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Christmas at the North Dakota State Capitol.
It’s been an amazing December and now we are just a few short hours from the holidays. North Dakota Ambassadors have many things that remind them of the holidays. There are sights, sounds, smells and memories that come rushing back for all of us when we think of our North Dakota Christmases.
With that in mind, we’re curious if you can help us finish an important sentence this year. Please leave your memories and Christmas stories in the comments below for all of us to enjoy and remember. Oh, and most importantly, holiday blessings and joys to each of you! Thanks for making North Dakota a great place to live, play and work!
You know it’s a North Dakota Christmas when … ____________________________.
Take time to connect with family and friends this holiday season. Musical performances, a Santa fly-in, and good old-fashioned Christmas activities are just some of the ways you can bring everyone together to make this time special in North Dakota. To find more information about these events, or for a complete list of December activities, go to NDTourism.com or call 800-435-5663 or 701-328-2525
Moonlight Madness and Fish Fry
Cavalier
December 2
Masons will serve their fantastic fish at 4:30. There is fun for the whole family and stores will be offering snacks and specials. Join in the fun and get some of your Christmas shopping done while you stroll downtown Cavalier. www.ndtourism.com/whatdo/events/festival-details.asp?AID=4214; 701-265-8898.
Sanders Family Christmas
New Rockford
December 2-24
Sit back and enjoy the hilarious Yule tide stories while laughing, clapping and singing along with bluegrass Christmas favorites in this sequel to the ever popular New York hit Smoke on the Mountain. Shows begin nightly at 7:30 with two performances on Sunday. www.dprca.com/; 701-947-2174
16th annual Medora’s Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas
Medora
December 2-4
Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages come together for the 16th annual event. Activities include a veterans memorial service, wreath ceremony and parade of lights, Charlie’s Ghost Story – an original Medora production, kids games, sleigh and hay rides, cowboy snow sculpting, musical entertainment, eats on the street, cowboy poetry and fireworks display. www.medorandchamber.com/; 701-623-4910.
Christmas on the Prairie
Fargo
December 3
This annual event at Bonanzaville shares the pioneer Christmas traditions of music, crafts and good cheer. Highlights include sleigh rides, a silent auction, Christmas carolers, a chili feed and lots of activities for the kids. The event is from 1:00-7:00. www.bonanzaville.com/; 701-282-2822
Dakota Air: The Radio Show – The Christmas Show
Fargo
December 3
Dakota Air will have two Christmas shows at the Fargo Theatre, with the 1 p.m. performance for kids featuring sing-alongs and original stories. The second show at 7 p.m. will be a unique Christmas performance in old-fashioned radio-show format featuring “Darin Henze & Friends,” Dakota Harmony Men’s Chorus and Harley Sommerfeld. www.dakotaairtheradioshow.com; 1-800-514-3849
Old Fashioned Christmas
Drayton
December 3
Head to Drayton where the entire community prepares for the Christmas season with a live nativity, sleigh rides, Tree of Light Memorial, Souper Supper, music and merchant promotions. www.draytonnd.com; 701-454-3434
Santa Fly-In
Fargo
December 3, 10, and 17
Santa will fly in to visit with children and their families at the Fargo Air Museum, and his elves will be on hand to give tours. Santa’s arrival time is noon. www.fargoairmuseum.org; 701-293-8043.
2011 State Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Bismarck
December 5
Join Governor Jack Dalrymple and First Lady Betsy Dalrymple in the Memorial Hall of the Capitol Building at 5 p.m. for the lighting of the state Christmas tree. An “Angel” theme was chosen to offer sincere thanks to those “angels” who helped during this year’s statewide floods. Entertainment provided by Joel Gilbertson, Central Dakota Children’s Choir and Suzuki Strings. www.nd.gov/arts/; 701-328-7590
The Nutcracker
Bismarck
December 9-11
Join Northern Plains Dance on an enchanted journey with Clara and her Nutcracker prince on a magical night long, long ago. This Christmas classic delights audiences young and old. www.northernplainsdance.org/; 701-530-0986.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Hankinson, Enderlin, Harvey, Minot, Carpio
December 15-16
Lighted Canadian Pacific Train rolls through North Dakota with stops in several North Dakota towns. On-board musical entertainment at each stop. The train’s planned stops are as follows: December 15 – Hankinson 6:45 p.m. and Enderlin 9:30 p.m., December 16 – Harvey 4:15 p.m., Minot 7:15 p.m., and Carpio at 9:10 p.m. Exact locations can be found at www.cpr.ca/EN/IN-YOUR-COMMUNITY/HOLIDAY-TRAIN/Pages/default.aspx.
Lori Line and her Fab Five
December 17: Grand Forks
December 18: Fargo
December 19: Minot
December 20: Bismarck
Enjoy this traditional holiday show that invites audience participation with the theme, “Christmas Bells are Ringing,” which promises to please both old and new Lorie Line fans alike. www.lorieline.com; 800-801-5463
Winter Olympics
Cross Ranch State Park, Center
December 31
Take winter to the extreme and participate in Cross Ranch’s extreme outdoor Winter Olympics. Competitive events to include snow volleyball, tug of war, and cross country ski/snow shoe relays. Open to teams of four. Equipment provided. www.parkrec.nd.gov; 701-328-5357
