Firetruck Santa Visit

Thursday, December 8 | 6 to 7:35 PM | Stops along Hadley Avenue
 
Santa is planning a special visit to Oakdale. He’ll travel through town on a decorated fire truck. To make Santa’s special visit extra special, please make plans to welcome him at one of his stops along Hadley Avenue.

Bundle up and watch for the Oakdale Fire Truck covered in twinkling lights!
 
MORE INFORMATION

Winter Wonderland

Saturday, December 17 | 9 AM to 1 PM | Discovery Center

Enjoy a variety of winter activities for the whole family.

• Horse Drawn Hayride
• Petting Zoo
• Meet and Greet the Dogs of Winter
• Bonfire with S’mores
• Holiday Craft Station
• Visit with Santa
• Candy Cane Hunt
• Holiday Face Painting
• Breakfast and Lunch

 
Sponsored by Oakdale Recreation, Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce, and First Resource Bank. Donations of non-perishable food and/or toiletry items will be accepted for the local food shelf.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Snowshoe Rental

Rentals available daily pending snow conditions, during building hours | Discovery Center

Take your family and friends snowshoeing in the 200 acres of the Oakdale Nature Preserve. Watch for animal tracks, deer, fox, and birds, even snowshoe angels! Sizes available for both children and adults. $5 per person for a two hour rental.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Snow Sculpture Contest

Oakdale residents submit your snow sculpture now through March 31, 2023 | Any address in Oakdale, MN 55128

Win a $100 Target Gift Card! Calling all creative Oakdale residents. Do you have what it takes to create the best snow sculpture in town? If so, head outside any time after a snowfall, and start constructing your masterpiece. All sculptures are judged on appearance, relative to the season’s theme. This year’s theme is “Upside Down Snowman.” Please submit photo entries via email to Nathan Timmons by March 31. The winner will be contacted on April 3 by Oakdale Recreation.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Ice Rinks and Warming Houses

Rinks are scheduled to open late December and close late February (weather permitting)

Maintained, supervised rinks with heated warming houses:

• Eastside Park | 1744 Helmo Avenue
• Northdale Park | 5099 Granada Avenue
• Walton Park Hockey Rink | 1584 Hadley Avenue
• Walton Park Pleasure Rink | 1584 Hadley Avenue

 
MORE INFORMATION

Letters to Santa

Mailboxes appear soon after Thanksgiving through December 18 | Discovery Center and City Hall

Watch for Santa's magical red mailboxes to appear at the Discovery Center and at City Hall soon after Thanksgiving! Write Santa a letter and deposit your letter in his mailbox. Let him know whether you have been a little naughty or a lot nice and include your wish list! Please include your full name, age, and address in your letter.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Curious Critters Club (Ages 3 to 6)

Select Friday mornings | 9:30 to 11 AM | Discovery Center

Preschoolers discuss a nature topic, play themed games, watch videos and create crafts centered on the subject. Children enjoy a snack that is provided during the class. Please dress kids for the weather; Curious Critters like to go on adventures outside! Deadline to register is one week prior to class. $8 per class.

• December 2: Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Brrr! How do you stay warm in the winter? Animals have ways to stay warm too! Come learn about their fantastic fur.
• December 9: Winter Birds: Blue Jays Blue jays are as bold as they are blue. Together we will discover why they are one of Minnesota's brashest birds.
• January 6: Glaciers Why is there a hill over there and a lake here? This week we will investigate why the Oakdale Nature Preserve looks the way it does and find out whodunnit!

MORE INFORMATION

Library Storytime

Select Wednesdays | 10:30 AM | Discovery Center

A Washington County Youth Librarian will be visiting for a series of special preschool story times! We’ll have fun talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing together. We will focus on concepts such as counting, colors, sharing, emotions, patterns, and the alphabet. A simple craft will follow. A free program recommended for developmental ages 0 to 5 and their grown-ups. 

