Whether it’s an old classic (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “A Christmas Carol”) or a more contemporary production (“Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical,” “Scrooge in Rouge”), Twin Cities theaters have plenty of options for seasonal stage productions (although a few aren’t about the holidays). Here’s a look at what’s on tap this year.

‘Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical’

Now playing: When St. Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington is tasked with designing an ice palace for the Winter Carnival, he and his wife, Viola, get much more than they bargain for when the magic of the carnival enters their lives. Keith Hovis and Rachel Teagle wrote this new musical, which explores “the strange and wonderful world of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the resilience, imagination and heart that make Minnesota such a wonderful place, especially in the snow.” Through Dec. 21; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $78-$30; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

‘R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium’

Now playing: Based on the popular spooky book series, this musical tells the story of Brooke and her best friend Zeke, who land the leads in their middle school’s new musical. They’re thrilled, until strange things start happening around the theater. Whispers of an old legend resurface, warning that the play might be cursed. Through Dec. 14; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $65-$15; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘White Christmas’

The cast of “White Christmas,” which runs through Feb. 7, 2026, at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. (Dan Norman / Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)

Now playing: Irving Berlin wrote the song “White Christmas” for the 1942 musical film “Holiday Inn” and, at the time, told his secretary that “not only is it the best song I ever wrote, it’s the best song anybody ever wrote.” Not only was it a massive hit — Bing Crosby’s version sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide — it forever changed Christmas music. Berlin later approached Paramount with the offer to write songs to accompany a new movie built around “White Christmas,” which became the highest-grossing film of 1954. The stage version did big business for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres last year, so the company brought it back for an encore. Through Feb. 7; Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen; $131-$98; 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’

“A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater. (Dan Norman)

Now playing: The Guthrie first produced an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in 1975 in an attempt to fill some empty December seats. It worked and it’s now a long-established tradition, with this year marking the 51st production. The company is once again staging a new adaptation by the late Lavina Jadhwani from 2021 that includes a new set, costumes and tunes. Through Dec. 28; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $148-$19; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

Now playing: Children’s Theatre Company is presenting its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ seasonal story for the 13th time, having originally commissioned and premiered it in 1994. In Rob Hubbard’s review for the Pioneer Press, he wrote that “it seems the 13th time’s the charm for its musical adaptation of Seuss’ book. For this is indeed the most charming version of the story it’s yet presented.” Through Jan. 4; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $114-$35; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

‘The Phantom of the Opera’

“Prima Donna,” from left, Melo Ludwig, Christopher Bozeka, William Thomas Evans, Midori Marsh, Daniel Lopez, Carrington Vilmont and Lisa Vromanin from the North American touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s gothic horror novel, which runs at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through Dec. 7, 2025. (Evan Zimmerman / MurphyMade)

Now playing: Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” returns to the road in “a revitalized production of this romantic and haunting tale about a disfigured musical genius known only as the Phantom who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House.” The longest-running show in Broadway history closed in 2023 after 13,981 performances. Through Dec. 7; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $213.90-$58.45; hennepinarts.org.

‘My Fair Lady’

Now playing: One of the most-loved musicals of all time, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” follows Professor Henry Higgins as he takes on the ambitious task of molding flower seller Eliza Doolittle into his vision of refinement. Songs from the show include “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.” Through Dec. 28; Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis: $92.75-$21.75; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.

‘Annie’

Now playing: Based on the comic strip that debuted in 1924, the original Broadway production of “Annie” featured a young Sarah Jessica Parker, ran for nearly six years and won seven Tony Awards, including best musical and original score. It has since lived on through various revivals, tours and regional productions thanks to such memorable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Tomorrow” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Through Dec. 14; Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake; $43-$23; 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org.

‘Scrooge in Rouge’

Now playing: Open Eye Theatre’s latest nontraditional holiday production is a quick-change, cross-dressing musical riff on the perennial holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Parents should be aware of the show’s double entendres with sexual innuendo that are in the spirit of British humorists Monty Python and Benny Hill, according to the theater. Through Dec. 28; Open Eye Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Mpls.; $35.20; 612-874-6338 or openeyetheatre.org.

‘Black Nativity’

Soloist Greta Oglesby in Penumbra Theatre”s 2022 production of “Black Nativity.”

