Around (down)town: World Juniors Hockey Tournament tickets on sale soon, Little Mermaid discount and more

Friends,

It's been an incredible year. One that has had its share of high highs but not without some pretty low lows as well. More than anything else I think 2024 has shown us that downtown Saint Paul is on the verge of the biggest transformation in the last 100 years. But things don't undergo a transformation while they're limping along — transformation happens amid disruption and lately we've all been feeling that. This is not a time for pessimism. I am energized, and our partners are energized, about the transformation that's coming. We've spent the past two years preparing for this. The Downtown Investment Strategy is our guide to a new era of vitality in downtown; we are positioned to go into 2025 full steam ahead, ready to address the challenges and seize the opportunities facing downtown.

I spoke about this last week as well, but I really can't overstate how excited and proud I am that we're tripling our safe and clean programming now that the Downtown Improvement District will cover all of downtown and its light rail stations in 2025. We've seen the positive impact it's made within the current boundaries and know that safer, cleaner, more welcoming and more consistent experiences for everyone downtown are on the way.

This will be our last newsletter of the year, but but be sure to take advantage of the many great ways to enjoy the Saint Paulidays downtown in the coming weeks. Also, if you have not yet been to the Ordway to see The Little Mermaid our friends there have generously shared a discount code exclusive for Around Downtown readers, more on that below.

Take care, enjoy the holidays, have a safe and wonderful new year, and thanks as always for supporting this place we all love so much.

-Joe

World Juniors 2026 tickets go on sale Dec. 26

USA Hockey announced this week that tickets for the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship will go on sale to the public starting on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m. Central Time, exactly one year before the tournament begins in Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

The 29-game tournament features the best players age 20 and under from around the world, including numerous future NHL stars. Games will be played at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis beginning Dec. 26, 2025, with the bronze- and gold-medal matches facing off on Jan. 5, 2026.

The Saint Paulidays are here!

Find festive events linked in green.

Dec. 20-22, 24, 26-29	GLOW Holiday Festival	CHS Field
Dec. 20-22, 27-29	I Am Betty	History Theatre
Dec. 20-22, 24, 26-29	The Little Mermaid	Ordway
Dec. 20-22	European Christmas Market	Union Depot
Dec. 20-22	Best Christmas Pageant Ever	Park Square Theatre
Dec. 20-22	The Christmas Spider	Lowry Lab Theatre
Dec. 20-21	A Charlie Brown Christmas with Nate Hance Trio	MetroNOME
Dec. 21-22	The SPCO Holiday Concerts: Handel’s “Messiah”	Ordway
Dec. 20	Minnesota Wild vs. Utah	Xcel Energy Center
Dec. 20	Christmas with Cantus: Lessons and Carols for Our Time	Ordway
Dec. 20	Landmark Live: Annie Mack	Landmark Center
Dec. 20-21	The Jayhawks	Fitzgerald Theatre
Dec. 21	Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour	Xcel Energy Center
Dec. 22	Landmark Jeweler's Ugly Sweater Party!	Landmark Jeweler
Dec. 23	Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago	Xcel Energy Center
Dec. 18	PWHL Minnesota Frost vs. Montreal	Xcel Energy Center

The Little Mermaid at the Ordway – get discounted tickets!

15% off tickets for Downtown Alliance newsletter readers

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. This perfect for the whole family musical will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Code: DSPASCUTTLE

Online: Tickets

Phone: Call 651-224-4222

15% Off | Limit 4 per household | Thu Eve and Sun Eve performances | Price Level 2 - Price Level 4

Limit 4 per household. Subject to availability. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. All tickets are subject to a facility fee and service charge. Sales are final with no refunds.

Construction season is underway, and each week we'll provide updates on projects and road closures happening around downtown to ensure a smooth trip whether you’re coming for dinner, the a Wild game, a show or work.

The update as of December 20 is as follows:

Ongoing activities on Robert Street

Utility work continues through spring 2025 on Robert Street between 11th and 7th streets and through December 2024 between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard in advance of the reconstruction project.

Please be aware of the following impacts:

Between 9th and 7th streets

Robert Street is closed to all traffic between 9th and 7th streets. This closure is needed for Xcel Energy and Xcel Gas to work on their utilities. Robert Street is anticipated to remain closed for up to four weeks, or until work is completed.

Between 9th and 11th streets

Robert Street is reduced to one lane in each direction between 11th and 9th Streets and between 7th Street and Fillmore Avenue.

6th Street

Reduced to one lane of traffic between Wabasha and Cedar streets.

7th Street

Lane restrictions between Minnesota and Robert streets.

9th Street

Parking and sidewalk restrictions will be in place between Minnesota and Robert streets. Please pay extra attention to signage and follow any posted pedestrian routes.

Minnesota Street

Minnesota Street has lane restrictions between 10th and 6th streets.
Minnesota Street has daytime lane closures between 4th Street and Kellogg Blvd.
In the coming weeks, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to occur for private utility work.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Street reconstruction project website.

St. Peter Street: Lane restrictions between 5th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.

Pedro Park: No current traffic impacts are expected. For more information, please visit the Pedro Park project website.

Kellogg Boulevard: Bridge Closure

Kellogg Boulevard/3rd Street bridge (Lafayette to Mounds) remains closed through 2027.
Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street is open for access to parking lots and businesses.
For more information about visit Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge projec website.

NOTE: All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

Click this link to sign up for weekly updates directly from the City regarding all downtown road construction projects.

Are you following the Alliance on Facebook? What about Instagram?

Make sure you're following the Downtown Alliance on social media to stay up to date on all the latest downtown events and news. Plus, we do love giveaways, so you never know when you could end up with tickets, swag or other great downtown prizes.

@StPLdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org

Have questions?

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