This Week in Geek (12/8/2025–12/14/2025)

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In-Person Events
Virtual Events

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, December 8, to Sunday, December 14.

Although inclusion in This Week in Geek is not an official endorsement of any event or organizer, we do our best to feature events that appear safe, responsible, and consistent with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

In-Person Events

Mistletoe & Mayhem—The Hallmark Parody of the Season

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, December 14
Where: Phoenix Theater

An executive from the city gets stuck in Snowberry Falls, a town obsessed with winter cheer, and discovers “the best holiday miracles come with hot cocoa, a lot of chaos, and just a little bit of glitter.” Tickets are $26–32. Recommended for ages 13+.

A Christmas in Ochopee

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, December 21
Where: 825 Arts

New Native Theatre is bringing back their production of A Christmas in Ochopee, “a holiday play that speaks to the beauty and chaos of rez life.” The comedy centers on the Weetley family who are navigating love, family feuds, loud uncles, and some Florida flare in the form of chainsaws and a gator that might hold the spirit of a much-loved rez dog. Tickets are “pay-what-you-can” with a suggested amount of $40.

St. Paul European Christmas Market

What: Arts, Community, Food & Drink
When: Weekends through Sunday, December 21
Where: Union Depot

Enjoy the warmth of your community at this open-air, European-style Christmas market in St. Paul, with handmade local gifts and decor, European-inspired food and delicacies, and, of course, Glühwein (spiced mulled wine). These markets are popular in Germany and Austria during the advent season and bring warmth and cheer in spite of looming winter. Check out Union Depot’s Holiday Hub webpage for more seasonal events and free Metro Transit ride passes.

It’s an Honorable Life

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Now through Sunday, December 22
Where: Mounds Theatre

This Star Trek fan production reinterprets the beloved Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life through a Klingon lens. The production is performed in Klingon and English, with English supertitles for those who are not fluent in the language. Patrons are invited to cosplay as Klingons or other (probably less honorable) Trek characters. Tickets are $27–38.

Illuminate Festival of Lights

What: Arts, Family
When: Now through Saturday, December 27
Where: Pan Asian Center (Maplewood Mall)

This festival features handcrafted lantern sculptures, Chinese acrobatic performances, and a red-lantern night market featuring local businesses. There are also photo stations that rotate themes throughout the festival’s run, including lanterns and legends, winter blooms, pop culture, anime, and bows of holly. Individual tickets are $14.95–25; season passes are available.

A Christmas Carol

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, December 28; various times
Where: Guthrie Theater

The classic holiday tale A Christmas Carol is back at the Guthrie Theater with their fun adaptation that debuted in 2021. This production stays true to the familiar story of Scrooge and his visits with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future, while bringing a fresh perspective and injecting humor from the Dickens original. Tickets are $35–148. (Read our 2021 review of A Christmas Carol.)

LUMINISCENCE

What: Music
When: Now through Wednesday, December 31, at 7:00 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Where: The Basilica of St. Mary

The Basilica becomes a canvas for a combination light-and-music show like no other. “Experience a show where history, 360° video mapping, and music come together to reveal this jewel of Minnesota’s heritage as you have never seen it before.” Tickets start at $45.99.

Winter Lights 2025

What: Community, Arts
When: Now through Wednesday, December 31
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)

Take a stroll through the illuminated gardens at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. These outdoor light displays highlight the beauty of nature, including flowers, trees, and a giant cuetlaxóchitl (poinsettia). Other highlights include an indoor evergreen forest, live music on select nights, and the Warming House bar. Check out the event page for more information on hours, performers, and theme nights. Tickets are $25 with discounts available for members and Indigenous peoples; kids 15 and under are free on non-themed nights with a ticketed adult.

GLOW Holiday Festival 2025

What: Family, Arts
When: Now through Sunday, January 4
Where: CHS Field

Enjoy a fun holiday experience at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints. GLOW is a holiday spectacle featuring over one-million holiday lights, illuminated trees, playful activities, and art installations. Tickets are $12.75 for children and $21.75 for adults.

Gingerbread Wonderland

What: Arts, Community
When: Now through Saturday, January 5
Where: Norway House

Norway House’s annual Gingerbread Wonderland is a gallery collection featuring cookie recreations of famous locations in Minnesota, fairy tales, and more by local bakers of all ages and skill levels. Tickets are $5–10; kids 5 and under are free.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, December 8, and Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class at the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5 in the Depot’s Waiting Room or in the East Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total-body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

Ruby Rain “The Udder Hand”

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Monday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: American School of Storytelling

The first in a series of five “unfoldings” that will each explore one of the five senses thru storytelling. The remaining senses will “unfold” on the second Monday of each month February thru May. Tickets are $15.

Tipsy Tabletops

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, December 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: King Coil Spirits

Play games, meet local game creators, and compete in trivia for a Games by James gift card, all while sipping on your favorite cocktail at this new monthly event. Free admission.

