MINNEAPOLIMEDIA PRESENTS | This Weekend in the Twin Cities™: November 14 ~ 15, 2026

Hope and Healing in Blaine, Open Studios in Northeast Minneapolis, Santa Season Begins and Theater, Music and Sports Fill the Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (November 14, 2026).

Good morning, Minnesota!

This is the Saturday and Sunday edition of MinneapoliMedia's weekend guide. It picks up where Friday's guide left off, drops the events that have already happened and adds new listings for the two days ahead.

In the North Metro, Anoka County's Hope & Healing Expo is under way in Blaine until 1:30 p.m. today. The free event connects residents with more than 40 organizations working in substance use prevention, mental health, treatment and recovery, and it includes naloxone training and a keynote by William Cope Moyers. Anoka also has a holiday craft and vendor show, Rumriver Art Center's free family art morning and a Saturday story hour.

In Minneapolis, the Northeast Arts District's open-studio weekend continues at the Northrup King Building, the California Building and Casket Arts. Saint Paul's Romanian Film Festival runs through Sunday at Landmark Center, and the Bell Museum is celebrating the opening weekend of A Dance of Seasons.

The holiday season is arriving in public. Rice Park in Saint Paul lights its holiday tree tonight, Mall of America welcomes Santa on Sunday at noon, and the Twin City Model Railroad Museum has its holiday Night Trains running. Christmas productions open or continue at the Guthrie Theater and Children's Theatre Company. In sports, the Timberwolves host the Bulls tonight, and the Vikings play at Green Bay on Sunday.

FIVE EDITOR'S PICKS

1. Hope & Healing Expo, Blaine. Free resources, naloxone training and a keynote on substance use and mental health. Saturday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

2. Northeast Minneapolis Open Studios. Art Attack!, California Dreamin' and Open Casket continue through Sunday.

3. Autumn Festival: An Arts & Crafts Affair, Shakopee. A large seasonal marketplace at Canterbury Park, Saturday and Sunday.

4. Romanian Film Festival, Saint Paul. Free contemporary Romanian cinema at Landmark Center, Saturday and Sunday.

5. Rice Park Holiday Tree Lighting, Saint Paul. The downtown holiday season begins Saturday at 5:30 p.m. with music, cocoa and cookies.

QUICK WEEKEND CALENDAR

Saturday, November 14. Hope & Healing Expo (9 a.m.). Craft and vendor shows in Anoka, Ramsey, Andover, Minneapolis and Shakopee. Children's storytimes and workshops in the morning. Art Attack! (noon–8 p.m.). Night Trains (3–7 p.m.). Rice Park tree lighting (5:30 p.m.). Timberwolves vs. Bulls and Gophers hockey in the evening. Concerts, comedy and theater at night.

Sunday, November 15. Art Attack! (noon–5 p.m.). Old St. Anthony Holiday Bazaar and Northern Clay Center open house. Romanian film programming at Landmark Center. Santa's Arrival Ceremony at Mall of America (noon). Vikings at Packers (noon). Park drop-in programs in Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park (1–3 p.m.). Board Game Rodeo in Bloomington. Evening concerts.

NORTH AND NORTHWEST METRO

1. Hope & Healing: Building Wellness Around Substance Use and Mental Health | Blaine

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Christ Lutheran Church, 641 89th Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Free; advance registration guarantees lunch. Contact: Anoka County, 763-324-4612. More than 40 organizations will be on hand. Naloxone training runs 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and William Cope Moyers delivers the keynote from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Official information

2. Holiday Craft and Gift Show Preview: Anoka

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m. Anoka Technical College, 1355 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303. Admission and closing time unconfirmed. The third annual holiday craft and vendor show features handmade goods from small businesses.

3. Fall Spectacular Vendor and Craft Fair | Ramsey

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m. Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, 5730 179th Lane NW, Ramsey, MN 55303. Admission unconfirmed. The Children of Hope Preschool fundraiser combines craft vendors, a bake sale, a raffle and food.

4. Holiday Market at Green Valley Greenhouse | Ramsey

Saturday, November 14 | Hours unconfirmed Green Valley Greenhouse, 6530 Green Valley Road, Ramsey, MN. Admission unconfirmed. A seasonal market continuing from Friday.

