Events in Winona, MN

DICK’S Sporting Goods is hosting a 20% off shopping event for Onalaska Parks & Recreation athletes, families, and community supporters at its La Crosse store. The discount applies to in-store purchases only, and some exclusions apply. If a product is not available in the store, ask a sales associate whether it can be ordered with the same 20% savings. To redeem the offer, present the event coupon at the register, either printed or displayed on a mobile device.

Explore the age-old art of willow basketry in a two day, hands-on workshop led by Zac Fittipaldi. Participants will make a small stake and strand hamper basket, beginning by twining the base, then setting vertical stakes and locking them with a three-stand twine before alternating French randing with three-stand twine up the sides and finishing with a 3-behind-1 border. Handles may be added at the end. Learn why willow has been valued for millennia, with roots tracing back to around 5000 BCE, and how this strong, flexible, and renewable material supports healthy wetland ecosystems by reducing erosion and fostering biodiversity. The class uses willow that is sustainably cultivated, harvested, and prepared in Sandstone, Minnesota. Tuition is $250, with a $240 rate for MMAM members, and there is a $100 materials fee paid to the instructor. Zac began his basketry journey with a year-long apprenticeship in 2008 and now runs a willow farm in southern Minnesota with about 20 basketry and ornamental varieties. He teaches with an emphasis on reconnecting people to earth-based skills and continues to practice techniques from around the world, focusing on traditional European willow and local northern black ash.

The 7th Annual Pumpkin Bash at Leading Edge Chiropractic returns as a free, community-wide celebration. Families can explore a trick-or-treat trail, bounce in inflatable play areas, and enjoy face painting, pumpkin themed games and crafts, and fresh popcorn. Look for mini fall family photo sessions and a variety of local food trucks. New highlights include a vendor fair featuring local small businesses with handmade goods, gifts, treats, and body care items, plus an LMNT Hydration Bar with samples of an electrolyte drink. Giveaways and surprises are planned throughout the event, and each child will receive a pumpkin while supplies last.

Enjoy a fish fry at the Post, then keep the momentum going with live music from Studebaker 7 that will have the place buzzing. Arrive hungry, raise a glass, and bring those bold dance moves. Expect tasty bites, energetic tunes, and a lively night from start to finish.

At Natty West, the biggest event of the year anchors the community’s fall season. This destination marketplace gathers a curated mix of brands for a full day of shopping, exploration, and autumn ambiance. Expect 70 vendors, a selection of food trucks, and the chance to see Natty West’s own alpaca herd.

A free, family-focused community festival offers a full slate of autumn activities. Highlights include trick-or-treating along Halfway Creek Trail Park, plenty of photo opportunities, and visits with farm animals. Kids can enjoy games and hands-on activities while music, entertainment, and food create a lively scene at the Community Center. A craft and art market runs alongside a bake sale, and a costumed pet parade adds to the fun. New this year, a Costume Family Walk Run on the Middle School Track is presented with family health resources, featuring awards for Best Costume Theme, Most Generations Represented, and Largest Group. In the lead-up to the celebration, take part in the Great Pumpkin Hunt to discover standout pumpkin displays throughout the Village of Holmen.

This Kids Club event at Hy-Vee features in-store trick-or-treating, festive fun and spooky surprises across the store. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes while collecting treats and enjoying activities throughout the aisles. It offers a simple way to add a bit of seasonal excitement to a regular shopping trip.

There are $4 and $5 taps until the kegs run dry. Live music comes from Freelance Valet, and food is available from the Monkey Business Grilled Cheese food truck serving Philippines cuisine.

Enjoy a free, public fall festival at First Lutheran Onalaska featuring trunk or treat, games, crafts, snacks, a photo booth, and face painting. Costumes are optional, so come as you are or dressed as someone or something else. The festivities will go on rain or shine.

The Don Harvey Duo performs at Onalaska American Legion Post 336 in Onalaska, WI, offering favorite songs reimagined. Acoustic rock and classic country come with a twist. This performance has been rescheduled.

At Kinstone, participants gather at The Three Witnesses sculpture to build a welcoming shrine and explore a deep relationship with the living world. The focus is on Nature and a return to what feels most genuine, inviting a slower, clearer way of listening and learning from the landscape. In this setting, the natural world is treated as a wise teacher that can help restore balance by guiding attention back to what is essential. Expect a space to step away from everyday noise, tune into subtle signs, and renew a sense of connection with all beings, both visible and invisible. This is a highly participatory ritual shaped by the people present. What unfolds arises from the voices in the circle and the relationships each person brings, with support from the elemental forces of Fire, Water, Earth, Nature, and Minerals. All are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Participants are encouraged to arrive with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from the Elements while offering care to one another. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. These community healing rituals at Kinstone are part of a monthly series that runs from June through October. The approach is informed by teachings carried forward from elders including Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Participation is donation based, plus a $10 entrance fee to Kinstone, and a scholarship fund is available for those who need support.

