Whether you jingle all the way and rock around the Christmas tree, enjoy a silent night with chestnuts roasting on an open fire or wish mother nature would let it snow, let it snow, let it snow so you can build frosty the snowman, tis the season to celebrate! From holiday markets, to live performances, to family friendly festivities – this month is packed with the joys of the season in Greater St. Cloud! Click HERE for the full events calendar!
Walking in a Window Wonderland
December 1 – 31
The Downtown St. Cloud Alliance presents, Walking in a Window Wonderland! An annual window display contest. This years theme is ‘Light Up the Night’ and the contest runs from 12/1 – 12/31 at businesses throughout downtown.
Winter Sale & Open-Studio at Desi Murphy Pottery
December 1 – 2
Support local and shop small this holiday season! Check out new ceramic artwork, meet the artist, participate in a studio tour and enjoy Minnesota-roasted coffee and locally-made gourmet cupcakes while you visit. There will be lots of great gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Desi Murphy Pottery studio will be open from 10A – 4P on 12/1 & 12/2.
St. Cloud Lights Festival
December 1 – 10
The St. Cloud Lights Festival runs for 10 days in Spalt Park. The cost is $5 per person and all tickets will be sold online in advance. Lights and bonfires will be on from dusk until 9:00 p.m. with hot chocolate and cookies served with every paid admission each night. All proceeds from the St. Cloud Lights Festival event will go towards supporting the youth activities and future development at the school, as well as Spalt Park.
Candy Cane and Cocoa Party
December 2
Spread Holiday Cheer with Our Candy Cane and Cocoa Party! Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit with your little ones? Look no further than our festive event – designed to be experienced in just one hour (unless you choose our VIP option). Sip on a mug of hot cocoa or tea, enjoy a candy cane, take a photo with Santa and have some fun with our holiday-themed activities Saturday December 2nd from 9A- 12P at Green Mill downtown, St. Cloud.
Global Fat Bike Day
December 2
Mid MN Cycling Club (MMCC) is hosting a Global Fat Bike Ride, Membership Drive, and Annual Meeting at Riverside Park, Saturday December 2nd. MMCC is the local nonprofit that furthers the sport of mountain biking and trail riding in the St. Cloud area. The ride starts at 10AM followed by a social hour with a raffle and pizza at 12PM.
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST presented by Great Theatre
December 2 – 3 & 8 – 10
Disney’s classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will com alive on stage at the Paramount Theater. The whole family will be enchanted by this spectacular production, featuring spellbinding songs, imaginative costumes and sets, and, of course, a fairy-tale ending.
Ugly Sweater Party
December 5
Winterfest
December 6
St. Cloud State University President Robbyn Wacker invites students, alumni, faculty/staff, friends and the community to join us for St. Cloud State University‘s second annual Winterfest celebration! Bundle up for an evening of winter festivities and take a moment to enjoy the connections among #OurSCSU community on December 6th from 4p – 6:30P.
Haunted Holiday Escape Room
December 7, 14 & 21
Will you survive a trip back to the 1880’s? Join us this holiday season for our second annual Escape Room experience! This year, travel back in time to a haunted Stearns County farmhouse circa 1880. The escape room will be at the Stearns History Museum on Thursday December 7, 14 & 21. Multiple time slots available.
A John Denver Christmas
December 8
The music of John Denver by Layne Yost at the Pioneer Place on Fifth downtown St. Cloud Friday, December 8 at 7:30P.
Sauk Rapids Downtown Jingle & Mingle
December 9
Sauk Rapids is set for a magical day and night of holiday festivities on December 9th! The city celebration includes the sparkle of downtown lights, an artisan market, horse-drawn wagon rides, a llama wonderama, sidewalk carolers, a living nativity, a very merry meat raffle, a lighted grand parade featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, endless shopping specials, and more! Enjoy a variety of menu items from our downtown eateries and warm up during the parade with free hot chocolate and candy for the kids!
Breakfast with Santa
December 9
Santa is coming to the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA! Join us for a hot breakfast and loads of other fun holiday activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy a meet and greet with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday arts and crafts, and more on Saturday December 9th from 8A – 11A. Register by December 2nd!
Makers Market 2023
December 9
Kwanzaa Celebration
December 9
Join Higher Works Collaborative for an evening of music, food, gifts, and performances for the 28th annual Kwanzaa Celebration. Registration for gifts and meals is encouraged. This event is open to the public and will take place from 5pm-8pm on December 9th at Whitney Senior Center. A meal will be provided along with a program to celebrate the African American culture with our community.
Santa Pub Crawl
December 9
Come ‘drink like you care’ at the Santa Pub Crawl with Finnegans Brew Co. downtown, St. Cloud on December 9th. Bring a non perishable food item and meet at The Red Carpet at 5PM to pick up your passport. Dress with a Holiday Theme, prizes will be awarded!
Ladies Night Out & Christmas Market
December 15
Pickleball Toy Drive
December 16
Looking to make a difference this holiday season? Partner with St. Cloud Park & Recreation and Northern Paddles Pickleball Club to give back to our community by coming out to participate in a day of pickleball open play on Saturday, December 16th, 8 am-12 pm at the Whitney Recreation Center to raise funds for the local Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program! No registration is required. Admission: new, unwrapped toy or cash/check donation.
Christmas with Lorie Line
December 17
This year marks the 34th year of Lorie Line bringing her Christmas show to the stage! So make plans now to spend an intimate evening around the piano with Lorie as she shares her heartwarming stories and creates memorable music that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas on December 17th at 3PM at the Paramount Theater.
Lazer Light Tubing
December 29 – 31
Tube with the lights off while lazers, strobes and flashing lights cover the hill at Powder Ridge. The fire pit will be burning and music will be playing. Our concession stand will be open with hot dogs, chips, popcorn, hot cocoa and more! Limited availability, advance reservations are required. Please note, these events do sell out quickly.
New Year’s Eve Skate Party
December 31
Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos – NEW YEAR’S EVE!
December 31
Celebrate the new year Sun, Dec 31 – 7:00pm & 10:00pm at the Paramount Theater! For over 20 years Dave & Ted have traveled coast to coast in the USA, Canada, Panama and Mexico as the most sought after dueling piano act in the country. Their high energy mix of comedy, music and extensive audience participation makes this a show unlike any other! Clap along, laugh along and sing along with Dave & Ted, Deuces Wild!
NYE Comedy Party!
December 31
Celebrate NYE with local comedian Adrian Washington at the Park Event Center on December 31st at 8PM. Get you tickets and come laugh, have fun, and celebrate! Pizza and champagne toast is included after the show!