Compiled by Kathy Henderson

’Tis the season, whether you are looking to attend special concerts shop craft shows and bazaars, or savor festive treats, the Bugle area offers a wide variety of events for the holiday season.

Music

Nov. 29
Julglädje: Family Holiday Concert

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis

Music, stories and holiday cheer. $7-$22/free for children ages 5 and younger and ASI members; includes museum admission and access to the “Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter” exhibit. Saturday, 11 a.m. to noon. Register: asimn.org.

Dec. 12
Holiday Concert

Centennial United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave.

This St. Anthony Park Seniors program is also available for streaming at facebook.com/sapaseniors. Contact the SAP Seniors office 651-642-9052 for more information. Friday, 2 to 3 p.m. Free.

Dec. 14
Lucia Celebration Concert

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis

Traditional music from the ASI Lucia Choir and Lilla Lag fiddling group. $20-$25 ASI members; include museum admission. Sunday, 1 to 2 p.m. Register: asimn.org.

Dec. 17
Star of the North Concert Band Holiday Concert

Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W.

A festive holiday ensemble concert. Wednesday, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free.

Dec. 18
Songs of the Season

Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W.

Schubert Club Courtroom Concert presents “Carols of Minnesota Composers.” Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Free.

Dec. 24
Music and Candlelight

St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave.
Depending upon which of the three Christmas Eve services one attends, you will find three different styles of music and songs.

The 3 p.m. service features the children’s and youth choirs.

The music during the 5 p.m. service is colloquially thought of as a pick-up or jam because musicians are welcome to informally join in playing alongside the featured musical group.

At 9 p.m., it is time for the adult choir to bring in the familiar carols and the formal hymns that one might traditionally expect from the evening before Christmas Day.

Jan. 4
Minnesota Boychoir Winter Concert

Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W.

Part of the “Sundays at Landmark” series this annual winter concert. Sunday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Free.

Markets

Nov. 28 – Dec. 21
European Christmas Market

Union Depot, 240 Kellogg Blvd. E.

Holiday market inspired by the festive Christkindl traditions of Germany and Austria. Friday, Nov. 28, from noon to 9 p.m.;
ongoing: Fridays, 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 am to 6 p.m. Free admission. stpaulchristmasmarket.org.

Dec. 2 – Jan. 11
Potters in the Loft: Holiday gift market

boréal Art Loft, 2276 Como Ave.

Local potters and painters—Paul Amble, Dan Mackerman, Haley Macklem, Mary Jo Schmith, Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy and Chuck Solberg—in the Art Loft during boréal’s regular business hours. Opening reception: 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Dec. 5-7
Holiday Bazaar

Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St. W.

Beautiful and unique handcrafted gift items by 80 of the finest local artists. Delicious treats, holiday décor and live holiday music add a festive ambiance to this beautiful, classic venue. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 (cash or check only)/free for ages 12 and younger.

Dec. 5-7
Blue House Boutique

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave.

Handmade items: jewelry, knitwear, home décor, gourmet goodies, artwork, stationery, Christmas décor, Ugandan crafts and more! Proceeds benefit Blue House, a charity in Uganda. Friday, 4 to 6:30 p.m. (early bird ticketed event); free admission Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 6
St. Anthony Park UCC Holiday Bazaar

2129 Commonwealth Ave.

Holiday bazaar featuring handmade and heartfelt gifts, wreaths and gourmet baked items. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. sapucc.org

Dec. 6
Yuletide Faire Holiday Market

Milton Square, 2262 Como Ave.

Stroll indoors and outdoors through Milton Square and visit shoppes for artwork, vintage finds, clothing, gift ideas, food and beverages, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Santa Claus, photos and festivities in the courtyards and the Tamarack Room from 3 to 6 p.m.

Dec. 6
Summit Avenue Artisan Festival

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 900 Summit Ave.

A grand meander event with handcrafted and food items from more than 45 local artists and artisans. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bid in the silent auction to support the church’s community work. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos from 10 a.m. to noon ($5 suggested donation) Free admission.

Dec. 6-7
Holiday Craft Fair

Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive

Handcrafted items for sale by more than 50 crafters and artisans. Vendor fees support the Harriet Alexander Nature Center. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Free. Find vendor list at cityofroseville.com/1398/Holiday-Craft-Fair.

Dec. 13-14 and 20-21
Minnesota Merry Market

Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Local artists and vendors, food trucks and family fun. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend.

Museums & Traditions

Nov. 29-30
Minnesota’s Hmong New Year Celebration

St. Paul RiverCenter, 175 Kellogg Blvd.

Traditional Hmong dance, music, crafts, vendors, Miss Hmong Minnesota pageant and dance and singing competitions. The festivities mark the 50th anniversary of Hmong Americans in Minnesota, making this year’s celebration especially meaningful. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. $15; children under 42 inches and seniors free. theunitedhmongfamily.org/mnhny.

Nov. 29 – Jan. 4
Holidays on the Hill

James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave.

The popular Holidays on the Hill returns for another season with even more full and festive holiday decorations at the Gilded Age mansion of railroad titan James J. Hill. Admission includes self-guided access to holiday-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour with holiday stories and decor from 1910. See the website for the various days, times and admission cost. Reservations recommended. mnhs.org/hillhouse.

Dec. 5 – Jan. 4
Holiday Flower Show

Como Park Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive.

A variety of poinsettias accompanied by variegated foliage, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Free. A voluntary donation of $4 per adult and $2 per child is appreciated. comozooconservatory.org.

Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and Jan. 2-3
Candlelight Christmas

Alexander Ramsey House, 265 Exchange St. S.

Candlelight tours return to this 1872 Victorian mansion on Thursday and Friday evenings during the holiday season. Guided by candlelight, explore the bluer side of Christmas and the melancholy feelings that accompany the season.

View unique holiday artifacts and listen to excerpts from the Ramsey family papers. Due to the subject matter, it is recommended for ages 18+; though all ages may attend. $20-$16/free for ages 4 and younger. See website for available time slots: mnhs.org/ramseyhouse.

Dec. 6-7
Christmas in Germany

Germanic-American Institute, 301 Summit Ave.

Celebrate the holiday traditions of a German Christmas in an atmosphere of good cheer and music with the Haus decorated from the Rathskeller to the ballroom. Food, drinks and seasonal gift items available for purchase. Time-entry tickets required on Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to noon; noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. $10-$5. Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free but still require a ticket for space-planning purposes. Tickets availability at gaimn.org/calendar/christmas-2025.

Various Dates
Celtic Junction Arts Center

836 Prior Ave. N. Tickets at celticjunction.org.

SPIKED! Put some punch in your holiday: Holiday songs and foreign-language carols plus sketch comedy. 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, and Monday, Dec. 1; 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29; 1 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. $30-$25; recommended for ages 16 years and older.

Celtic Holiday Hooley: Music and step dancing. 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12; 1 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14; 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22. $30-$15.

The Harp and the Holly: Album Launch for Irish harpist and singer Hannah Flowers’s holiday release, “The Harp and the Holly.” 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. $25/free for youth ages 18 and younger.

Various Dates
American Swedish Institute

2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis

A variety of events are scheduled during the holiday season in the historic Turnblad Mansion. Tickets and reservations: asimn.org/

Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter: The featured holiday exhibition runs through Jan. 25, 2026. Museum regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; closed Christmas Eve and Day. $20-$1/limited income; free for children ages 5 and younger.

Winter solstice celebration: arts and crafts, music plus FIKA Café special menu. 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Reserve timed-entry tickets: 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. $30-$8/free for children 5 and younger.

Julbord holiday dinner: Multi-course Christmas smorgasbord and live music. 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, and 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21. $100-$40 children ages 6-12/free ages 5 and younger; ASI members $90. Reservations.

12th Day of Christmas Jul Ball: Music by some of the area’s finest Nordic folk musicians. All dance-skill levels are welcome; light instruction will be provided. 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2025. $15-$10/ASI members. Reservations.

And Much More

Dec. 4-18
Festive baking

Northwest Como Rec Center, 1550 Hamline Ave N.

Holiday baking with NWC staff for children ages 8 to 13. Gingerbread houses will be made at the last session. 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. $10. Registration required. stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/activities-events/winter-activities.

Dec. 6
Cookies & Cocoa with Kris Kringle

Cedarholm Community Building, 2323 Hamline Ave N., Roseville

Bring a camera and capture a photo of the children (ages 2-10) with Santa. Decorate a cookie and create a festive craft. Parents must accompany children throughout the event. 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. to noon. $14. Limited space; pre-register for time slot online at cityofroseville.com.

Dec. 13 and Dec. 21
An elf and gingerbread houses

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave.

Sprinkles the Elf: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Stories, songs, cookies and cocoa. Write letters to Santa. Family event for all ages, but especially geared toward children age 10 and younger. Free. Register with Mia at [email protected].

Greening the church and making gingerbread houses

11:45 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21. Free. Register with Mia at [email protected].

Dec. 14
Santa’s Workshop

Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St. W.

Free photo with Santa, games and gift making. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.

Dec. 17
Winter wonderland

North Dale Rec Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N.

Festive and wintery activities, games, crafts, food and photo booth. Presentations and performances from North Dale activity groups. Family event geared for ages 12 and younger. 6 to 8 p.m. Free to attend.

Dec. 22
Ornament painting

Northwest Como Rec Center, 1550 Hamline Ave. N.

Children ages 7 to 12 paint and take home an ornament. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free. Register: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/activities-events/winter-activities.

Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year on Ice

John Rose OVAL, 2661 Civic Center Drive

Skating or open hockey on the outdoor OVAL, indoor arena skating, magician and more. 2 to 9 p.m. Admission, $10.; skate rental, $5.

Throughout Feb. 28
Night Trains

Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road

A holiday tradition of uniquely decorated model trains that run on the layouts; special holiday-only layouts will also be on display. Saturdays from 3 to 7 p.m. Bonus weekdays: Fridays, Dec. 19 and 26 and Jan. 2; Mondays, Dec. 22 and 29.

Santa makes an appearance at 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20. $15/free ages 4 and younger. Tickets sold for two-hour time blocks at tcmrm.org/special-events/night-trains. 

Christmas trees

Nov. 28 until a week
before Christmas or sold out

Falcon Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club

Falcon Heights City Hall,
2077 Larpenteur Ave W.

Mondays-Fridays, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.

Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 1; Dec. 5-7 and 12-14
Hansen Tree Farm

7440 Alpine Drive NW, Ramsey

Cut your own tree or with assistance. Hayrides, private campfire sites, Hansen-made wreaths, artisan gallery, gift shop. Saw, map and instructions provided. Assistants shake, bale and tie trees to vehicles. Fridays-Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Live music, noon to 3 p.m. on Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 6 and 7. Details and map at hansentreefarm.com 

Kathy Henderson lives in St. Paul and is a freelance writer.