Celebrate the holidays at the museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum of Rochester is hosting a series of holiday celebrations that reflect the city's cultural diversity. 

The festivities began earlier this month with members of Hindu Samaj Temple of Minnesota sharing a Hindu traditional holiday celebration. Additional programming will continue through the end of December. Anyone, regardless of faith, is welcome to participate.

“The museum is honored to be an inclusive gathering space where our region’s diverse cultures and their rich set of values, traditions, and perspectives can be presented via immersive and interactive experiences that promote intercultural synergies and a sense of cultural connectedness," says Beth Sherden, the museum's experience and operations manager.

Here is a look at upcoming holiday programming at the museum (event descriptions provided by MCM-Rochester):

Christmas Caroling and Ornament Making on December 15. Throughout the day, families can create and decorate their own Christmas ornaments to enjoy at home. Additionally, from 11-11:30 a.m. Healing Rhythms Music will lead us in traditional Christmas caroling.

Hanukkah High”lights” on December 17, from 1-2 p.m. We will be joined by members of B'nai Israel Synagogue Rochester, MN for storytelling, music, games and menorah making while families can explore the meaning of these symbols and activities in this celebration that bring families together

Eid on December 29, from 11-12 p.m. cidi - Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam of Rochester, MN will be here to present how Muslim families celebrate two major holidays in the their calendar. The event will focus on the month of Ramadan from Syrian, Pakistani, American and Somali cultural perspectives. Families will be able to engage in the sights, sounds, and tastes of these cultures.

Gena –Christmas in Ethiopia on December 30, from 11-12 p.m. We will be celebrating with St. George Ethiopian Tewahdo Orthodox Church including storytelling, a children's choir and a special holiday ornament making craft with our friends from the Ethiopian community.

All programs are included with admission or membership.

Cover graphic: Pixabay

Correction: MCM-Rochester changed its Hanaukka celebration to Dec. 17. A previous version of this article listed Dec. 19.