Family Fun Planner: A story of peace and a view of Nordic Christmas customs

THEATER / A PATH HOME

Nov. 6-22: The story of Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh is told with giant puppets and a meditative spirit in a new production at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Creator and puppeteer Masanari Kawahara explores how the Buddhist monk's pacifism developed as a response to his experience of war and violence. 7:30 on Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2 p.m. on Nov. 8, 15 and 22; In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis; $12 to $17; 612-721-2535 or hobt.org.

HOLIDAYS / A NORDIC CHRISTMAS

Nov. 7-January: The American Swedish Institute opens its annual holiday displays, with five rooms in the historic Turnblad mansion decorated with trees and table settings from the five Nordic countries. New this year is a playhouse stuga for kids, with a tree for decorating and Sankta Lucia and star boy costumes. On Saturday only, there will be family crafts, tomte story time, Christmas bingo, live music and Swedish baked goods. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis; $4 to $6, free for kids younger than 6; 612-871-4907 or www.americanswedishinst.org.

EVENT / SAINT MARTIN'S DAY CELEBRATION

Nov. 8: The Germanic American Institute hosts its annual Saint Martin's Day celebration with music, coffee and cocoa and samples

of German treats. Make traditional paper lanterns, watch an enactment of the saint's story and follow a costumed Saint Martin on his horse in a parade through Rice Park. Participants are urged to bring donations for Joseph's Coat, a free store in St. Paul for those in need. 4 to 6 p.m. Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; free; 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org.

EXHIBIT / DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Through Nov. 15: In Mexico, Nov. 1 is known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Students at the Minneapolis charter school El Colegio brought the traditions surrounding the holiday to Minnesota by creating ofrendas, or altars, for their ancestors, family and friends who have died. The ofrendas will be on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in a temporary exhibit, "Young People's Ofrenda: Expressions of Life and Rememberance," along with a video that documents their creative process. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis; free; 612-870-3131 or artsmia.org.

HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION

Ongoing: The latest exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, "Minnesota's Greatest Generation," uses recorded interviews, photographs, film footage and hundreds of artifacts to document the experiences of an entire generation, from childhood in the 1920s through World War II and into the present. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children age 5 and younger. 651-259-3000 or www.mnhs.org.

FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS

Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See theatresmoa.com to find out what's showing.

NATURE / BIRDING

Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m. to noon every fourth Friday of the month (except December, when program is on Dec. 18), Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.