A fun and festive way to explore Saint Paul—Holly Jolly Hunt’s holiday scavenger hunt offers a lighthearted outdoor activity for groups of friends, families, or colleagues. This experience stands out because it combines the joy of holiday-themed challenges with the thrill of competing on a leaderboard, all wrapped in a flexible, mobile format. Plus, the fact that it’s mostly self-guided means you can enjoy the city at your own pace, making it perfect for a relaxed yet engaging holiday outing.

What We Love about this tour is first, its accessibility: for just $20 a group, you get a solid hour of activity that fits comfortably into a busy holiday schedule. Second, the social aspect. Whether you’re with family, friends, or coworkers, the fun challenges and photo ops foster lots of laughter and camaraderie. On the flip side, a potential drawback is the reliance on your own smartphone for the experience. If your device isn’t fully charged or if you’re not tech-savvy, it might add a little extra hassle.

This scavenger hunt would suit anyone who enjoys a spirited, light-hearted challenge and isn’t fussed about structured tours. It’s especially good for groups who want to combine outdoor exploration with holiday cheer, but it might not be the best fit if you prefer guided, educational, or more in-depth historical tours.

Key Points

Affordable and flexible: At $20 per group, it’s a budget-friendly way to enjoy festive activities.
Self-paced adventure: Play anywhere in the city, at your convenience.
Engaging challenges: Includes traditional and non-traditional holiday items plus fun tasks.
Interactive and competitive: Scores are displayed on a leaderboard, adding a game element.
All-inclusive price: No extra fees or taxes, everything is included.
Remote guide support: A text message helps keep you on track without a guide physically present.

What Is the Holly Jolly Hunt?

This holiday scavenger hunt is an app-based activity designed to bring people together for some seasonal fun. When you book, you’ll have access to a mobile ticket that allows you to explore Saint Paul at your own pace while completing a series of holiday-themed challenges. The key here is flexibility: you can do it anywhere in the city, making it suitable for a spontaneous outing or a planned holiday activity.

The concept is simple and effective: find traditional holiday items (think ornaments or lights) or quirky, non-traditional objects around the city, take photos through the app, and earn points. The goal is to gather as many items as possible within the hour, all while performing silly tasks that are guaranteed to make everyone smile. The app also tracks your score on a leaderboard, so you can see how you stack up against other teams participating from all over.

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The Itinerary and Experience Breakdown

Since this is a mobile, self-guided experience, there isn’t a traditional itinerary with stops, but rather a flow of activities that happen as you move through the game. Starting at Rice Park in Saint Paul, the activity begins with an easy check-in process. From there, you’ll be handed instructions via the app, which will guide you through finding a variety of holiday-related items scattered around the city.

What makes this engaging is the mix of traditional and not-so-traditional items: maybe you’re tasked with finding a Christmas tree or a wreath, or perhaps spotting a Santa hat on a stranger. Some challenges might have you perform holiday-themed antics like singing a carol or doing a silly dance. These tasks are designed to spark laughter, loosen everyone up, and add a sense of playfulness to the experience.

The app prompts are interactive, making it easy to follow along without a tour guide physically present. Because it’s all handled via your smartphone, you’re free to explore the city in a way that suits your group’s pace. You can take as much or as little time as you like at each stop.

At the end of the hour, you’ll return to the starting point, where your score is displayed and compared on the leaderboard. While not a competitive tour in the traditional sense, this element adds an extra layer of fun for those who enjoy a bit of friendly rivalry.

What’s Included and What to Expect

For $20, your group gets a one-hour experience, which includes all activities and a remote guide via text message. Having a guide to answer questions or provide hints can be particularly helpful if you get stuck or need clarification on a challenge. It’s a straightforward, all-inclusive price—no hidden fees or extras—so what you see is what you get.

The experience is especially suited for those who:

Enjoy outdoor activities and exploring new areas.
Like holiday-themed challenges with a playful twist.
Are comfortable using a smartphone for navigation and photo-taking.
Want a flexible activity that fits into a busy holiday schedule.

Not included are any transportation costs or the use of your own smartphone’s data plan, so make sure your device is charged and ready for action.

Meeting Point and Logistics

The adventure kicks off at Rice Park, located at 109 W 4th St, Saint Paul. The activity ends back at the same spot, making it easy to plan your day around the hunt. Operating hours run from November 29th through December 31st, 2025, Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Booking in advance and confirming your reservation ensures a smooth start on your chosen day.

Accessibility considerations are positive: the activity is near public transportation and service animals are allowed, although it’s worth noting that the experience involves walking around the city and using a smartphone.

What Travelers Are Saying & Tips

While there are no reviews yet, based on the experience description, you can expect a fun, laid-back activity that’s light on pressure but high on giggles. The format seems ideal for groups who enjoy a bit of friendly competition and are not looking for a strictly educational or tour-focused experience.

A couple of useful tips:

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start.
Dress comfortably for walking around the city.
If you’re doing this with kids, be aware that some challenges might be silly or playful, but it’s suitable for all ages.
Coordinate with your group beforehand to divide challenges and maximize your score.

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Who Will Love This?

This scavenger hunt is best suited for groups looking for a casual, festive activity that fosters laughter and team bonding. It’s perfect for friends, families, or coworkers wanting to add a spark to their holiday season. If you’re seeking an activity that is light on structure but big on fun, this is a good pick.

It’s also great if you prefer an outdoor experience that doesn’t require too much planning or commitment—a flexible way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Saint Paul during the holidays without the formality of guided tours.

The Sum Up

The Holly Jolly Hunt offers a straightforward yet entertaining way to learn about the holiday spirit while exploring Saint Paul. For just $20, it provides an hour of engaging challenges, photo opportunities, and a friendly competition that’s adaptable to your schedule and group size. The app-based format makes it easy to do at your own pace, and the inclusion of a remote guide helps keep things smooth.

This experience shines brightest for those who enjoy outdoor activities, playful challenges, and a dash of holiday cheer. It’s especially suited for groups that want to combine sightseeing with a bit of fun without the constraints of traditional tours. If you’re after a relaxed, interactive way to celebrate the season with friends or family, Holly Jolly Hunt might just be the cheerful activity you’re looking for.

✨ Book This Experience

Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Saint Paul by Holly Jolly Hunt

FAQs

Is this activity suitable for all ages?
Yes, it’s designed to be fun for everyone, with challenges that can be playful or silly, making it accessible for most ages.

Do I need my own smartphone?
Yes, the experience is app-based, so you’ll need your own device to participate.

Is the activity physically demanding?
Not particularly. It involves walking around the city, but it’s casual and flexible, so you can pace yourself.

Can I do this activity alone?
It’s designed for groups, but if you want to participate solo, you can, though the social aspect might be lessened.

What if I don’t finish within an hour?
The activity is timed for around 60 minutes; you can always extend your time if you wish, though extra time isn’t included in the original booking.

Are there any age restrictions?
Most travelers can participate, and it’s suitable for a wide age range, but younger children might need supervision during challenges.

Is it suitable for families?
Yes, it’s family-friendly, especially if your kids enjoy outdoor adventures and playful challenges.

What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which offers some flexibility if plans change.

Where does the activity start and end?
At Rice Park, 109 W 4th St, Saint Paul—making it easy to begin and finish at the same location.

What are the operating hours?
Available from November 29 through December 31, 2025, Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

If you’re after a cheerful, interactive way to embrace the holiday season in Saint Paul, Holly Jolly Hunt delivers lighthearted fun that’s easy to fit into your holiday plans. Happy hunting!