Holiday shopping, seasonal eats and photos for the Christmas card can be checked off the to-do list this weekend on one of St. Paul’s historic shopping corridors.

The Grand Meander, a 20-block holiday festival along Grand Avenue, starts at 11 a.m. Saturday where visitors can shop local sales, take photos with Santa, enjoy carolers and ride the Trolley.

The annual event has something to offer even if you’re on a budget: Find free cake tasting at Nothing Bundt Cakes, free hot apple cider at mor (a new women’s boutique) and a free favor bag for kids from Emery’s Playhouse that includes a mini puzzle, crayons and an in-store coupon for parents.

Here’s a look at what else is on tap for Saturday.

Pit stops

Fire truck rides with the Winter Carnival Vulcans start at 10 a.m. at Emmett’s Public House and Saji-Ya, near the corner of Grand Avenue and St. Albans Street.

Moloney’s Irish Imports, an Irish gift shop that recently opened along the avenue, will host a bagpiping Santa until 1:45 p.m. Saturday.

Gourmet grocery store Golden Fig Fine Foods plans to roast Iowa-grown chestnuts in front of its storefront at 794 Grand Ave.

Local authors and illustrators including Karen Wirth, Sam Kalda, Eric Madsen, Mathew Zefeldt and Maren Daniels will be available to sign their books from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wet Paint, located at 1684 Grand Ave.

To find the full calendar of events, go to grandave.com/events/grandmeander.

Summit Avenue

Another part of the Grand Meander festivities, the 16th annual Summit Avenue Artisan Festival, starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.

More than 40 artisans are on tap for this year’s market including Good Graces Paper Co., InFlux Glass Arts, Off the Hook Fiber Arts and food vendors like Egg Roll Queen, Black Roots Sauces and Seasonings, Renee’s Cooking Oils and Stacy’s Homestead Honey.

Located at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at 900 Summit Ave., the free event draws more than 1,000 visitors a year.

“We love seeing the church filled with art, laughter and community energy each year,” said festival manager Jennifer Harris, in a news release. “This event brings people together to support local makers, celebrate the season and share in something joyful and uniquely St. Paul.”

To see a full list of events, go to www.spucconsummit.org/artisanfestival.

Related Articles

New women’s boutique opens on Grand Avenue

Holiday arts and entertainment: 15 fun family activities to light up the winter season

Former Irish on Grand employee buys building, opens new St. Paul store

‘Huge boom’ as driver crashes through wall of business on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue

Developer asks St. Paul for $3.5 million loan for housing, retail at Grand and Victoria