1. Train show and swap

The annual train show is full steam ahead this weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Northbridge Mall. Participants can expect to look around or to participate in parts swaps. There is also a chance to compete in an open model contest; anything railroad-related is fair game.

2. American Legion children’s Christmas party

For the fifth year, children and guardians are welcome to join the party at the Albert Lea American Legion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Hot dogs, chips, cookies and ice cream will be served for the first hour, and Santa will come for pictures at 12:30 p.m. There will also be games with prizes and a grand prize drawing at the end of the party, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

3. Father/daughter Razzle-Dazzle

Girls ages preschool through fifth grade have a chance to get fancy Sunday evening for a formal dance at the UPDS studio. Girls and an adult male relative or other significant male role model can expect a photo, Santa Claus, lights, dancing, prizes and punch and cookies. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

4. Drive-through live Nativity

Both Friday and Saturday night, New Life Christian Church will host its annual drive-through live Nativity, and in addition to a cow, there will be a camel, donkey and sheep. The drive-through includes nine scenes and runs from 7 to 9 p.m. If the weather is bad, the live nativity will be canceled.

5. Monroe Crossing

Experience Christmas bluegrass style. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Monroe Crossing will take the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center stage to perform their Bluegrass Christmas show.

The performance includes a blend of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel, and also throws some originals into the mix.

The quintet has been inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.