ÍáÍáÂþ»­

BEMIDJI — As the glow of nearly 800,000 lights illuminates downtown Bemidji and snow blankets the ground, it is once again time to celebrate the holidays.

Whether you're looking for homemade gifts for your loved ones or want to hear some Christmas carols, here's a breakdown of this year's holiday celebrations.

Email news@bemidjipioneer.com to have your event added to the list.

A map of homes with the most illuminated Christmas displays will be available at the Bemidji Pioneer office, the Tourist Information Center and various locations around town for interested Christmas light enthusiasts to go see throughout the month of December.

The Beltrami County Historical Society, in partnership with Bemidji Community Education, will host Historical Holiday Light bus tours at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and Monday, Dec. 9.

Local author and historian Cecelia McKeig will guide attendees through Bemidji's most beautifully decorated homes while uncovering fascinating neighborhood histories, a release said.

The tour begins and ends at the Beltrami County History Center, 130 Minnesota Ave. SW.

After the tour, guests can warm up with a cozy cup of hot cocoa at the History Center.

Tickets cost $12 for adults and $7 for children age 12 and younger.

To purchase tickets, visit

For more information, visit or follow the Beltrami County History Center

The First City Singers will perform a Christmas Concert at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, at the Bemidji Senior Center, 216 Third St. NW.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided following the concert.

For more information, call the center at 

Laporte ÍáÍáÂþ»­ will host a holiday open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the school, 315 Main St. W.

Students will give a choir concert at 6 p.m. in the school gym.

Dinner will be available for a small fee and kids and their parents can try their hand at free cookie decorating, stop by a hot cocoa bar fundraiser and visit with local agencies handing out resource information.

There will also be a gift drop-off for the Gift of Giving program.

For more information, contact Caitlin at caitlin.hadrava@laporte.k12.mn.us.

Concordia Language Villages invites the community to Shop the World, a holiday gift experience celebrating cultures and traditions from across the globe.

The shop will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8, at the Skogfjorden Norwegian Language Village, 8607 Thorsonveien Road NE.

"Throughout the event, shoppers can discover one-of-a-kind gifts that bring a touch of international charm to holiday celebrations," a release said.

Visitors can browse a wide selection of gifts representing 14 different languages and cultures, including ornaments, cozy clothing, international books and candies and unique giftware, a release said.

While attendees shop, they can enjoy delicious treats from the Holiday Bakery. Bakery goods will also be available for purchase onsite.

The event will take place in the Utgard Gym in the Norwegian Language Village. Visitors should follow the signs.

More information is available on the Concordia Language Villages

A Christmas Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, along the Gull Lake Loop Road in Tenstrike.

Travelers on the self-guided tour should take U.S. Highway 71 to Tenstrike and turn on Gull Lake Loop Road, following specially decorated tour signs.

The Christmas Tour will consist of three stops with local artisans selling handmade baskets, jewelry, home decor, paintings, wood carved signs, quilts and sewn items, apparel and freeze-dried candy, a release said.

The Bemidji Senior Center is set to offer a variety of holiday events this December at the center, 216 3rd St. NW.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the center will hold a Christmas décor sale. "Come pick up everything you need to make your Christmas special," a release said.

All proceeds from the sale will go to the center and any items not sold will be donated to the Kind Heart Christmas Market.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, a Kind Heart Christmas Market will be open at the center.

Children from lower-income families can come and "shop" for up to six gifts for their families, a release said. While their gifts are wrapped, children will enjoy treats with their families.

The center is accepting gift donations, except clothes and shoes, for this event. They can be dropped off at the center prior to Dec. 7.

For more information, call Heather Johnson at (218) 368-4391.

The center is also offering gift-wrapping services as part of its annual fundraiser. Participants can stop by the center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Dec. 12, 13, 16-20 or 23 to have their holiday gifts wrapped for a small fee.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., the Bemidji Senior Center will host a Holiday Extravaganza.

Attendees can eat a pancake breakfast, have their gifts wrapped and enjoy a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all while listening to Christmas carols played live on the piano, a release said.

The Senior Creations Gift Shop will also be open during the event for some last-minute holiday shopping.

The breakfast costs $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 11 and younger.

Bluebelle Event Venue will host a a Silverbelle Christmas event Dec. 6-8, at 4710 Jacks Road NW.

Attendees can stop by from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The event will feature a Santa's Workshop and photos with Santa, a variety of vendors, wreath making, outdoor fire pits, food trucks and hot cocoa and cider.

Attendees can also go on sleigh rides on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission costs $10 per child, $5 per adult and children age one and under get in free. Sleigh ride tickets are $15 each, which includes admission to the event.

For more information, visit the Bluebell Event Venue

Mt. Zion Church will host a Christmas cookie sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the church, 414 Lincoln Ave. SE.

Attendees will receive a cookie box to fill with an assortment of their favorite cookies, a release said. Boxes will be weighed per pound for the total cost. Bars, candies and other non-cookie treats will be sold and priced separately.

