Stay, Play, B.L.A. - a blog

Your go-to guide for a magical Christmas season in the BLA:

CHECK OUT LOCAL FESTIVE EVENTS AND OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO FIND THE PERFECT TREE!

MEET SANTA AT COPPER CREEK 

NOVEMBER 25 FROM 3:00PM-6:30PM | COPPER CREEK, NISSWA, MN 

Come on out to Christmas Acres at Copper Creek on Saturdays from 3:00pm to 6:30pm to meet and get your picture taken with Santa. Mrs. Claus will also be making appearances with Santa on some weekends! Santa will be at Copper Creek again on the following dates: December 2 from 3:00-6:30pm, December 9 from 3:00-6:30pm + December 16 from 3:00-6:30pm. See their Facebook event page for more information! 

HOLIDAY COOKIE WALK

NOV. 26TH | MADDEN'S ON GULL 

Fill a box of cookies fresh from Madden's bakery while you shop local vendors, create holiday crafts, enjoy holiday games + activities and meet Santa! For more information see their Facebook page. 

SANTA + COOKIES  

NOV. 26TH | QUARTERDECK RESORT 

Head to The Quarterdeck Grill for Santa + cookies! Enjoy sugar cookie decorating and a visit from Santa Claus himself! More information is located here. 

CHRISTMAS IN TOWN SQUARE 

DEC. 1ST | CROSSLAKE TOWN SQUARE 

Head to Crosslake for the first annual Christmas in Crosslake Town Square, presenting The Whimsical World of Whoville! On Dec. 1st, the Mayor of Whoville & the other Whoville friends will flip to switch to light up the square, along with caroling, a hot chocolate bar, face painting, tattoos, photo ops, snacks & more! See their Facebook event page for more information as it becomes available. 

BRAINERD CHRISTMAS CONCERT 

DEC. 7TH AND 8TH | HERITAGE CHURCH, BAXTER, MN 

Join Central Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge for a Christmas Concert celebration! Hear clients share stories and songs of hope. For more information, visit their website. 

PINE RIVER PARADE OF LIGHTS

DEC. 9TH | PINE RIVER, MN 

Hosted by the Pine River Chamber of Commerce. Parade participation is free + attendees are welcome to stay after for a bonfire and hot chocolate at the Chamber building. For more information on this event, see their Facebook event page. 

SERTOMA WINTER WONDERLAND 

NOV 23RD - DEC 16TH | NORTHLAND ARBORETUM 

Head to the Arboretum starting on Thanksgiving day to drive through a 'Winter Wonderland' lights show to kick off the holiday season. Tickets are $15 per car at the gate or $10 in advance at several participating stores in Baxter. For a full schedule and where to purchase tickets ahead of time, see their website here. 

CHRISTMAS ACRES AT COPPER CREEK 

NOV 24TH - DEC 17TH | COPPER CREEK, NISSWA, MN 

Happening Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays now through December 17th. Featuring ornament making, hay rides, letters to Santa, bonfires, face painting + more! Plus an ice skating rink is available during normal business hours. Admission is free! See their events page here.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 

DEC 2ND | CROSSLAKE AMERICAN LEGION 

Come have breakfast at the Legion and visit with Santa! $10/adults, $6/kids. Those under 4 are free. All are welcome! See more info here. 

SIP AND SHOP

DEC 9TH | CROSSLAKE TOWN SQUARE  

Enjoy later business hours, discounts at participating retailers and refreshments. More information on their Facebook page. 

OFF THE RAILS MARKET 

DEC 8-9TH | THE NORTHERN PACIFIC CENTER, BRAINERD, MN 

Head over to the NPC in Brainerd for a festive event featuring vendors from all over. Check out a wide selection of unique gifts, handmade crafts and delicious treats. VIP, early access, and general admission tickets are available for purchase here. 

PINE RIVER PARADE OF LIGHTS

DEC. 9TH | PINE RIVER, MN 

Hosted by the Pine River Chamber of Commerce. Parade participation is free + attendees are welcome to stay after for a bonfire and hot chocolate at the Chamber building. For more information on this event, see their Facebook event page.

SANTA'S BOBBIN' INTO TOWN 

DEC. 9TH | PEQUOT LAKES, MN 

Santa is coming to Pequot Lakes again this year! Head into town to enjoy all of the Christmas lights, a bobber hunt, bonfires, treats and more! A great event for the family. See more information as it's available by visiting the Community Action Facebook page. 

Schedule of Events (subject to change) 

3pm The Amazing Hoopsters at the Cole Memorial Building 

4-6pm Horse and wagon rides, bobber hunt, kids activities, caroling, bonfire, hot chocolate, treats + a photo booth at Trailside Park. Hosted by Pequot Lakes Royalty 

4:15-5:30pm Dinner with Santa at the Pequot Lakes American Legion 

5:45pm Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony at Trailside Park & Main Street 

6:00pm Light up the night parade (Government Drive and Main St.) 

6:30pm Fireworks (best view from Trailside park) 

HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAY SHOW 

DEC. 10TH | GICHI-ZIIBI CENTER FOR THE ARTS, BRAINERD, MN

Hubbard Radio Brainerd proudly presents the Emmy Award-Winning Shaun Johnson, who brings his 2023 Holly Jolly Holiday Tour to the Brainerd's High School Gichi-ziibi Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 10th at 7:00pm. Tickets are $40 for VIP or $30 for General Admission and are available for purchase here. 

HOLIDAY HAYRIDES

DEC. 15TH | BUFFALO HILLS PARK, BRAINERD, MN 

 Bring the family out for s’mores, hot chocolate, and a hayride that your kids will never forget. Free of charge! See more information here! 

brunch with santa at mn traders co.

DEC. 16TH | MN TRADERS CO. in pequot lakes

Santa will be brunching in Pequot from 8-10AM on December 16th. During this time 20% of proceeds will go to the Pequot Lakes PTA. See more information on this event on their event website! 

Decking the halls? Here's our top recs on where to find the perfect tree.

WEE TREE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

13291 GALAXY RD, ROYALTON, MN 56373

FEATURING CHRISTMAS TREES, GREENERY + GIFTS 

"CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE"

7531 WETHERBEE RD, BRAINERD, MN 56401

Pre-cut only

COPPER CREEK GARDEN CENTER + MARKET 

24735 MN-371, NISSWA, MN 56468

ERICKSON'S GREENHOUSE 

1004 SE 13TH ST, BRAINERD, MN 

LANDSBERG NURSERY 

16460 HIGHWAY 371 NORTH BRAINERD, MN

Pre-cut and cut your own options

JB CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

22591 153RD ST, PIERZ, MN 56364 

HINKEMEYER TREE FARM

12675 22ND AVE NE, RICE, MN 56367

GRAB YOUR TREE AND ENJOY SLEIGH RIDES AND TREATS WHILE YOU’RE THERE! 

PLANTS BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE FARM + GIFT SHOP

15927 CO HWY 42, PARKERS PRAIRIE, MN 56361

OFFERING CHOOSE & CUT AND PRE-CUT CHRISTMAS TREES, LIVE WREATHES, GIFT SHOP, HORSE-DRAWN RIDES, AND VISITS WITH SANTA. 

- Happy Holidays!