Twas the Weekender before Christmas and all around St. Cloud there is still plenty to do as you start your holiday countdown. You don't have to look very hard to find anything to get you out and about this weekend. From Lorie Line at the Paramount Center for the Arts, to the free St. Cloud Municipal Band concert at the Whitney Senior Center, to numerous ugly sweater parties. There is plenty to do to get in a break from the kids or with the kids, or if you need to work off some of those holiday goodies we have all been snacking on. Check out the Weekender's top five picks below to get out and have some fun.

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Richard Burlton on Unsplash
Richard Burlton on Unsplash
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250th BIRTHDAY BASH - ST. CLOUD

No, it’s not someone jumping the start gun for the country’s 250th birthday in 2026. Books Revisited is celebrating the birthday of one of the world’s greatest authors with a party for Jane Austen.  Head to their shop in downtown St. Cloud for a b-day party with tea, cupcakes, Jane Austen-themed stickers, and of course, purchase one or two of her books like Pride & Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and more. Plus, the entire store inventory is part of a buy 3, get 1 free sale, so you can stock up for some cold winter nights in front of the fire (or space heater).

Saturday:  10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

(Photo: Jeff McMahon)
(Photo: Jeff McMahon)
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT - ST. CLOUD

It is a holiday tradition like no other for the St. Cloud area. Join the St. John’s Boys’ Choir and the SJBC Orchestra in the historic St. Mary’s Cathedral for a one-of-a-kind holiday concert, A Ceremony of Carols. All the different choirs will perform with an alumni chorus, bringing you traditional Christmas songs. They are also partnering with Feeding Area Children Together (FACT) for a fundraiser to help reduce childhood hunger in Central Minnesota.  Tickets range from $6 to just over $22, depending on age.

Saturday: 7:30 p.m.

Ron Case, Getty Images
Ron Case, Getty Images
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A SHERLOCK CAROL - DASSEL

Join the Dassel Area Historical Society for a fun take on a Christmas Classic.  Moriarty is dead, to begin with. A grown-up Tiny Tim hires the famous Sherlock Holmes to look into the death of Ebenezer Scrooge. Holmes must use all his uncanny abilities to solve a Dickens of a crime. Check out this fun and unique take on the Charles Dickens classic story at the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum. Tickets are $15.00 plus fees.

Friday and Saturday:  7:00 p.m.
Sunday:  2:00 p.m.

Lauren Mitchell on Unsplash
Lauren Mitchell on Unsplash
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POLAR PJ PARTY - ST. MICHAEL

Looking for a laid back fun filled event for the whole family?  The St. Michael Cinema has you covered with their festive Polar Pajama Party. Take in a viewing of the animated holiday classic movie, The Polar Express, starring the voice of Tom Hanks. You are encouraged to show up in your comfy pjs and share in the joy. Ticket price includes screening of the film, a hot chocolate, and a sleigh bell to take home. Everyone who knows the movie knows why you need to wear your jammies and take home the sleigh bell.  Tickets are $10.

Friday:  7:30 or 7:45 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM
Sunday: 6:00 PM

Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
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PUZZLE PARTY - LITTLE FALLS

Get your team ready to test your skill and exercise your brain. Head up the road to Little Falls’ Carnegie Library for a fun-filled Puzzle Party. Your team of up to four will compete to see which group can finish the jigsaw puzzle first. The winning team gets a prize and bragging rights. All the teams will be working on the same puzzle. The size limit is 4 people, with a team limit of 6, so get there early. FREE to attend. You can register at the front desk when you arrive.

Saturday:  10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.


READ MORE FROM AUTHOR PAUL HABSTRITT


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