Cottage Grove is known for its cozy small-town feel while being minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities. This holiday season, delight in the small-town charm while also experiencing big, bright and energetic experiences.
Hale to the Bird 5K
November 24 | 9 a.m. Hamlet Park
The annual Hale to the Bird Thanksgiving 5K was started by locals who wanted the charm of a ‘small town’ run while raising money for the local food shelf.
Once again, Hale to the Bird is back this Thanksgiving Day! Participate in person on Thanksgiving morning or join us virtually! Whether you walk, run or stroll, all are welcome.
Registration fee includes participation in the run, a long sleeve t-shirt and post-race snacks. Proceeds to benefit the local food shelf, Friends In Need. (Link in title to register.)
Hometown Holiday Celebration
November 30 | 5-7 p.m. Cottage Grove City Hall
Join us for holiday cheer with Santa, Mrs. Claus, their (live!) reindeer helpers, food trucks Eggroll Queen, Northwoods Smokehouse, and Floyd’s Donuts as well as kid’s activities, bonfires, wagon rides, holiday music and more at Cottage Grove City Hall from 5-7 p.m.
• Live reindeer
• Kids activities
• Festively lit holiday tree for photos
• Food trucks Northwoods Smokehouse, Eggroll Queen and Floyd’s Mini Donuts
• Park High School Chamber Choir and holiday music
• Prizes and giveaways
• Bonfire warming stations
• Mailbox to send wish lists directly to the North Pole
• Wagon rides from the parking lot to the event
• Welcome speech from the mayor (6 p.m.)
Santa Breakfast
Sunday, December 11 | River Oaks Golf Course
Bring the whole family down to enjoy a breakfast straight from the North Pole! After, snap some photos with Santa and take an enchanted ride around the golf course on Santa’s sleigh. Afterwards, have a s’more by the bonfire. Reservations are required. Register by calling 651-438-2121 x3.
Holiday Train
December 12 | Activities begin at 3:30 p.m., the train arrives at 5:00 and musical performances occur 5:15-5:45 p.m.
The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train will return to the rails this season on its first cross-continent tour in three years. The train will again raise money, food and awareness for the Friends in Need Food Shelf.
The Holiday Train is a great way to get into the festive spirit. The train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14 brightly decorated rail cars. Each car is decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights and holiday designs celebrating the spirit of the giving season. Starting at 5:00 p.m. get ready for a trainload of fun and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy free musical performances by Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott. Food, toiletry items and cash donations will benefit the local Friends in Need Food Shelf.
For additional information, check out our events page.
Holiday Lights Map
Every year, the City of Cottage Grove hosts a Holiday Lights Map to serve as a guide for residents and visitors to tour the charm and beauty of holiday lights throughout our city.
Addresses are being collected now, and the map will be available to view on Nov. 28 through the link in the title. The map will be updated through Dec. 16. to allow for additional entries to be added.
