Here's your guide to holiday, Christmas events in St. Cloud throughout December

Becca Most, St. Cloud Times
·4 min read

ST. CLOUD — Although we're still lacking the snow to make it feel like a true December in Minnesota, here's some holiday events to look forward to this month.

There's something for everyone, whether you like music, skating, shopping or woodworking. Here's a roundup of area events leading up to Christmas.

Now until the end of December: Sartell's Lights Festival

Check out Sartell's Lights Festival from dusk until dawn the whole month of December at Lake Francis Park. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and bonfires.

Dec. 4: Back Shed Brewing shopping, Christmas with the Steeles

On Saturday, Back Shed Brewing is hosting a holiday "Sip and Shop" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a plethora of local vendors, bakers and boutiques. Saturday night watch Christmas with the Steeles at the Paramount Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $10-25.

More: Here's where to cut your own Christmas tree — and visit Santa — at some St. Cloud-area tree farms

Christmas lights are on display at the Country Lights Festival in Sartell Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.
Christmas lights are on display at the Country Lights Festival in Sartell Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.

Dec. 5: QueerConnect's holiday party

This Sunday the Great River Regional Library is hosting a QueerConnect ugly holiday outfit party with cocoa, cider, cookies and crafts for all ages from 1-4 p.m. There'll also be a food drive, so bring some non-perishables too.

Dec. 6: Pride ice skating

Grab your skates Monday night and join in this year's Holiday Pride Skate at the Skatin' Place at 5 p.m.

Dec. 9: Holiday concerts, workshop

Back Shed Brewing is hosting an MMG Workshop at 6 p.m. where you'll be able to make anything from pallet signs to winter sleds and Christmas stars and enjoy a craft brew. A $20 deposit is required at the time of registration. Later, a Holiday Stomp! from the Hot Sardines at the Escher Auditorium at the College of St. Benedict at 7:30 p.m. There'll be many swing and jazz Christmas favorites performed by an eight-piece band. Tickets range from $10-35 and CSB/SJU students get a discount.

Santas line up to greet people for the Dinner with Santa event Monday, Dec. 17, in St. Cloud.
Santas line up to greet people for the Dinner with Santa event Monday, Dec. 17, in St. Cloud.

Dec. 9-11: See the Nutcracker

See the The Nutcracker Ballet at the Paramount Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. or Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Performed by the Stroia Ballet Company. Tickets range from $14-21.

More: Ring of Kerry brings a touch of Ireland to Christmas in Central Minnesota

Dec. 10: Christmas country concert

Come see Hitchville's Christmas Show at Pioneer Place on Fifth at 7:30 p.m. and enjoy some country classics.

Dec. 11: Shop supporting local artists

Maker's Market in St. Cloud will host an event with more than 30 local artists, makers, authors and bakers at the Regency Venue downtown from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also visit Claud's Christmas Show at The Shop in St. Joseph to do some shopping and support a local potter.

Dec. 12: Acapella Christmas concert

See an acapella group perform their Christmas Show on at the Pioneer Place at 7 p.m.

Dec. 13: Holiday Jazz and Christmas movie sounds

The Paramount is hosting the George Maurer Group to play some holiday jazz for the 24th consecutive year. Tickets range from $10-23 and a livestream is $12 per household. If jazz isn't your thing, listen to a brass quintet perform music from some of the cinema's greatest Christmas Movies at St. Cloud State University's Atwood Memorial Theater at 7 p.m.. General admission is $10 and there'll be free kids crafts and a photo booth.

Dec. 15: St. Cloud String Quartet plays

Head over to Jules' Bistro to listen to the St. Cloud String Quartet perform seasonal music at 7 p.m. Reservations encouraged.

Santa Claus catches a ride on the Sauk Rapids Community Ambassadors float Saturday during the Parade of Lights in downtown Sauk Rapids.
Santa Claus catches a ride on the Sauk Rapids Community Ambassadors float Saturday during the Parade of Lights in downtown Sauk Rapids.

Dec. 18: Sauk Rapids family fun day, parade of lights and St. Cloud's night market

Sauk Rapid's annual Parade of Lights and Family Fun Day is happening Dec. 18 starting at 11 a.m. See Miss Sauk Rapids royalty, play kids bingo, take some selfies with llamas, and enjoy the grand parade at 5 p.m. View the full itinerary here: https://www.visitstcloud.com/event/sauk-rapids-parade-lights-family-fun-day/ In St. Cloud, head downtown to the St. Germain Night Market where you can vote for your favorite window displays and enjoy warm beverages, food and music.

Dec. 19: An Elvis Christmas concert

Don your blue suede shoes and see an Elvis tribute artist perform a matinee Christmas-themed show at the Pioneer Place from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $31.

More: Northstar Link's bus-to-rail service won't run on upcoming holidays

Dec. 19-23: Christmas Spectacular hosted by The Paramount

The Paramount is hosting a Rock & Roll Christmas Spectacular event that'll feature a Las Vegas-caliber show complete with an eight-piece band, comedy, parodies and a game show. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29-33.

Becca Most is a cities reporter with the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-241-8213 or bmost@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter at @becca_most.

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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Christmas events near me in St. Cloud 2021 from concerts to markets