02/12/2025
JoeTown WinterWalk Festival is on Friday, Dec. 5th from 4-8PM.
This year introduces several exciting new elements - including a concert from the Great River Chorale as one of eight live music performances.
𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• Big Rigs with Brenny Transportation – Kids and families can climb into a real semi-truck and explore the inside of a Brenny Transportation big rig—an annual favorite that brings wide eyes and big smiles.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus Visit – Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in a festive outdoor setting. Families are welcome to take photos and share holiday wishes.
• Letters to Santa – If kids don’t get to tell Santa everything in person, they can drop a letter into the magical North Pole mailbox at W | R Home Company.
• Luminary Walk in Downtown St. Joseph – The heart of WinterWalk glows with a walkway of candlelit luminaries, creating a peaceful and enchanting winter stroll.
• Kids’ Crafts with Magnifi Financial – Children are invited to Heritage Hall at the Church of Saint Joseph to create a seasonal craft to take home—free and fun for families.
•A Full Evening of Live Music Performances
♩♪♫LIVE MUSIC♫♪♩
This year’s WinterWalk boasts at least eight musical performances across multiple venues, offering everything from holiday jazz to a ca****la choral works.
• Krewe Restaurant – Happy Lance Brunious, New Orleans jazz performer (6–9 p.m.)
• Obbink Distilling – Leslie Vincent, a Minneapolis-based jazz singer (4-6 p.m.) and Tony-Ray Thompson, blending traditional Southern rock with classic country (6–9 p.m.)
• Jupiter Moon Ice Cream – Aksel Krafnick, acoustic guitarist and singer (5–8 p.m.)
• Bad Habit Brewing Co. – Groovy Shoes, a lively guitar-and-sax duo (6–9 p.m.)
• Church of Saint Joseph – Heritage Hall – Local Harp Ensemble performing at 5:30 p.m. (and again at 7 p.m. at Whitby Gallery at Art & Heritage Place, Saint Benedict’s Monastery)
• Church of Saint Joseph – Church Sanctuary (NEW THIS YEAR!) – Great River Chorale presents On This Silent Night at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $18 adults / $5 youth at greatriverchorale.org*
• Saint John’s Prep Chamber Choir – Traveling carolers from Saint John’s Preparatory School under the direction of Jeff Engholm will perform at various venues from 5–7 p.m.
𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲
• At 7 p.m. on the Church of Saint Joseph Lawn, the community comes together for a countdown and the lighting of the town Christmas tree—a beloved WinterWalk tradition. Carolers from Saint John’s Preparatory School under the direction of Jeff Engholm will lead the crowd in singing “O Christmas Tree.”
• Two childhood friends who now lead their own businesses – Joyce Brenny of Brenny Transportation and Michelle Carlson of Wildwood Ranch – have partnered together on this year’s Christmas tree – a 30-foot white spruce.
• The tree, carefully selected by Michelle’s son, Ben Carlson, will be transported by Joyce’s trucking company to St. Joseph where it will be displayed near the Church of Saint Joseph.
𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
This year’s JoeTown WinterWalk Festival features a diverse mix of seasonal treats, local vendors, and community activities:
• Free Hot Cocoa (while supplies last), plus Egg Nog and Spiced Hot Chocolate for purchase from Obbink Distilling
• Holiday Sausage Sampling at St. Joe Meat Market (4–6 p.m.)
• Hot Apple Cider, wellness samples, and local vendor marketplace* and Salt Room Experience (NEW THIS YEAR!) at St. Joseph Health + Wellness
• Specialty WinterWalk Ale* at Bad Habit Brewing Co.
• Parish Craft Sale and Hot Turkey Meal* at Church of Saint Joseph Heritage Hall
• “Obbink After Party”* with live music from 8–10 p.m. at Obbink Distilling
Most activities throughout the festival are free; asterisks (*) denote items for purchase.
The 2025 JoeTown WinterWalk Festival is made possible by the support of local businesses, volunteers, and community partners who bring warmth, music, and joy to downtown St. Joseph each holiday season.
For more information, follow JoeTown WinterWalk Festival on Facebook and Instagram at , email joetownwinterwalkfestival@gmail.com, or call (320) 348-0752.