The craft sale will feature small Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, including cookie tins, cake pans, coasters, cutting boards and more. Attendees can also browse repurposed and upcycled crafts and a vintage ugly sweater collection.

All money received will go to the upkeep and improvement of the church, the release said.

For more information, visit the Mt. Zion Church or contact (218) 751-8000.

Laporte ÍáÍáÂþ»­ will host a Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the school, 315 Main St. W.

Attendees can browse crafts from over 50 vendors, have their pictures taken with Santa and eat hot soup and baked goods.

The school's basketball team will also be running a wreath fundraiser at the event.

For more information, contact Caitlin at caitlin.hadrava@laporte.k12.mn.us.

LAPORTE — St. Theodore's Catholic Church will host a holiday lefse and bake sale from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the church, 580 County Highway 39, Laporte.

Items for sale will include homemade lefse and a variety of cookies, candies and holiday treats, a release said.

The event is open to the public.

WASKISH — Big Bog State Recreation Area is set to host a Festive Foliage Wreath-Making workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the shop building.

"Join us for a creative and festive wreath-making workshop," a release said. "In this hands-on class, you'll learn to craft your own beautiful wreath using a variety of fresh greenery and you are welcome to bring your own decorations."

The instructor will guide participants through the steps. No prior experience is needed and all materials will be provided, the release said.

Registration is required and limited to 12 participants. The cost per wreath is $8.50 and must be paid prior to the workshop.

To register, email christa.drake@state.mn.us or call the park office at (218) 888-7310.

All vehicles entering the park need a valid Minnesota State Park vehicle permit which costs $7 per day and $35 per year.

First Presbyterian Church of Bemidji will hold its annual Christmas Carol Community Sing-along at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the church, 501 Minnesota Ave.

Following the caroling, participants can enjoy cider, coffee and cookies.

For more information about this free event, visit

The will host a simmer pot workshop event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Tourist Information Center.

"A simmer pot is a great way to make your home smell warm and inviting without chemical fragrances," a release said.

The cost to participate is $12 for the first jar and $8 per jar after that. Dried ingredients, jar and decorative items are all included in the cost.

Registration is required as space is limited.

For more information on how to register visit or contact (218) 333-1859.

Participants can create a fun and festive clay gingerbread man from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Tourist Information Center.

The will provide all the materials needed for attendees to create a keepsake that will last for years, a release said.

Sessions are limited to 10 participants and run every 30 minutes. Advance registration is required.

The cost is $6 per participant. This event is open to all ages, but children under age 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

To register, visit For more information, call (218) 333-1862.

The will host an Ugly Sweater 5K run or walk challenge at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Participants can complete the run virtually or in person, starting at the Tourist Information Center.

The first 3 finishers will receive a prize. This is the last run in the Bemidji Holiday Running Series. Participants who also completed the BSU Turkey Trot and Raphael's Reindeer Run will be eligible to receive a medal following this race, a release said.

New to the event this year is an Ugly Sweater Contest. Participants can vote for their favorite ugly sweater starting at 9:30 a.m. The person wearing the sweater with the most votes will win a prize.

The cost is $15 for the virtual run and $20 to run in person.

In-person registration will start at 9 a.m. on Dec. 14. To register online, visit With questions, contact (218) 333-1862.

A Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE.

Attendees will hear timeless holiday hits like "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Jingle Bells" and "The Little Drummer Boy" reimagined with a rock twist, a release said.

The lineup will feature Paul "Stretch" Diethelm and Ted Manderfeld, alongside vocalists Pamela McNeill, Stacy Bauer and Tim Haussner. They'll be backed by a band including bassist Cody McKinney, saxophonist and flutist Mike Kreitzer and drummer Pete Hennig.

Tickets are available now on or at the Sanford Center Box Office.

For more information, visit

The will host a cookies and cocoa at the Carnegie event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, at the Carnegie Library.

Attendees can check out the festively decorated space, enjoy refreshments, play board games, work on a puzzle or pick up a craft, a release said.

This is a free event. For more information, contact (218) 333-1872.

Faith Lutheran Church, located at 32 Bagley Ave. NW in Bagley, will host its 24th annual community Christmas Day dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

The meal will be served in the church fellowship hall and will consist of baked ham with raisin sauce, scalloped potatoes, corn, pistachio salad, lefse, a roll and dessert.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free dinner, courtesy of area churches, organizations and the Clearwater Polk Electric round-up program, a release said.

For more information, call Gladys Luecken at (218) 368-9772 , or email at triscog@gvtel.com .

The is hosting a Neighborhood Candy Cane Hunt on Friday, Dec. 27, in multiple parks around Bemidji.

Participants can search for candy canes at the following parks:

• Nymore Park from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Algoma Park from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
• Cameron Park from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• North Country Park from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Gordon Falls Park from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The event is free and only one person per family needs to sign up to attend. Register online at or for more information, call (218) 333-1862.