By Kathy Henderson
Compiled by Kathy Henderson who lives in St. Paul and is a Twin Cities freelance writer.
There are plenty of opportunities this month to shop local, enjoy holiday entertainment, savor festive treats and appreciate the season with friends and family. Browse all the happenings below.
Ongoing Events
Broadway at the Ordway with Beauty and the Beast
345 Washington St.
The beloved Broadway musical stage adaption of the Academy Award winning animated film continues at the Ordway through Dec. 31. Find various matinee and evening performance times and dates and costs at ordway.org.
Falcon Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club Tree Sale
Falcon Heights Community Park, 2050 Roselawn Ave.
The Lions Club annual Christmas tree sale begins Nov. 25 and lasts until trees sell out. Note: The supply has sold out in as little as eight days in the past. Proceeds go to support, among other things, local block nurse programs. Weekdays, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.
GLOW Holiday Festival
CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St.
GLOW, a walk-through event, continues at CHS Field through Jan. 1. It features lights, illuminated trees, interactive displays and full ballpark food and drinks. Attractions include Elfie Plaza, Enchanted Forest, Bright Bikes and Tremendous Tree. Hourly reservation time slots; stay as long as you like. Sundays-Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m. (closes at 9 p.m.); Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. (closes at 10 p.m.). General Admission, $20.75; Children ages 4-12, $12.75; children ages 3 and under, free. Nonrefundable tickets must be purchased in advance at GLOWholiday.com.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum Hosts Night Trains
688 Transfer Road., Suite 8
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum hosts Night Trains — Christmas-decorated model trains — through the holiday season on Saturdays (except Christmas Eve) from 3 to 7 p.m. Santa events are scheduled Dec. 10 and 17. Holiday bonus nights are planned Dec. 19, 21, 23, 26, 29 and 30. Admission tickets available in two-hour time blocks. Family rates available. While the Christmas decorations will be removed in January, Night Trains will run through the end of February. tcmrm.org/special-events/night-trains
Minnesota Children’s Museum Offers “Inside the Amazing Castle”
10 W. Seventh St.
Storytelling and imaginative play opportunities in a setting inspired by fantasy and history. Travel back in time and explore a child-size Medieval storybook castle. Target audience: ages 2-12. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Jan. 8. Admission to the exhibit is included in the general admission: $16.; members free. 651-225-6000.
Events by Dates
Dec. 1-3
Landmark Center Sets Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
75 W. Fifth St.
Handcrafted gift items sold by area artists, plus music and treats. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 2-4
Horse Crazy Holiday Market
Minnesota State Fairgrounds,
Warner Coliseum
The Horse Crazy Holiday Market gathers more than 100 vendors, artisans, makers and exhibitors featuring equine- and canine-themed goods, gifts and services. Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 2-4
Blue House Boutique
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave.
The Blue House Boutique offers unique, handmade items, including knitwear, decor, food, jewelry and artwork. Proceeds benefit the Blue House, a charity serving children in Uganda. Early bird admission ($15) on Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. Free admission on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dec. 3
Cookies & Cocoa with Kris Kringle
Cedarholm Community Building, 2323 N. Hamline Ave.
Children ages 2 to 10 with an adult can decorate a cookie and make a craft. Bring your cell or camera and take a photo with Santa. Session 1, 9 to 10:15 a.m. Session 2, 10:45 a.m. to noon. $11 per participant. Phone: 651-792-7110.
Dec. 3-4
Holiday Craft Fair
Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive., Roseville
Find handmade items from local crafters and artists at the annual fair sponsored by the Harriet Alexander Nature Center. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Dec. 3-Jan. 8
Marjorie McNeely Holiday Flower Show
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive
This year’s poinsettia display will sparkle with warmth and light. The show will feature an elegant white poinsettia accented with plants selected for fragrance and texture. Free, but donations are appreciated. Reservations required: comozooconservatory.org/reservation.
Dec. 4
Maker’s Market at Urban Growler Brewing Co.
2325 Endicott St.
Shop from local vendors selling a variety of goods, including candles, jewelry, home decor, Belgian chocolates, pottery, house plants, holiday ornaments, aprons and prints. Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Dec. 3
Santa at Milton Square
2262 Como Ave.
Santa will light the tree in the Milton Square courtyard at 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 13
Winter Wonderland
North Dale Recreation Center,
1414 N. St. Albans St.
Winter themed activities for youth under the age of 12 and a special visit from Santa. Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 14
Star of the North Concert Band: Holiday Concert
Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St.
The Star of the North Concert Band is a nonprofit, charitable organization of more than 50 musicians from around the Twin Cities. Free. Wednesday, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 16
Holiday Ornament Making
Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 N. Hamline Ave.
Make a unique keepsake or holiday gift at Northwest Como Recreation Center’s ornament-making party. Children ages 5 to 10 can use their creativity for this winter-themed craft. Thursday, 2:30 to 5 p.m. $10. Registration required in advance at stpaul.gov/parks.
Dec. 16
Multi-Cultural Festival
Langford Park Recreation Center, 30 Langford Park
Discover the various kinds of games children around the world play. Make crafts, try new languages, sample food items. Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. Call 298-5765.
Dec. 26-30
Winter Camp-STEM Safari (Grades 1-2)
Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights
Explore all things science each day we explore a different area of STEM. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration at bellmuseum.umn.edu/events.
Dec. 26-30
Winter Camp-Snow Much Fun (Grades 3-5)
Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights
Third, fourth and fifth graders will explore how the environment works differently once the temperature drops below freezing and find out how to differentiate clouds by studying their shapes. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration at bellmuseum.umn.edu/events.
Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve on Ice
Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Dr.
Family skating party from 2:30 to 10 p.m. Skate indoors in the arena or outdoors on the oval. Face painting, 4 to 6 p.m.; magic show, 6 to 6:45 p.m.; photo buttons, 7 to 9 p.m. Admission, $10. Limited skate rental, $5. Call 651-792-7007 for more information.
