The Willmar Lakes Area becomes magical in the month of December as it offers a variety of festive events and activities. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from afar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s dive into some of the fun-filled events you won’t want to miss this holiday season!

December 2-January 3 – Kandi Kane Lane
Join the fun during this year’s Kandi Kane Lane at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. While there, you’ll get to make and take an ornament home, vote for your favorite decorated Christmas tree, write a letter to Santa, take part in a holiday scavenger hunt and enjoy the holiday spirit. Kandi Kane Lane is opened during regular business hours Monday-Friday 9am-4pm with a few special days of extended hours. Click the event title for more details.

December 3, 10 & 17 – Candle Light Tours at the Sperry House
Come and join us for a unique holiday tour of the Sperry House. The candle light tour will highlight Victorian holiday traditions & the Sperry family. Contact the Kandiyohi County Historical Society to reserve your spot. The cost for the tour is only $5.00.

December 3 – Home for the Holidays Benefit Concert
You’re invited to the Home for the Holidays Benefit Concert featuring Michael Shynes at Foxhole Brewhouse, hosted by Habitat for Humanity. Help put a local family into a new home before the holidays! Michael Shynes is a Midwest singer-songwriter who is now an international sensation!

December 5 – Shaun Johnson + Big Band Experience Cool Yule Holiday Tour
Shaun Johnson returns to the stage with his Jazz Pop holiday show. As the lead singer of Tonic Sol-fa – and an Emmy winner – Shaun reworks classic Christmas fare with a charismatic charm, and his performances routinely sell out. Make plans to see this nationally acclaimed Billboard Top 5 artist as he brings a new show back to the Midwest!

December 5-8, 12-15 – The Barn Theatre Presents: “Fruitcakes!”
Tickets are on sale for The Barn Theatre Production: “Fruitcakes!” Get your tickets today! Jamie, a city kid who has run away from home finds this little southern town. At first he thinks this town’s inhabitants are “nuttier than fruitcakes,” but soon he comes to admire, appreciate, and adore this nutty little town and the people who live there. A moving story of alienation, understanding, and reconciliation. Fruitcakes provides audiences with a heaping helping of holiday warmth and Christmas cheer. Don’t miss this family friendly production!

December 6 – A Kat Perkins Christmas
You won’t want to miss this incredible blend of traditional Christmas songs with Kat’s modern spin. She incorporates her audience in fun crowd participation holiday songs! Together she has created a fun, rockin’ show to celebrate the holidays filled with great music, laughter and even her own original Christmas songs! It’s a must see, all ages opportunity to bring the entire family! Get your tickets today!

December 7 – Atwater Passport to Christmas
Make plans to enjoy a full day of holiday activities in Atwater this Saturday during the Atwater Passport to Christmas! There will be activities and games for the kids, a medallion hunt, and a lighted parade through town. Other activities include a visit with Santa in the log shelter with a real fire roaring, s’mores, sleigh rides and fireworks!

December 7 – Willmar’s Winter Craft & Gift Expo
Join us in Willmar for this wonderful Winter Craft & Gift Expo! Just in time for Christmas! Treat yourself with a day of shopping over 90 of Minnesota’s best crafters, artisans, boutiques, and vendors!! With the holidays on the horizon, you’re not going to want to miss this show.

December 12-15 – GLLM 2024 Dinner Theater
Enjoy a delicious four course meal and an evening of theater and music with your loved ones at Green Lake Bible Camp. It’s a tradition that celebrates the Advent season in the most extraordinary way! Proceeds from this event support our Annual Fund, ensuring fun, safe, quality, Christ-centered camping and retreating opportunities for people of all ages. Tickets tend to sell out fast so get yours while you can.

December 14 – 3rd Annual Lakes Area Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament
There is still time to sign up for the Lakes Area Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament taking place Saturday, December 14th at the Willmar Event & Rec Center! All proceeds will be going to West Central Minnesota Youth For Christ. Join us for a fun filled morning for a good cause!

December 14 – Kandi Kane Lane Holiday Fun Day
Come and stroll through the Kandi Kane Lane and check out the Sperry House on the Holiday Fun Day! It will be a free admission day at the Historical Society. There will be a bake sale so you can stock up on all your goodies for the holidays and a make and take craft for all ages to participate in. Everyone can hunt around the Historical Society and Sperry House for candy canes. And Santa will be stopping by at 10am to find out what is on your list this year!

December 15 – Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra Presents “Winter”
Come celebrate the Christmas season with an afternoon of great music performed by the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra at the Willmar Education and Arts Center (WEAC). The Christmas singalong returns featuring Christmas Overture by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; Concerto No. 4 in F minor; Winter (L’Inverno) featuring Malaya Yague on violin; Bal Masque, Op. 22 by Amy Beach; Messiah, Hallelujah Chorus featuring guest conductor Darcy Lease Gubrud, the West Central Singers and community singers; and Christmas Singalong for Orchestra and Audience by John Finnegan.

December 20-22 – The Fourth Wise Man
ATLAS would like to invite you to The Fourth Wise Man on December 20, 21 or 22 at the WEAC Auditorium in Willmar. They have teamed up with Torry Norling, Cherri Buzzeo and Erica Horyza to bring you this heartfelt Christmas story. We all know about the three Wise Men, but whatever happened to the fourth? Hear the music of Christmas and discover the journey of the Fourth Wise Man. Get your tickets today!

December 31 – NYE Bash at the Little Theatre Auditorium
Ring in the New Year at the Little Theatre Auditorium! Details are still being decided on, but it’s always a blast at this annual event!

December 31 – NYE Bash with Strange Daze
Come rock in the New Year with Strange Daze at the Willmar VFW! They are still finalizing the details, but we know you’ll have a blast dancing and singing along with Strange Daze!

And continuing throughout the month of December are Willmar WarHawk Home Games, Festival of Trees, Celebrate the Light of the World, karaoke nights at area bars, trivia nights at area breweries, and live music at a variety of restaurants/bars! More events will be added to our community calendar throughout the month. So for the most udpated listing of events, please see our Events Calendar.

The Willmar Lakes Area truly comes alive in December, offering a diverse array of events that capture the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking to shop, stay active, or simply enjoy the beauty of winter, there’s something here for you. So bundle up, gather your loved ones, and make your way to this charming destination for an unforgettable holiday experience.