Tots Winter Play Date: Arts & Science Exploration
2023-12-02 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Inspire your child’s curiosity and creativity while exploring art and nature with monthly programs by Silverwood Park Programmers. Ages: 3-6 years. $25/day (includes adult; not a drop-off program). Registration required; click here to register online.
This month: Birds and Metal Feather Tooling. Discover the dazzling displays which can be seen in the patterns of bird feathers.

Richfield Winter Market
2023-12-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Veterans Park, 6335 Portland Avenue South, Richfield, MN, 55423
The Richfield Farmers Market is heading inside for the winter! Find us inside the Vets Park Mini-Golf Building next to the park pavilion. Local foods, holiday treats, and handmade gifts from local vendors will be featured at this December Winter Market series! Click here for market map and vendor list.
Market tokens will be available with your credit, debit, or SNAP/EBT card. The first $10 of each SNAP transaction will be matched with both $10 in Winter Market Bucks and $10 in Winter Produce Market Bucks from Hunger Solutions MN.

Rolled Beeswax Candles
2023-12-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Enjoy making beautiful candles using sheets of pure beeswax that you roll by hand around a wick. Beeswax is a natural product that burns completely and doesn’t drip or smoke. They are fun and easy to make, look and smell great, and make fantastic homemade holiday gifts! Clear plastic gift bags and curly ribbon are included. This is a great adult-child activity. Online registration at www.woodlakenatureenter.org is preferred; walk-in registrations are allowed as space permits. $3/person, 50% off for members, plus $2.50 per candle.

Wood Lake Nature Center Book Club: Through a Window by Jane Goodall
2023-12-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Join other adults too discuss some wonderful environmental and outdoor recreation-based books. Refreshments will be provided. All books are available at local libraries or may be available for loan through the nature center. This month’s selection: Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe by Jane Goodall.
Pre-registration and payment is required. Register online at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org or call 612-861-9365.

Tabletop Games Drop-In
2023-12-06 13:30 - 16:00 | Frenchman’s Pub, 1400 East 66th Street, Richfield, MN, 55423
Bring your favorite card or board games to play or learn a new one. There will be old favorites, as well as new games to try out. For your best experience, come for an hour or more. This is planned to be a monthly event at Frenchman’s Pub. Free; hosted by Anrias Games www.anriasgames.com.

Make a Gingerbread House
2023-12-09 12:30 - 16:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Make a sweet holiday memory! Build and decorate a gingerbread and candy house. Colorful houses make a great decoration during the holiday season! Online registration at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org is required. $3/person; free for members, plus $15 per house.

The Introduction + ALL THE VIBES: A Culinary Journey
2023-12-09 19:30 - 23:00 | Progatonist Kitchen & Bar, 6601 Lyndale Avenue, Richfield, MN, 55423
The Introduction is your exclusive invite to explore the Protagonist Kitchen & Bar. Come enjoy Playfessionals-style networking as we take you on an exclusive culinary and crafted cocktails tour. This event is a curated gathering to connect professionals with local innovative restaurant concepts. A fashion-forward experience designed for foodies and those who value quality, meaningful connections and exceptional fellowship. Tickets available here.

Part I: An introduction and conversation with Protagonist founders and owners Pejmon Nadimi and Jahn Brink. Pejmon and Jahn will take you on an exciting journey of four sample dishes paired with four sample crafted cocktails. Enjoy the history and stories behind each serving while engaging in conversation with other Playfessionals.
Part II: Come network, socialize, and connect with other professionals, with vibes provided by DJ Willie Shu. This event is the perfect opportunity to reconnect and catch a vibe or 2!

Gaming with Nature
2023-12-10 12:30 - 16:30 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Try your hand at a host of nature-based board games! Themes include birds, plants, animals, insects, and more. Games can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours to play, depending on which game you choose. Learn about a variety of nature concepts and topics while having fun with your friends, family, and fellow community members. Drop in whenever works for you; no registration required. Free!

Skate with Santa
2023-12-10 17:00 - 18:15 | Richfield Ice Arena
Come skate with Santa at the Richfield Ice Arena! He can’t wait to see you!