5. Women in Business Craft and Vendor Fair | Andover

Saturday, November 14 | Hours unconfirmed Courtyards of Andover, 13545 Martin Street NW, Andover, MN 55304. Admission unconfirmed. Vendors and independent businesses.

6. Free Family Art Day | Anoka

Saturday, November 14 | 10–11 a.m. Rumriver Art Center, Anoka. Free. Street address not confirmed in this edition.

7. Saturday Story Hour | Anoka

Saturday, November 14 | 10–11 a.m. Avant Garden Bookstore, Anoka. Free. Street address not confirmed in this edition.

8. Family Storytime | Blaine

Saturday, November 14 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. Northtown Library, Blaine. Free.

9. Lowe's Kids Workshop: Holiday Engine | Coon Rapids and Twin Cities

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Participating Lowe's stores, including Coon Rapids. Free; registration may be required. Children ages 4 to 11 build a holiday train engine, and caregivers must stay on site.

10. Puppy Yoga | Maple Grove

Saturday, November 14 | 9:30 a.m. No Dog Left Behind, 10779 93rd Avenue North, Maple Grove, MN 55369. $25 per the regional listing; confirm registration. Bring a mat.

11. Golden Valley Rescue Readers

Saturday, November 14 | 9–11:30 a.m. Golden Valley Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley. Admission unconfirmed. A reading program with shelter animals.

12. Santa's Wonderland | Rogers

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Cabela's, Rogers. Free. Friday's guide listed a Cabela's location in Woodbury; confirm the location with the store before publication.

13. Rescue Animal Adoption Event | Fridley

Saturday, November 14 | Noon Forgotten Star Brewing, 38 Northern Stacks Drive, Fridley, MN 55421. Admission unconfirmed. The participating rescue was not identified. Forgotten Star also hosts yoga at 10 a.m. Saturday and a Brewery Running Series 5K at 11 a.m. Sunday.

14. Northern Lights Glow Party | Mounds View

Saturday, November 14 | 6–9 p.m. Zero Gravity Adventure Park, Mounds View. Admission unconfirmed.

15. Cedar Creek Public Star Party | East Bethel Area

Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m. Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, East Bethel area. Registration unconfirmed. Weather dependent; check the organizer at mnastro.org.

16. Eastman Drop-In Discoveries | Maple Grove

Sunday, November 15 | 1–3 p.m. Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove. Free. The theme is fall phenology.

17. Mississippi Gateway Drop-In Discoveries | Brooklyn Park

Sunday, November 15 | 1–3 p.m. Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, Brooklyn Park. Free.

18. Herald Music Series: The Roe Family Singers

Sunday, November 15 | 3–4:30 p.m. Venue and admission not confirmed in this edition. Check the organizer.

19. Vikings Watch Gatherings | Northwest Metro

Sunday, November 15 | Noon kickoff Vikings at Packers at Lambeau Field. Local watch parties are advertised, but no Northwest Metro party has been independently verified.

MINNEAPOLIS AND THE NORTHEAST ARTS DISTRICT

20. Art Attack! 2026 | Northrup King Building

Saturday, November 14 | Noon–8 p.m. Sunday, November 15 | Noon–5 p.m. 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Free. Working studios, galleries and conversations with artists across painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry and more. Official information

21. California Dreamin' Open Studios

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | Noon start California Building, 2205 California Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Free admission reported. Closing times unconfirmed.

22. Open Casket | Casket Arts

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | Noon start Casket Arts Building, 681 17th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Confirm admission with the organizer.

23. Urban Craft and Art Fair | Lake Nokomis

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m. Lake Nokomis Community Center, 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55417. Admission unconfirmed.

24. Winter Maker Market | Nicollet Mall

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m. Dayton's Project, Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Admission and closing time unconfirmed.

25. Gashkadino-Giizis Makers Market

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m. Queermunity, Minneapolis. Address and admission unconfirmed.

26. Twin Cities Record Show

Saturday, November 14 | Noon Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE Ninth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Admission unconfirmed.

27. Pop-Up Makers Market | Inbound BrewCo

Saturday, November 14 | Noon 701 North Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Admission unconfirmed.

