Sokol Minnesota Friendly Friday Evenings
2025-12-12 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | C.S.P.S. Hall
December 12, 7:00-10:00 p.m. C.S.P.S. Hall. Free.
Family friendly cards and board games, fun, food, and friends. No fee. Bring your own beverages and/or snack to share. More info at sokolmn.org/all-events.

It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play
2025-12-12 19:00 - 2025-12-24 16:00 | St. Paul Hotel
December 12 – December 24. The St. Paul Hotel. $120-$150

Join us for the 19th annual performance of this timeless holiday event in downtown Saint Paul. Experience the classic Christmas story as a 1940s-style live radio play, paired with a three-course holiday meal in our elegant ballroom.For tickets and more information, visit saintpaulhotel.com/events/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play.

Sewing Tips with Saphira
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:30 | George Latimer Central Library
December 13, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.George Latimer Central Library. Free.
A new sewing class is starting Saturday, 11/08 and continuing monthly on the second Saturday of the month. Our expert sewist Saphira will help you mend damaged items, or get you started with a new project! We have sewing machines available in the Innovation Lab, as well as some fabric, thread, buttons, etc., or you can bring your own. Registration is requested for
Sewing Tips with Saphira at sppl.org/events.

2025 Holiday Bake Sale
2025-12-13 11:00 - 19:00 | Union Depot
December 13, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Union Depot. Free

The annual Union Depot Holiday Bake Sale will once again host the top Twin Cities bakeries for a day of cookies, candy and holiday shopping on Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 7 PM in the Waiting Room at Union Depot.This is a FREE event and open to the public! Event activities include: shopping 40+ local bakery and food vendors, musical performances, free tote bag and baking item to the first 300 guests and more.More info at uniondepot.org/event/2025-holiday-bake-sale.

Holiday Gift Market: Made in Tanzania
2025-12-13 11:30 - 15:30
December 13, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 1725 Grand Ave.

Come celebrate and connect. Sample treats, cider, and Tanzanian coffee. Shop for art, jewelry, ornaments, baskets, paintings, Maasai blankets, accessories, Tanzanian coffee, and more! We invite you to contribute to our orchard tree fundraiser, which helps provide nutritious fruit for school meals; donors will have the chance to receive a special gift while supplies last. Enjoy the holidays while supporting an awesome mission. Learn more at projectzawadi.org and follow us on Facebook facebook.com/ProjectZawadi.

Magical Holiday Experience
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Highland Park Community Center
December 13, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Highland Park Community Center. Free

Come join us for a magical Holiday Experience. Come take a picture with Santa, visit the petting zoo, play games, eat lunch, and more. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

Coffee Chat: POW Camps in Minnesota
2025-12-13 13:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling
December 11 & 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Historic Fort Snelling. Free with admission
Join us for the next installment of our coffee chat lecture series: POW Camps in Minnesota. During World War II, the Army located prisoner of war camps throughout the United States, including in Minnesota. Learn about the labor program initiated by the government in response to the lost labor of the men conscripted into the US Armed Forces, look into the communities that were selected to have POW facilities, and hear the personal stories of two prisoners who escaped and tried to row a homemade boat from northern Minnesota to New Orleans. Learn more at mnhs.org/events.

CPKC Holiday Train at Union Depot
2025-12-13 18:45 - 19:30 | Union Depot
December 13, 6:45-7:30 p.m. Union Depot. Free

The CPKC Holiday Train will stop at Union Depot on Saturday, December 13 for a FREE musical performance! CPKC is committed to raising awareness about filling community food shelves with heart-healthy foods. We strongly encourage bringing a non-perishable food or cash donation for a local, charity food shelf partner.The CPKC Holiday Train is North America’s longest rolling food bank fundraiser and since it started in 1999, the program has raised close to $15.8 million and 4.5 million pounds of food. Over the three weeks of the program, musicians will play more than 150 concerts from a boxcar turned into a traveling stage. Everyone’s contributions will directly assist those in need in our community. Learn more at uniondepot.org/event/cpkc-holiday-train-at-union-depot.

Breakfast with Santa
2025-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Shamrock’s Irish Nook
December 14, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Shamrock’s Irish Nook. $9.50-$15.95

The annual tradition returns – enjoy breakfast and a visit with Santa himself. Call for reservations, 651-228-9925. crshamrocks.com

Sundays at Landmark: Santa’s Workshop
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center
December 14, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Landmark Center. Free

Come to the beautiful, historic Landmark Center for a festive afternoon the whole family will enjoy! Families are invited to take a free photo with Santa, then stay to explore a variety of fun holiday activities. Kids can make special gifts for loved ones, play games, and even visit with friendly animals for an extra dose of holiday cheer. Learn more at landmarkcenter.org/event/sundays-at-landmark-santas-workshop-7

The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show
2025-12-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Fitzgerald Theater
December 14, 7 p.m. Fitzgerald Theater. $45-$336

The Current presents The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman. Tickets and more information at thefitzgeraldtheatre.com.

