Hosting for the Holidays?
Help give your family the best holiday experience! Whether you’re runnning out of space, or everyone just wants their own space– a stay at one of our clean, comfortable and affordable hotels in Owatonna will ensure everyone is still getting along when the holidays are over! Find a place to stay here!
Gather for the Holidays!
If you are looking for a gathering space for your Holiday Celebrations, we have just the place for you! Check out places to host gatherings here!
toys for tots
Toys for Tots of Steele County has been serving the local community for more than three decades, and it operates within the national U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots program, which began in 1947, according to Toys for Tots of Steele County. The organization’s mission is to collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys to needy Steele County children at Christmas, and while toy donations are of course appreciated, cash and gift cards are also useful, as they are used to purchase more toys for children.
Join the challenge of exploring all Owatonna has to offer during the Holiday Season! Simply sign up and start the adventure by visiting any of the listed attractions. Remember to check in on your device at each location to collect points and redeem prizes! Earn extra points when you invite your family and friends to particiapte too! At the end of the “challenge” pick up your prizes at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce- 120 South Oak Ave. Prizes can be shipped outside 45 miles of Owatonna. Get started now– it’s time to get started on your holiday adventure!
Santa is out and about during Owatonna’s Hometown Holidays! Find out when he’ll be around Owatonna and make a visit to see him! Checkout Santa Sightings Here!
***if you are hosting Santa at your business and would like to add your open to the public santa visits, fill out a form here****
Cocoa with Santa – Make & Take Ornament
November 23
Owatonna Arts Center
435 Garden View Lane
Everyone who is young at heart wants to tell Santa their wishes at Christmas. Don’t forget your camera!
Gingerbread House Competition & Display
November 23- December 8
Owatonna Arts Center
435 Garden View Lane
Stop by the Owatonna Arts Center and vote for your favorite Gingerbread House!
Salvation Army Red kettle
Find locations to volunteer or donate here.
Volunteer bell ringers are more than an icon of the Christmas Season; they’re the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises the funds that sustain the help The Salvation Army provides all year long. When you volunteer to stand at a kettle, you’re not just ringing a bell…you’re changing lives.
Funds raised at your Kettle are put to work in our own county! For additional volunteer opportunities in Steele County, please reach out to Victoria at 507-649-2703
Shop Owatonna for the holidays
November 29-December 15- Shop Small Saturday is November 30
We all know how important it is to support local and the holidays are no different! Keep it local – Shop Owatonna for the Holidays!
Small business Saturday
November 30
After the turkey and mashed potatoes have settled, Black Friday has arrived with all of its crazy deals- local Owatonna businesses are no exception. The extra special day in this month is Small Business Saturday, November 30th. Saturday is your day to show small businesses all the love. When you choose to shop somewhere “small”, it means a very large amount to each owner and worker. It doesn’t get much more hometown than that.
Cookie Sale
December 4 & 5
Steele County History Center
1700 Austin Road
The bakers are ready, the ovens are heating up, and the ingredients are prepped. That’s right, the Steele County Historical Society’s Annual Cookie Sale is almost here!
Stop by to pick up your cookies for that special person in your life, or pick up a dozen or two just for yourself. We won’t tell!
Questions? Call 507-451-1420
December 4, 4:30pm-7:30pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
609 Lincoln Ave
Experience the Christmas story brought to life! Outdoors at Trinity Lutheran Church.
December 4-6
Village of Yesteryear
1700 Austin Road
We’ve decked the halls for the holidays! On December 4,5, & 6 from 1:30-3:30 pm you can tour the Dunnell House for free. Each room is decorated by area organizations and local volunteers.
Frosting the holidays
December 6, 3pm-5pm
The Kitchen Restaurant
329 N. Cedar Ave
Enjoy frosting a Christmas cookie at The Kitchen’s Cookie Frosting party! This is open to the public and is held right before the Lighted Parade. Cookies and supplies are provided.
December 6, 4:30-6:00 pm
Redemption Church
123 E Main Street
Redemption Church will continue the annual tradition of the Chili Feed that was started by First Baptist Church at the same location of 123 E Main Street. Once the purchase of the church was completed, the recipe was handed over to Redemption Church to use year after year, the same night as the lighted parade.
Lighted Holiday Parade & LIghting of the Lights
December 6, 6pm (FRIDAY NIGHT)
The parade is held on Cedar Avenue and moves towards Central Park for the Lighting of the Lights
This unique parade is the official launch to Hometown Holiday Weekend! From firetrucks to bicycles, there are always surprises at this family tradition-worthy parade. The excitement continues after the parade as the switch to light up the trees in the park is flipped, the Owatonna High School Carolers perform and cider is passed out freely to all who come. Nothing says “Welcome” to the holiday season quite like this beloved town tradition.
OHS Carolers Schedule
The OHS Carolers have spreading cheer in Owatonna for over 80 years! They are performing at the following public locations this holiday season. Make sure you stop in and listen to them as they bring their cheerful music to our community.
Christmas In the Village
December 7
Steele County History Center (1700 Austin Road)
Village of Yesteryear (1448 Austin Road)
The Steele County Historical Society’s Christmas in the Village is an annual event designed to bring out the child in all of us. Luminary walk (Saturday), take home crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, live music, craft sales, lefse-making demonstrations and of course Santa Claus! This multi-day event is one of our most beloved annual traditions.
Rice Lake Trading POst- Vintage HOliday Gift Market
Saturday, December 7th ~ 8am-3pm
Sunday, December 8th ~ 8am-12pm
8867 Dane Road, Owatonna, MN 55060
December 7, 8am-Noon (doors open at 7am)
St. John Lutheran Church
1301 Lincoln Ave
trinity women’s bake sale
December 7, 9am-11am
Trinity Lutheran Church
609 Lincoln Ave
December 7 at 7pm
December 8 at 2pm
Owatonna High School Auditorium, 1455 SE 18th Street
Enjoy an evening of music to raise funds and give HOPE to those in need. Free will donation and funds go to Transitional Housing of Steele County and Oak Hills Community Connections.
Beau Chant Concert
December 14 at 3pm
Associated Church
Join the Beau Chant Choir, directed by Dione Belling, for an evening of Christmas music performed by musicians from Southcentral Minnesota. Forty seven singers will join an orchestra of twelve to provide warm feelings of Christmas cheer. Tickets available at Tone Music or at the door for $10.00. No admission for students.
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Have an event to add?
Hosting an event that is open to the public? Email oacct@owatonna.org, or call 507-451-7970 with the details to add it to our Calendar of Events.
