Good company. Great places. Plenty of reasons to get together.
The holiday season brings family and friends back to the Brainerd Lakes Area, and there’s no shortage of ways to spend time together. Grab coffee, explore local shops, catch some live music or settle in for a weekend at the cabin.
Hosting family for the holidays? Home for Thanksgiving? Planning a weekend with friends? We’ve rounded up 9 ways to gather in the Brainerd Lakes Area and make the most of your time together.
1. Try a Minnesota Meat Raffle With Friends and Family
Looking for a fun group activity in the Brainerd Lakes Area? A Minnesota meat raffle is a great place to start.
Gather your favorite people around a table at a local bar or restaurant for a little friendly competition. Enjoy good conversation, cheer each other on and maybe head home with something for the freezer.
Meat raffles are a popular Minnesota tradition and a casual way to reconnect with friends and family during the holiday season.
2. Spend a Day Holiday Shopping in the Brainerd Lakes Area
Holiday shopping is more fun when you turn it into an annual tradition.
Gather your mom, sisters, friends or visiting family members for a day exploring local boutiques, gift shops and specialty stores throughout Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Crosslake.
You’ll find opportunities to browse clothing, home décor, handmade gifts, locally inspired products and unique treasures.
Stop for coffee, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take your time exploring. It’s an easy way to support local businesses while spending quality time together.
3. Catch Up at a Local Coffee Shop
Sometimes the best holiday plans are the simplest.
If you’re meeting friends who are home for the holidays or catching up with someone you haven’t seen since summer, make plans to visit a local coffee shop.
Brainerd Lakes Area communities offer a variety of coffee shops and cafés where you can enjoy a warm drink, grab a pastry and settle in for a long-overdue conversation.
Whether it’s a quick morning stop or an afternoon that turns into hours of catching up, a coffee date is an easy way to reconnect.
4. Take an Art Class or Creative Workshop Together
Looking for indoor things to do in the Brainerd Lakes Area during the colder months?
Try a hands-on art class or creative workshop with friends or family.
Local businesses and organizations offer opportunities to explore painting, pottery, crafts and other creative activities. Seasonal workshops can be especially fun during the holidays, giving everyone a chance to make something meaningful together.
You don’t need to be an experienced artist. The fun comes from trying something new, sharing a few laughs and creating memories along the way.
5. Enjoy Live Music and Entertainment Up North
When friends and family are back in town, a night out is the perfect excuse to get everyone together.
The Brainerd Lakes Area offers live music, local entertainment and special events throughout the year, including the fall and winter months.
Meet up at a restaurant or entertainment venue, listen to local musicians and enjoy an evening without a packed itinerary.
Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends or celebrating the season with family, sharing a night out can become a favorite holiday tradition.
6. Let Someone Else Cook: Gather at a Local Restaurant
Hosting family for the holidays can mean a lot of time spent planning, cooking and cleaning.
Why not take a night off?
Gather everyone around a table at one of the many restaurants in the Brainerd Lakes Area. From casual family-friendly dining to special-occasion dinners, there are options for different tastes, group sizes and celebrations.
A meal out gives everyone a chance to relax, share stories and enjoy time together without worrying about the dishes.
7. Relax Together With a Spa Day or Sauna Experience
The holidays can be busy, but not every gathering needs to involve a full schedule.
For a quieter experience, plan a wellness outing with someone special.
Explore spa services, massage treatments, saunas and other relaxing experiences available in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
A little time to unwind can be a welcome break from holiday shopping, hosting and everyday responsibilities.
Whether it’s a friends’ getaway, a couples’ weekend or a relaxing afternoon together, sometimes slowing down is exactly what the season needs.
8. Make Memories at Brainerd Lakes Area Holiday Events
Wondering what holiday events are happening in the Brainerd Lakes Area?
Throughout November and December, communities across the region celebrate with seasonal activities and events that bring people together.
Depending on the year’s schedule, visitors may find holiday markets, tree lightings, festive shopping events, visits with Santa, live performances and family-friendly celebrations.
These events are an opportunity to revisit a favorite family tradition or start a new one.
9. Plan a Cozy Winter Cabin or Resort Getaway
Sometimes the best way to gather is to get away from the everyday routine.
A winter getaway in the Brainerd Lakes Area offers the chance to slow down and enjoy time together, whether you’re planning a family reunion, friends’ weekend or relaxing trip for two.
Find a cozy cabin, settle into a resort or book a hotel for a weekend of exploring local communities and spending time together.
Play board games, share meals, enjoy winter scenery or simply relax indoors while the snow falls outside.
With lodging options throughout Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake and nearby communities, you can plan a getaway that fits your group.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday & Winter Activities in the Brainerd Lakes Area
The Brainerd Lakes Area offers plenty of winter activities beyond outdoor recreation. Visitors can explore local shops, enjoy live music, attend art workshops, relax at a spa, try a Minnesota meat raffle or gather with friends at local restaurants and coffee shops.
Looking for things to do indoors? Try a painting or pottery class, explore local boutiques, catch live entertainment, enjoy a relaxing spa day or meet friends for coffee. Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Crosslake offer indoor activities throughout the colder months.
Communities throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area host holiday celebrations during November and December, including seasonal markets, tree lightings, festive shopping events and family-friendly activities. Browse the Brainerd Lakes Area Events Calendar for upcoming events.
Absolutely! The Brainerd Lakes Area offers cozy cabins, resorts and hotels, along with restaurants, shopping, entertainment and seasonal activities. Whether you’re planning a couples’ weekend, family gathering or getaway with friends, there’s plenty to enjoy Up North.
Make Time to Gather Up North
The best part of the holiday season isn’t always what’s on the calendar. It’s who you get to spend it with.
Whether you’re reconnecting over coffee, sharing a meal, exploring local shops or enjoying a cozy winter weekend, the Brainerd Lakes Area offers countless opportunities to make memories together.
This holiday season, make time for the people who matter most.
However you gather, make it Up North.