Opens Dec. 2: First staged at Penumbra in 1987, “Black Nativity” features gospel numbers brought to life under the musical direction of Sanford Moore. In a Pioneer Press review of last year’s production, Hubbard wrote that “you might enter Penumbra’s little theater in the Rondo neighborhood thinking you’re going to a show, but it doesn’t take long to realize that you are in church.” Through Dec. 24; 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $45-$10; 651-288-6786 or penumbratheatre.org.

‘Miss Richfield 1981: There’s a Pill for the Holidays!’

Opens Dec. 5: Illusion Theater is once again presenting an evening with Miss Richfield 1981, who hails from the town “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.” The drag-queen alter ego of Russ King, Miss Richfield 1981 was called “the must-see act in Provincetown” by the New York Post, with the Pioneer Press raving that “in these divided times, Miss R. is tonic — and gin — for the soul.” Expect, among many other things, to hear Christmas carols played on a cross-cut saw. Through Dec. 21; Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis; $77-$49.50; 612-382-6406 or illusiontheater.org.

‘Dinner for One’

Opens Dec. 6: Inspired by an iconic slapstick comedy sketch and New Year’s Eve tradition in Europe for more than 60 years, “Dinner for One” follows a butler as he attempts to help his employer celebrate her annual dinner party. Many mishaps follow. Through Jan. 4; Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.; $95-$15; 612-822-7063 or jungletheater.org.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Opens Dec. 9: This sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice is loosely based on the Gospel accounts of the Passion. When the composers couldn’t secure the funding to produce the show, they released the score as an album that quickly became a best seller and led to the musical’s Broadway debut in 1971. It has remained a popular show for touring casts and regional theaters seeking to take a fresh look at the classic. Through Dec. 28; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $161.50-$46.50; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.

‘The Wiz’

Opens Dec. 16: This new take on “The Wiz” launched with a 2023 tour followed by a limited engagement on Broadway in spring 2024. The show reimagines the classic novel with an all-Black cast and music that blends soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk. Comic and writer Amber Ruffin updated the show, just as she did for “Some Like it Hot,” which visited Minneapolis in 2024. Through Dec. 21; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $203.90-$70.45; hennepinarts.org.

The holidays are about tradition, and holiday concerts are a big draw for those looking to celebrate. This season’s concert calendar is filled with familiar locals (Lorie Line, the New Standards) and touring favorites (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller) eager to provide a little jingle bell swing for fans. Here’s a look at what’s on tap.

Crooners Supper Club

Crooners in Fridley devotes the bulk of December to dozens of holiday-themed shows. Highlights include the Big Christmas Singalong with Jay Fuchs and Doug Anderson (4 p.m. Dec. 7; $49.05-$37.89), Monroe Crossing: A Bluegrass Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10; $49.05-$37.89), Jingle Jam with Boom Island String Quartet (6:30 p.m. Dec. 9; $43.47-$32.31); Pat Donohue’s Christmas Guitar Summit with P.K. Mayo and Tim Sparks (6:30 p.m. Dec. 15; $49.05-$37.89); and the Annual Holiday Singalong with Dan Chouinard (6 p.m. Dec. 23; $43.47-$32.31). For the full lineup, see croonersmn.com. Crooner’s Lounge and Supper Club, 6161 Highway 65 N.E., Fridley; 763-571-9020.