Holiday Lights Parade
2023-12-14 18:30 - 19:30 | MN
Join us for the 4th annual holiday lights parade! Enjoy festive music, beautifully lit vehicles, and seeing our very special guest stars, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Parade begins at the City Garage (1901 East 66th Street) and ends at 67th and Lyndale Avenue.

Dragonflies and Butterflies Art Workshop
2023-12-17 12:30 - 14:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Learn how to use alcohol ink, nails, and a little magic to create beautiful dragonflies and butterflies with translucent wings during this class! You will have the opportunity to make two dragonflies and four butterflies. This is a great gift idea for the holidays! Instructor: Michelle Schick from Phenomenal Lass Designs. Ages 5 and up. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to this class; registration required at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org. $35/person.

Bilingual Yin-Yoga
2023-12-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Join us for a relaxing yin yoga class. This will be a gentle and relaxing all-level class that works deeply into the connective tissues working on the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Come for the one-hour yoga practice, stay for a fire and cocoa after class. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat or blanket. Instructor: Wendy Zuniga. Registration required at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org; walk-ins welcome as spots are available.$7/person.

Candlelight & Ice
2023-12-31 17:00 - 21:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Join us for an enchanting New Year’s Eve experience. Embark on a captivating journey along a scenic walking trail illuminated by countless flickering candles, nestled amidst cattails and majestic trees. Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of graceful deer, elusive coyotes, and wise owls that may cross your path. Revel in the invigorating winter evening air as you make your way back to the building, where you can toast marshmallows over a crackling fire and warm your spirits with delightful hot cocoa. To secure your spot at this memorable event, make sure to purchase your tickets in advance at woodlakenaturecenter.org. Admission is $6 per person, and it’s free for members of the Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL). Don’t forget, even FOWL members need to reserve their tickets in advance. PLEASE NOTE: NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR, there are no refunds for this event. The doors open at 5:00 pm, but we recommend arriving by 8:15 pm to allow ample time to fully immerse yourself in all the activities offered.

New Year's Day Skating Party
2024-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Richfield Ice Arena
Glide into the New Year at Richfield Ice Arena’s New Year’s Day Skating Party. $6.00/person; includes prizes, giveaways, refreshments, and skating. Limited skate rental available for $4.00.

Cross Country Ski Lessons
2024-01-06 09:30 - 11:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Did you know that cross-country skiing is one of the best kinds of all-around exercise? Our friendly and non-competitive approach provides a comfortable learning environment for beginning skiers. Learn about equipment, how to get up from a fall, uphill techniques, the diagonal stride, and double poling. 10$ per person; half-off for members. Includes ski rental. Limit 20 people per session.

Richfield Board Game Night
2024-01-06 17:00 - 21:00 | Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Join a fun-filled night of board games at the Richfield Community Center! Games by James and Air Traffic will be providing newly-released games and modern classics to play. Recreation staff will be on hand to help learn the rules and help with any questions that may come up. This will be a great way to connect with other community members looking for a fun night of board games! Ages 10 and up; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Free; no registration required!

Keeping Warm
2024-01-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Discover the secret to keeping warm in the winter as we experiment with different types of insulation and hike to locate microclimates of warm in the environment. Learn how animals use different strategies to survive the cold and how we can dress to stay warm in the winter! $5/person; half-off for members. Dress for the weather conditions.

Live Animal Hour
2024-01-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Meet Wood Lake Nature Center’s animal ambassadors up close! Come learn about some of the reptiles and amphibians native to Minnesota and make an animal craft to take home. $5/person; half-off for members.

Nature in Your Neighborhood: Animals in Winter
2024-01-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN, 55423
Come join us as we discover how Minnesota’s animals survive winter! Make a pinecone bird feeder to bring home to attract your feathered friends. Materials provided. Please come dressed for the weather! Participants earn a stamp for each Nature in Your Neighborhood program they attend. Once you collect three stamps, receive a free backpack (one per family) with items like binoculars and insect jars. Co-sponsored with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Free; for K-5 children and a caregiver. Click here to register.

