Halloween is over, we’ve had our first snowfall and the stores are fully stocked for the holiday season – welcome to November! As we get ready for the hustle and bustle of the season, make sure to take time for FUN! Greater St. Cloud has lots of awesome events and activities planned throughout the month to help you out. Check out the highlights below and CLICK HERE for the full events calendar.
Grande Depot Annual Holiday Open House
November 2
Head to the Grande Depot for their most anticipated event of the year: the annual Holiday Open House! November 2 – 5 will be brimming with sampling, shopping, and holiday cheer! Enjoy complimentary samples of our favorite foods, wines, beer, and spirits! Stock up on holiday decorations, gifts, kitchen essentials, and more! Plus, don’t forget to enter our holiday gift basket giveaway in-store! Event takes place all weekend during normal store hours.
LITTLE WOMEN presented by Great Theatre
November 3 – 5
This clever reimagining of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill, will have audiences falling in love with the March sisters all over again. Little Women presented by The GREAT Theater will be on stage at The Paramount Theater November 3 -5.
Stars & S’mores
November 4
St. Cloud Park & Recreation is excited to partner with St. Cloud State University College of Science and Engineering to offer a chance to learn from SCSU professors about the night sky and the celestial objects, make your own planisphere in the park shelter, and take a look through the telescopes. This event will be held at Riverside Park from 8PM – 9:30PM on November 4th. Preregistration is required and spots are limited.
Holiday Craft and Gift Show
November 4 & 5
The 2nd annual Holiday Craft and Gift Show is back at The River’s Edge Convention Center on Saturday 11/4 from 10AM – 4PM and Sunday 11/5 from 10AM – 3PM with over 100 vendors. Admission is $3 kids 12 and under are free.
Takin’ It To The Streets- Doobie Brothers Tribute
November 6 – 9
The Fabulous Armadillos with special guests Jeff Engholm, Muggsy Lauer, Matt Kirkwold, Dennis Kennedy, Rich Manik and more are playing the Doobie’s greatest hits at the Pioneer Place on Fifth on November 6th at 7:30PM.
Alumni & Friends at the Planetarium
November 9
Come see a movie about the solar system at SCSU’s Planetarium on Thursday 11/9 from 5:30PM – 7PM. Learn about history and discoveries still being made today from SCSU’s own Rachel Humphrey, assistant professor of meteorology and science education. Outdoor telescope viewings will be offered as well. This event is free to attend.
Veterans Day Parade
November 11
The Veterans Day Parade follows St. Germain street, starting at the St Cloud Library and ending at River’s Edge Convention Center! The Parade will start at 11am. Grab a spot to enjoy the parade and honor Veterans and stay downtown for lunch after!
Granite City Train Show
November 11
The Granite City Train Show is at The River’s Edge Convention Center on November 11 from 9AM – 3PM. Come see Model & Toy Trains (all the scales), Accessories, Tons of books, Videos, Railroad Collectibles and Memorabilia, unique Antique Toys, Hobby Items and More! Plus door prizes! You don’t want to miss this!
Holiday Market 2023
November 16
Beaver Island Brewing Co. is offering a night of shopping with local vendors on November 16th from 5 – 8PM.
The Nutcracker
November 16 – 18
Kick off your holiday season with The Nutcracker ballet at The Paramount Theater on November 16, 17 & 18. These performances feature the youth dance students of Stroia Dance Studios located in Central Minnesota.
2023 Zonta Christmas House
November 17 & 18
Since its inception in 1990, Zonta’s Christmas House has been held the weekend before Thanksgiving. For that Friday evening and Saturday, a house in the St Cloud area is decorated for Christmas by several local designers and stores. The house is then opened to the public for viewing where the public gets inspiration to decorate their own homes and to vote for the best decorator. This year’s event will also feature a local vendor marketplace available after the tour. Some vendors may be cash only! Single tickets are $20 and a 2-person ticket is $38. Ticket proceeds go to empowering women and children in Central MN & Nationwide.
Made in MN Expo
November 18
Join us for the 9th annual Made in MN Expo where we showcase Minnesota-made items and businesses who are based out of Minnesota! Saturday, November 18, 2023 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center, doors open at 10AM.
Santa Days- Free fun at the zoo!
November 18, 24 & 25
Ho, ho, ho! Santa is making a special stop at Hemker Park & Zoo on November 18th, 24th & 25th & from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM! Enjoy visiting with Santa & his live reindeer, and shop our main gift shop for the perfect holiday gifts! Visit with Santa is Sponsored by the Guardians of Conservation, and is free with a monetary donation.
St. Cloud Fairytale Ball
November 18
Experience happily ever after with your favorite fairytale friends! Our event features 10 performances & activities! Each session also includes a meet & greet time so you can meet each character individually for photos, hugs, and autographs. Guests will enjoy stories, songs, dances, crafts, games and more throughout the event. This event will be held at The Regency, the timeslots are 10AM, 12PM, and 2PM, tickets are required.
Wishbone 5K
November 23
The Wishbone 5K, presented by CentraCare M Physicians Orthopedics at the YMCA, features a 5K run, 2 mile walk, and the El-Jay Plumbing’s “Little Turkey’s” 1K race! The St. Cloud Area Family YMCA will be open during the race for check in and as a great place to warm up. See you out there!
Jan’s Christmas Tree Farms -Activity Days!
November 24 – 26 & December 2-3
Join us from 9AM – 5PM for kettle corn, nut roasting, horse drawn wagon rides, blacksmith, straw pile & play area, bonfire with s’mores and hot dogs, gift store, and of course trees of all sizes, wreathes, greens, garlands, decorative pots, porch gnomes and more!
Weihnachtsmarkt – German Market!
November 30
The city of St. Cloud invites you to their annual Weihnachtsmarkt (Why-nachts-market)–a German-inspired outdoor holiday market. Stop by to enjoy a winter wonderland filled with Holiday arts and crafts, and a hearty menu of German-style food and drink, including German Glühwein (hot spiced wine) – available for sale for your enjoyment. This year’s Weihnachtsmarkt is taking place on Thursday, November 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. inside the River’s Edge parking ramp on 5th.