The Dakota

George Maurer Group Annual Holiday Show (7 p.m. Dec. 1; $34.90-$24.90); Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole and the Laurels String Quartet (7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 2; $45.90-$29.90); Nicholas David: St. Nick’s Show (8 p.m. Dec. 3; $40.90-$34.90); the Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah (7 p.m. Dec. 6; $56.90-$45.90); Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans (7 p.m. Dec. 7; $40.90-$24.90); Travis Anderson Trio’s Charlie Brown Christmas (7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 9; $29.90-$18.90); Mark O’Connor’s Appalachian Christmas (7 p.m. Dec. 10; $83.90-$67.90); Karrin Allyson: Wintry Mix (7 p.m. Dec. 11; $50.90-$45.90); the Peterson Family: Twas the Jam Before Christmas (7 p.m. Dec. 14-15; $45.90-$34.90); Merry Christmas from Jose James (7 p.m. Dec. 16-17; $61.90-$45.90); Riders in the Sky: Christmas the Cowboy Way (7 p.m. Dec. 18; $61.90-$50.90); Preservation Hall Jazz Band: A Creole Christmas (7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 19, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20; $100.90-$72.90); A Swingin’ Christmas with the Andrew Walesch Big Band (5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Dec. 23; $50.90-$34.90); Spending Christmas with Alicia Witt (7 p.m. Dec. 22; $50.90-$40.90). Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; dakotacooks.com.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Tickets for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ concerts are $77.30 (dinner and show) and $53.35 (show only). Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular (7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-6 and 8, 1 p.m. Dec. 3 and 6, 7 p.m. Dec. 7); A Piano Man Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11); A Kat Perkins Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 1 p.m. Dec. 13); the Simple Feeling of Christmas (2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14); Celtic Holiday Hooley (7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-19, 1 p.m. Dec. 19); Christmas with a Whole Lotta Soul (1 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20); Christmas on the Prairie (2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-23); A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (1 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26); An Andy and Bing Christmas (1 p.m. Dec. 27, 7 p.m. Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 and 29-30). Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen; 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com.

Ames Center

Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler (7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5; $104.95-$89.55); Dakota Valley Symphony and Chorus: Handel’s Messiah (2 p.m. Dec. 7; $42.10); Tonic Sol-fa: Wrap it Up, the Final Holiday Tour (7 p.m. Dec. 15; sold out); Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular (7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; $55.40); Christmas with Elvis (7:30 p.m. Dec. 17; $92.65-$54.70); A Magical Medora Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 18; $51.25); Who Brought the Humbug (7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20, 2 p.m. Dec. 20; $53.35-$48.20); An Andy and Bing Christmas (2 p.m. Dec. 21; $65.15-$57.95); A Carpenters Christmas (8 p.m. Dec. 23; $60.85-$50.55). Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville; 952-895-4685 or ames-center.com.

The New Standards

The New Standards (Courtesy photo)

Dec. 5-6: The Suburbs’ Chan Poling and his jazz trio the New Standards present their annual holiday show. Expect jazzy takes on holiday classics, special high-wattage surprise guests and plenty of friendly banter from the chatty group, which also features John Munson of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic on bass and Steve Roehm of Electropolis on vibraphone. 8 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 4 p.m. Dec. 6; State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $164.70-$45.15; hennepinarts.org.

Trailer Trash

Dec. 6, 12-13, 19-20: Minnesota’s own honky tonk masters Trailer Trash are spending December airing their popular Trashy Little Xmas Show in venues across the Twin Cities. 8 p.m. Dec. 6, Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls., $40-$38.07, theparkwaytheater.com; 8 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls., $35.88, thehookmpls.com; 8 p.m. Dec. 19-20, Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul, $45.78, first-avenue.com.

Lorie Line

Pianist Lorie Line is back for another holiday extravaganza. (Courtesy photo)

Dec. 6, 20: Pianist Lorie Line celebrates Christmas like no one else, with her 36th annual holiday tour offering 34 shows in seven states. Line, who famously got her start playing in Dayton’s, is selling a new hand-cut wooden ornament at her concerts. She’s also offering a virtual concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 (tickets via lorieline.com). Line’s Twin Cities performances are in Burnsville (3 p.m. Dec. 6; Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave.; $81.35; 952-895-4685 or ames-center.com) and Plymouth (3 p.m. Dec. 20; Providence Academy Performing Arts Center, 15100 Schmidt Lake Road; $65; 952-474-1000).

The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show

Dec. 8: For eight years now, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” vets Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme have staged an original Christmas show for ever-growing audiences. This year’s program was written by the pair and directed by BenDeLaCreme and promises “another year of over-the-top camp spectacle, side-splitting gags, brand new songs, heartfelt storytelling, thrilling dance numbers and iconic costumes.” 7 p.m.; Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $342.95; hennepinarts.org.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Dec. 9: The seven-man Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was one of the handful of neo-swing bands to land record deals in the anything-goes ’90s. They played themselves in the 1996 film “Swingers,” which led to an offer from Capitol Records. The swing boom faded quickly, but these guys have continued to tour and record, with a specialty in Christmas music. 7:30 p.m.; Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $70.45-$58.45; hennepinarts.org.

