NEXT SEVEN DAYS
Wednesday, Nov. 23
It’s live music by the Parachute Pandas and food from Mario’s Italian Kitchen food truck at the Pre-Thanksgiving Party 3-10 p.m. at Bobbing Bobber Brewing Co., 900 State Highway 15 S., Hutchinson; 320-455-4999.
Live music by 5 Minute Major 8:30 p.m. at River House Kitchen + Drinks, 122 Main St. S., Hutchinson; 320-587-9957.
Neon Nights Dance Party with music by DJ Fulfill 9 p.m. at the Muddy Cow, 35 Third Ave. S.E., Hutchinson. For more information, call 320-455-8034.
Live music by Audioscars 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at Muddy Cow, 915 U.S. Highway 12, Litchfield; 320-373-5505.
Thursday, Nov. 24
Gobble, gobble! Happy Thanksgiving.
Free Thanksgiving dinner 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Anastasia Catholic Community, 460 Lake St., Hutchinson. Free-will donations are welcome and dine in or take-out options are available. For more information, call the church office at 320-587-6507.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cokato City Hall, 255 Broadway Ave. S. Take-out meals will be available. Reservations are not required, but recommended for planning to LeAnn at 320-286-5580.
Friday, Nov. 25
The Dassel-Cokato Arts Association is hosting Shaun Johnson and the Big Band Experience Christmas 7 p.m. at the D-C Performing Arts Center, 4852 Reardon Ave., Cokato. Shaun Johnson is an Emmy Award-winning crooner and lead singer for Tonic Sol-fa. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/DCAAtickets or at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Meeker Area Ministries is hosting An Evening of Carols and Cheer 7 p.m. at the Litchfield Opera House. Come and join in signing carols and eating holiday treats at this fundraiser for the homeless of Meeker County. Freewill donations are welcome. For more information, call Rochelle Brummond, Meeker County outreach worker, at 320-693-7911. or at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Live music by the Cole Diamond Band 8:30 p.m. at River House Kitchen + Drinks, 122 Main St. S., Hutchinson; 320-587-9957.
Saturday, Nov. 26
It’s Small Business Saturday. New this year is a pong-pong ball hunt 10 a.m. in Library Square, downtown Hutchinson. There are prizes galore, so good hunting! For more information, call the Chamber at 320-587-5252.
Litchfield is kicking off its holiday shop locally program with Let’s Keep the Cheer Here. The promotion runs through Dec. 15, with the opportunity to register for prizes.
Light up the Park 4-5 p.m. in Litchfield’s Central Park. This event includes caroling, cider and more. It is the kick off for “Light Up Litchfield,” which is a contest where participating businesses decorate the outside of their buildings with lights. The public will vote for their favorites, with the top three winners earning prizes. For more information, call the Litchfield Chamber at 320-693-8184.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for Glencoe Days Purse and Gun Bingo at the Glencoe City Center, 1107 11th St. E. Event features raffles and door prizes, plus bingo at 6 p.m.
Plato Lions are hosting their fourth annual Christmas in Plato at 6 p.m. Enjoy park lighting, singing carols, fire pits, photos with Santa and goodie bags.
Live music by the Shaw Brothers Band 8:30 p.m. at River House Kitchen + Drinks, 122 Main St. S., Hutchinson; 320-587-9957.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-27
Hutchinson Toy Show at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, 840 Century Ave. S.W., Hutchinson. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3, free for children age 12 or younger. For more information, call 320-779-0242.
Sunday, Nov. 27
Live music by John Beck 3-6 p.m. at Crow River Winery, 14848 State Highway 15 S., Hutchinson. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Future performers include: Steve Michaud Dec. 4; Trent Shaw Dec. 11; and Lower North Dec. 18. For more information, call the winery at 320-587-2922.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
It’s Trivia Night 6-7 p.m. at Crow River Winery, 14848 State Highway 7 E., Hutchinson. Future trivia nights are scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, and Wednesday, Dec. 28. For more information, call 320-587-2922.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, Dec. 1
Christmas on Main Street is the title of this year’s holiday event 6:30 p.m. at the McLeod County History Museum, 380 School Road S.W., Hutchinson. There’s free elf hats for the first 100 guests, plus live music, treats and a visit with Santa Claus. Admission is free. For more, call 320-587-2109.