28. Field & Festival Holiday Market

Saturday or Sunday, November 14 or 15 | 10 a.m. Wagner's Garden Center, 6024 Penn Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419. One regional calendar lists Saturday and Friday's guide listed Sunday. Confirm the day with the organizer.

29. Old St. Anthony Holiday Bazaar

Sunday, November 15 | 11 a.m. Machine Shop, 300 Second Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Free per the regional listing. Organizer

30. Minneapolis Farmers Market

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | 8 a.m. start 312 East Lyndale Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Free entry. Confirm November hours before traveling.

31. Hennepin County Fix-It Clinic

Saturday, November 14 | Noon–4 p.m. Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Free. Residents bring broken household items for repair help.

32. Gingerbread Community Build Days

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | 1–3 p.m. Minneapolis. Free. The venue was not confirmed in this edition.

33. Momma's Christmas Gift: Kao Kalia Yang Book Talk

Saturday, November 14 | 10:30 a.m. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Confirm registration.

34. MYRA Awards Celebration

Saturday, November 14 | 2 p.m. Wild Rumpus, 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410. Admission unconfirmed.

35. Safe Hands Rescue Meet and Greet

Saturday, November 14 | 11 a.m. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, 1712 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Admission unconfirmed. Broken Clock also hosts Sunday yoga at 11 a.m. and spoken word at 3 p.m.

36. Aelita, Queen of Mars, With Live Accompaniment

Saturday, November 14 | 2 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed. A silent science-fiction film with live music.

37. A Place in the Sun in 35mm

Saturday, November 14 | 9:15 p.m. Sunday, November 15 | 3:30 p.m. Trylon Cinema, 2820 East 33rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Ticketed.

38. Public Guided Tours | Minneapolis Institute of Art

Saturday and Sunday | 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. programs 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404. General admission is free; tour requirements vary. The 1 p.m. programs include general tours and Exhibiting Forgiveness, and the 2 p.m. program covers the Paris couture exhibition.

39. Purcell-Cutts House Tours

Saturday | 10 and 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Sunday | Noon, 1 and 2 p.m. 2328 Lake Place, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Reservations may be required.

40. Winter Open House | Northern Clay Center

Sunday, November 15 | Noon 2424 Franklin Avenue East, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Admission unconfirmed. Official venue

41. Black. Lit. & Local. Author Fair

Sunday, November 15 | Noon Black Garnet Books, Minneapolis. Address and admission unconfirmed.

42. Nordic Handcraft Workshop and Lutfisk Dinner

Sunday, November 15 | 1 p.m. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407. A stamped holiday card workshop and a seasonal lutfisk dinner are both listed. Fees and reservations unconfirmed.

43. Stephan Pastis Presents Pearls Jubilee

Sunday, November 15 | 6 p.m. Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Admission unconfirmed.

SAINT PAUL AND EAST METRO

44. Rice Park Holiday Tree Lighting | Saint Paul

Saturday, November 14 | 5:30 p.m. Rice Park, 109 West Fourth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. The lighting opens the city's holiday season with music, photo opportunities, guest appearances, and hot cocoa and cookies while supplies last.

45. Romanian Film Festival Twin Cities: Stories of Us

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | Multiple screening times Landmark Center, 75 West Fifth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Free. Venue telephone: 651-292-3225. Films are in Romanian with English subtitles. On Sunday at 1 p.m., HORA traces Romanian cinema from silent films to the New Wave. Official venue

46. A Dance of Seasons: Opening Weekend Celebration

Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15 | 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN 55113. Telephone: 612-626-9660. Museum admission applies and planetarium tickets are separate; an adult combination ticket is advertised at $21. The weekend marks the premiere of a planetarium film on Minnesota's changing landscapes. Saturday also brings a storytime at 11:15 a.m. Official museum

47. Holiday Night Trains | Twin City Model Railroad Museum

Saturday, November 14 | 3–7 p.m. 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, Saint Paul, MN 55114. $15 per person per the regional listing. The layouts glow with lights for the holiday season.

48. Merrily Indie After 2026

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m. Union Depot, 214 Fourth Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101. Admission unconfirmed. A gathering for independent authors and readers.

49. Minnesota Roller Derby: Season 23 Opening Bout

Saturday, November 14 | 6 p.m. Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Ticketed. Organizer

50. Mni Sota Mystery Box: An Afterdark Night of First Nations Talent

Saturday, November 14 | Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 West Sixth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Ticketed.

