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Roundabout: Out & About
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Theo Franz
December 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
Welcome to this week’s Out & About!
As the shortest days of the year settle in, Woodbury is doing what it does best: lighting things up. This week’s Out & About leads with a guide to holiday light displays in and around the city. We’ve also rounded up a full slate of seasonal events, from winter hikes and skating to Santa photo-ops, Christmas plays and community movie screenings. So whether you’re heading out to admire the lights or looking for a reason to get out of the house, there is plenty to do around town.
Editor: Theo Franz
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Top Story
Holiday lights brighten a home on Bridgewater Court.
Where to See Holiday Lights in and Around Woodbury This Season
By: Beth-Ann Bloom
On Dec. 21, Woodbury will have only eight hours and 57 minutes of daylight (and even less if it’s cloudy). No wonder so many folks decorate with lights at this time of the year.
The Christmas carol “Silver Bells,” tells us that "Strings of street lights / Even stop lights / Blink a bright red and green," but sometimes we want to go look at slightly grander displays of holiday lights. The following in and near Woodbury may be a good place to start.
Highlighted Event
 | Hot Chocolate Bar with SantaSaturday, December 20, 10:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. | Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, 1505 Queens DriveBring your camera or phone to snap memories with Santa or your child getting a haircut with tinsel highlights. |
Events Calendar
A Stillwater Christmas Carol
Dec. 17–20 and 22–23; evening shows at 7 p.m., Saturday matinee at 1:30 p.m. | The Grand Banquet Hall, 301 2nd St. S., Stillwater
Zephyr Theatre presents the story of Scrooge with a Stillwater twist. Doors open 90 minutes early so patrons can order food and drink from Grand Pizza. Tickets are $35, with a discount for kids under 10.
Solstice Under the Stars
Friday, Dec. 19, 6–8 p.m. | Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Nordic Center, 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo
Enjoy a short, family-friendly hike, warm up by the bonfire, create nature crafts, and take time to set intentions for the winter ahead. Free, but a vehicle permit is required.
Winter Wonderland
Saturday, Dec. 20, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale
Celebrate winter with horse-drawn hayrides, a bonfire, petting zoo, Santa and more. Free.
Sensory Friendly Winter Wonderland Experience!
Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Family Achievement Center, 2101 Wooddale Drive
Walk through a winter wonderland with the option to take a family picture with Santa and/or Olaf in a quiet, relaxed environment. Crafts and other activities are available. Free, but registration for a time slot is essential.
Ugly Sweater Skate
Saturday, Dec. 20, 10:10–11:10 a.m. | St. Croix Valley Recreation Center, 1675 Market Drive, Stillwater
Skate to holiday music in your ugly sweater. Admission is $8; rental skates are $5.
Winter Wonderland Workshop
Sunday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Tamarack Tap Room, 8418 Tamarack Village
Handprint and swirl ornaments, paper snowflakes, a cocoa bar, and cookie decorating. Purchase of a kid’s meal is required.
Performance in the Park: Good News Swing Band
Sunday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. | Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place
Celebrate the holidays in style with this Christian ensemble, The Good News Big Band, bringing sizzling horns, lush harmonies, and toe-tapping tunes with a fresh burst of holiday cheer. Free.
The Big Stillwater Holiday Sing
Sunday, Dec. 21, 3–4:30 p.m. | Grand Banquet Hall, 301 2nd St. S., Stillwater
Sing-along master Dan Chouinard leads from the piano. Free.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Dec. 21 and 24; multiple showings | Woodbury 10 Theatre, 1470 Queens Drive
See the holiday classic on the big screen. Ticket prices vary by day and age.
Fun & Games
Fun Fact
Minnesota is almost an annex of Santa’s workshop. So many toys have been invented or made here that the North Star elves could fill not just Santa’s sack but the whole sleigh. Coveted gifts with Minnesota roots include Nerf balls, Nerf footballs, Twister, Gumby and Pokey, Tonka Trucks, Cootie, Barrel of Monkeys, Perfection, The Oregon Trail, Groovy Girls, Stadium Checkers, Ants in the Pants, Don’t Break the Ice, Super Jocks, Stompers, Don’t Spill the Beans, Big Mouth and roller blades.
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