The Blenders

The Blenders: Allan Rust, Tim Kasper, Darren Rust and Ryan Lance. (Courtesy of the band)

Dec. 8-10: Vocal group the Blenders have spent decades celebrating the holidays by hitting the road in December. The group has released a handful of best-selling Christmas albums over the years, including their latest “Christmas with the Blenders: Live Studio Sessions.” In addition to showcasing their four-part a cappella harmonies and goofy sense of humor, the guys will perform some songs backed by a live band. This season will be their final holiday shows as they’re stepping down from touring. But the foursome says they’re not breaking up, and new music is a possibility in the future. 8 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14; Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $82.35-$69.45; hennepinarts.org.

Mannheim Steamroller

Dec. 14: Chip Davis was just another working songwriter — the Ohio native penned the 1975 novelty hit “Convoy” — when he started making classical albums using synthesizers instead of an orchestra. The concept took off and, in 1984, Davis struck gold with the 6-million seller “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.” He took the music on the road and has continued to do so each December. 3 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $100.60-$75.60; hennepinarts.org.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dec. 28: Founded in 1996 by producer/composer/lyricist Paul O’Neill, Trans-Siberian Orchestra quickly became known for the group’s holiday shows, which feature seasonally themed music performed with the pomp and circumstance (and lasers) of arena rock. O’Neill died in April 2017 from an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications to treat several chronic illnesses. Three months later, bassist David Z died in a car accident while on tour with Adrenaline Mob. But the surviving members of TSO — which hits the road each year with two separate touring groups — has soldiered on in honor of O’Neill. 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Target Center, 600 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $176.90-$55.02; targetcenter.com.

St. Paul history and the fantastical world of King Boreas blend in the History Theatre’s new holiday show, “Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical.”

The original musical tells the story of St. Paul’s first Black municipal architect and the man behind the Highland Park Water Tower, Clarence “Cap” Wigington and his wife, Viola. The pair enter the magical legend behind the St. Paul Winter Carnival, for which Wigington was tasked with designing the celebration’s ice palaces.

Clarence “Cap” Wigington, photographed at the St. Paul City Architect’s office in 1940. Wigington was the first black person to serve as a municipal architect in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

The carnival originally opened in 1886, and the Legend of Boreas Rex was written in 1937 by St. Paul businessman Frank Madden, to explain the magic of the event. It’s the story of King Boreas, Queen Aurora and the forces of winter and spring, as they battle for the season and the people of St. Paul.

Theirs is the fantastical world that the Wigingtons enter, in a Minnesotan “Wizard of Oz” story.

“I felt it would be wrong to tell the story as just a straightforward retelling of the founding in 1886,” said Keith Hovis, who wrote the show’s music. “The myth of King Boreas in the festival is so fun and weird and whimsical that the show should be fun and weird and whimsical too.”

Collaboration is at the heart of the production, as Hovis worked on the lyrics in partnership with book writer Rachel Teagle. Hovis wrote the musical elements of the show, while Teagle wrote spoken elements and also implemented feedback from the cast during rehearsals.

REVIEW: History Theatre’s Winter Carnival musical is tuneful but scattershot

“It’s been a long, ongoing process full of communication,” Teagle said. “Lots of meetings at Gingko’s for coffee in St. Paul.”

Despite his notable contributions to the St. Paul city skyline — he served as lead architect on more than 90 city projects, including schools, fire stations and park buildings — Wigington has become a relatively unknown figure in Minnesota history.

“I think it’s highly important and impactful for these stories to be told,” said actor Roland Hawkins II. “We’re all taught the same four or five civil rights leaders, and that’s pretty much all the contributions, especially African American or most minorities, know about what they gave to the greater society.”

Growing up in Roseville, Hawkins said he was unfamiliar with the story of Wigington. After pursuing the musical arts for a majority of his life, Hawkins found community in his time at the Des Moines Metro Opera, which featured a cast of predominantly Black opera singers.

“That’s something that living in the Midwest, I never get to see,” Hawkins said.

Now, Hawkins is portraying Wigington in the musical and is happy to bring his story to back to life.

“Knowing that there’s something that people use every day, something that isn’t ephemeral, like civil rights, but very tactile, like the Highland Park Water Tower or the Harriet Island Pavilion; things that people use, like schools, to help minds grow and cultivate. These are things that we have given to the community,” Hawkins said.