51. First Chapter Story Time | Saint Paul

Saturday, November 14 | 10:45–11:15 a.m. Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN 55105. Free per the regional listing.

52. Together We Shine: Guild of Middle Eastern Dance

Sunday, November 15 | 5 p.m. Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 Prior Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN 55104. Ticketed.

53. Science Museum of Minnesota: Nature All Around Us, Closing Day

Sunday, November 15 | Museum hours 120 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Museum admission applies. Final day of the exhibition.

54. Oakdale Indoor Market

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Oakdale Discovery Center & Nature Preserve, Oakdale. Admission unconfirmed.

55. Roseville OVAL Public Skating Opening Day

Saturday, November 14 | 7:30–9:30 p.m. John Rose MN OVAL, Roseville. Admission unconfirmed.

SOUTH AND WEST METRO

56. Autumn Festival: An Arts & Crafts Affair | Shakopee

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, November 15 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379. Adults $10, seniors $9, children under 10 free; parking is free. Organizer telephone: 402-331-2889. Hundreds of artists and crafters sell handmade gifts, artwork, decorations and jewelry. Verification note: the event description supports these hours, but its structured calendar conflicts. Confirm with the organizer. Event information

57. Holiday Market at Sun Meadow Farm | Carver

Saturday, November 14 | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday, November 15 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 16315 Jonathan Carver Parkway, Carver, MN 55315. Free; purchases extra. Local artisans, live music, demonstrations, food and drinks. Event information

58. Santa's Arrival Ceremony | Mall of America

Sunday, November 15 | 12 p.m. Mall of America, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425. Free. Santa's grand entrance and the unveiling of a new holiday experience. The Santa Experience itself begins Saturday, November 14.

59. 5th Annual Board Game Rodeo | Bloomington

Sunday, November 15 | 1–6 p.m. 9 Mile Brewing, 9555 James Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431. Admission unconfirmed. Supports Wood Lake Nature Center. A Vinyasa yoga fundraiser for VEAP is also listed at the brewery at 10 a.m.

60. Santa Arrival Party | Eden Prairie Center

Saturday, November 14 | 10:15 a.m. Eden Prairie Center, Eden Prairie. Visits and photos with Santa follow at noon. Admission and photo fees unconfirmed.

61. Holiday Boutique | AppleHouse, Victoria

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m. AppleHouse, Victoria. Admission and closing time unconfirmed.

62. Fall at the Arboretum

Saturday, November 14 | 8 a.m. University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen. Admission applies; confirm hours.

63. Winged Mapleleaf Mussel Trash Cleanup

Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m. Fort Snelling State Park, Saint Paul. Registration and park permit requirements unconfirmed.

64. Friends of Plymouth Library Book Sale

Saturday, November 14 | Hours unconfirmed Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55446. Admission unconfirmed.

65. November Drag Brunch: Drag Me to Broadway

Sunday, November 15 | 12:30 p.m. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, MN 55317. Ticketed.

THEATER, COMEDY AND LIVE PERFORMANCE

66. A Christmas Carol | Guthrie Theater

Saturday, November 14 | 7:30 p.m. (opening night) Sunday, November 15 | 1 p.m. 818 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Ticketed. The Guthrie's 52nd production of the Dickens classic runs through December 27. Official venue

67. Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! | Children's Theatre Company

Saturday | 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday | 2 and 5 p.m. 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Ticketed; the run continues through January 3. Official venue

68. Twelve Kinds of Ice | Children's Theatre Company

Saturday | 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday | 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Same venue as above. Tickets are advertised at $25 to $65. Sunday's 2 p.m. performance is sensory-friendly.

69. Julius Caesar | Crane Theater

Saturday | 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday | 2 p.m. 2303 Kennedy Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Ticketed.

70. Annie | Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Saturday | 1 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday | 6:30 p.m. 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, MN 55317. Ticketed.

71. Family Dinner and The Little Bummer Boy | Dudley Riggs Theatre

Saturday | Family Dinner at 8 p.m.; The Little Bummer Boy at 7:30 p.m. 824 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed; tickets for Family Dinner are advertised at $25. Two holiday comedies.