C.M. Alongi Reading and Signing

What: Books
When: Wednesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: DreamHaven Books & Comics

C.M. Alongi, sci-fi/fantasy author and creator of the TikTok series CaFae Latte, will be reading from and signing her new book, Heart of Iron. This event is free.

Nerd Nite: Twin Cities

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Black Hart Bar

The organizers of Nerd Nite invite you out for a night of “nice drink, good company, and some cold. hard. facts.” Those cold, hard facts come in the form of monthly “nerdy TED talks” in which community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. December’s event has presentations on Questing for a Therapist, Tin Tin and Curling.

Walker Art Center Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, December 11, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Get creative at the Walker Art Center’s weekly Art Club during the museum’s free Thursday nights. Explore different mediums and ideas through themed activities designed to be accessible for all ages and levels of experience. Materials are free while supplies last. This week, explore the beauty of darkness, twilight skies and starlit evenings through paper craft.

Pokémon Playing Card Tournament

What: Community
When: Thursday, December 11, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Pizza Lucé Seward

Join the Pokémon Playing Card Tournament hosted weekly by Pizza Lucé and Professor Spencer. All abilities welcome. Entry fee is $10, and includes one slice of pizza and a soda, plus a shot at prizes for the top four finishers.

Gremlins

What: Movies, Trivia
When: Thursday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

Watch the original Gremlins movie at the Parkway Theater along with some pre-movie trivia hosted by Josh Carson. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Sound & Vision/Vendorpalooza Vendor Show

What: Comics, Gaming
When: Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Forest Lake American Legion

Check out the 4th Annual Sound & Vision/Vendorpalooza including vendors of vinyl records, comic books, video games, toys, crafts, baked goods and more. Special guests include author Mila Velimirovich and recording artist Samantha Grimes. Free.

Winter Art Market at the Lofts

What: Arts, Family
When: Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14
Where: Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative

Find locally made and one-of-a-kind gifts and art during the Winter Art Market at the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative.

North Star Voices: Gentlemen of the Woods

What: Books, Educational
When: Saturday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center and Virtual via Zoom

The image of Paul Bunyan stands in contrast to the way lumberjacks were viewed in their own time. Explore the real lives of lumberjacks through songs, stories and firsthand accounts with Dr. Willa Hammitt Brown. Dr. Brown is a writer, historian, and Minnesota native. Free.

Family Day at Mia

What: Arts
When: Sunday, December 14, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Family Day is a free monthly event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that gives the young and the young at heart an opportunity to check out performances, hands-on activities, tours, and more. This weekend’s theme is “Celebration,” inspired by the current exhibition of Cambodian bronzes. Activities will include metal stamping, making kaleidoscopes, and Cambodian dance.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, December 14, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female-identifying (including trans women/femme) and nonbinary nerds and geeks at Source Comics and Games. This is a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks. Be sure to check out the Source calendar for additional events!

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Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, December 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something!

marineL!VE–Plastic Pollution and Reef Manta Rays

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, December 9, at 7:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual Event

Learn about the science of marine biology with the free marineL!VE webinar series. This week’s event features Dr Jessica Savage discussing Reef Manta Rays in the Chagos Archipelago and the impact of plastic pollution. Free, but registration required.

L.C. Rosen’s Lion’s Legacy

What: Books
When: Tuesday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The North Country Gaylaxians book club (a local group that reads and discusses science–fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative fiction with LGBTQ+ or similar content by LGBTQ+ authors) will be hosting a discussion of the book Lion’s Legacy by L.C. Rosen. Next month’s discussion will feature A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Shaping the Age of Information: A History from ARPANET to AI

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Smithsonian Institution, home to famed museums and world-class research centers, is bringing educational programs and art courses online for all to enjoy. This event traces the evolution of digital technology and how it has changed life for humans. General-admission tickets are $35, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Twin Cities Geeks Discord. Hop on voice or video and chat while you create art, then share your finished pieces on the #art-club channel! This event is open to all. Join the server by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on Discord every Wednesday night.

Writer’s Roulette

What: Meetup
When: Thursday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Stretch those creative-writing muscles at Writer’s Roulette! Each event starts with a writing prompt and 20 minutes to write whatever comes to mind in any genre or style. Then participants are given the option to share their work. “Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practice, or just a creative jolt, Writer’s Roulette is your chance to see where the words take you.” Tickets are $7.

North Star Voices: Gentlemen of the Woods

What: Books, Educational
When: Saturday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center and Virtual via Zoom

The image of Paul Bunyan stands in contrast to the way lumberjacks were viewed in their own time. Explore the real lives of lumberjacks through songs, stories and firsthand accounts with Dr. Willa Hammitt Brown. Dr. Brown is a writer, historian and Minnesota native. Free.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, December 13, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a virtual-music video stream every Friday. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats directly to your home. So, dance, dance, dance to the radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

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So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!