HD Tavern hosts live music from Nathan Crawford, performing solo acoustic. He studied at Musicians Technical Institute in Minneapolis, toured for two years as lead singer of a country cover band, and led the Minneapolis group Eagle River for 15 years. In 2015 he moved back to Southern Wisconsin to take over the family farm and now performs on his own. The music leans toward country covers, spans multiple genres, and includes original material he has been developing. His background includes weddings, birthdays, private parties, bars, and opening sets for national acts. There is no cover charge.

Enjoy $4 and $5 tap specials until the kegs are empty. Live music comes from Remix, and the Monkey Business Grilled Cheese food truck serves grilled cheese.

Get into the Halloween spirit with a Packers themed potluck that celebrates beloved family dishes and the memories behind them. Bring a recipe handed down through the years, share its story, and show off your green and gold pride. Check your dish with the bartender on arrival to receive a ticket for a prize drawing. It is a playful salute to time honored flavors that deserve to be back on the table.

This celebration honors staff, alumni, and friends of La Crescent-Hokah Schools whose contributions have made a lasting impact in the community and beyond. The District 300 Foundation recognizes honorees Chris Fortsch and the late Thomas Unangst, known as Mr. U. Hosted at the La Crescent Event Center, the evening includes a social hour followed by a welcome, dinner, and program. Tickets are $35 and include dinner.

Celebrate the newest ACOTAR installment with a cozy pajama-themed release gathering where preorders will be accepted. Enjoy fantasy-inspired music and a shared snack table, and participants are invited to bring something to contribute. Expect a relaxed atmosphere with quiet activities like reading, listening to an audiobook, or working on a puzzle.

Gain a clearer understanding of perimenopause in a welcoming program that normalizes this transition and works to reduce stigma. The focus is on embracing this stage with confidence and ease, shifting attention from disease and problem-centered care to preparation, empowerment, and anticipation for a meaningful new chapter. Participants will learn about a range of supportive options, from pharmaceuticals to natural lifestyle strategies and remedies, and will put together a personalized perimenopause survival kit to take home. The session is led by Molly Schlegel, a Certified Nurse Midwife with eight years of experience and eight previous years as an RN, whose work includes women’s health, PCOS and perimenopausal care, community education, and curriculum development. She has been part of the Semcac Clinic team for two years.

Get into the Halloween spirit at a festive costume party in Winona. Enjoy a potluck, a costume contest with awards for the top three outfits, and prize drawings throughout the evening. Admission is free. Potluck sign-up and additional details will be shared soon, so start planning a standout costume.

Ease into the weekend with laid-back jazz at Blooming Grounds. Meet up with friends and take a moment to relax. Enjoy a full menu along with beer and wine, coffee drinks, and a selection of desserts, and there is no cover charge.

An evening that begins with a fish fry and continues with Bear Creek performing live at the Post.

Heather leads a workshop focused on building downward facing dog.

Explore the art of gourd jewelry in a hands-on workshop led by local artist Rachel Pauli. Participants create lightweight, seasonal earrings with a spooky twist, or opt for a keychain if preferred, using Tennessee spinner gourds grown in Winona. The session introduces gourd fundamentals, painting techniques, drilling, and attaching jewelry findings, and everyone takes home finished pieces the same day. No prior experience is required. Ages 14+. Tuition is $55, with a $45 member rate for MMAM, and includes one coffee from MMAM’s Waterbar Cafe + Provisions. Rachel Pauli is a jewelry artist based in Southeast Minnesota who works with homegrown gourds. Drawing on the natural shapes and textures from her garden, she transforms dried gourds into colorful, ultra light accessories that combine striking style with everyday comfort. Her process emphasizes sustainable practices and highlights the character of natural materials shaped by hand.

Children are welcome to visit the shop for trick-or-treating and receive a free Pokemon Trick or Trade pack.

The monthly club meeting is held at Onalaska American Legion Post 336. The agenda starts with a brief business segment, then shifts to an evening program. Monthly programs are coordinated by Wayne, K0WLO. Amateur radio license exams are typically offered before most meetings, and pre-registration is required. For exam registration or program details, contact Wayne at Timberlane74@gmail.com.

Explore the deep history of southeast Minnesota by learning about the rocks found in the region and the types of fossils discovered there. Pick up tips for recognizing fossils, then use what you learn with set time for fossil identification practice. Greg Anderson works for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as the Assistant Cave Supervisor at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, and he has worked at the park for more than 20 years.

