Break out the Santa hats — Merry TubaChristmas is almost here.

The time is 2:30 p.m. Saturday and the place is the Historic Paramount Theatre in Austin where, for the seventh straight year, tuba players will join together to celebrate the season with selections of holiday favorites in its Merry TubaChristmas event.

Musicians of all ages are welcome to participate. Nancy Schnable, executive director of Discover Austin, said “We’ve had players as young as third grade and as wise as those in their 80s. It’s a really fun environment — a wonderful time.”

The event is sponsored by Discover Austin, Minnesota and Austin Parks and Recreation.

Musicians in the past have come from across southeastern Minnesota, north Iowa and at times, other states to perform.

Those in this year’s event should meet at the Paramount at 11 a.m. and be ready to rehearse at 11:30 a.m. There is a charge of $10 — the funds go towards the Tuba Foundation — and music is provided. Each is asked, however, to bring a musician stand. In addition to tubas, baritone, euphonium and sousaphone players are also welcomed to play. All will receive a commemorative button to remember the day.

The public, who is encouraged to sing along, may attend free of charge, but donations are welcome too. Funds raised are used to offset the cost of producing DVDs of the performance sent to local and area nursing homes, to make sure that those who could not attend can enjoy the show.

Schnable said the community is lucky to have several directors participate, including Dan Conway of Hayfield High School, Ross Reishus of Blooming Prairie High School and Tim Davis from I.J. Holton Intermediate School.

Schnable said most musicians — many of who will be decked out in holiday wear, and even string lights on their instruments — are returning to the event.

“It really is like a reunion for most of them, but we always welcome more,” she said.

Give Yourself a “Hand:” Handmade Christmas also returns

The ever-popular Handmade Christmas Indie Craft Market returns to Austin on Friday and Saturday at the Hormel Historic Home.

Kristy Rooney and Anna Otto first brought the event to Austin in 2013 and it has been a holiday hit ever since.

Over 30 vendors will sell their handmade wares and come from as far away as Chicago.

Emphasis is on quality and variety; each vendor is jury-selected for inclusion in the market.

The market will open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Friday Night Soirée. The $10 admission includes a self-guided tour of the decorated Hormel Historic Home with hot hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The event continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday with a $5 admission (Friday admission also gets you in for Saturday), which includes desserts and coffee served throughout the day. 3B catering will offer breakfast and lunch items.

Holiday fare

Thursday

•First Thursdays – Free Holiday Party, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Spam Museum. Crafts, performances every hour, lots of holiday cheer including photos with Santa from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

•Christmas in the Southwest, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., southwest Austin. More holiday fun with music, food, crafts and activities, and the opportunity to meet that special guest of the season.

•Christmas Crafts, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Jay C Hormel Nature Center, $35, which includes materials and refreshments. Registration required, call 507-437-7519.

•Fall, Winter and Christmas Concert, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Austin. The Riverland College Choir and Vocal Ensemble “Frequency” will present a concert of seasonal music. Directed by Elliott Grandall, the concert will also feature solos and small ensembles. Proceeds from this event will go toward Riverland choral activities.
Friday

•A Handmade Christmas, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hormel Historic Home (see above).
Saturday

•Christmas Fair, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Austin.

•Browse arts, crafts, home-made goodies and home-based business items for holiday gifts. Sponsored by St. Augustine and St. Edward Council of Catholic Women.

•A Handmade Christmas continues, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hormel Historic Home, Austin.

•Christmas Crafts, 9 a.m. to noon, Jay C Hormel Nature Center, $35, which includes materials and refreshments. Registration required, call 507-437-7519.

•Masonic Pancake Feed, 9 a.m. to noon, Austin Masonic Lodge. The Austin Masons host an all-you-can-eat pancake feed for $5 per person. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.

•Kids Studio – Clay, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Austin ArtWorks Center, with Beth Hamilton. For ages 4 and older; cost: $5. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Merry Tuba Christmas, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Historic Paramount Theatre, Austin. (more details above)
Sunday

•Set Memories Aglow Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin. All are invited to remember and honor family or friends by means of this program with donations which will help support the Austin Hospice program. Forms available at the Mayo Clinic Store or at Mayo Clinic regional clinics. The tree will remain lighted throughout the holiday season.