Outside of his architectural work, Wigington worked diligently to support and uplift St. Paul’s Black community.

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According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Wigington co-founded the Sterling Club, the United States’ oldest African American men’s club, and created the Home Guards of Minnesota in 1917, an all-Black militia formed after the Minnesota National Guard denied him entry during World War I due to segregation.

He was given the nickname “Cap,” after obtaining the rank of captain in the Home Guards.

“I think that this show really brings out him finding his freedom,” Hawkins said.

Director Laura Leffler described the musical as a celebration of Wigington’s long history of public service.

“Even today in 2025, many of his buildings still stand in St. Paul and are common landmarks that everybody still uses and sees every day,” Leffler said. “It’s a pretty outstanding legacy.”

‘Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical’

What: An exploration of the the story of St. Paul architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington and his wife, Viola
When: Through Dec. 21
Where: History Theatre, 30 East 10th St., St. Paul
Tickets: For ticketing and more information, visit historytheatre.com

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s “no frills, no fun” budget proposal may be in line for some significant last-minute changes.

With a week to go before finalizing the city’s 2026 spending plan, the city council is debating up to 29 budget amendments aimed at unwinding planned workforce reductions at specific libraries and rec centers, as well as staving off proposed cuts to parking enforcement officers, St. Paul Fire Department’s overnight crew, legal services for immigrants and a “commercial corridors” business improvement program.

The council is looking to increase spending in those areas and others, despite the fact the city may end the year as much as $8.4 million in the red. Spending has overshot revenue this year due to a cyber security incident that cost the city $2.5 million and a $7.5 million legal payout in September related to the shooting death of Cordale Handy.

“We have heard do not cut hours at libraries and rec centers,” said Council President Rebecca Noecker, addressing a standing-room-only crowd during the city’s annual truth in taxation hearing Tuesday evening. “We have heard do not cut firefighters and first responders. … Our immigration defense fund is going to be more important than ever right now.”

In an interview Wednesday, Noecker said the council is working on a multi-part global amendment that, backed by consensus support, will introduce a series of roughly $4 million in budget additions.

If those 13 or more consensus amendments go through, the final council vote next Wednesday will neither increase or decrease the mayor’s proposed 5.3% tax levy increase. To fund them, Noecker said the council will rely on an increase to fire department transport fees, which are ambulance runs billed to insurance, for an added $2.5 million next year. Additional dollars will come from parking funds, employee vacancies and other budget transfers.

“There’s no reason why our taxpayers shouldn’t be benefiting from these fees that are going to insurers,” Noecker said.

Some budget cuts could be restored

Without a last-minute budget fix, the Arlington Hills Public Library is poised to open at noon instead of 10 a.m. twice a week come January, a direct response to losing the hourly equivalent of 1.3 librarians and custodians to vacancies and retirements. That adds up to about a $129,000 cut to the library system’s staffing budget. Substitute staffing would be reduced an additional $44,000, or 18%, equivalent to losing 34 hours of fill-in staffing per week throughout the system.

In another budget change, some $345,000 in funding for the city’s neighborhood district council system could be shifted from federal Community Development Block Grants to cash accounts, freeing them up from federal red tape. Another $400,000 could be restored to the Commercial Corridors initiative, which uses economic development funds for street beautification, public art, neighborhood events and business grants around 18 commercial districts.

Individual council members may bring their own additional budget amendments to the table next Wednesday, though it’s not entirely clear if they’ll have garnered the four-vote majority needed.

Council Member Anika Bowie has objected to shutting down the Rondo Community Library at Dale and University avenues for safety improvements — a construction process that could take up to a year — without greater worker and community input. She’s also called for $100,000 to support a housing program for men who have been previously incarcerated, which would be run through the nonprofit Ujaama Place. Several men involved in the effort spoke at Tuesday’s hearing.

Some frontline library staff have said the Rondo Library improvements could make safety concerns worse by moving bathrooms deeper into the structure, without addressing root concerns about fentanyl users, unattended youth and loiterers coming from the nearby Green Line station.

