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The 109 - Check out this weekends Events!
The 109 - Check out this weekends Events!
Action packed weekend with a TON of things to do on Saturday
Daniel Jay
Dec 4, 2025
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Trivia Question❓What was the very first Christmas song ever played on the radio… and when did our long national tradition of nonstop holiday music officially begin? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
December Is Here. Let’s Do This. |
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🚆 Update on Transit Plans: Vento Trail Preserved |
Back in September 2024, the Maplewood City Council voted to withdraw support for running the Purple Line along the Bruce Vento Trail. Many residents spoke up, and plenty of yard signs made it clear that people wanted to protect the trail as it is today.
Now there’s good news to share. Regional leaders have announced the Bronze Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the preferred option moving forward. This approach preserves the Vento Trail, comes at a lower cost, and offers faster, more flexible transit without adding congestion to an already busy area.
The Bronze Line will connect the Maplewood Mall Transit Station to Union Depot in Saint Paul, improving access while respecting the spaces our community values.
To learn more about the Bronze Line project, visit: |
📬✨ North St. Paul Has a Direct Line to the North Pole |
Good news, kids (and kids at heart). Santa’s Mailbox is officially open at North St. Paul City Hall, and yes — our snowman is making sure those letters get straight to the North Pole. ⛄️🎅
Starting Monday, Dec. 1, drop off your wish list in the special North Pole mailbox outside City Hall. Letters will be accepted all the way through December 23, so there’s plenty of time to get those holiday hopes mailed off.
Where: Outside City Hall, 2400 Margaret St. N
Write a letter, make a wish, and let a little holiday magic do the rest. 🎄✨ |
🎄✨ North St. Paul Holiday Lights Contest Is Back |
North St. Paul residents, it’s time to flip the switch and show off those holiday light skills. The Annual North St. Paul Holiday Lights Contest is officially underway, and the city is looking for the brightest, most festive displays around town.
Whether you go full Clark Griswold or keep it classy and cozy, this is your moment to shine and spread a little holiday cheer throughout the neighborhood. Want the details on how to enter, judging dates, and categories?
And to our Maplewood friends… don’t worry. We see you. Your lights are dope too. 😉🎄 |
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Got an Event to Share? |
We want to hear from you! If you’ve got an event in North St. Paul or Maplewood (55109), send the details to the109online@gmail.com. Whether it’s a fundraiser, concert, class, or community get-together, we’d love to help spread the word and share it with your neighbors. |
Friday |
🎄 Holly Jolly Night at Casey Lake Park |
What: A free, family-friendly holiday celebration with a bonfire, caroling, Santa photos, hot drinks, and a classic Christmas movie.
Event Highlights:
Bundle up, wear something festive, and come make a few holiday memories. 🎅🔥☕🎬 |
🎶 Live Blues + Food Drive at Neumann’s |
What: Erin McCawley’s Harrison Street Band brings their high-energy blues sound for a night of great music and good vibes.
Good tunes, good people, and a good cause. 🎸🥫 |
Saturday |
🥞 Pancake Breakfast at the NSP American Legion |
What: A classic pancake breakfast hosted by the Sons of the American Legion, with proceeds supporting local veterans and community causes.
Cost: Adults $10 • Kids (12 & under) $6 |
🎉 Inclusive Sports & Games Day |
What: A free, welcoming community event with inclusive sports, games, music, and activities. Open to all. No experience needed. |
🎁 Christmas Vendor Market at Maplewood Mall |
What: A community-focused Christmas Vendor Market featuring local makers and small businesses.
Vendor spots available for $50 per day. Come celebrate community-focused shopping and find something special. 🎄🛍️ |
📚 Holiday Book Sale at Maplewood Library |
What: A gift-quality used book sale featuring books, CDs, DVDs, games, and puzzles. Most items are under $5, making it perfect for holiday shopping on a budget.
Special displays include Minnesota authors, autographed books, and a large selection of gift-quality children’s books. Multiple payment methods accepted for easy shopping. |
🎅 North St. Paul Holiday Hop |
What: A festive downtown holiday crawl with 20+ free events, treats, activities, and photo ops at local businesses and museums.
Stop by Mac’s patio from 10 AM–1 PM for free cookies, hot cocoa, and photos with The Grinch 💚
Bundle up and we’ll see you at The Hop! 🎄🚎✨ |
🎄 St. Nikolaustag on the Farm |
What: A free holiday celebration featuring Minnesota German traditions, a festive vendor market, live music, kids crafts, and a special photo opportunity with St. Nikolaus in the historic Big Red Barn.
This event is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $10 per person or $30 per family.
Click here to check out the full event details on their event page |
🎁 Christmas Market at Josiah Center |
What: A cozy, family-friendly holiday market featuring local vendors with handmade gifts, treats, books, jewelry, and unique finds.
JC’s first annual Christmas Market and a perfect stop for unique, locally made gifts. 🎁✨
Click here to get all the details and full list of items available |
Monday |
🍭 Candy Canes with Mrs. Claus at Maplewood Mall |
What: A sweet holiday visit with Mrs. Claus, handing out candy canes and posing for photos.
Stop by, grab a candy cane, and say hello to Mrs. Claus! 🎄📸 |
Wednesday |
⛸️ Free Open Skate at Aldrich Arena |
What: A free open skate session open to all ages. Great for families, beginners, and anyone looking to enjoy time on the ice. Please note: skate rental is not available — bring your own skates. |
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🛍️ Shop Local |
It's a little easier to find and support local businesses right here in Maplewood. The City has put together a Shop Local Guide highlighting locally owned shops all in one place.
👉 Check it out at MaplewoodMN.gov/shop to discover new places, revisit old favorites, and keep your dollars close to home this season.
This list is built from business records and community input, so it’s still growing. Know a great local shop that should be included?
Let them know at info@maplewoodmn.gov (Let us know too! We Love to Highlight Local Businesses!)
Shop small. Support local. Feel good doing it. 💙 |
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Winter Coat Drive for Veterans |
Now through November 30, American Legion Post 39 is collecting clean, serviceable coats for our Veterans. Drop-off: Inside the Legion Post 39 bar (box near the stage) Learn more or get involved at americanlegionnorthstpaul.com |
Visit or Donate to The Toy Shelf |
Located at 2266 2nd Street North, North St. Paul, The Toy Shelf is a volunteer-run program bringing smiles to kids from birth to age 16. Families living in 55109, 55119, or 55128 can shop for free toys, games, and books this holiday season — no registration required. |
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Winter is here. The snow is on the ground, the air is cold, and the roads can feel a little slippery.
But this time of year has a way of reminding us to slow down, look up, and look out for each other.
A smile. Holding a door. Shoveling a sidewalk. Checking in on a neighbor.
It doesn't have to be 'big' to matter.
Small moments of kindness can turn an ordinary winter day into a good one.
So bundle up, be patient, and go be a friend this week.
You never know how much that simple kindness might mean. |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: “O Holy Night,” played on December 24, 1906 (Christmas Eve) during a historic radio broadcast from Massachusetts. |
✉️ Got something to share? Want to submit an event or spotlight your business in The 109 Online? |
RATE THIS WEEKS NEWSLETTER Click Here to Fill out the 1 Minute Survey We read each submission and value your feedback. |
Let’s keep 55109 connected. 🏡✨ |