🌿 What Market This Week Has Free Soup and Bread?

Explore local markets and workshops to find gifts, make something special, and soak up festive vibes.

I hope you’re ready to get out and about! This week is packed with holiday markets, crafting events and demos, and even opportunities to enjoy the outdoors despite the snow and chill.

I’ll keep things light so you can easily peek at the amazing creative events happening - whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, feeling inspired to make something yourself, or just want to soak up some festive cheer.

Stay warm and take care as we navigate the coldest, snowiest storm of the week.

With gratitude,
Vern

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Paws & Causes

🐕 Rescue a Friend

A young Siberian Husky, Diego, and a young German Shepherd, Babe, are looking for families to take care of their high energy. We also have little kittens Mango and Macaroon looking for a forever home.

🌱 Ways to Help

EVOLVE Family Services is looking for festive helpers on December 16th: wrap, label, and organize donated gifts for distribution. This is a great opportunity for individuals, pairs, or small groups who enjoy a fast-paced, festive environment.

📚 Read of the Week

Check out Rosie Spinks’ Revisiting Collapse, a Year Later. A year after her original essay on collapse awareness, Rosie reflects on how we can stay human in uncertain times by practicing care, connection, and generosity. It is a reminder that small, thoughtful acts of sharing skills, time, or creativity are gifts that matter even when the world feels overwhelming.

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Local Lowdown

Swap, shop, and celebrate local this Sunday at the Hewing xChange! The Hewing Hotel turns into a cozy, wintry marketplace packed with curated vendors, vintage treasures, handmade gifts, and sweet holiday treats. This year’s swap theme is “Bring What You Would Gift”, so bring items in gift-ready condition - new or gently loved -valued at $20 or more.

You can drop off your items ahead of time: December 10 & 12 from 4–7 PM, or December 14 from 11 AM–12 PM. The main swap kicks off at noon and runs until 3 PM. 🆓

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Wednesday (12/10)

🆓 Crow River Chapter Coffee Social, 8:00 AM at Farmer’s Plate, Watertown – Farmers and supporters gather for an informal off-season social meet-up.

🆓 The Latest on Data Centers in MN, 12:00 PM at Online Webinar, Online – Learn about current data-center proposals in Minnesota and the related legal and community-organizing efforts.

December Seed Session, 5:30 PM at North Dale Recreation Center, Saint Paul – Share seed knowledge and connect with growers during the final seed-library gathering of the year.

🆓 Community Mending Night, 6:00 PM at Twin Cities Maker Artifactory, Minneapolis – Join others for clothing repair, skill-sharing, and a fun night of community mending.

Tarot And Clay, 6:00 PM at Dame Errant, Minneapolis – Explore intuitive clay work paired with a group card reading, meditation, and grounding practices.

Intro to Ndebele Beadwork, 6:00 PM at Textile Center, Minneapolis – Learn the Ndebele herringbone stitch while creating a beaded bracelet and necklace in a two-part workshop.

🆓 TCM Mending Night , 6:00 PM at TCM Artifactory, Minneapolis – Bring clothing to mend or upcycle and get community support in extending the life of your garments.

🆓 An Intro to CNC Woodworking, 6:30 PM at New Brighton Community Center, New Brighton – Learn CNC woodworking basics including machine types, software, workflow, and key features.

Thursday (12/11)

Architectural Photography – Basilica of St. Mary’s, 11:00 AM at Basilica of St. Mary’s, Minneapolis – Join a guided architectural photography session and capture unique architectural details of the basilica.

Classic Nordic Holiday Cookies, 1:00 PM at Online, Online – Watch a live or recorded demo on making three classic Nordic cookies, with tips and recipes included.

🆓Indoor Market, 3:00 PM at Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove – Shop seasonal produce, meats, baked goods, and more from 20+ local farmers and makers.

Creative Makers Space Drop-In Work Night, 4:30 PM at Loose Parts Laboratory, St. Louis Park – Work on creative reuse and sustainability projects or join collaborative builds in an open makerspace environment.

Block Print Bandanas, 6:00 PM at Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis – Design and block-print your own bandana using eco-friendly materials in a beginner-friendly workshop.

Cross Stitched Bookmark, 6:00 PM at Textile Center, Minneapolis – Learn counted cross-stitch basics while creating a personalized fabric bookmark.

Identifying and Using Evergreens, 6:30 PM at American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis – Explore how to identify, harvest, prepare, and taste various evergreens, including white pine, cedar, and juniper.

Solstice Yule Log Workshop, 6:30 PM at The Toolbox Collective, Minneapolis – Decorate a festive yule log and learn Winter Solstice rituals and traditions to inspire nature-centered holiday celebrations.

Friday (12/12)

Woodland Wander, 10:00 AM at Shepard Farm, Cottage Grove – Take a peaceful winter woods walk to spot birds, squirrels, and seasonal forest wonders.

European Christmas Market, 4:00 PM at Union Depot, St. Paul (+ Saturday & Sunday) – Explore a festive European-style holiday market featuring local vendors, food, crafts, and seasonal activities.

Cream & Amber: Craft Night, 5:00 PM at Cream & Amber, Hopkins – Enjoy an evening of crafts and conversation in a welcoming community space for all skill levels.

Last Minute Gifts, 6:00 PM at Springboard for the Arts, St. Paul – Shop gifts from 25+ Minnesota artists at this local-maker holiday market supporting community creativity.

Saturday (12/13)

🆓 Pop-up Lantern-Making Workshop for Families, 10:00 AM at United Methodist Church, St. Paul – Create glowing lanterns with your family in a free, artist-led workshop.

