Bemidji Recreation Hosts Two Family Holiday Events at Carnegie Library
The Bemidji Recreation Department will host an ugly sweater party on Saturday Dec. 13 and a Parent's Night Out youth event on Wednesday Dec. 18 at the Historic Carnegie Library. These low cost programs aim to connect families with local arts partners, support downtown activity, and provide affordable evening options for caregivers.
The Bemidji Recreation Department is offering two festive family events this December at the Historic Carnegie Library, 426 Bemidji Ave. From 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 13 families are invited to an ugly sweater party that will include access to a new gallery, craft activities, cookies and an ugly sweater contest with prizes. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 18 youth ages 5 to 12 can take part in Parent's Night Out Camping at the Carnegie, a cozy indoor camping experience with campfire style games, crafts, stories and snacks.
Both events carry modest participant fees designed to remain accessible. The ugly sweater party is $15 per family and pre registration is encouraged though walk ins will be welcome. Parent's Night Out is $20 per participant. Space for both events is limited and registration is available online at ci.bemidji.mn.us/parksandrecreation. For more information call (218) 333 1857.
The programs are produced in partnership with Loon Country Arts and the Bemidji Downtown Alliance. For the local arts community the gallery access and craft activities offer direct exposure to residents at a municipal venue. For downtown merchants and the broader local economy small ticket cultural events can extend evening foot traffic and deepen connections between civic space and commercial streetscape.
From a municipal policy perspective these offerings illustrate how city recreation departments leverage partnerships to stretch limited budgets while maintaining community services. Low cost family programming helps fill the gap between free public events and higher cost private childcare options, providing brief staffed care windows that allow parents and caregivers time for errands or evening obligations. Over time sustained programming of this type supports downtown activation and strengthens the customer base for local arts groups.
Residents who plan to attend should register soon due to limited capacity. The events provide seasonal programming that combines affordable recreation, arts engagement and practical childcare support for Bemidji families.
