through Live Nativity Events in Minnesota

Published November 29, 2024 | Updated January 3, 2025 | by Laura | 3 Comments

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Minnesota Live Nativity Events

Celebrate Christmas with these Minnesota Live Nativity Events!

Live Nativity in Minnesota Drive Through and Walk Through Events.

We found many upcoming Live Nativity/Christmas Story Drive-Through and Walk-Through Events! These are a wonderful way to celebrate the season and meaning of Christmas.

Minnesota Live Nativity Events 2024

Adams
December 15, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Little Cedar & Marshall Lutheran Churches
Guests are invited to park their vehicle and walk through the scenery to enjoy this ecumenical live nativity. Sit and listen to the choir of angels, come up close to see the animals, and enjoy a cookie and warm drink. This will be an opportunity for our community to come together and share in the joy and hope of the Christmas season. A free-will donation will be taken for the event.

🚗 Albert Lea
December 13 and 14, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
New Life Christian Church
Experience the nativity story of Mary and Joseph as they journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus Christ. Witness shepherds, angels, Roman soldiers, wise men, animals, and more as you travel through the show from the comfort and warmth of your vehicle.

🚗 Alexandria
December 8, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
First Lutheran Church
All are welcome to join us as we follow Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and bring the nativity story to life. The Living Nativity has been a Christmas tradition for 40 years here at First Lutheran. This is a drive-thru event.

Angora
December 20, 6 – 7 pm
Cook’s Country Connection
A beautiful live nativity in our great MN outdoors.

Bloomington
December 7, 5 – 7 pm
Redemption Lutheran Church
Take a walk through ancient Bethlehem on the night of the birth of our Savior. Enjoy a re-creation of some of the sights and stories that took place that incredible night. There will be food, fun, and fellowship for everyone at this free event. Bring the kids to check out the petting zoo. Let’s celebrate the Christmas season together!

Buffalo
December 14 and 15, 5 – 7 pm
Buffalo Covenant Church
Come experience this interactive, walk-through event with live characters portraying wise men, shepherds, soldiers, angels, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, along with a whole stable of live animals. You can browse the Bethlehem marketplace, spend time at the stable and interact with a host of characters. Warm up inside with hot chocolate and cookies as you remember the reason we celebrate Christmas.

St Albert Live Nativity.

Burnsville
December 9 and 10, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
SouthCross Community Church
Join us for our annual Living Nativity on Dec. 9th and 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 each night. Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas as you drive by to view the manger scene. A holiday tradition you won’t want to miss! Donations for the local food shelf are gratefully accepted each night.

Circle Pines
December 15, 4 – 6 pm
St. Mark Lutheran Church
Details to come.

Duluth
December 3, 2:30 pm
Benedictine Living Community
Join us for our 2nd Annual Live Nativity! Our live performance will begin at 2:30 in the BHC parking lot (weather permitting) with carols + a social hour to follow. There will be live animals, Christmas treats, refreshments, + more! Entry is free with a suggested canned food donation.

Eagan
December 8, 3:30 – 6 pm
Oak Hills Church
Get in the Christmas spirit at Christmas Family Adventure! Kids can enjoy petting and playing with animals in our live nativity, meeting Santa to tell him what’s at the top of their wish list, and families can participate in crafts and karaoke while enjoying hot beverages and cookies. This event is FREE and fun for the whole family!

Edgerton
December 22, 5 – 7 pm
First Presbyterian Church
The Edgerton community is welcome to come and enjoy a Live Nativity at the First Presbyterian Church on December 22, from 5-7pm.

Edina
December 7, 10 am – 12 pm
Cross View Lutheran Church
Your family is invited to Cross View’s NativityFest on Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Join us for this free community event to enjoy a live nativity with real animals, creative crafts, fun photo ops, delicious treats, and engaging storytelling. We can’t wait to see you as we celebrate the season with a morning filled with festive fun!

Nativity graphic with Mary, Joseph, Jesus.

Elk River
December 6, 5 – 7:30 pm
Central Lutheran Church
Everyone is invited to this free community event, the 16th annual “A Night in Bethlehem.” This is open house-style inside Central Lutheran church with live animals, interactive activities for the family, and the opportunity to take photos with Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

Elk River
December 7, 9 am – 12 pm
Lord of Glory Lutheran Church
Start your family Christmas festivities at the place where it all began, Bethlehem! Join families from around the area for a breakfast and interactive visit. Intended for adults and children in the community to come together to seek out and find the true meaning of Christmas, to come help celebrate the birth of the Christ child, experience the joy of giving and create a special keepsake.

🚗 Glencoe
December 14, 5 – 7 pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Drive-thru and view a “Living Nativity” depicting the Good News of Jesus’ birth on earth. Hand crafted scenery, live animals, biblical characters, and music will provide a memorable experience for the whole family! Enter from 16th Street – watch for signs directing traffic. FREE ADMISSION. Boy Scouts will accept donations for the food shelf. If inclement weather, event will be postponed until Dec 21.

