1. Twinkle light traditions

Celebrate the season with traditions old and new during Holiday Lights in the Village from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village, 1031 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea. Warm your belly with a homemade soup and chili supper, and treat yourself to dessert at the holiday cookie sale. The Albert Lea High School Caroliers will stroll and sing throughout the village. For the children, there will be hands-on activities and a visit from Santa. The event is free with food and other items available to purchase.

 

2. It’s a Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing

Expect mandolins, banjos and a finger-pickin’ good time when Monroe Crossing takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea. The Minnesota band — highly-celebrated in Bluegrass circles — entertains audiences all over the world with their rousing mix of bluegrass styles, from classic to gospel to modern. Folks who are new to the genre often leave Monroe Crossing shows as bluegrass fans. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 on performance day.

 

3. All aboard the model railroad show

The Albert Lea Model Railroad Show and Swap Meet will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Model railroad sets in a variety of sizes and scales will be on display to see, swap and shop. Trains will be in operation — chugging ’round the tracks in full glory for ultimate admiration. The show, now in its 24th year, will be at Northbridge Mall, where Santa is also scheduled for a stopover from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

 

4. Quilts of Valor volunteer block party

Quilters and other crafty souls are invited to a volunteer block party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Hosted by A-Best Sew & Vac, the event is part of a larger effort by the Quilts of Valor Foundation to provide high-quality, handmade quilts to American veterans. The local mission is to make 200 nine-patch blocks that will join the nation’s other nine-patch blocks and be made into 4,000 quilts for veterans in need. The block party will be at A-Best Sew & Vac, 2720 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea, which is also the place to drop donations, register as a volunteer and find out more about the operation.

 

5. Indoor 3-D archery tournament

The Full Draw Archery club of Albert Lea will host an indoor archery tournament from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All 30 targets are three-dimensional and vary by size, location and behavior. Some of them move, some pop-up and some are placed up to 30 yards away. Anyone is welcome at the family friendly event, located upstairs in the Knutson Building at 31 S. Newton Ave. in downtown Albert Lea. The cost is $10 per person.