Mark Your Calendar with Wadena County’s Many Upcoming Holiday Events!

The holidays are a special time in Wadena County, MN, where people come together and communities gather to celebrate in good cheer. With Thanksgiving and Christmas both fast approaching, Wadena County’s communities are preparing accordingly to usher in some holiday spirit. All across the county, fun upcoming events are on the calendar, and the West Central Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA) is excited to share details so that as many as possible can join in and celebrate. See the local holiday events on the horizon below, organized by city. 

Staples

Event: Staples Holiday Parade of Lights
Where: 325 2nd Ave. NE
When: Saturday, Nov. 29; 5:30 p.m.

Details: Kick off the holiday season by attending one of the most anticipated annual events in Staples! All are welcome to attend, free of cost, and it’s also free to register your “float” (truck, car, ATV, bicycle, etc.) with holiday lights and decor. Just email staplesevents56479@gmail.com to sign up or visit the event Facebook page for full details. Dress warm, drink some complimentary hot cocoa and celebrate holidays with friends and neighbors. Afterwards, be sure to stick around for photos!

Event: Polar XPress Holiday Festival
Where: Central Lakes College (1830 Airport Road)
When: Saturday, Dec. 13; 12 to 4 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 14;  12 to 4 p.m.

Details: The Polar XPress Holiday Festival is a great way to support local vendors by shopping local and buying unique holiday gifts. This event is free and will feature fun activities for the whole family, including crafts, games, and rides. Kids can meet Santa Claus and have their experience captured at his photo booth, while large G-scale train models will also be on display. 

Interested vendors can email stapleschambermarket@gmail.com to register. Chamber members may set up for free; otherwise, 10x10 spaces are $30, and hallway spaces cost $15. 

Wadena

Event: Christmas Light Show
Where: 414 Third St. SW
When: The first show is Thursday, Nov. 27, at 5:30 p.m. and concludes on New Year’s Day. In between, shows can be enjoyed Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Details: Wadena’s beloved annual Christmas Light Show is back! This free community favorite event features a magnificent display of holiday lights perfectly synchronized to popular Christmas tunes, powered by a computer that controls more than 12,000 channels. Over a month and 400 hours of preparation go into launching the annual light show, which now features over 100,000 lights, a mixture of LED and C9 bulbs. Since its launch in 2008, the light show has had a significant community impact, as all food and money donations are distributed to local charities. Last year, community members donated 311 pounds of food and nearly $1,800.

Event: Annual Christmas Festival
Where: Wadena Deer-Creek Elementary School
When: Saturday, Nov. 29;  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 30; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Details: The Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to once again direct community members to the two-day, 49th Annual Christmas Festival. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 with a donation of a non-perishable food item and free to kids 12 and under. The festival will include a vendor market stocked with gifts and goodies, a kids’ visit with Santa Claus, plus holiday treats, hot cocoa, coffee and more! Plus, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides on both Saturday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
 

Menahga

Event: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa Day
Where: St. Urho Park
When: Saturday, Dec. 6; 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Details: The sixth annual Menahga Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa Day is just around the corner! Attendance is free, and all are welcome to join in caroling and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa before the tree is lit. Plus, Santa Claus will make his visit with the kids. Contact Menahga Civic & Commerce Association with any questions.

Sebeka

Event: Santa Day
Where: Sebeka Public School PreK-12 (201 First St. SE)
When: Saturday, Dec. 6;  10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Details: Sebeka Civil & Commerce Association invites all to attend Santa Day, an eight-hour, activity-filled event to kick in the Christmas season. Shop local goods at the vendor market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy a pancake breakfast to start. Santa Claus will be on hand from 9 to 11 a.m., and horse-drawn carriage rides are from 9 a.m. to noon. Starting at 4 p.m., tree lighting and caroling will begin in Town Square. Also, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa throughout the event! 

Holiday Season in Wadena County

Every year in Wadena County, people come together as a community to enjoy the company of neighbors, support local businesses, and celebrate the arrival of the holiday season. For questions on local upcoming holiday events, contact the West Central Economic Development Alliance.