If you’re searching for family-friendly things to do with kids this week (December 1–7) in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and the greater East Metro, this roundup is filled with local holiday events and easy ways to make festive memories. With Christmas season in full swing, there’s plenty happening around town—be sure to check the Events Calendar daily for new updates and added activities.
TOP FAMILY PICKS THIS WEEK
1. 🎅 Find Santa & Local Holiday Events
Santa is making several stops throughout Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and nearby towns this week. Parents can browse the updated Finding Santa and Local Festive Events guide to see where he’ll be visiting—holiday markets, library events, tree lightings, or jolly photo ops. Any event title marked with a Santa emoji means families can count on a sighting.
Bonus Santa Fun: Oakdale’s Santa Mailboxes are now open at City Hall and the Oakdale Discovery Center. Kids can drop letters into the bright red mailbox by December 15.
Some highlights of Santa this Week:
🎅🎄Santa Cow at Chick-fil-A Woodbury - December 6, 2025
🎄🎅 Santa at Cub Foods - All Locations - December 6, 2025
🎄🎅 Santa at Valley Creek Mall - December 6, 2025
🎄🎅Cheers with Santa - Stillwater - December 6, 2025
🎄🎅Train to Be an Elf - The Grove Woodbury - December 6, 2025
🎄🎅Santa's Wonderland - Woodbury Lakes - December 6, 2025
🎅🎄Cottage Grove Lions Santa Breakfast - December 7, 2025
🎄🎅🐾 Photos with Santa - Pet Evolution Woodbury - December 7, 2025
🎅🎄Photos with Santa at Fleet Farm - Hastings - December 7, 2025
🎅🎄Photos with Santa at Fleet Farm - Oakdale - December 7, 2025
🎄🎅Santa Visits 3rd Act Craft Brewery - Woodbury - December 7, 2025
2. Free Admission Day at Washington County Parks - Tuesday
Families can enjoy a budget-friendly outdoor adventure with free entry to all Washington County Parks on the first non-holiday Tuesday of each month. It’s perfect for winter hikes, exploring nature, or burning off kid energy between holiday activities.
3. ✨ Tree Lighting Celebrations in Local Towns
Several communities are hosting their annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebrations this week. Families can expect twinkling lights, festive music, warm drinks, crafts, and cheerful holiday spirit. Some events include character meet-and-greets and surprise visits from Santa.
🎄Lighting of the Green - Bayport - December 3, 2025
🎄Hometown Holiday in Cottage Grove - December 4, 2025
🎅🎄 Tree Lighting with Santa - Oakdale - December 4, 2025
🎄Tree Lighting Celebration - Woodbury Central Park - December 4, 2025
🎄Afton Village Holiday - Downtown Afton - December 5, 2025
🎄Light Up Lake Elmo - December 6, 2025
🎄2025 Union Depot Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night - December 6, 2025
🎅🎄Hometown for the Holidays: Twinkle Weekend - Stillwater - December 6, 2025
4. 🔨Home Depot Kids Workshop — Holiday Cocoa Mug
This Saturday is the monthly Home Depot Kids Workshop, and December’s project is a hands-on Holiday Cocoa Mug craft. Children receive everything needed to build and decorate their project, plus they go home with an apron and completion pin. Workshops are free, fun, and offer an easy way to spark creativity.
5. 🛷 Sledding Fun After the Fresh Snow
We got some great snow this weekend—perfect for grabbing the kids and hitting the hills! Whether your little ones are just learning or your bigger kids want some fast runs, there are plenty of spots to enjoy sledding. Check out our Sledding Guide for the best local hills, tips for parking and staying safe, and fun ideas to make your snowy adventure even better—like bringing hot cocoa or trying glow-stick sledding when it starts to get dark.
No matter which activities your family chooses, this week is filled with simple, joyful ways to celebrate the season. From Santa sightings to twinkling tree lightings, there’s holiday magic around every corner. Be sure to check back often as new events are added daily.
I’m a local mom and the publisher of Macaroni KID Woodbury–Oakdale–Cottage Grove–Stillwater, your go-to guide for family fun in the South East Metro! Each week, I share a FREE weekly e-newsletter, update our family-friendly website, and highlight local events, activities, and small businesses. Subscribe today and never miss a local family adventure!
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