The 2012 Holiday Season at the Minnesota Governor's Residence will kick-off on Tuesday, November 27th, 2012. The Residence will be open for public tours on November 27, December 4, 11 and 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day. No reservations are required; the tours will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The interior of the home is expertly decorated by seven local designers, who have created signature looks for the public spaces at the Residence. These designers, from Digs Studio, Kate and Company, Linder's, Pomegranate Design Ltd, Studio Emme, Ten Thousand Villages and Twiggs, have generously donated the design, materials and installation of the holiday decorations. In the Drawing Room, there will be a live 8-foot tree, donated by Happyland Tree Farm of Sandstone, Minnesota.

During the tours, volunteer docents from the Women's Auxiliary of the Minnesota Historical Society will be on hand to answer questions in each room on the First Floor and Lower Level of the Residence. The 1006 Summit Avenue Society will be offering a selection of merchandise available for purchase at each tour. Proceeds from the sale will help to support the historic Residence. The following performers will be volunteering at the holiday tours: Paulette Day, Pianist - November 27; Robbinsdale Armstrong Chamber Singers - December 4; Cecilia Chamber Singers - December 11; Partners in Praise Choir - December 18

A 25-foot white spruce is on display on the front lawn of the Residence. The tree was harvested from the Chengwatana State Forest by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and members of Conservation Corps Minnesota. Rocket Crane Company donated services to help with the installation of the tree, and it is decorated by Warner's Outdoor Solutions with over 6,000 LED lights, which will be lit for the first time on the evening of November 27th. The gates outside the Residence are decorated with fresh spruce garland and LED lights, and wreaths are hung on the front doorway, all donated by Mickman Brothers. Four holiday baskets are hung under the porte-cochere, donated by Bachman's Floral Gift and Garden. The main entrance is decorated by Linder's Home and Garden, with selections from their garden center.

For more information on the tours, please call 651-201-3464 or email residence.gov@state.mn.us.