Amy Sutton, executive director of Hastings Family Service (left), joins Coborn’s Hastings store director Sarah McClellan at the store’s Taste of the Holidays event. Sutton thanked Coborn’s for donating nearly 70,000 pounds of rescued food to Hastings Family Service last year and shared ways neighbors can support local families this holiday season. Photo by HastingsNow.com.
A free Sunday concert, the final day to drop off pumpkins and the Raiders’ next matchup lead ten updates for Hastings.
Sunday, November 8, 2026 · 10 a.m. Central · By the HastingsNow team
Weather + On This Date
Sunshine follows a chilly start, with a high near 54°F in Hastings and a partly cloudy night near 33°F. Late morning and early afternoon look like good windows for outdoor errands or a walk by the Mississippi. Browse Weather + On This Date.
On Sunday, November 8, two plans are worth sorting out early. There’s one more day to drop off your pumpkins, and the River Valley Band takes the stage at Hastings Middle School at 1 p.m.
Looking beyond Sunday, the Raiders have a state quarterfinal opponent, and there are two ways to help Hastings Family Service as the holidays approach.
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Top 3 today
1. Free Veterans Day concert Sunday at Hastings Middle School
The River Valley Band plays a free Veterans Day concert from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Sunday, November 8, in the Hastings Middle School auditorium. The concert is open to the public.
The VFW and American Legion also host a public Veterans Day dinner at Hastings Public House that evening. Dinner tickets are $20, and the social hour starts at 4 p.m. See the concert and dinner details.
2. Sunday is the final day for pumpkin drop-off
Hastings-area residents can bring pumpkins and gourds to the marked bins at the Dakota County Highway Shop, 900 County Road 47, on Sunday, November 8.
Before you load the car, remove candles and wax. Leave painted or glittered pumpkins out of the bins. Read the City of Hastings’ collection instructions.
3. Raiders draw Mankato West in the state football quarterfinals
Hastings is scheduled to face Mankato West on Saturday, November 14, in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. See the Raiders’ matchup announcement.
The Raiders earned their state spot with a 29–13 win over St. Thomas Academy on November 6. Read Hastings Community TV’s section-final report.
Quick hits
4. Spiral Yoga hosts an introductory Ayurveda workshop November 21
The Everyday Herbalist and Rivertown Yogi are offering an introductory workshop at Spiral Yoga in Hastings on Saturday, November 21, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The listed price is $30, and the session includes gentle movement and tea sampling. See the organizers’ workshop announcement.
5. Hastings Family Service needs winter gear for older children
If you have a winter coat, snow pants or waterproof mittens or gloves to spare, Hastings Family Service is seeking new or gently used gear for older elementary and middle school children. Read the winter-gear appeal.
Drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 301 Second Street East. See donation center hours and location.
6. Project Share donor sign-up opens Wednesday
Neighbors who want to provide holiday gifts through Hastings Family Service can sign up starting Wednesday, November 11. See how to adopt a family through Project Share.
Eligible parents and legal guardians living in ISD 200 can schedule a family intake appointment through 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 25. Check family eligibility and intake details.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
7. Community Christmas card writing at SEAS on Tuesday
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish invites neighbors to write Christmas cards for incarcerated people at 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, in the parish’s St. Clare Room in Hastings. The invitation is open to the public, including people outside the parish ministry group. Read the parish’s announcement.
8. Save November 28 for Holiday Hoopla downtown
Holiday Hoopla returns to downtown Hastings on Saturday, November 28, for Small Business Saturday. The Hastings Downtown Business Association lists the City Hall tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. See the organizer’s Holiday Hoopla schedule.
9. Fluegel’s birdseed sale wraps up Sunday
If your feeders are running low, Sunday, November 8, is the final scheduled day of Fluegel’s annual birdseed sale in Hastings. See Fluegel’s original sale reminder.
10. Eggnog is back at Hometown Dairy
Hometown Dairy announced that seasonal eggnog is back for a limited time at its Hastings shop, 1700 Vermillion Street. See Hometown Dairy’s eggnog announcement.
If you only click one
Sunday is the last day to drop off pumpkins and gourds. Before you head out, the city’s instructions show where the bins are and which pumpkins they accept. Open the City of Hastings’ collection instructions.
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