1. The Hope of Christmas concert

Back for a second year, Christian recording artist and performer Mark Smeby will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Marion Ross Performing Art Center, 149 N. Broadway in downtown Albert Lea. The Minnesota native turned Nashville musician has returned to his home state after 25 years. The Hope of Christmas tour — now in its 10th year — features both traditional and original songs in Smeby’s pop-vocal style. Heartfelt stories are woven throughout the show to inspire hope this Christmas season. Tickets cost $18 for the family-friendly event.

 

2. Candy cane hunt

Edgewater Park will transform into a winter wonderland of hidden candy for children to find from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. Hosted by the city of Albert Lea, the candy cane hunt is free and open to all children. The fun doesn’t end when the candy is found; plan to enjoy more treats, hot cocoa, games, Santa and even a craft. No pre-registration is required, but people should arrive early. Report to Edgewater Bay Pavilion, 1940 Edgewater Drive, and enter the park from Highway 13. Don’t forget to bundle up!

 

3. Children’s Christmas party

The festivities for tots will continue with a children’s Christmas party 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 56 in downtown Albert Lea. Food will be served until 12:30 p.m. when the time will come for fun, games, prizes and, of course, a visit from the big jolly man in red. Be present at 1 p.m. for a chance to win the grand prize drawing. The free event is sponsored by several local organizations and individuals.

 

4. Barbershop Chorus concerts

If you love four-part harmony sung a capella, you’re in luck, because Albert Lea’s own Harmony Junction Barbershop Chorus will host not one, but two holiday concerts Sunday afternoon. The first is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 702 S. Highway 69, and the second for 4:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 918 Garfield Ave. Harmony Junction is a local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Freewill offerings will be accepted, with all donations given to the Food for Backpacks program.

 

5. Back to the nineties

Local cover bands are busy practicing their Weezer covers for a night of ’90s nostalgia from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at The Interchange, 211 S. Broadway in downtown Albert Lea. Celebrate the decade that brought new sounds from Tracy Chapman to Nirvana to Garth Brooks. Do pieces from your ’90s wardrobe still hang in the closet? This is your chance to wear them in style, and be rewarded for it, too. Those who come dressed in their ’90s best will receive a small discount on beverages. Food, however, will not be for sale, although light, complimentary snacks are planned. The ’90s cover show is free and open to all ages.