View of Hastings, MN image by HastingsNow.
Find holiday-assistance information, free school theater, Friday football and local dates worth planning around—including a wreath-workshop registration deadline today.
Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 10 a.m. Central
By the HastingsNow team
Weather + On This Date
Thursday brings cloudy skies, a high near 48°F and north-northwest winds of 10–15 mph; find the forecast and a little history in today’s Weather + On This Date. Thursday night stays mostly cloudy, with a low around 31°F.
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
November plans are starting to take shape in Hastings. This Thursday, November 5, brings a free school musical, a same-day workshop deadline and useful information for families arranging holiday assistance.
Looking a little further ahead, there’s Friday football, a Saturday holiday event and a new restaurant announcement downtown. Here are today’s ten updates, with links to help you take the next step.
Top 3 Today
1. Project Share holiday-assistance registration closes November 25
Hastings Family Service’s Project Share program is scheduling intake appointments for parents and legal guardians experiencing hardship who live within ISD 200. Registration closes at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 25.
Gift assistance serves children through high-school age; an 18-year-old must be enrolled in high school to qualify. Call 651-437-7134 to schedule an intake appointment and review the program’s eligibility information before registering. Holiday-meal assistance has separate eligibility requirements.
2. Free “Elf The Musical JR.” performances Thursday and Friday
Hastings Middle School’s Theater and Drama Program presents Elf The Musical JR. at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, in the Hastings Middle School Auditorium.
Admission is free, and donations are accepted to support the program. All student audience members must be accompanied by an adult. See the community announcement for the production information.
3. Raiders host Saint Thomas Academy Friday at 6 p.m.
The Hastings Raiders host Saint Thomas Academy at 6 p.m. Friday, November 6, at McNamara Stadium/Todd Field. Saint Thomas Academy’s official football schedule confirms the matchup, kickoff time and location.
For fans planning to attend, start with the Raiders’ game announcement for the team’s posted admission information. This is a ticketed game.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
Quick Hits
4. Coborn’s announces Saturday’s Taste of the Holidays
Coborn’s Hastings is inviting shoppers and families to Taste of the Holidays on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The store’s announcement lists food samples, carolers, children’s activities and a roaming Santa. Read the Hastings event invitation to plan your visit.
5. Joe’s Italian is coming to 100 Sibley
Tommy and Lacey Parmeter, owners of 100 Sibley. Image by HastingsNow.
The team at 100 Sibley has announced that Joe’s Italian is coming to its downtown Hastings property.
For residents following downtown dining, it’s a new restaurant name to know. The announcement does not give an opening date; read 100 Sibley’s introduction of its incoming restaurant for what the venue has shared.
6. Hastings Flower Co. schedules Jingle & Mingle for November 19
Vickie of Hastings Flower Co. with local author Diane Davies. Image by HastingsNow.
Hastings Flower Co. will host Jingle & Mingle on Thursday, November 19, from 4:30–7 p.m.
The shop’s public invitation advertises holiday shopping and 20% off storewide during the event. Find the details in the original Jingle & Mingle invitation.
7. Meggie’s shares November bakery-shopping plans
Meggie’s Sourdough Bakery has outlined its November routine: Wednesday appearances at My Current Obsessions Company from 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., or until sold out, Friday bakery-stand offerings on a first-come basis, and Saturday purchases by preorder only.
Friday stand operations remain weather-dependent. Use Meggie’s November schedule and ordering information to choose the shopping option that fits your week.
8. Adopt-an-Instrument helps Hastings band students
Hastings Band Boosters is seeking donations to maintain and repair school-owned instruments used by students in grades 5–12.
The Adopt-an-Instrument campaign gives community members a way to support access to those instruments. Visit the Band Boosters’ fundraising page to explore the campaign and contribute.
9. Spader Group offers a free business-numbers webinar November 19
Business owners and leaders can register for a free Zoom webinar with Shawndel Spader on Thursday, November 19, at 10 a.m. Central. Spader Group says the session will focus on using business financial information when planning growth.
To request registration information, follow the instructions in the original webinar announcement and comment “WEBINAR.”
10. Wreath-workshop registration closes Thursday at 5 p.m.
Jill of Impressive Windows & Interiors image by HastingsNow.
If you’re considering Impressive Windows & Interiors’ November 12 Fall Wreath Workshop, the business lists Thursday, November 5, at 5 p.m. as the registration deadline.
Advance registration is required, and the workshop needs at least eight registrants to proceed. Consult the original deadline announcement for the business’s registration instructions.
If You Only Click One
Start with Hastings Family Service’s Project Share eligibility and registration page, which explains who can receive help and how to arrange an intake appointment. It is a useful link to keep or share with a family facing a difficult holiday season.
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