From The Editor: We Made a List and We Checked It Twice

It’s almost that time of year. Our annual two weeks of perfect, mid-60s-and-sunny fall weather have given way to highs barely cracking 40. Winter coats are being dug out of the backs of closets. Google searches for “Mariah Carey” have begun their annual spike. The season’s first snow seems like it could be hiding in every cloud in the sky. 

It’s the holidays! And for all the joy they can bring, it’s not always the easiest time of year. It’s my sincere hope that, no matter what challenges they may have to overcome on their way, the love, peace and cheer that make the season what it is reach you. 

In this issue, we have a sleigh-ful of options to help make that happen. Our annual Holiday Entertainment & Markets list has enough stops on it that the big man in red might even struggle to get to them all. There are options for everyone: holiday markets, comedy, concerts of all kinds, drag shows, movie nights, plays and running races (or, if you’d like to replace much of the distance with contributions to a good cause, The Aliveness Project’s Red Undie Run).

Of those many options, we’ve chosen to highlight two with feature articles in this issue: Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus’ holiday concert and the Queer Voices Market at Open Book. We also have features on Intrigue Chocolate Co. and miniature-building maestro Jeff Junkins. I know your calendar is already full of holiday events thanks to our handy list, but I promise, it’s well worth it to make time to read these stories, too. 

If, somehow, all that isn’t enough for you, or if you’re the neighborhood Grinch, we had room for some non-holiday articles in this issue, too. The jocks among you might be interested in our preview of the Minnesota Frost’s 2025-2026 season, the nerds might want to check out Linda Raines’ preview of the Fables & Flames Romantasy Gala, and since we’re not in a cheesy ‘80s movie, many of you might be down for both!

As I finish writing this column, it almost feels like I’m handing in my last piece of homework before winter break — once it’s submitted and I am unburdened, I’ll be able to really get into the spirit of the holidays. If you’re not into the holiday spirit yourself yet, I don’t mean to rush you, but you might want to hurry up. Remember, once this is over, winter is all downhill from here!