Saturday, December 5

Join us this year for a socially-distanced version of our annual community-wide Holiday celebration featuring a Santa fly-in, Toy Drop (get free gifts), holiday artisan market, Snowman building competition,  tree lighting, fireworks, drive-in movie, and more. Kick-off the day by shopping local and end it at the Regional Treatment Center with a drive-through lights display, fireworks and drive-in movie with the family!
Thank you to all who were involved in planning the Over the River Holiday Festival! We look forward to a safe and satisfying experience this year. So many local businesses and organizations are helping to turn Fergus Falls into a winter wonderland.

Schedule of Events

8:00 AM: Commercial-free Christmas Music on 97.7FM

9:00 AM: Santa Fly-In at Fergus Falls Airport

  • Fergus Falls Municipal Airport, 4005 MN-210, Fergus Falls
    Free Event - All are welcome! Park, watch & greet Santa from the fence line. Afterwards, head downtown for Santa's Toy Drop (See more information below the schedule)

10:00 AM:

  • Stores OPEN
  • Santa’s Toy Drop BEGINS
    • 10-11 am: ages 0-5
    • 1-2 pm: ages 6-12
    • 3-4 pm: ages 13-18
    • DOWNLOAD the Toy Drop map (PDF)

11:00 AM: Art & Artisan Market @ 216 W. Lincoln Ave

12:00 PM:

  • Holiday Art Table - Grab & Go Kits at Kaddatz Galleries
  • Snowman Competition - Grab & Go Kits at Wright Park (Sponsored by Kaddatz Galleries)
  • Hillcrest Worship Collective - AC4TA Marquee

2:00 PM: It’s A Wonderful Life Production (AC4TA) via radio

4:00-10:00 PM: Otter Cove Drive - Festival of Lights (Starting Wednesday, 4-10 PM)

5:30 PM

  • Holiday Storytelling
  • Mayor’s Speech
  • Invocation
  • Star-Spangled Banner

6:00 PM: Holiday Fireworks Display

6:30 PM: Drive-In Christmas Movie: "Elf"

Fireworks & Movie Details

5:30 PM

  • Holiday Storytelling
  • Santa (announce Snowman Competition winner)
  • Mayor’s Speech
  • Invocation
  • Star-Spangled Banner

6:00 PM: Holiday Fireworks Display

6:30 PM: Drive-In Christmas Movie: "Elf"

Schedule:

  • 10 am - 11 am: 0-5 years old
  • 12 pm -1 pm: 6-12 years old
  • 2 pm - 3pm: 13-18 years old

Instructions:

  1. Visit Downtown during the specific time frame per childs' age and locate ONE tagged candy cane.
  2. The tag will include the permitted age range, the time and will direct you to a store.
  3. Visit that store during their normal hours of operation on DECEMBER 5th ONLY and turn in the tag to select a gift.
    *No purchase necessary | No Returns/Exchanges | No Cash Value | ONE gift per child | Child must be present | Each gift valued between $25-$30

> DOWNLOAD Toy Drop map (PDF)

Participating Businesses

Santa's Toy Drop 2020 is sponsored by the Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council in partnership with the Over the River Holiday Festival.

Location: Kaddatz Galleries

  1. Pick up a snowman kit from our festive Grab 'N Go box outside of Kaddatz Galleries beginning at noon (December 5th) until supplies run out.
  2. Register when you pick up your kit so your snowman can be entered in the competition for a chance to win prizes.
  3. Craft your best snowman at home within 5 days of the next snowfall*, post a picture of your snowman on the Over the River Holiday Festival event page on Facebook and wait for the winners to be announced!
    *The 5 day time limit begins after we reach our first foot of accumulated snow.

Thank you to our local Fleet Farm store for sponsoring this event!

Location: Kaddatz Galleries

Craft your own Elf on a Shelf...on the go!
Kaddatz Galleries wants to help you get crafty this holiday season.

We've loaded grab bags with all the supplies you'll need to make your own Elf on a Shelf...or off of the shelf, or under the shelf or nowhere near a shelf. It's your elf, so you get to decide! Instructions and a video link will be included to help guide you through the project!

Pick up your grab 'n go holiday craft project outside Kaddatz Galleries in our festive Grab 'N Go box beginning at noon (December 5th) until supplies run out.

Platinum Sponsors

  • Anonymous Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Jeff Johnson (individual)

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

  • Rud Wasson

Collaborating Partners