Festival of Lights Family Chanukah Event
2025-12-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Capp Center
December 15 & 18, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Capp Center. Free

Join us for Community Lighting, Chanukah stories, fun crafts, Sufganiyot, Friends, and more! – Hanukkah PJ’s optional. Geared towards 0-8 year olds, we will light the candles, read books specially for Hannukah, have art projects, and eat sufganiyot (fried doughnuts)! RSVPS greatly appreciated, walk ins welcome as well. In partnership with St. Paul Jewish Federation and PJ Library. JCC Membership card or photo ID required. Register and more info at minnesotajcc.org/event/create-celebrate-festival-of-lights-family-chanukah-event.

Senior Holiday Party
2025-12-16 11:00 - 14:00 | El Rio Vista Recreation Center
December 16, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. El Rio Vista. $12

Seniors are invited to join us for a Holiday Time Luncheon. Get your festive attire on & come have lunch, play some bingo or other games & enjoy each other’s company. Maybe a visit by Santa too! Spread the word! Bring a friend!Fees $12.00. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

Minnesota JCC Symphony Orchestra Concert
2025-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Capp Center
December 17, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Capp Center. $15

Celebrate The Winter Season With The Minnesota Jcc Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert – A Joyful Program Sure To Lift Your Spirits! Tickets and more info at minnesotajcc.org/event/minnesota-jcc-symphony-orchestra-concert.

Star of the North Holiday Concert
2025-12-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Landmark Center
December 17, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Landmark Center. Free

Join us for a festive holiday concert at Landmark Center, featuring The Star of the North Concert Band. This non-profit organization, made up of over fifty talented musicians from the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities, has been enriching Minnesota’s musical tradition since 1994. The band provides a platform for local musicians to showcase their skills, grow their talents, and connect with performers from around the world through rehearsals, concerts, and tours. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of music! This event is free and open to the public. Visit landmarkcenter.org/event/star-of-the-north-concert-band-3 for more information.

Schubert Club Courtroom Concert: Songs of the Season: Carols of Minnesota Composers
2025-12-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Landmark Center
December 18, 12:00-1:00 p.m. & 6:00-7:00 p.m. Landmark Center. Free

Don’t miss this year’s FREE Songs of the Season concerts at Landmark Center! (12 noon and repeated 6pm). Learn more at landmarkcenter.org/event/schubert-club-courtroom-concert-songs-of-the-season-carols-of-minnesota-composers.

Free Thursday Nights at the History Center
2025-12-18 16:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota History Center
Thursdays in December except Christmas and New Year’s Day. 4:00-8:00 p.m. Minnesota History Center. Free.

Visit the Minnesota History Center on a Thursday night from 4-8 p.m., and get free admission and parking! During Thursday visits, you can experience a variety of world-class exhibits, including Our Home: Native Minnesota, Reframing Our Stories, Minnesota’s Greatest Generation, Weather Permitting, and Then Now Wow. Additional information about free Thursday nights will be posted on mnhs.org/events.

Festival of Lights Family Chanukah Event
2025-12-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Capp Center
December 15 & 18, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Capp Center. Free.Join us for Community Lighting, Chanukah stories, fun crafts, Sufganiyot, Friends, and more! – Hanukkah PJ’s optional. Geared towards 0-8 year olds, we will light the candles, read books specially for Hannukah, have art projects, and eat sufganiyot (fried doughnuts)! RSVPS greatly appreciated, walk ins welcome as well. In partnership with St. Paul Jewish Federation and PJ Library. JCC Membership card or photo ID required. Register and more info at minnesotajcc.org/event/create-celebrate-festival-of-lights-family-chanukah-event.

Parents Night Out - Holiday Rush
2025-12-18 17:45 - 20:45 | El Rio Vista Recreation Center
December 18, 5:45-8:45 p.m. El RIo Vista. $9-$13.50

Attention Parents! It’s the holidays. Need some last minute shopping or wrapping gifts time, errands to get done or just time with a special someone or friends without the kids? Drop your kiddos off with us while you go out & do your stuff or just relax. We will entertain them with gym time, games, snack & a movie or craft project. Registration required. Fees: Resident $9.00, Non-Resident $13.50. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

Holiday Concerts: Handel’s Messiah
2025-12-18 19:00 - 2025-12-21 22:00 | Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
December 18-21. Basilica of St. Mary’s and Ordway Center for Performing Arts. $6-$70

Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music’s most beloved traditions and join the SPCO for our extremely popular annual performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, this year led by conductor Dinis Sousa as he makes his SPCO debut. The SPCO will be joined by an all-star roster of vocal soloists and renowned Minnesotan vocal ensemble The Singers in a wonderful musical experience for the whole family this holiday season. Approximate length 3:00. For tickets and more info, visit thespco.org.

