Stillwater Christmas Cheer: Mick Sterling's Inside Holiday Concert at The Freight House

Mick Sterling Presents STILLWATER CHRISTMAS CHEER at The Freight House in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota, is an indoor holiday concert that brings a big stage sound to a small river town. Located at 305 Water Street South, this one night celebration delivers a nineteen piece orchestra, star vocalists, and a program of Andy Williams and Bing Crosby standards performed by the Elegance Orchestra and lead singers Ben Utecht, Mick Sterling, and Cate Fierro. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show running from 7:00 to about 9:00 p.m., a compact evening built for family and community. What sets this event apart is scale and generosity. A full nineteen piece ensemble plays in an intimate room, seats are complimentary because of sponsors Renewal by Andersen and Cornerstone Auto, and the event collects a free will offering to benefit The 30-Days Foundation. The Freight House, home of ON STAGE AT THE FREIGHT HOUSE, converts downtown energy into a close up concert experience where orchestral swells feel immediate and human. You can hear strings and brass with clarity, watch the conductor shape dynamics, and feel the communal hush before a favorite chorus. Stillwater itself frames the night. The city sits along the St. Croix River and the freight house lies steps from the riverfront, surrounded by brick storefronts, exposed beams, and the quiet echo of a working port history. For visitors, pairing the concert with a pre show walk along the water, a meal on Main Street, or a cup of coffee at a local cafe turns the visit into a complete winter evening. The program is built to please: holiday favorites arranged for lush orchestration and sung by voices with regional recognition including a University of Minnesota alumnus and established local headliners. Logistics are straightforward but important. This is a single date performance and tickets, while complimentary, move fast. Doors open well before show time so plan arrival accordingly. The venue is indoors because of weather, and the organizers moved the program inside for safety and comfort. The show supports community through music and direct fundraising for The 30-Days Foundation, founded in 2011, making attendance an act of local goodwill. For travelers seeking a neighborly cultural outing, STILLWATER CHRISTMAS CHEER is an accessible, music forward evening that combines professional orchestral sound with community spirit. It is ideal for families, music lovers, and visitors who want to celebrate the season with a polished performance in a place that still reflects its river town roots. Expect friendly staff, nearby paid parking, and the possibility of last minute standing room if seats run out; consider arriving early to explore nearby shops, grab dinner, and secure a good vantage point for the performance evening and bring warmth.