Explore sculptural form, Mexican folk art, and water centered storytelling in a two day cartonería workshop for adults that culminates in a hand built axolotl sculpture. While creating this iconic salamander, participants will consider its cultural, ecological, and symbolic meanings. Folk artist Gabriela Jiménez Marván leads the experience and teaches core cartonería techniques, a traditional Mexican paper sculpture method akin to papier mâché. The first day focuses on building an armature with repurposed materials and developing structure, proportion, and three dimensional form. The second day turns to surface building and finishing, bringing the piece to life with paint, color, and details inspired by the vibrant alebrije style. Stories about axolotls and alebrijes in Mexican history and contemporary culture are woven throughout. Everyone leaves with a finished axolotl and practical paper sculpture skills. Tuition is $150, with a $140 rate for MMAM members. Marván is based in Viroqua, Wisconsin and has spent more than a decade creating sculptures, murals, and illustrations, blending tradition with experimentation. Cartonería is central to her practice, with roots in Spain and a long history in Mexico. Her process may use wire armatures, reed frameworks, or clay molds to build layered paper forms, producing a surface that is typically smoother and stronger than standard papier mâché. The name comes from the Spanish word cartón, and today the craft is closely tied to Day of the Dead, when cartoneros create expressive Catrinas, skulls, and skeleton figures for public and cultural spaces. She is a recipient of a Midwest Culture Bearers Award through Arts Midwest.

This fundraiser and meat raffle benefits 22 students from the Arcadia School District who will learn about government through a close-up experience in and around Washington DC. Proceeds help cover each student's portion of the trip and airfare. The event includes games and opportunities to win prizes, and it will feature a prize drawing for the meat raffle. Tickets are available in advance for those who cannot attend.

Karaoke with Midnight Magic Mike features spirited singing, friendly company, and chilled drinks.

Enjoy an evening of karaoke hosted by Derek at Features Holmen, with food and drinks available to round out the experience.

Now in its second year, this chili cook-off happens alongside the Packer vs Patriots game. Enter as a contestant for $20, or take part as a guest judge for $5 to taste the entries and cast a vote. All entry fees are paid out to the top three vote-getters. Contestants provide a sample for tasting, guests sample and vote during the game, and winners are announced while the game is underway. A lucky chair game will be featured, and there will be a random prize drawing for attendees.

Celebrate a Packer-themed potluck chili cook-off where homemade recipes take center stage. Bring a pot of your best chili to share, then submit it to the bartender to enter for prizes. The best chili earns a prize, and the gathering pairs a lively Packer party with a community potluck and friendly competition. Arrive with an appetite and enjoy good food, football spirit, and a chance to win.

Create a festive stitchery in the Museum Makers Deck the Halls embroidery class at the Winona County History Center. The session offers step by step guidance to complete a seasonal design that can be finished as a keepsake ornament, and all materials are included. Capacity is limited, so register by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or by stopping in at the History Center.

Leslie Odom, Jr. appears at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota for a live program featuring a moderated question and answer session, followed by a brief vocal performance. Tickets are on sale. This event is sponsored by the Duran Family Speaker Series. Odom is a Tony and Grammy Award winner, a three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award nominee, and a New York Times bestselling author. He is widely recognized for his breakout turn as Aaron Burr in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Hamilton and has recently returned to the role on Broadway and in London’s West End. His theater work includes producing and performing in the acclaimed revival of Ossie Davis’s Purlie Victorious with Nicolette Robinson and Jeffrey Richards, a production that earned him a Tony nomination, received six total nominations with one win, and was captured for PBS’s Great Performances. On screen, audiences have seen him as Sam Cooke in Regina King’s One Night in Miami for Amazon, in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Many Saints of Newark, Apple TV+’s Central Park, Hamilton on Disney+, as host of The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! on CBS, Abbott Elementary, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, and Harriet. His writing includes Failing Up and the children’s book I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know, and his six album catalog includes the live release An Offering: Live at Speakeasy Studios.

Slip into a retro whodunit set in the 1950s at The ARC, Home of the Historic Masonic Theatre. A crime has shaken the scene and participants step into the role of detectives, interviewing suspects, separating truth from lies, and piecing together the culprit, the method, and the motive. Attend with friends as a team or go solo, with starter questions provided and plenty of room to follow your own hunches. Prizes await the sharpest investigators. 1950s outfits, private eye looks, and detective costumes are encouraged but not required. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available. This interactive experience also serves as a fundraiser. Tickets are available in advance for $30 and at the door for $40.

