Come home to Anoka for the Holidays!

Anoka’s Hometown Holiday festivities begin on Friday, November 23 and continue through December 24. Come and join us for visits from Santa every Saturday, special offers and events, giveaways and plenty of hometown Holiday spirit.

For merchant specific events throughout the Holiday season, you will be able to download a PDF of the brochure.  Please check back! (Adobe Acrobat required).

Plus, like us on Facebook for all the latest Hometown Holiday news!

Register to win a $500 Anoka Shopping Spree!

Visit participating merchants (listed below) and register to win our grand prize…a $500 Anoka Shopping Spree! Or, win one of TWENTY-TWO prize packages valued at $50 or more.  There are drawings every Friday! (No purchase necessary to win.)  The Grand Prize Drawing will be held on Friday, December 21st.

Leave the Change…Create a Change Friday, November 23, through Sunday, November 25

In addition to offering you unique gift ideas, the participating merchants of Downtown Anoka will offer you the opportunity to do something nice for our friends and neighbors. During Thanksgiving weekend, we encourage you to leave your change at our registers (or make a small donation)  to those who could use a little help this Holiday season. All contributions with be donated to the ACBC Food Shelf  right here in Anoka County.

Hometown Holiday Celebration Saturday, December 1

It’s an authentic Hometown Holiday, complete with hayrides, carolers, Santa, special events and the kind of friendly customer service with a personal touch that you won’t find anywhere else.

Story Time with Santa Saturday, December 1, 1:00 p.m.

Join Santa at 1:00 p.m. in the Old Post Office Building (300 East Main Street) for stories, cookies and hot chocolate. Sponsored by The Downstairs Deli and Rediscover Anoka.

Anoka Tree Lighting Event Saturday, December 1, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m.)

Bring your family, friends and holiday spirit for this fun and festive hometown event. Join Santa, the Anoka Royal Ambassadors and Anoka’s own Mayor Phil Rice for the countdown to light-up the holiday street lights and city Christmas tree.

You can go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, listen to carolers and keep warm and toasty at the on-site bonfires while enjoying hot cocoa. 

All activities take place near the Anoka City Hall Plaza on the corner of First Avenue and Main Street.

Schedule of Events

• 5:00 pm: Lighting of the bonfires
• 5:00 pm:  Festive Holiday music sets the scene
• 5:00-7:00pm:  FREE horse-drawn trolley rides
• 5:00-7:00pm:  Food Vendors serving up goodies!
• 5:15 pm: Santa Claus ARRIVES (on fire truck)
• 5:50pm:  Welcome from Anoka Mayor
• 5:55pm:  Introduction of the Anoka Royal Ambassadors
• 5:59 pm: C-O-U-N-T-D-O-W-N to the tree lighting
• 6:00 pm: Tree Lighting
  
• 5:00-7:00pm  Bonfires and music continue along with trolley rides.
  

Girls’ Night Out Thursday, December 13, an all day event

Enjoy an evening of Holiday shopping with your favorite girls. Finish up your gift  buying or purchase something for your own stocking.  You might even see Santa!

Live Performances at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage throughout November and December

Annie (November 16 – December 16) Enjoy this heart-warming musical live on stage this holiday season!
Tickets range from$16 to $26.

The Further Adventures of Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective (December 1 – December 9) Bring the entire family for this “Mainly for Kids” production!
Tickets $9-$15.

Keri Noble Holiday Concert (December 21) Enjoy Keri’s effortless blend
of piano and pop as she shares some of her favorite songs…holiday and otherwise!
Tickets $18-$22. 

Call 763-422-1838 or www.lyricarts.org to purchase tickets. Hurry! Seats sell out fast!

Participating Merchants

Visit these participating merchants to register to win the grand prize…$500 in Anoka Bucks! You could also win one of TWENTY-TWO weekly drawings valued at $50 or more.