Here is what is going on this week in Minneapolis/St Paul, ending on December 14, 2025: • CPKC Holiday Train (Dec 9-14, 2025) • Your Smith at First Avenue (Dec 11, 2025) • Aimee Mann & Ted Leo at Fitzgerald Theater (Dec 14, 2025)

CPKC Holiday Train (Dec 9-14, 2025)

December 9-14, 2025
CPKC Holiday Train
feat. American Authors, Pynk Beard
at Various Stops
cpkcr.com

Like previous years, the annual CPKC Holiday Train will make various stops along their route… bringing live music with them.

This year’s performers includes: American Authors, Barenaked Ladies, Brittany Kennell, Dylan Marlowe, Emily Ann Roberts, Jade Eagleson, JJ Wilde, LANCO, Pynk Beard, Smash Mouth, Teigen Gayse, Tiera Kennedy, and Tyler Shaw.

Please refer to the full schedule to find locations and performing artists at cpkcr.com

If you’re in the Minneapolis area, it appears American Authors and Pynk Beard will be your performers.

Dec 09 19:00 – 19:30 Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Dec 09 20:15 – 20:45 Caledonia, Wisconsin
Dec 10 16:15 – 16:45 Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Dec 10 17:45 – 18:15 Hartland, Wisconsin
Dec 10 18:45 – 19:15 Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Dec 10 20:00 – 20:30 Watertown, Wisconsin
Dec 10 21:15 – 21:45 Watertown, Wisconsin
Dec 11 13:15 – 13:45 Columbus, Wisconsin
Dec 11 16:15 – 16:40 Mauston, Wisconsin
Dec 11 17:30 – 18:00 Tomah, Wisconsin
Dec 11 18:50 – 19:20 Sparta, Wisconsin
Dec 11 20:30 – 21:00 La Crosse, Wisconsin
Dec 11 14:15 – 14:45 La Crescent, Minnesota
Dec 12 15:45 – 16:15 Winona, Minnesota
Dec 12 17:45 – 18:15 Wabasha, Minnesota
Dec 12 19:15 – 19:45 Red Wing, Minnesota
Dec 12 20:45 – 21:15 Hastings, Minnesota
Dec 12 17:15 – 17:45 Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Dec 13 19:00 – 19:30 St. Paul/Union Depot, Minnesota
Dec 14 18:15 – 18:45 St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Dec 14 20:15 – 20:45 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Your Smith at First Avenue (Dec 11, 2025)

December 11, 2025 Thursday
Your Smith
with Beemer
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Caroline Smith, under her stagename Your Smith, will be headlining First Avenue, in Minneapolis, to promote her The Rub album. The album came out in September, via Nettwerk. She had a tour and a listening party at her Howard’s Bar in September.

Caroline Smith at First Avenue (Sep 27, 2013)

We’ve seen Caroline Smith a few times, but my personal favorite was in Sep 2013: “Then, earlier in June 2013 we had a preview of her R&B and soul music from Half About Being A Woman. As expected, the majority of her set is from the new record, Half About Being A Woman, including the intro song, “Magazine”, “All That I Know Is (I’m Your Baby)” and the title track. The new songs sounded great, particularly with the two dedicated backup singers who added a retro soul sound. I think if you like old 60s soul with some rhythm and blues, you’re going to find a lot to love on Half About Being A Woman (out October 8th on United Interests). Caroline Smith will be taking the full band and backup singers on the road this October, so check them out if they are coming to your town.”

Beemer to open.

Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show at
Fitzgerald Theater (Dec 14, 2025)

December 14, 2025 Sunday
The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show
with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman
at The Fitzgerald Theater
first-avenue.com

The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show will be taking place at the Fitzgerald Theater, in St Paul, on December 14, 2025. They have a jampack show, featuring a ton of guests: Paul F. Tompkins (comedian and actor from Seeso’s Bajillion Dollar Propertie$), Nellie McKay (singer/songwriter) and Josh Gondelman (writer and comedian from Desus & Mero).

The Both at Fine Line Music Café (May 10, 2014)

We’ve seen both Aimee Mann and Ted Leo separately, but the two were in a band called The Both, which we saw in May 2014 and described it as a 30% improv comedy show: “Seeing The Both at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis was like 70% music and 30% improv comedy. If you are not caught up, The Both is the latest musical project from Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, from ‘Til Tuesday and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, respectively.”

Tour Dates