Fish Fry Friday gets a boost as Hillbilly Fever brings live music to the Post. Enjoy a fish dinner with a cold drink, then stay for an evening of lively tunes.

Explore doTERRA wellness at Living Simply Well through an introductory session on essential oils and how they may support both physical and mental well-being. Learn what they are, ways to weave them into daily routines, and practical tips for getting started. Open to all, whether new to essential oils or curious to learn more.

This event honors the 50th anniversary of World Maikido’s founding in Malaysia with an awards banquet at the Winona Athletic Club. The celebration continues with live music and a Burger Night afterward.

Patina performs a program from the Celtic repertoire, featuring Irish traditional music, at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

A Thanksgiving-themed Welcoming Table offers an evening of food, friendship, and culture. Everyone is welcome to take part in this community gathering, and reservations are requested to ensure seating.

At Onalaska Public Library, Troy Buddenhagen presents a talk about Wisconsin’s 32nd Division, the Red Arrow, with a focus on the men who served in the unit.

The City of Onalaska hosts its yearly tree lighting at Dash-Park in Onalaska, Wisconsin, marking the beginning of the holiday season. This community tradition centers on illuminating the tree and welcoming the festive spirit to the park.

Explore the centuries-old Polish folk art of pająki, colorful mobiles crafted from straw and paper, in a two-day workshop led by artist and community song leader Britt Malec. Traditionally made in late autumn for the Christmas season, these vibrant creations feature bold colors and intricate paper pompoms, and they have long been hung to brighten rooms, offer protection, and bring blessings. On the first day, participants learn about the history and cultural background, choose materials, and practice the basics of making paper pompoms. The second day introduces more advanced pompom styles along with additional embellishments such as paper flowers, dried peas, and various garlands. Everyone leaves with a completed pająk and the confidence to source materials and continue creating at home. Good fine motor coordination is helpful, as activities include threading needles, folding small pieces of paper, and tying numerous small knots. Tuition is $200, MMAM members pay $190, and there is a $15 materials fee. Britt Malec is a visual artist and community song leader from Grand Marais, Minnesota. Her practice draws on Slavic and Nordic folk art, botanical illustration, and ethnobotany, shaped in part by time spent in her grandmother’s garden, and centers on connecting people with place, craft, and one another.

Celebrate National Jukebox Day with a pre-Thanksgiving Blackout Wednesday party filled with music, games, and giveaways. Enjoy a buy one, get one offer on the TouchTunes jukebox, complimentary snacks, and the return of game night after last year’s fun. Drink specials include 50 cents off Dr drinks and more. Sharing the invite with ten friends enters participants into a drawing for a $50 bar tab.

After Thanksgiving, give yourself a break from cooking with a meal at the Legion, then stick around to dance.

Small Business Saturday brings together 40 local vendors offering handmade creations. Browse distinctive one-off pieces and get a head start on your list.

Explore the art of cut paper lanterns in a hands-on workshop led by artist Sonja Peterson, an exhibiting artist with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Participants will learn her narrative approach to image-making while practicing essential papercutting methods. Each attendee will design and assemble a delicate, translucent lantern that layers imagery and light to create a glowing, story-filled piece. Tuition is $175, with a $165 rate available for MMAM members. Peterson is known for transforming sheets of paper into intricate, large-scale compositions that use negative space to map ecological and geopolitical dynamics, including the spread of invasive species. Subtle color and shadow add depth while unexpected connections prompt close looking and thoughtful inquiry. She presented the solo exhibition What the Trade Winds Brought at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in 2022, and her work Empire Builder from that series is part of the museum’s permanent collection, currently on view in Fluid. Her practice reflects on how accelerated global movement has carried organisms across oceans and borders, disrupting ecosystems that once evolved apart, and it invites consideration of how people might respond to restore balance in an increasingly interwoven natural world.

Winter On Ice Spectacular brings an enchanting ice show to the City of Onalaska Omni Center, featuring area skaters and plenty of seasonal spirit. Presented by Tri-State Toe Picks Figure Skating Club, Coulee Learn to Skate USA, and the City of Onalaska, this celebration highlights figure skating and the holidays throughout the Coulee Region.

Add a touch of seasonal cheer while discovering some of Winona’s notable homes, taking in their architecture and learning about the stories of former residents. Each year also features a local church, with opportunities to appreciate its stained glass, architectural character, and history. The lineup of tour locations will be announced in the fall.

Local businesses and organizations light up the community in this annual parade. The procession begins and ends at Onalaska City Hall, traveling along 6th Ave N and onto Quincy.

A free community gathering centered on natural wellness and practical ways to care for the body’s physical and emotional needs. Participants can enjoy an essential oil snack and a make and take. All are welcome.