Hikin' for Lichen with iNaturalist
2024-01-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Miniature but mighty, lichens, can be found in almost every habitat growing on any substrate. Come learn about these complex and colorful organisms and their important role in the ecosystem as an indicator species. Using the iNaturalist app and hand lenses, identify three lichen forms while hiking and looking for other winter critters. Dress for the weather! Ages 8 and up; $5/person and half-off for members.

Family Voyageur Curling
2024-01-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Donaldson Park, 7434 Humboldt Avenue South, Richfield, MN, 55423
Come down to Donaldson Park ice rink and experience Voyageur Curling, a fun new winter sport! It’s a simplified and adventurous version of curling. We use log pieces instead of stones, slide them across the ice like a curling stone, and score the game like bocce ball. A local voyageur curling expert will help coach families on how to play and how to have fun with this unique sport. Come on down for some family fun on the ice!
Register online a www.richfieldmn.gov/register, or just drop in at Donaldson Park.

Bark in the Park Winter Frolic
2024-01-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Roosevelt Dog Park, 7644 - 4th Avenue South, Richfield, MN, 55423
Come on out to Roosevelt Dog Park for a seasonal social for you and your furry friend! Warm winter refreshments available for you, and doggie appetizers for our four-legged friends. It’s the perfect time of the season to meet your neighbors and chit-chat, while the dogs get to know each other.

Family Dome Day
2024-01-26 09:30 - 11:30 | Holy Angels Academy Star Dome, 66th Street and Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Enjoy open play time at the indoor heated dome at the Academy of Holy Angels in the heart of Richfield! Open Dome time is for ALL ages. Our recreation team will bring a van full of equipment to play with, including parachutes, soccer balls, hula hoops, portable frisbee golf chains and frisbees, and bean bags and board. The warm dome will be the perfect space to get some exercise in the middle of the winter, with no need to bundle up! All youth under 14 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult. You will need to register individually as an individual participant, parent, or child online, OR pay in person at the door. (Registrations taken at the door must pay in cash and exact change is appreciated.) Let’s have some fun!

Snowshoe Hike
2024-01-27 12:30 - 14:00, 2024-02-04 14:30 - 16:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Enjoy the beauty of winter at Wood Lake while snowshoeing! Discover the history of this sport along with techniques and helpful tips. Afterward, warm up inside with hot chocolate next to a glowing fire! Wear warm winter boots; snowshoes provided. $10/person; half-off for members. All participants must register online at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org; walk-in registrations are allowed as space permits.

Look Out for Owls!
2024-01-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Owls live everywhere. These amazing animals have adapted to nearly every kind of habitage: rainforest, tundra, desert, prairie–even cities! But there’s more to the story: habitat loss threatens Minnesota’s owls. We will learn about the unique lives of owl,s what we can do to help them, then take a hike through the snowy woods…on the lookout for owls! Ages 8 and up; dress for a cold winter hike. All participants must register online at www.woodlakenaturecenter.org; walk-in registrations are allowed as space permits. $5 per person; half-off for members.

Live Music: Tailspin
2024-02-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Fred Babcock VFW Post 5555, 6715 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield, MN, 55423
Tailspin is a rock and country band doing fun songs ranging from classic to current hits. Join us at the VFW!

Cosmic Skating
2024-02-04 17:00 - 18:15 | Richfield Ice Arena
Richfield Ice Arena presents Cosmic Skating! Enjoy the music, concessions, and lights! Skating $6 per person; skate rental $4.

Live Music: Tom Hunter
2024-02-04 18:00 - 21:00 | Fred Babcock VFW Post 5555, 6715 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield, MN, 55423
Live music at the Richfield VFW!

Wood Lake Book Club
2024-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Join other adults to discuss The Necessity of Empty Places by Paul Gruchow, an evocative personal narrative that takes us to some of America’s least-traveled corners.
Refreshments provided; books are available at local libraries or may be available for loan through the nature center. $5/person; free for members. Online registration is preferred at woodlakenaturecenter.org.
