Arts briefs: Free Stillwater carriage rides set the holiday mood

As part of Stillwater's "Hometown for the Holidays" celebration, free horse-drawn carriage rides along the St. Croix River are being offered beginning Nov. 29.

They start on Nelson Street, just off Main between the Dock Cafe and Tin Bins. Pick up free tickets for the carriage rides in most Main Street stores and restaurants or at Stillwater lodging facilities.

Dates and times are: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 22.

The Washington County Historic Courthouse will hold its annual Victorian Christmas celebration Nov. 22-24.

The three-day event will kick off with a gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 22 featuring appetizers, desserts, craft beer and champagne. A variety of arts and crafts will be sold. Tickets, $25 in advance and $30 at the door, can be bought at the courthouse, at 101 W. Pine St. in Stillwater, by mail or by calling 651-275-7075.

Proceeds from the event will be used to restore the 143-year-old courthouse. Nearly $275,000 has been raised by the event over the years, officials said.

The celebration will continue on Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24, with live music and a visit by Santa Claus. Tickets for the last two days are $3.

Don't let cold weather stop you from traveling outdoors for half the year. Learning how to camp comfortably in the winter will allow you to see a whole new world.

Join Midwest Mountaineering's Bear Paulsen and learn how to stay warm in the cold. He'll cover how to dress, outline clothing strategies and share tips and tricks from hundreds of nights of winter camping. He'll also discuss food, water and give some basic safety information.

This program will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Midwest Mountaineering Store, 309 Cedar Av. in Minneapolis. Part two will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at William O'Brien State Park, 16821 O'Brien Trail N. in Marine on St. Croix.

For more information, call Midwest Mountaineering at 612-339-3433.

"Holiday Memories," the 16th annual Vallee de Croix and Croix Chordsman Christmas show, will be presented at two locations on Dec. 7.

Performances are at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 Third St. N. in Stillwater, and at 7:30 p.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 Fourth St. N. in Oakdale.

Tickets are $10, or $8 in groups of six or more; children under 12 will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased by calling 651-334-8006 or going to www.stcroixvalleychapter.com.