2nd Annual Candy Cane Parade 5:30pm in Litchfield. New route this year. The parade will begin at the north end of Central Park on Marshall Avenue and head south past the Litchfield Public Library. It will turn left onto Second Street and then left again onto Holcombe Avenue. The parade will end at Fourth and Holcombe. This year’s parade will feature a 45-foot unit made locally by residents with the support of several local businesses.
A Grand Ole Opry Christmas with Mick Sterling returns to Crow River Winery, 14848 State Highway 7 E., Hutchinson. Doors open at 6pm for the 7pm concert. Tickets are available at www.croriverwinery.com.
Meet Santa when he arrives on a fire truck at 6:15pm at Mug Shots, 100 Astro Blvd. E., Cosmos. Starting at 5 p.m., a hot dog, soup and cookie dinner will be served by a voluntary donation. For more information, call 320-877-7525.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DEC. 9-10
Val Chellin directs “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. See the show at 7pm Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, at the Bernie Aaker Auditorium, 114 N. Holcombe Ave. For ticket information, call Litchfield Community Education at 320-693-2354.
From Friday to Sunday, December 9-11, 4-6pm
FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato present “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herodes the Nut and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree” at 7pm Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, December 16-17 , and at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 11 and 18, all at the Dassel History Center, 901 First Ave. Tickets are available online at www.fungusamongusplayers.org or by calling the History Center at 320-275-3077.
The 69th annual St. Lucia Breakfast is 6 to 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 703 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield. Tickets can be purchased at the church office or at the door. For more information, call 320-693-2487.
McLeod, Meeker and Wright She Ascends hosts Jingle Bell Hike at 9 a.m. at Piepenberg Regional Park, 21104 Belle Lake Road, Hutchinson. To register, visit the She Ascends Facebook page.
Glencoe Living Nativity 5-7pm at Oak Leaf Park. For more information or to volunteer, call 612-840-6308.
Don’t miss the Hutchinson Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. The route starts at First Avenue Northeast and runs along Hassan Street to Faith Lutheran Church.
The Litchfield Downtown Council hosts the Bob and the Beachcombers Christmas Gala from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Litchfield Opera House, 136 N. Marshall Ave. Tickets are $25 and include show buffet and appetizers. Tickets are available at Larry’s Barber and The Red Door in Litchfield or call 320-221-5781 and leave a message. Payment is by cash or check.
Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11
Meet Santa at his home in Central Park in downtown Litchfield. The schedule is from noon to 2:00 p.m. Father Christmas will also be there on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18.
Meet Santa at the Hutchinson Mall, 1060 State Highway 15 S. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $5 and bring your own camera. This event is a fundraiser for Hutchinson Area Women of Today.
Free Pet Photo with Santa 1-3pm Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11 and December 17-18, at Pet Smart, 1320 State Highway 15 S., Hutchinson. Book your free appointment at tinyurl.com/2vhzm89a. For more information, call 320-587-4335.
Until Thursday, December 15
The 33rd annual Toys for Tots Drive will collect toys through Dec. 15 at Center National Bank, 301 N. Ramsey Ave., Litchfield. For more information, call 320-693-7911.
The Meeker County Museum in GAR Hall is hosting “Your Holiday Traditions,” a community exhibit. Includes favorite Christmas ornaments, holiday recipes, family photos, and more. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free for members and children and $3 for non-members. For more information, call the museum at 320-693-8911.
— Do you have an event for the A&E calendar? Local entertainment related events are welcome and are posted for free once. Email information to Kay Johnson at johnson@hutchinsonleader.co