🚗 Goodhue
November 30, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Grace Church
Drive through our live nativity! Hosted by Grace, St. Peter’s and St. John’s. This is a free event, we only ask you bring an item for the food shelf. Saturday, November 30, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Hastings
December 7, 5 – 7 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Join us for our living nativity as we re-enact Christ’s birth. Free outdoor performances will be held on a continuous basis every 20 minutes beginning at 5pm. The last performance will be at 6:40 pm. Live cast and real animals including donkey, sheep, goats, and even a camel are part of the performance. Free refreshments will be be served inside the church. Everyone is welcome!

Live Nativity with Jesus Mary and Joseph.

Hinckley
December 1, 1 – 3 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Please join us on December 1st to hear and see some of the events of the first Christmas! There will be a live nativity with live animals, roasting marshmallows, photo ops, and cookies from 1-3 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., join us inside the sanctuary for singing, piano and vocal solos, and a handbell performance!

Isanti
December 7, 3 – 6:30 pm
Long Lake Lutheran Church
“One Night in Bethlehem” runs from 3 – 6:30 pm with a special showing from 2 – 3 pm for those with wheel chairs, special needs, or others that need assistance. Chili and chicken wild rice soup will be offered.

Jordan
December 13, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School
Details to come.

Lindstrom
December 14, 6 – 7:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
Join us at our FREE outdoor 12th Annual Living Nativity. Gather your family and friends to experience the CHRISTmas story like never before. After the show, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies in our fellowship hall. See you there!

Mayer
December 15, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Zion Lutheran
Gather on the south side of the church (by the main entrance) to begin your tour. We will take you on a guided journey to the stable, the birthplace of our Savior Jesus. Tours are offered continuously. After the guided tour, we welcome you to the church for music, cookies, beverages, and fellowship. Please bring a food shelf item donation for the Watertown food shelf.

Live Nativity in Manger.

Minneapolis
December 11, 6 – 8 pm
Crosstown Covenant Church
Free event to come and experience the true story of Christmas! Bring the whole family! There will be live animals and other activities.

Moorhead
December 15, 5 – 7 pm
Harvest Hope Farm
You are invited to a live nativity event in the barn at Harvest Hope Farm. Enjoy viewing the live nativity surrounded by live animals while listening to the Christmas story and Christmas music. You may even meet the three Wise Men traveling from afar with their llamas! Suggested donation: $5.00/vehicle.

🚗 Morris
December 7, 5 – 7 pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
On December 7th, from 5–7 PM, drive through and witness the nativity scene come to life with actors and animals. Hosted by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, this is a beautiful way to reflect on the season and share the joy with your family.

New Brighton
December 14, 5:30 – 8 pm
New Brighton Christian Church
Details to come.

New Prague
December 6, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
New Prague Catholic
We invite you to celebrate the most beautiful time of the year with us! Come and experience a live nativity with animals, music, and a FREE hot dog dinner before the Parade of Lights!

Children Live Nativity Scene.

🚗 North Mankato
December 5, 6 – 8 pm
Old Barn Acres
With the Christmas season quickly approaching, just us at our farm to be reminded of the reason for the season. We are hosting a drive-thru Live Nativity that the whole family can enjoy from 6-8pm on Thursday, Dec 5, Friday, Dec 6th and Saturday, Dec 7th.

North Mankato
December 11, 6 – 7:30 pm
Crossview Covenant Church
“Travel back” to ancient Bethlehem and see what daily life was like when Jesus was born. Children will be able to craft jewelry, decorate cookies at the bakery, practice scroll writing, and more! Visit with friends in the Jewish home and learn about their customs and lifestyle. Before the night is over, the whole family will get to meet “Mary & Joseph” and hear about an amazing new baby, lying in the manger!

Otsego
December 14, 4 – 7 pm
Christ Church Otsego
Free event for the whole family! A Night in Bethlehem is a Bible-times Christmas event for families. We will transform our church into the town of Bethlehem. Families will visit shops in the Bethlehem marketplace, make projects, and hear the story of Jesus’ birth from the shopkeepers. The experience will end at the stable where they will see Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the animals.

🚗 Pillager
December 10 and 11, 6 – 8:30 pm
Cass County Fairgrounds
This is the complete Christmas story portrayed in live drama. Come anytime between 6:00-8:30. The time it takes to drive through the Nativity depends on the traffic, approximately 10-15 minutes. You NEVER leave the car…bring the whole family. Watch for traffic signs. FREE admission. (A donation bucket will be available at the end.) Featuring live animals including camels, horses, sheep, and donkeys.