72. Love Evolving: Threads Dance Project Anniversary Show

Saturday | 7 p.m. Sunday | 2 p.m. Luminary Arts Center, 700 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Ticketed.

73. The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short

Saturday, November 14 | 3 and 8 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed.

74. Stand-Up Comedy Saturday

Saturday, November 14 Kelsey Cook at Acme Comedy Company, 708 North First Street, Minneapolis (7 and 9:30 p.m.). Jiaoying Summers at Rick Bronson's House of Comedy, Mall of America (7 and 9:30 p.m.). Gabby Bryan at Sisyphus Brewing, 712 Ontario Avenue West, Minneapolis (8 p.m.). All ticketed.

LIVE MUSIC

75. Minnesota Orchestra: Nordic Soundscapes Festival

Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m. Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed. Official venue

76. Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: Zachary Cohen Premieres Deak's Bass Concerto

Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m. Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Ticketed. Official orchestra

77. The Fab Four: Tribute to the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night

Saturday, November 14 | 7:30 p.m. Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed.

78. Motown Christmas

Saturday, November 14 | 7:30 p.m. Ames Center, Burnsville. Ticketed.

79. Saturday Concerts, Minneapolis

Saturday, November 14 Amerigrass '26 at Hook & Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Avenue (6:30 p.m.). Wookiefoot at Uptown Theater, 2900 Hennepin Avenue (7 p.m.). Fox Stevenson and Mystery Skulls at Varsity Theater, 1308 Fourth Street SE (7 p.m.). The Kitchen Dwellers with Dogs In A Pile at First Avenue, 701 North First Avenue (8 p.m.). Post Animal at Green Room, 2923 Girard Avenue South (10 p.m.). All ticketed.

80. An Evening With Cantus and We3

Sunday, November 15 | 6 p.m. Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed.

81. Gaelynn Lea and Friends

Sunday, November 15 | 7 p.m. Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Ticketed. She presents It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect with guest performers.

82. MercyMe With Jeremy Camp

Sunday, November 15 | 7 p.m. Target Center, 600 North First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed.

83. Sunday Concerts, Minneapolis and Saint Paul

Sunday, November 15 Token at Green Room (6 p.m.). Hurricane Wisdom at First Avenue (7:30 p.m.). Duo Andalus at Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South (7:30 p.m.). Ha Ha Tonka with Triple Fiddle at 7th St Entry (8 p.m.). Tell Me Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute, at Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul (8 p.m.). All ticketed.

SPORTS AND GAME-DAY GATHERINGS

84. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls

Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m. CST Target Center, 600 North First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ticketed. Official team

85. Gophers Men's Hockey vs. Alaska Anchorage

Saturday, November 14 | 6 or 7 p.m. 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Ticketed. Sources conflict on the start time. Confirm with the university's athletics calendar.

86. Gophers Volleyball vs. Michigan State

Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m. Maturi Pavilion, 1925 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Ticketed. Confirm against the official schedule.

87. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Sunday, November 15 | Noon CST Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. This is an away game. No specific Twin Cities watch party has been independently verified in this edition.

WEEKEND WEATHER AND TRAVEL

Check conditions before heading out, especially for evening events and drives after dark. Weather: weather.gov/mpx. Road conditions: 511mn.org. Transit: metrotransit.org. Ticketed events can sell out, so confirm schedules, parking and accessibility with each organizer.

THE TAKEAWAY

The weekend has room for every kind of plan. Large venues carry theater, concerts and professional sports. Neighborhood organizations and small businesses carry the rest: craft fairs, library programs, open studios and fundraisers.

The Hope & Healing Expo in Blaine deserves particular attention. Substance use and mental health touch families across Anoka County, and a free event that puts residents in the same room as dozens of support organizations does practical good.

The markets and studios do their own kind of good. A handmade gift or an afternoon spent with working artists keeps money and attention in local hands.

For families, the holiday season starts this weekend with a tree lighting, a Santa arrival, train displays and two children's productions. Several of those events are free.

EDITOR'S NOTE

If you are not ready for Christmas, there is still time. Thanksgiving is twelve days away, and nothing says you have to hang a single light before then.

If you are ready, Rice Park is lighting its tree tonight.

Either way, buy something from a local maker if you can, and thank the people working the door. Enjoy your weekend, Minnesota.

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