Minnesota’s Best Locally Made Toys and Gifts for Kids

Nerf footballs, Cootie bugs, Gumby and Pokey bendables, and other beloved toys and games trace their origins to Minnesota. Tonka Toys (née Mound Metalcraft), maker of the world’s most famous yellow dump truck, was founded in the 1940s in Mound and later acquired by Hasbro. The once-scandalous party game Twister — originally named Pretzel and sold to Milton Bradley before eventually gaining entry to the National Toy Hall of Fame — was invented in St. Paul. 

Field & Festival Holiday Market

Our popular holiday market is back! Join us at Wagner's Garden Center for our food and maker market series!

Field & Festival is a bustling hub of local farmers, foodies and artists. Wagner's Garden Center is a family run business started in Minneapolis more than 100 years ago. Wagner's will be hosting the market on Saturdays and Sundays in November and December from 10:00AM - 2:00PM.

Yellowjackets

Throughout their storied forty-three-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded twenty-six albums, and received sixteen Grammy nominations, winning two. Additionally, they have performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.

Waconia Hosts 18th Annual D.E.A.R. Day

Grab your shopping bags and your best orange outfit! The Waconia Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 18th Annual Divas Enjoying Awesome Retail (D.E.A.R.) Day on Saturday, November 8, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Get ready for a fun-filled day of shopping, sipping, dining, and scoring great deals across Waconia!

Tuba Christmas in Northfield

Tuba Christmas is an annual event that brings together euphonium, baritone, sousaphone and tuba players of all ages to play Christmas carols for the enjoyment of family, friends and the general public. The music made by dozens of low brass instruments playing as a choir is an experience not to be missed, either as a participant or as a listener. Tuba Christmas in Northfield will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025 in Skinner Memorial Chapel on the Carleton College campus in Northfield, Minnesota. Concert time is 3:00 pm.

Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret: Laughter is Blind

Back by popular demand! Laughter is Blind is an improv comedy show designed for the blind and visually impaired. This show uses no visual humor; our words are funny enough! Sighted guests are welcome, too.

Sing A Long With Sister Celeste!

Its that time of year and Sister Celeste is determined to get everyone in pitch-perfect shape for the Holy Season! Join her in the festively decorated Celeste Hotel Chapel Dining Hall.

Orianthi

Orianthi (Orianthi Panagaris) looks as much like a rock star as she does a supermodel. But it’s her extraordinary guitar chops that turn the most heads. She began playing professionally when she was thirteen years old. Since then, she has performed and/or toured with Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Alice Cooper, Richie Sambora and Dave Stewart. Furthermore, she was hired by Michael Jackson for his “This Is It Tour” before his untimely death.

North Star Voices: The Malling of Minnesota

Minnesota has the first enclosed mall (Southdale) and the largest mall in the U.S. (Mall of America). However, retail malls are facing tremendous challenges in the age of online shopping and with the comeback of mixed-use main street development. Join Thomas Fisher, professor at the University of Minnesota and the director of the Minnesota Design Center, for a talk focused on recounting the history of Minnesota's malls and a look ahead to what the future of our malls might look like.