Loving Local Holiday Kickoff in Sauk Centre

Sauk Centre Holiday Kickoff • November 27–December 13, 2026

Celebrate the season with two festive weeks of shopping, family fun, entertainment, and community giving in Sauk Centre! Our Holiday Kickoff brings together local businesses and organizations for Santa visits, holiday markets, special offers, live music, and plenty of reasons to shop small.

Shop Local & Join the Holiday Fun

• Loving Local Holiday Passport: Explore over 50 participating merchants while shopping for everyone on your list. Two grand prize winners will be drawn and announced on December 17, 2026. See the Chamber website for participation details.

• Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, presented by DanWelle.com: Join the hunt for a chance to win $100 in Chamber Bucks! Watch the Chamber’s Facebook page and emails, and visit the Chamber website for details.

• You’ve Been Elfed: Our elves will be out surprising unsuspecting shoppers with Chamber Bucks throughout the celebration. You never know where they’ll appear next!

Saturday, November 28 • Opening-Day Activities

Start your holiday shopping, enjoy a free movie, and bring the family for an afternoon with Santa!

• 9 a.m.–Noon | 7th Annual Puzzle Contest — Centre for Christ
Gather your team for some friendly competition. Preregister by calling 612-220-7535 or find online registration information on the Chamber’s event calendar.

• 9 a.m.–Noon | Small Business Spa Day — Harmony Health & Wellness
Enjoy savings on select products, favorite services, and customized packages.

• 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Holiday Vendor Event — Jitters Java Café
Shop holiday finds in the Legacy at Jitters back room.

• 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. | Free Matinee: The King of Kings — Main Street Theatre
Choose from two free showtimes.

• 2–6 p.m. | Local Artisan Shopping — 510 Art Lab
Find a one-of-a-kind gift in the 510 Gallery. Additional gallery hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; and Saturdays, 2–6 p.m.

• 2:30 p.m. | Spirits Distillery Tour & Tasting — Redhead Creamery
Go behind the scenes to discover how milk becomes cheese and whey becomes handcrafted spirits. Advance registration is $29 at www.redheadcreamery.com.

• 3–5:30 p.m. | Christmas Kickoff — Sauk Centre American Legion
Enjoy free photos with Santa and holiday wagon rides, brought to you by Community Legacies Foundation and the Sauk Centre Area Chamber. Warm up with a free hot cocoa bar and an outdoor bonfire with s’mores, presented by the Sauk Centre American Legion, Sauk Centre Auxiliary Unit #67, and Eagles Healing Nest.

• 5:30 p.m. | 1K Santa Lights the Way Run/Walk — Depart from the American Legion for Sinclair Lewis Park
Light up the evening while supporting the St. Nick Project! A prize will be awarded for the best lighted race costume. Registration is $25, available online or in person. See the Chamber’s event calendar for details.

• 9 p.m. | Live Music: Mid-Flight — Next Door Bar & Lounge

Sunday, November 29

• 6–7 p.m. | Cozy Christmas Class — Yoga Mama’Z
Unwind with a relaxing Yin Yoga class in a warm, cozy studio. Cost is $20 per person, and registration is required. Text Heather at 320-351-8977 to register or purchase gift certificates.

• 6:30 p.m. | Bingo — Sauk Centre American Legion

Thursday, December 3

• 2 p.m. | Ribbon Cutting — Hidden Treasure Christian Books & Gifts
Celebrate the same great business under new ownership with Tara Pitschka!

• 5–8 p.m. | The Merry Edit — Klover & Kin
Enjoy a holiday shopping night with hot chocolate, cider, treats, and a storewide sale.

Friday, December 4

• 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Santa’s Backyard BBQ — Minnesota National Bank
Stop in for cider and cookies, take-home crafts for kids, and door prizes for adults. Pulled pork sliders and sides will be served from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Saturday, December 5

• 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Christmas Open House — Sauk Centre Area History Museum
Enjoy cookies and cider while exploring refreshed exhibits and new display cases. Admission is free.

• 2 p.m. | Just for Kix “Freezin Season” Winter Show — Margaret Shelby Auditorium, Sauk Centre High School
Admission at the door is $10, $8 for students, and free for ages 5 and under.

Sunday, December 6

• 6:30 p.m. | Bingo — Sauk Centre American Legion

Saturday, December 12

• 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Children’s Christmas Shop — Sauk Centre United Methodist Church
Children can shop for free and choose presents for their siblings, parents, and grandparents.

• 10:30–11 a.m. | Holiday Cheese Tasting — Redhead Creamery
Join founder and cheesemaker Alise Sjostrom for a special holiday tasting. Space is limited; advance tickets are recommended. Cost is $28 at www.redheadcreamery.com.

• Noon Meal / 1 p.m. Show | Connie Lee & Friends Nashville Country Christmas Show — Eagles Healing Nest
Enjoy a meal, a holiday concert, and a photo with Santa. A freewill offering will benefit Eagles Healing Nest.

• 2:30 p.m. | Spirits Distillery Tour & Tasting — Redhead Creamery
Explore the journey from milk to cheese and whey to handcrafted spirits. Advance registration is $29 at www.redheadcreamery.com.

• Beginning at 4 p.m. | Ugly Sweater Contest Crawl — Downtown Bars / Crazy J’s Bar & Grill
Break out your holiday sweater for an evening featuring a meat raffle and horse races, plus DJ entertainment and karaoke at Crazy J’s starting at 8:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded at midnight at Crazy J’s.

• 9 p.m. | Live Music: Rogue Royal — Next Door Bar & Lounge

Sunday, December 13

• 6:30 p.m. | Bingo — Sauk Centre American Legion

More Holiday Shopping & Activities

• Riverside Goat Milk Soap: Preorder a $15 Christmas special featuring soap, lotion, and lip balm. Orders accepted November 28–December 12. Call 320-241-1030.

• Martin’s Jewelry Box: Find in-store specials on fine jewelry and extended shopping hours through December 24. Visit the new location at 328 Main Street.

• Feathered Acres Farm: Shop holiday boxed pork and bacon bundles November 28–December 13 at www.featheredacresfarm.com/meat-shop. Free doorstep delivery within Sauk Centre city limits with a $50 purchase.

• 510 Art Lab: Explore more than 11 classes offered between now and December 12. Find class details and registration at www.510artlab.com/classes.

Give Back This Season

• TLC Toy Drive — Pine Country Bank: Drop off new, unwrapped gifts through December 7 during collection hours of 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Gifts will be distributed through Community Connections’ Tender Loving Christmas program.

• Food Drive — Centre Rehab: Donate nonperishable items through January 4, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Requested items include cereal, canned goods, and toiletries.

Locations & Admission

Activities take place at participating businesses and community locations throughout the Sauk Centre area. Many activities are free; others have admission fees or require advance registration. Review the individual listings for details.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Premier Sponsor
Carefree Travel

Community Champions & Sponsors
Arvig
Felling Trailers
Pine Country Bank
AmericInn by Wyndham
Dairyland Supply
Sauk Centre Fleet Supply
The Palmer House Hotel, Restaurant & Pub
Visit Sauk Centre
Sauk Centre American Legion Auxiliary
American Legion Post 67
Eagles Healing Nest
Community Legacies Foundation

Shop small. Shop local. Celebrate Sauk Centre.