“I have shared with Council Member Bowie that I agree with the need to have a clear plan not just for Rondo Library, but for the entire intersection,” Noecker said. “How is it going to be any different when the library reopens? I do agree with asking for that kind of accountability and that kind of reporting, and it’s something that we can tie into library board meetings, but I don’t believe in tying it to the budget. … The budget is a very blunt instrument.”

AFSCME, property owners, Twin Cities DSA speak out

Meanwhile, the two-hour truth in taxation hearing, held in downtown council chambers, drew long lines of homeowners alarmed by property tax increases, AFSCME workers decrying what they described as poverty wages and short or part-time staffing in key areas, and others angered by the St. Paul Police Department’s involvement in a federal immigration enforcement operation on Tuesday that dissolved at times into violent clashes with protesters.

Brian Dobie, a Macalester-Groveland resident, told the council on Tuesday he’s seen his total property taxes climb from $9,705 in 2024 to $11,250 last year, with $12,384 proposed for 2026. That’s a 28% increase in two years.

“It’s unsustainable,” Dobie said. “I’m all for paying my fair share of reasonable taxes for essential services, but I think that’s the point — they’re not reasonable taxes and they’re well beyond the essential services we need.”

Calling for an increase rather than a decrease in human services, Taylor Sibthorp, a member of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America, said the city should reconsider its priorities, including the planned security improvements at the Rondo Library. “We are about to spend more than $700,000 to move a bathroom,” Sibthorp said. “Put our dollars toward care over punishment.”

AFSCME workers arrived holding printed images of cat eyes on dark signs labeled “AFSCME Is Watching.” They said starting wages around $17 per hour for rec center workers were barely above the citywide minimum wage, and promotions for part-time Parks and Rec and library workers have been slow in coming.

“We’re not asking for much,” said Rosie Kohnen, a community rec leader on the East Side. “I mean, I barely make it. … I live in affordable housing, I’ve come up from the streets, I’ve been homeless before. I know what it’s like, and it’s very scary to think I could go back to where I was because my rent is almost both of my paychecks. And it’s supposed to be affordable housing.”

Noecker said AFSCME had brought legitimate concerns to the table. She noted Human Resources had conducted the first phase of a “pay equity” study for city employees, but council members had yet to see the results, and a more comprehensive study across all payroll categories is likely in order.

In light of Tuesday morning’s police enforcement action on the East Side, some speakers questioned why the council is increasing police spending by $3 million, a change council members have largely attributed to inflation and contractually-approved wage increases rather than a net increase in officers.

A smoother process

The council president said the final budget that will be approved Dec. 3 will not make everyone happy, but the process has been smoother and more transparent than it was a year ago, when last-minute budget wrangling ended with a series of mayoral vetoes and veto overrides.

The mayor’s office on Wednesday signaled it was poised to do what was necessary to get the budget put to bed on time. “We are committed to getting it done,” said Jennifer Lor, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.

Carter’s 2026 budget proposal, unveiled in August, calls for a 5.3% increase to the city tax levy, while keeping some 40 or more job vacancies unfilled. It includes a $5 million investment in an office-to-residential housing conversion program, and added funding for other housing initiatives, including emergency rental assistance and down payment assistance.

What it will cost owner of median house?

The $887 million spending plan for the coming year would levy $232.5 million on city property owners, supporting a general fund budget of $414.4 million, which includes the library budget.

For the median St. Paul home with a value of $289,000, the new levy would add an estimated $107 to property taxes next year, with wide variation from neighborhood to neighborhood and between property types.

Increased charges related to sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water and recycling would add another $125, for a total increase of $232 in city-related taxes and services.

Ramsey County, school district levies

Ramsey County and the St. Paul School District have proposed their own levies. The county, which has planned a nearly 10% increase to its levy, will host a Truth in Taxation public hearing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the downtown council chambers at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul Public Schools, which is benefiting from a $37.2 million, 10-year levy approved by voters on Nov. 4, will hold their Truth in Taxation hearing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the district administration building at 360 Colborne St. The district is trimming the current levy by 2% in 2026.

St. Paul taxes and fees for 2026

Proposed St. Paul tax and fee increases for 2026 on a median home value ($289,200):

• $107 increase in city property taxes.

• $57 increase to water charges.

• $45 increase to sanitary sewer charges.

• $18 increase to storm sewer charges.

• $5 increase to recycling charges.

• $0 increase for trash.

Total city increase: $232.

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