My family is Jewish, and we don’t do anything very Christmasy on Christmas. To be fair, we don’t do anything particularly Jewishy on Christmas either. BUT WE DO STUFF. I will say, it’s hard to find activities to do since a whole bunch of places close for the holiday. But fear not, there is still plenty of non-holiday-related fun to get into on Christmas Day. So, whether your religion has you looking for something non-Christmas-oriented to do or you just don’t want to spend the whole day with the family, I’ve compiled a couple of activities you can partake in on Christmas Day.
5 - Get a Cup of Coffee at JS Coffee
The hours at JS Coffee. (City Cast / Sean McPherson)
Full disclosure: this is one of my favorite local coffee spots, and they sponsor my trivia podcast and I am probably in there two times a week at a minimum. But JS really comes alive during holidays. The staff fight over the shifts because everyone who comes in tips so much. I’ve spent many a Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s trudging a stroller up to JS for a couple of hot chocolates and coffees with the family. You sit, you warm up, and you chat with the staff and the regulars. They have great music on, and the smell of the roastery really completes the vibe. My order is a medium roast, medium size coffee with some cream and Splenda. My wife is partial to the Mexican mocha, and my daughter likes to get the M&M cookie and then take out all the M&Ms and give them to her sister, which I have repeatedly explained is hilarious and inefficient, but she doesn't care, not at all.
4 - Eat at Tea House
Historically, Christmas Day has been a time for global cuisines to shine, but when I called around this year, I reached a couple of spots that were closed down on Christmas Day. But, no worries, Tea House is open for business, and it is a delight! I’ve been visiting this spot for years, and I’ve truly never been disappointed. They’re holding regular hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.). My default is Szechuan green beans and sesame chicken, but I honestly haven’t found a dud on their menu yet, so follow your dreams!
3 - See “Violent Night” at Trylon
The Interior of Trylon. (City Cast / Sean McPherson)
There’s nothing better than seeing a movie on Christmas Day. The cineplexes do a brisk business and for good reason, but sitting in a full house at the best movie theater in the Twin Cities sounds a little bit cooler to me. If you’ve been wanting to see a bloodied Santa Claus go hand-to-hand with a bunch of would-be kidnappers, this is the flick for you. Extra Bonus: the screenwriters hail from Bloomington, and they’ll be on hand to introduce the film.
2 - Get a Drink at the 331 Club
331 Club. (City Cast / Sean McPherson)
1 - Shoot Some Pool at Shooters
For my money there are few better bonding activities than shooting a little pool. I spent a lot of my youth playing pool with my dad and brother, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite childhood memories. The game moves slowly enough to have some serious conversation, but there’s always a bank shot to break any awkward silences. I’m tremendously sloppy, violent, and inaccurate when I shoot pool. In fact, my dad said I’m the only person who tries to use the element of surprise when playing pool. But I love the activity, and one of the most well-regarded billiard clubs in Minnesota stays open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and it’s a joy to get out of the house and shoot a little pool to break up the day.
