With sights set on Christmas, everyone is getting ready to spread holiday cheer. There is a book fair with brand new books, a holiday show for family and friends, and a holiday open house and craft sale. Get ready to find great gifts for family and friends, and spread your own holiday cheer this weekend.

1. Desserts, Drinks, Carols and Cabaret

7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Austin ArtWorks Center

A night of decadent desserts, wonderful wines, and memorable music at the ArtWorks Center to raise funds for the Riverland music and theater scholarships. The night will feature Riverland Frequency and the Alumni Ensemble, and will conclude with a cabaret-style performance by Lindsey Williams and Scott Blankenship. Tickets are $50 a person; the night is limited to 50 people. Tickets are on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets, or call the Box Office at 507-433-0595.

2. Book Fair

4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, 12 to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Austin Public Library

After several used book sales, the Friends of the Library wanted to bring in brand new books and give people another idea for holiday gifts. The sale will have books for children, adults and teens, and it will also have other items, such as calendars, journals, planners, cookbooks, 3D puzzles and games. There will also be free wrapping paper. Profits from the sale will be donated to the Austin Public Library for programs like the children’s summer reading program, or to purchase books for children, help pay for entertainment throughout the year, help fund the Austin Page Turners program, fund author visits, and help fund the poetry contest in the spring.

3. Michael Veldman and Friends Holiday Show

7:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, 7:30 to 9 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Historic Paramount Theatre

The annual show featuring familiar holiday classics and favorites in a slam-bang performance will be presented by popular local vocal artists Michael Veldman, Kaye Perry, Erin Schumacher and Brian Bawek. Call for tickets, and ask about both main floor and balcony seats. Tickets are $15 each. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

4. Christmas Crafts

9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jay C. Hormel Visitors Center basement

Prepare for the holiday season with the traditional crafts of wreath-making and candle-dipping. Wreaths will be made of spruce, cedar, red pine, and white pine, and the candles from beeswax. Limited space is available; the class is limited to 16 people. The minimum age is 12 and must be accompanied by a parent. Preregistration and pre-payment is required, the fee is $35 and includes materials and refreshments. Only paying participants may attend. For more information or to register, call 507-437-7519.

5. Champagne Brunch

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Hormel Historic Home

Enjoy a delicious champagne brunch in support of the Historic Paramount Theatre and the Hormel Historic Home. Over 20 items will be available on the buffets. A complimentary mimosa will be served. A Bloody Mary bar will be available, as well. There will also be a silent auction featuring theater tickets, wine baskets, gift cards and more. And those attending the Michael Veldman and Friends matinee at 2 p.m. may take a free shuttle to and from the Historic Paramount Theatre. Brunch only tickets are $30 for HHH or Paramount members, $35 for non-members; brunch and concert tickets are $45 for members, and $50 for non-members. For more information, call 507-433-4243.

6. Annual Merry TubaChristmas Concert

2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oak Park Mall

This is a free community Christmas concert. Any tuba, sousaphone or euphonium players who would like to participate are welcome to be a part of Austin’s Merry TubaChristmas. Registration starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and is $10. This will be followed by rehearsal, lunch, and the concert, all in the Oak Park Mall. Musicians should bring their own instrument and a stand and can be decked out from tuba to toe with holiday cheer. Contact the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau at 507-437-4563 for more information about this event. Visit www.tubachrismas.com for more information about the TubaChristmas program.

7. Holiday Open House and Craft Show

12 to 4 p.m., Sunday, The Old Mill Restaurant

Browse through beautiful hand-crafted items while sipping on a glass of wine — find the perfect gift for others or yourself among the soap, jewelry, American Doll clothes, pillows, succulent gardens, leather jewelry, wine bags, bird houses, knit wear and more. For more information, call 507-437-2076.

8. Children’s Christmas Party

3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Apollo III, 3011 W Oakland Ave.

Activities will be offered such as paper garland and ornament construction, storybook reading of The Night Before Christmas, and hot cocoa and candy canes will be available. Children will receive a gift bag. There will be a special selection of items from $1 to $5 for children to purchase gifts for parents and siblings. For more information, call 507-355-3100.