Sherry Nedens Family Activities
June 15 – October 13, 2024
Families can experience a world of fun at the Paine! Plan a visit to see the art exhibition Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss and follow up with viewing real insect specimens through a microscope in the Studio, located in the lower level of the mansion.
Afterwards, play bug bingo outdoors and hunt for large-scale insect cutouts while exploring the gardens! While you’re here, enjoy a game of tag on the Great Lawn, picnic among the flowers, see plants and flowers through the view of a kaleidoscope, and discover more activities like a field station and music making in the Children’s Garden.
Ken Cravillion 
Sherry Nedens 
Sherry Nedens 
Sherry Nedens 
Sherry Nedens Daily Admission
August 1–October 26, 2025
Admission includes viewing the mansion, gardens, and HYBYCOZO Sculptures in Daylight exhibition
Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
$12 Adults
$7 Youth
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
October 28–November 20, 2025
Admission includes viewing the mansion and gardens
Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
The Nature of Light
August 1–October 26, 2025
Main Experience
Outdoors Only
Sunset–10:30 PM Daily
Reservations required
The Main Experience includes full access to the outdoor display featuring 17 illuminated settings with more than 36 sculptures and performances by light dancers.
Sunday–Thursday
$20 Adult
$12 Youth (ages 5-17)
Friday–Saturday
$28 Adult
$18 Youth (ages 5-17)
25% off reservations after 9:00 PM. Paine Members receive 50% off admission rates. Free reservations for children ages 4 and under.
Join or renew when making a reservation!
Ultimate Experience
Indoors & Outdoors
Sunset–10:30 PM Daily
Reservations required
The Ultimate Experience includes the outdoor display and adds access to seven rooms inside the Paine mansion featuring light installations and an interactive sculpture.
Sunday–Thursday
$30 Adult
$20 Youth (ages 5-17)
Friday–Saturday
$40 Adult
$28 Youth (ages 5-17)
25% off reservations after 9:00 PM. Paine Members receive 50% off admission rates. Free reservations for children ages 4 and under.
Join or renew when making a reservation!
Nutcracker in the Castle
November 21, 2025–January 5, 2026
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker
Children enjoy free admission to self-guided tours with a paid adult admission
November 21–26, 2025
10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Reservations required. Reservations available beginning October 8, 2025.
Children ages 17 and under enjoy free admission to self-guided tours of Nutcracker in the Castle on select days and times with a paid adult admission, courtesy of Verve, a Credit Union. Verve will also collect donations to Toys for Tots under the giant Christmas tree.
$17 Adult
Free for Paine Members
Limit of five (5) free children per one adult admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Self-guided tours
Featuring 20 decorated settings and 70 Christmas trees in the historic Paine mansion
November 28, 2025–January 5, 2026
Monday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM*
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day:
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
On self-guided tours, journey through more than 20 rooms and spaces elaborately decorated as the fantastic scenes of the Nutcracker story. On the first floor, each setting features a large storybook with illustrations that reveal a portion of the fairy tale. On the second floor, the rooms portray the home and lifestyle of the Stahlbaum family, as well as the workshop of Godfather Drosselmeyer and a wide variety of finely crafted wooden Nutcrackers. Throughout both floors, more than 60 mischievous mice are hidden within the settings.
$17 Adult
$13 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
*Reservations for self-guided tours are especially recommended for Saturdays and between Christmas and New Year’s. Those with reservations are admitted first, and walk-ins are only admitted if space allows. *Verve, A Credit Union members receive 2-for-1 admission to self-guided tours. Proof of membership required. *Amcor employees receive 2-for-1 admission for self-guided tours. Proof of employment is required.
Candlelight tours
Featuring the decorated settings illuminated by Christmas trees in the evening
November 28, 2025–January 2, 2026
Sundays | Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Mondays | Dec. 15, 22 & 29 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Tuesdays | Dec. 16, 23 & 30 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Thursdays | Dec. 4, 11, & 18 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Fridays | Nov. 28, Dec. 5, & Jan. 2 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Reservations required
Candlelight tours offer guests an especially enchanting way to take a self-guided tour of the Nutcracker display in the evening. The lights of the “castle” are dimmed and the settings are illuminated by the glow of more than 70 Christmas trees. As guests enter, they are handed electric candles to carry as they wander through the glowing rooms.
$21 Adult
$16 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
Verve, A Credit Union members receive 2-for-1 admission to candlelight tours. Proof of membership required. Amcor employees receive 2-for-1 admission for candlelight tours. Proof of employment is required.
Guided Tours
Featuring live musical, acting, and dance performances
November 29, 2025–January 4, 2026
Fridays | 5:00–8:00 PM*
Saturdays | 5:00–8:00 PM
Sundays | 12:00–3:30 PM
Reservations required
A guided tour of Nutcracker in the Castle brings the characters and scenes of the fairy tale to life. The tour begins with a festive party in the “Ballroom” and live performances by a string quartet. Guests enjoy punch and cookies while Godfather Drosselmeyer tells the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.
Afterwards, he leads guests through the elaborately decorated rooms of the mansion. The story culminates in the “Lands of Afar” where youth and professional dancers perform selections from the Nutcracker ballet. Guests then tour the second-floor rooms, which are fancifully decorated as Clara’s family home and Drosselmeyer’s workshop.
$40 Adult
$32 Youth (ages 5–17)
Paine Members:
$30 Adult
$24 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Tours begin every 30 minutes and last about an hour. *Guided tours are not available on Friday, Dec. 5 or on Friday, Jan. 2. Youth dancers from Valley Academy for the Arts perform Nov. 29–30; Dec. 6–7; and Jan. 3–4. Professional dancers from the Minnesota Ballet perform Dec. 12–14; Dec. 19–21; and Dec. 26–28.
Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café
Located in the Conservatory at the back of the Paine property
November 21, 2025–January 4, 2026
Thursdays & Fridays | 5:00–7:30 PM
Saturdays | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
Sundays | 12:30 PM–7:30 PM*
Closed on holidays
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker hours
Nov. 21 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Nov. 22-23 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
Nov. 24-26 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Additional holiday hours
Dec. 15–16 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Dec. 22–23, 26 & 29–30 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
No reservations necessary
Visit the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café for a scrumptious treat before or after tours of Nutcracker in the Castle! There, you’ll meet a fairy from the Land of the Sugar Plums as you enjoy cupcakes and hot cocoa in a fairyland setting within the Paine’s Conservatory.
$9 includes cupcake and hot cocoa, milk, or coffee.
*Sunday, Nov. 23 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM Cupcakes are made by Manderfield’s Home Bakery.
*Sunday, Nov. 30 | 12:30–3:30 PM
*Sunday, Jan. 4 | 12:30–3:30 PM
Become a Member Now!
Paine Members enjoy free or reduced admission to the mansion, gardens, and exhibitions for an entire year. Plus, attend fun events just for members, sneak peeks of art exhibitions, early access to reservations of Nutcracker in the Castle, and more!