Holiday Crafternoon: Fabric Ornaments, 10:00 AM at Textile Center, Minneapolis – Sew and stuff handmade fabric ornaments in a two-hour, hands-on session.

🆓 Minnesota Feltmakers’ Guild Demo, 10:00 AM at Textile Center, Minneapolis – Watch live felting demos and explore fiber-art techniques with the MN Feltmakers’ Guild.

🆓 Winter Gathering & Taco Bar Potluck, 10:30 AM at Mora Public Library, Mora – Connect with fellow members over food, stories, and a community potluck.

Casket Arts Holiday Market, 11:00 AM at Casket Arts Building, Minneapolis – Browse festive goods, enjoy music, and shop unique gifts at this lively holiday market.

10th Annual RedHot Art Market, 11:00 AM at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, Minneapolis – Shop handmade art and support local makers and scholarships at this indoor community market.

🆓 Holiday Forest Fair, 11:00 AM at Mustard Seed Garden Center, Chaska – Explore a nature-inspired holiday fair inside warm greenhouses with activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

🆓 Community Supported Art Fair , 12:00 PM at East 7th Street, St. Paul – Meet artists, shop handmade goods, and enjoy free soup and bread while learning about CSA-style artist support.

Ornaments From Cloth, 12:00 PM at Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Minneapolis – Create upcycled ornaments using woven samples and repurposed fabrics.

Frost Fest Holiday Party & Market, 12:00 PM at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer – Shop unique gifts, enjoy artist demos, and take in music and sauna vibes at Franconia’s festive outdoor celebration.

Queerly & Sincerely: Holiday Marketplace, 12:00 PM at Urban Growler, St. Paul – Support women and LGBTQIA+ makers while shopping a joyful, community-focused holiday market.

🆓 Fix-It Clinic – Hennepin County, 12:00 PM at Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove – Bring broken items for hands-on repair help with guidance from skilled volunteers.

Local Love Market, 12:00 PM at 50th and France, Edina (+ Sunday) – Browse a variety of handmade goods, vintage finds, and artisan products.

Holiday Market at Modist Brewing Co, 1:00 PM at Modist Brewing Co., Minneapolis – Shop local makers, sip drinks, and enjoy festive vibes in this brewery-hosted holiday market.

🆓Queer/Trans Clothing Swap, 1:00 PM at Queermunity MN, Minneapolis – Refresh your wardrobe at a free queer/trans clothing swap focused on mutual aid and community care.

Geocaching and Hike – Baker Park Reserve, 1:00 PM at Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain – Complete a 6-mile geocaching loop and enjoy a scenic afternoon hike.

Macramé Coasters and Trivets, 1:00 PM at Textile Center, Minneapolis – Learn macramé knots and color techniques to craft coasters and trivets with provided supplies.

Sunday (12/14)

Toolbox Makers Market, 10:00 AM at 42nd Ave in Longfellow, Minneapolis – Explore over 20 vendors, open studios, and festive holiday shopping on bustling 42nd Ave.

St. Anthony Holiday Bazaar, 11:00 AM at The Machine Shop, Minneapolis – Discover 50 makers, festive tunes, and local coffee at this vibrant holiday bazaar.

Hewing xChange, 11:00 AM at Hewing Hotel, Minneapolis – Celebrate sustainable style with shopping, swapping, treats, and a festive Santa photo opportunity.

🆓 Fix-It Clinic - Dodge County, 1:00 PM at Dodge County Government Services Building, Mantorville – Bring broken items for hands-on repairs by skilled volunteers.

Winter Centerpiece Workshop, 1:00 PM at University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska – Create a holiday centerpiece using fresh evergreens and natural materials.

🆓Light in the Darkness: Solstice Lanterns and Community Singing, 4:00 PM at Center for People and Craft, Minneapolis – Make lanterns and join a lantern walk with community singing led by Sarina Patridge.

🆓 Community Crafting Night, 5:00 PM at RWA Clay & Creative Center, Red Wing – Join neighbors for an evening of crafting, conversation, and community creativity with supplies and food provided.

Evening of Whimsical Gnome Making, 6:00 PM at 1304 University Ave NE, Minneapolis – Craft charming gnomes in a fun, hands-on workshop led by Lana.

Autumn Embroidery, 6:00 PM at TCM Artifactory, Minneapolis – Learn embroidery techniques to personalize and upcycle clothing and start your own fiber project.

Understanding Blocks and Profile Drafts (Online Class), 6:00 PM Online – Explore profile drafts in weaving and plan sustainable patterns for future textile projects.

🆓 Annual Holiday Party, 6:30 PM at Northeast Recreation Center, Minneapolis – Celebrate with neighbors through food, crafts, cookie swaps, and festive community fun.

December Crafting at the Movies - A Dandelion Fiber Co. + Harriet & Alice event, 7:00 PM at Edina Theater, Edina – Work on your craft project while watching a movie in a relaxed, well-lit theater with bar and concessions.

Tuesday (12/16)

🆓 Virtual Makers Mornings, 10:30 AM Online – Join other makers online for a weekly session to work on handcraft projects and share conversation.

Work of Art: Funding, 6:00 PM Online (Zoom) – Learn strategies to diversify funding streams and create value for your art in this interactive workshop.

🆓 Troubleshoot Tuesday, 7:00 PM at Twin City Maker, Minneapolis 🆓 – Get help diagnosing and fixing electronics with tech volunteers while learning repair skills and reducing e-waste.