Plainview
December 7, 5 – 8 pm
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church presents a live nativity during Plainview’s Olde Fashioned Christmas. Come see live actors and animals presenting the Christmas story in the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Live Nativity Scene.

Rochester
December 6, 5 – 8 pm and December 7, 3 – 8 pm
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The longest-running and largest free, annual display of nativity scenes and musical performances in Minnesota. Over 200 nativity scenes, live performances of Christmas music, and refreshments. Free admission, families and children welcome.

🚗 Sacred Heart
December 15, 5 – 7 pm
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Experience the beauty of Christmas by joining us at a drive-by outdoor live nativity! Free event – all are welcome! Characters surrounding the birth of Christ, live animals, narration, music and lights enhance the experience. Follow posted signage on Hwy 212 in Sacred Heart for driving directions. Let us share the Christmas story with all!

Saginaw
December 21, 5 pm
New Life Covenant Church
You are invited to an evening filled with Christmas wonder! Please join us for a meal and Christmas story followed by a live nativity experience with real animals and costumed Bible characters. The evening will be complete with an assortment of cookies and hot chocolate. A memorable evening for the whole family!

Sandstone
December 7, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Join us for a free evening of joy as the youth from Emmanuel and Grace Lutheran Churches present a living nativity experience. Enjoy live animals, delicious chili, s’mores by the fire, and a kids’ craft station. Delight in live music and create cherished holiday memories with your family!

Springfield
December 13 and 14, 7 pm
Springfield Area Community Center
See the nativity come to life at this annual outdoor presentation. Local actors bring you the sights and sounds of the Christmas story, with Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in a live manger scene, real camels, dancing angels, and more. Enjoy Christmas music sung by the community choir. After the show, refreshments are served at the Springfield Community Center.

Children in a Live Nativity Scene.

Stillwater
December 15, 4 – 6 pm
Oak Hill Campus
Come to our Oak Hill Campus in Stillwater to walk through our outdoor nativity scene: A Journey Through Bethlehem! Come pet live animals and experience the wonder and joy leading to Jesus in the manger! Finish the journey through the nativity inside with treats, hot cocoa, a photo booth, and kids’ crafts. All are welcome to this fun, free event!

🚗 Strathcona
December 8, 5 – 7 pm
18713 County Line Rd NE
The Strathcona live nativity will be on Sunday night, starting at 5:00p.m. and will cycle every 15 minutes.
This is a great event that you are still able to bring the whole family out to. You will be able to remain in your car and watch the live nativity unfold. The audio will be transmitted on to your FM radio on 101.7fm.

Waconia
December 8, 12 – 3 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
Journey through Bethlehem at the time of the census, walk through the streets, experience the shops, spend your denari (but watch out for the tax collectors!), and follow the star to the newborn baby Jesus. You’ll see and even smell what life was like when Jesus was born. Great for all ages. Come to experience a live nativity, crafts, food and fellowship!

White Bear Lake
December 14, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
Details to come.

Worthington
December 6, 5:30 pm
American Lutheran Church
Discover Jesus in Bible-times Bethlehem! During this festive open-house event, guests wander through the bustling Bethlehem marketplace to create unique keepsakes, as they interact with local shopkeepers who share the joy of Jesus’ birth. Guests will also visit the stable to hear about the miracle of Jesus’ birth and to experience God’s wondrous love.

*****

We would gladly add other events here to share with our readers if you know of others! Please let us know and we can add them.

Minnesota Live Nativity Events.
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Laura

Laura is a kindergarten teacher and a busy mom of six who loves finding smart ways to save. She balances teaching and family life while always hunting for deals that make life more affordable and fun.

Originally from southern Minnesota, Laura has called the Twin Cities home for over fifteen years. In her rare free moments, she enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and savoring a hot cup of coffee.

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  1. Sara Schmitt says

    November 25, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    https://facebook.com/events/s/drive-through-live-nativity/443367030763494/

    Reply
  2. Bailee says

    December 12, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    Correction:
    Circle Pines
    December 17, 4 – 6 pm
    St. Mark Lutheran Church
    Join us for our 3rd Annual Live Nativity in our parking lot! There will be stations for you to visit that explain the whole nativity story! And there’ll be animals as well! All are welcome!

    Reply
  3. Carly says

    December 7, 2024 at 7:29 pm

    Constance Free Church in Andover is having a “Bethlehem Family Experience” Dec 17 from 6-8pm. Here’s what the website says “Open house style Christmas event for families. Activities are designed for ages 2-12 and the full experience takes about 40 minutes. Families are invited to show up anytime between 6pm and 7:30pm.”

    Reply
Hi, I'm Chrysa, and I'm here along with my friends Hannah and Laura to share fun and thrifty ways for you and your family to enjoy all the awesome things Minnesota has to offer! Read More

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