Meeker Area Ministries is hosting An Evening of Carols and Cheer 7 p.m. at the Litchfield Opera House, 136 N. Marshall Ave. Come and join in singing carols and eating holiday treats at this fundraiser for the homeless of Meeker County. Freewill donations are welcome; 320-693-7911.
Friday, Dec. 2
Christmas Concert featuring the Garms Family. Appetizers will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by the concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 First St. N., Winsted. Freewill donations are welcome. For more information, call 320-485-2522.
Friday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 4
Crow River Singers Winter Concerts 7 p.m. Friday at New Journey UCC Church, 31 Fourth Ave. S.W., and 2 p.m. Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin St. S.W., both in Hutchinson. Admission is $9 and children younger than 12 are free.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Stock up on seasonal treats at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cookie Walk, 9 a.m., at the church, 800 Bluff St. N.E., Hutchinson. Bring your own containers, weigh your cookies and candies and pay. For more information, call the church office at 320-587-3318.
Trees and Traditions 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Road, Hutchinson. Free admission. This annual event features everything Christmas from live music and decorated tree to lefse and krumkaka demonstrations and samples; 320-587-2776.
Free family showing of “Polar Express” at CineMagic Century 9, 766 Century Ave. S.W., Hutchinson. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with the show at 10 a.m. Concessions are available for purchase.
Pioneer Christmas 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Forest City Stockade, 6 miles northeast of Litchfield and approximately 1/2 mile south of Forest City on State Highway 24. Admission is $5 and children 12 or younger are free. For more information, visit forestcitystockade.org.
Members of the Litchfield Area Writers Group will read selections from the group’s new book “Patchwork” 2 p.m. at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 Marshall Ave. in Litchfield. Refreshments will be served after the program. “Patchwork” is available for sale at KLFD radio, Open Door Gift shop in Meeker Memorial Hospital, and the Natural Food Co-op in Litchfield.
Dazzle Dassel 3-6 p.m. Enjoy treats at local businesses, as well as hot chocolate with Santa and his reindeer, plus the Grinch, Cindy Lou, Olaf Santa’s elves and more at Bandstand Park. Donations of a nonperishable food item for the Dassel food shelf is welcome.
Arli-Dazzle Holiday Glow Dance 1-3 p.m. at Main Street Hall above the Dugout. Stay for the 14th annual Arli-Dazzle Parade 5:30 p.m. in Arlington. The parade route is lit up with Christmas decorations and real burning fire pits. For more information, email info@arlingtonmnchamber.org.
The French Lake Wrestling Association presents pro wrestling at the Silver Lake Auditorium in downtown Silver Lake. Gates open at 6 p.m. with bell time at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 320-327-2777.
Litchfield Community Theatre presents its annual Holiday Showcase 7-9 p.m. at Bernie Aaker Auditorium, 114 Holcombe Ave. N. Admission is a free will donation. For more information, call Litchfield Community Education at 320-693-2354.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5
Meet Santa at the Santa House noon-2 p.m. in Central Park in downtown Litchfield. Santa also be there noon-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11, and noon-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Christmas Tour of Churches 1-5 p.m. in Litchfield. Area churches are opening their doors to share their history, traditions and the beauty of Christmas. Drop by the participating churches and enjoy decorations, music, refreshments, and more. Bring the family and discover “the reason for the season.” Admission is free. For more information, call 612-212-3846.
— Have an event for the A&E Calendar? Local entertainment-related events are welcome and published free of charge once. Email information to Kay Johnson at johnson@hutchinsonleader.co
