Oakdale Recreation Monthly News

December 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

Santa with a festive fire truck

Tree Lighting with Santa

Thursday, December 4 | 6 to 8 PM | City Hall 

Santa will arrive at City Hall on a decorated fire truck to kick off the event before the tree lighting ceremony at 7 PM. This event is free to attend and will include photos with Santa, a bonfire and s’mores, refreshments and music. Come join City staff and officials to celebrate the start of the holiday season!

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child with snowmen

Snow Sculpture of Oakdale Contest

Submissions accepted until March 31 | Contest limited to Oakdale residents only

Head outside and create a snow masterpiece! This year’s theme is “Favorite Animal or Pet.” The winner receives a special reward gift basket. Email photo entries, name and address to nathan.timmons@oakdalemn.gov.

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Indoor Market Strudel

Indoor Market 

Saturday, December 13 | 9 AM to 1 PM | Discovery Center

Shop local for the holidays with over 20 vendors offering a unique variety of items including baked goods, meats, canned goods, artisan foods, jewelry, seasonal items and more. 

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Bingo winner with game prize

Sundae Bingo

Sunday, December 14 | 1 to 3 PM | Discovery Center

Join us for bingo and ice cream sundaes. Prizes are awarded for every game with an extra prize raffle to follow. Must be present to win. All ages. $10 per person. Registration deadline is December 7.

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gingerbread houses

Gingerbread House Contest

Drop off submissions Thursday, December 18 (8 AM to 8 PM) or Friday, December 19 (8 AM to 4 PM) | Discovery Center

Submissions will be voted on by Winter Wonderland attendees. Prizes will be awarded for top youth (ages 12 and under) and adult (ages 13 and older) entries.

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Carriage Horses

Winter Wonderland

Saturday, December 20 | 9 AM to 1 PM | Discovery Center

In partnership with the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce and other sponsoring organizations, Oakdale Recreation will host the annual Winter Wonderland with activities for people of all ages at the Oakdale Nature Preserve and Discovery Center. This City event is free to attend. Parking at the Discovery Center is limited, so please plan ahead for parking on neighboring streets. Join us for a community-building celebration of winter!

Activities and events include:

  • Horse-drawn hayrides (10 AM to 1 PM)
  • Petting zoo
  • Dogs of winter
  • Bonfire with s’mores
  • Holiday crafts with Washington County Library
  • Visit with Santa
  • Games
  • Holiday face painting
  • Breakfast and lunch

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PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS

kids put a letter in a special Santa mailbox

Letters to Santa

Now to December 15 | Santa's magical red mailboxes at the Discovery Center and City Hall

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 child's full name, age, and address with any letters submitted.

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ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS

winter lantern

Cheerful Hearts Painting Class "Winter Lantern" 

Friday, December 12 | 11 AM to 2 PM | Discovery Center

All supplies are provided with step-by-step instructions from Sandy Danus to create a finished 11-by-14 canvas painting. $35 per adult (ages 18 and up). Registration deadline is one week prior to class. 

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Instructor with candles

Astro and Sound Sessions

Select Dates | 1 to 2:15 PM | Discovery Center

Wellness practitioner Kali Higgins leads several sound healing and vibrational sound therapy sessions to support people in shifting their consciousness to allow the mind to go to deeper states of meditation and relaxation. Each session will use various instruments and sounds in harmony with the Full Moon to expand participants’ intentions of the practice. Session includes time to discuss and connect with the instructor about the theme, gentle breathwork and settling in, and 50 minutes of sound healing. Bring any items to support a comfortable practice such as a mat, blanket, pillows, zero-gravity chair, eye mask/covering, journal and water bottle. More info about programs on registration site. $36 per class (ages 18 and up). 

Class dates:

• Thursday, December 4 | Full Moon in Gemini, Cultivating Wonder | Registration deadline is December 2

• Saturday, January 3 | Full Moon in Cancer, Feeling Healing | Registration deadline is January 1

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Students practice yoga

Adult Yoga

MORNING YOGA | TUESDAYS | 9:30 to 10:30 AM 

Rise and shine with intention. Experience a customizable and dynamic yoga practice designed to build strength, develop balance, and increase mobility and mindfulness. This all-levels class encourages participants to move at their own pace to explore shapes in a safe and sustainable way that will support a healthy range of motion and a more fulfilling practice experience.  

•    Session 3 | 6 weeks | $104 | January 6, 13, 20 and 27; February 3 and 10       

TWILIGHT YOGA | THURSDAYS | 6 to 7 PM

Wind down your day in the glow of twinkling lights.  Explore a gentler flow designed to melt away tension with mindful movements to increase strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation in a sustainable way. This all-levels class will illuminate your intentions and calm your nervous system with minimal weight-bearing on the wrists to prepare you for a good night sleep.

•    Session 2 | 6 weeks | $104 | January 8, 15, 22 and 29; February 5 and 12    


Registration deadline is one week prior to start of session. Drop-in for a single class is $20 if space is available (please arrive at least ten minutes before class begins, cash/check only on weeknights).      

REGISTER/LEARN MORE

Oakdale Wellness 50+ logo

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).

WALKS AT THE OAKDALE NATURE PRESERVE | Wednesdays at 10 AM | No registration is necessary to join these weekly walks. Meet in front of the Discovery Center.

PLAY MAHJONGG | Mondays at 1 PM | Join us to play Mahjongg. No sign up needed.

CRAFT SOCIALS WITH NICKI FISCHER | Sunday, December 21 | 1:30 to 3:30 PM | Come show off your crafts, see crafts from others, or learn a something new. Refreshments provided. Register online or by calling 651-747-3860. 

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE | Friday, December 26 | 9 AM to 3 PM | Sign up: www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767. 


REGISTER/LEARN MORE


The Oakdale Recreation and the Discovery Center will be closed the following dates:

• Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas Holiday

• Thursday, January 1, in observance of the New Years Holiday


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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!

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1584 Hadley Avenue N, Oakdale, MN 55128

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