sA Pint For A Pint - Blood Drive
2025-12-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Summit Brewing
December 19, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Summit Brewing. Free.
Come on down to Summit Brewing on 12/19 to donate blood through the Red Cross, and you will receive a card for a free beer in the taproom! A pint for a pint! The blood drive runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in our Training Room behind the main brewery and our taproom opens up at 3 p.m. that afternoon. RSVP at redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

The Classic Nutcracker
2025-12-19 14:00 - 2025-12-21 16:00 | The O’Shaughnessy
December 19-21. The O’Shaughnessy. $22.75-$49.75.Ballet Minnesota’s Classic Nutcracker, now in its 37th year, thousands of patrons and newcomers venture out in December to enjoy this “radiant production” presented at The O’Shaughnessy in St Paul, Minnesota. Tickets and more at balletminnesota.org/the-classic-nutcracker.

Parents Night Out
2025-12-19 17:30 - 20:30
December 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Groveland Recreation Center. $10-$15

We will offer a variety of staff-led activities in a safe, engaging environment while you get a well-deserved break – they get a night of excitement and connection. Fees: Resident $10.00, Non-Resident $15.00. Registration required. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

Family Movie: Miracle on 34th St!
2025-12-19 18:15 - 20:30 | West 7th Community Center, 265 Oneida St., St. Paul, MN, 55102, United States
December 19, 6:15 p.m. West 7th Community Center. Free

Join West 7th Library and Keystone Community Services for our featured movie: Miracle on 34th St.! One Friday night a month we’ll show our favorite movies on the big screen in the gym. Bring your favorite blanket & snacks–and wear your pajamas if you like. Fresh hot popcorn will be served! Learn more at sppl.org/events.

Family Chanukah Concert
2025-12-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Capp Center
December 21, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Capp Center. $12.

Hanukkah Jam-boree with Louis & Dan and the Invisible Band! Get ready to sing, laugh, and light up the afternoon! Join Louis & Dan and the Invisible Band for a lively, hour-long concert full of clever lyrics, catchy tunes, and lots of audience participation. The award-winning duo—beloved by kids, parents, and even college students—bring their signature mix of humor, heart, and high-energy fun to this special Hanukkah celebration. You’ll hear some of their fan-favorite originals, including their new holiday classic, “How to Say Chanukah,” along with plenty of other smart, silly, and joy-filled songs that’ll have the whole family tapping, clapping, and singing along. Perfect for all ages — come for the music, stay for the laughter and light! Tickets and more at minnesotajcc.org/event/family-chanukah-concert.

Holiday Tot Time Celebration
2025-12-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Linwood Recreation Center
December 22, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Linwood Recreation Center. $3-$6

Calling all little ones! Let’s celebration the holidays with a fun little Tot Time party! Join us for treats, fun crafts, music & playtime in the gym. Registration is required. Fees Resident $3.00, Non-Resident $6.00. Learn more and register at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

Bold North Breakaway Fan Fest
2025-12-26 00:00 - 2026-01-05 23:59 | Rice Park
December 26-January 5. Rice Park. Free

Coinciding with the IIHF World Junior Championship hockey tournament, Bold North Breakaway Fan Fest will run Dec. 26 – Jan. 5, bringing Rice Park and the St. Paul RiverCentre to life with hockey, food, music and family fun – all free and open to the public. Outdoor highlights include: Bumper cars ($5 rides), trolley and horse-drawn carriage rides, a skills rink, a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show and more. Fan fest hours and the complete schedule of events and experiences can be found at WorldJuniorsMN26.com/fanfest.

Tot Time New Years Eve Party
2025-12-30 09:30 - 10:30 | Highland Park Community Center
December 30, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Highland Park Community Center. Free.

New Year’s Eve Tot Time Party – Featuring the Teddy Bear Band!Ring in the New Year early with a special celebration just for little ones! Enjoy lively music and fun with the Teddy Bear Band, followed by a cozy Story Time with our friends from the Highland Park Library. Kids are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along their favorite teddy bear (we’ll have extras available too!). This playful, family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate together before bedtime. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.

New Year's Eve Craft Party with Kidcreate Studio
2025-12-31 09:30 - 12:30 | Linwood Recreation Center
December 31, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Linwood Recreation Center. $38-$57

Mom & Dad, you deserve a break from your crazy holiday schedule! Send your young artist to class to make all they will need for a fabulous New Year’s Eve celebration. We will create noisemakers, party poppers, and New Year’s Eve hats. What a fun way to ring in the New Year! Please pack a nut free snack and drink for your child. *Registration required* Fees: Resident $38.00, Non-Resident $57.00. Learn more and register at stpaul.gov/news/winter-special-events-holiday-parties.