• November 30: "Family Story Time"
• December 28: "Winter Story Time" 

 
MORE INFORMATION

Indoor Market

Saturdays, November 26 and December 10 | 9 AM to 1 PM | Discovery Center

Shop local on November 26 for Small Business Saturday! Over 20 local vendors offer a unique variety of items including baked goods, meats, canned goods, artisan foods, sweets, salsas, strudels, jewelry, essential oils and much more. Find holiday gifts at both the November 26 and December 10 markets! 
 
MORE INFORMATION

Painting Class | Quiet Lighthouse on Canvas

Friday, December 9 | 11 AM to 2 PM | Discovery Center

Join local artist Sandy Danus of Cheerful Hearts Studio as she leads you through a fun and inviting, acrylic paint class. Learn a new skill and have a great time! All supplies are included and our cheerful, step by step instruction is easy to follow, even if you have never picked up a paint brush before. Come away with your own beautiful finished canvas creation that you can be proud of. Deadline to register is December 2. $30.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Yoga

Yoga taught by Jennifer Brandt, Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Yoga Therapist at Body and Mind Yoga Therapy www.bodyandmindyogatherapy.com.
 
Yoga Classes
Tuesday or Thursday Mornings | 9 to 10 AM | Discovery Center
 
Develop a strong and flexible spine, increase comfort and mobility in your joints, and build strength and balance in a safe way in this all-levels yoga class. Classes focus on each student's own internal experience rather than achieving an external appearance. Every class will include movement and guided breathing woven together. Most classes will have an element of meditation, chanting, and guided self-exploration.  

• Winter Tuesday Yoga | 8 week series ($125) | December 13, 20, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7 (No class December 27)
• Winter Thursday Yoga | 8 week series ($125) | December 15, 22, January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9 (No class December 29)

 
Deadline to register for series is one week prior to start. Or, drop in at the Discovery Center front desk to try any yoga class for only $18 per single date.
 
Remaining Fall Drop-In Dates: November 29, December 1
 
Yoga Therapy Workshop | Anxiety
Sunday, December 11 | 6:30 to 8 PM | Discovery Center
 
Anxiety doesn’t only affect our bodies and minds, it affects our energy, relationships, and perspective on life. Anxiety causes tightness and pain in the physical body, changes in energy, and/or recurring negative thoughts. Learn to use yoga therapy movements to reduce bodily discomfort, breathing to regulate energy, and meditation and chanting to focus the mind. This multi-faceted approach addresses the many different dimensions of our human experience and how anxiety manifests uniquely in each of us. Trauma-sensitive modifications allow everyone to experience the nourishing and supportive tools of yoga therapy. Deadline to register is December 4. $25.
 
MORE INFORMATION 

Forest Therapy Walks 

Saturdays, December 3 or 17 | 10 AM to 12 PM | Meet at Discovery Center Firepit
 
Forest Therapy, or “forest bathing,” is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. Forest therapy walks are slow-paced and are leisurely guided through nature by certified forest therapy guides. $30 per class.
 
MORE INFORMATION

FULL! Adult Road Trip | Sidekick Theatre: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Wednesday, December 7 | 10:15 AM to 4 PM | Depart from Gladstone Community Education Center

Get into the holiday groove with a rocking selection of the season's best music and classic favorites that will leave you merry and bright! Trip includes luncheon, show, and school bus transportation. This trip is full. A waitlist is available. $85.
 
MORE INFORMATION

Oakdale Wellness 50+

Oakdale Wellness 50+ is a volunteer initiative making Oakdale and Washington County healthier by offering health-focused activities for persons 50 and over that lead to measurably improved wellness.
 
Oakdale Wellness 50+ is supported by Washington County, the City of Oakdale, and the Vital Aging Network (VAN).
 
December Activities

 
MORE INFORMATION

To register for activities, please visit www.oakdalefun.com. If you have any questions

about the listings, please call us at 651-747-3860 and we will be happy to assist!