1. Ice Sculpture Tour
The hunt is on for ice sculptures around downtown White Bear Lake. Take the challenge by picking up a passport from Rust Architects and then travel around to see the cold, clear works of art. A live ice carving demonstration will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday. (8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 4744 Washington Square, White Bear Lake, downtownwhitebearlake.com)
2. Family Christmas Party
Slow down from frantic holiday schedules for some bonding time. The event includes music, crafts, a reindeer stop and visit with Santa. (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Mpls., midtownglobalmarket.org)
3. Magical Holiday Experience
A free lunch is just one of the bonuses at this seasonal event. Give Santa your wish list and snap a photo that you can turn into a holiday ornament. There will also be games and other activities. (1-3 p.m. Sat., Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, highlanddistrictcouncil.org)
4. Creekview Winter Solstice
Put on a warm coat for an evening outdoors. Walk paths with luminarias and make s'mores by the fire. A small craft sale helps shoppers finish up holiday wish lists. (5-8 p.m. Sat., Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Av. N., Mpls., minneapolisparks.org)
5. Lowertown SantaCon
Dubbing itself "half spectacle, half pub crawl," the popular seasonal event returns after a pandemic hiatus. Beginning at the European Christmas Market at Union Depot, participants dressed as the North Pole's most famous resident will travel throughout Lowertown bars and restaurants. (7 p.m. Sat., 214 E. 4th St., St. Paul, www.santacon.info/St_Paul-MN/)
6. Pictures with Krampus & Holiday Bazaar
If you're surly, a photo with the half-goat, half-demon that punishes misbehaving children could be your jam. For those who are jolly and enjoy the season of giving, shop for unique gifts from local vendors. (2-6 p.m. Sun., Fletcher's Ice Cream & Cafe, 306 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., fletchersicecream.com)
7. Community Fix-In
If your snowblower isn't blowing or your vacuum isn't sucking or maybe you just lost a button or two, this is the place for you. Bring broken household items and learn how to fix them with tools and expertise from others. (3-6 p.m. Sun., Northeast Minnesota Tool Library, 1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls., mntoollibrary.org)
8. Minnesota Mystery Night
Laura Childs, author of "Honey Drop Dead," talks about her work in conversation with Lorna Landvik. Advance reservation required. (7 p.m. Mon., Axel's, 1318 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota, mnmysterynight.com)
