Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
Grand Old Day
Midwesterners never fail to put our own unique, wholesome twist on just about everything. Of course we've included the Great Minnesota Get-Together in our round up of summer festivals, and other classics like Rock the Garden, Twin Cities Pride, and the Renaissance Festival. But more niche gatherings like Bean Hole Days or the Minnesota Garlic Festival? Only in MN.
All Summer
Live music will fill St. Paul's beautiful, green spaces this summer from Mears Park to Como’s Lakeside Pavilion.
Minneapolis Music & Movies in the Park
The yearly festivities kick off on Memorial Day for a full summer of activities around the Minneapolis park system.
Pride month might mainly be in June, but celebrations span throughout the summer. From 5Ks to cookouts, dance parties to festivals, there are enough Pride events to keep your heart full.
Created out of the pandemic, this outdoor concert series is back and bigger than ever. Enjoy live music at this community-oriented event.
In the beautiful town of White Bear Lake, there’s family fun at every corner. Each Thursday, enjoy summer’s best music and more than 180 street vendors under the sun.
Held in the streets of Minneapolis, this outdoor festival opens roads to people for walking, biking, rolling, and connecting with the community. See the streets transform into a space where people can play and explore. June 5, Lyndale; July 10, Franklin; August 13, East Lake; September 10, West Broadway; October 1, Minnehaha
Check out our full list of art fairs to attend as these painfully quick summer days drift away.
June
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Edina Art Fair will return to the streets of 50th & France in Edina for its 55th year this June. Purchase one-of-a-kind art, eat delicious food, and listen to live music. This year’s theme is “The Art of Community.” June 3-4, 50th & France neighborhood
Celebrate Minnesota’s sweet-tart favorite! This year’s festival will have a strong focus on entertainment. So, enjoy tastings of rhubarb delights, games, live music, and your favorite rhubarb vendors. June 4, Lanesboro
Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday Celebration
The Judy Garland Museum is celebrating her extraordinary life and career. The celebration will host events from movie showings, meet and greets, a 5K, and a benefit dinner. June 9-12, Grand Rapids.
To all the beer snobs out there, this is for you. Dedicated to craft beer and good times, the outdoor beer festival will feature samplings from over 50 breweries at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. June 11, Minnesota State Fair
This year's late-night art festival takes place along University Avenue and downtown in St. Paul from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a closing event scheduled for 2 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on Raspberry Island. June 11, St. Paul.
The Current is happy to welcome you back to their annual Rock the Garden. This year’s lineup features seven incredible acts ranging from indie, punk rock, and funk, to doom metal and blues. June 11, Walker Art Center, Mpls.
If you’re looking for some laughs, the comedy fest returns after two years and brings 16 comedians to Minneapolis within seven days. June 13-19, Mpls.
The Stone Arch Bridge Festival returns to the west side of the bridge, featuring over 200 artist booths, culinary artists, live music, and food vendors. June 18-19, West River Parkway, Mpls.
The first-ever Afropunk festival in the Midwest kicks off with panels and community events hosted across the city and continues on June 19 with musical performances at Sheridan Memorial Park, with the likes of Noname and Ari Lennox, plus local faves Miloe, Papa Mbye, and more. June 18-19, Sheridan Memorial Park
In its 23rd year, the Jazz Fest has rounded up a fantastic group of talented musicians with headliners including Matthew Whitaker, Tremé Brass Band, Emmet Cohen w/ Bruce Harris, Brandon Goldberg Quintet & Bruce Henry & the Evolution of African American Music. June 24-25, Mears Park
Fine art fiends will be glad to learn that a cluster of multimedia artists will gather in Eagan for a weekend. June 25-26, Eagan Festival Grounds
The culmination of Pride month, PrideFest is the time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with events from the Pride March, Family Fun Day, to the Rainbow Run 5K. There will be local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden, and music stages including Pride in Concert, with Carly Rae Jepsen as headliner. June 25-June 26, Loring Park
Afton's free, two-day outdoor festival features great food, over 80 artist vendors, live music, and fun for the whole family. Stop by to get fresh local strawbs at the festival which honors the long, rich history of strawberry crops grown in the area since the 1800s. June 25-26, Afton Town Square.
26th Annual Raspberries and Wine Festival
Come down to Winehaven Winerty and celebrate summer with vineyard tours, wine slushies, lunch at the vineyard, and live music! The winery will also be releasing a new batch of Raspberry Wine. June 25-26, Chisago
July
Instead of its typical fireworks fest, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will be hosting small family friendly July 4 events at various city parks. July 4, various locations
World’s Largest Wild Rice Festival
Going strong for over 70 years, Deer River celebrates its area’s natural staple of wild rice. Sponsored by the Deer River Lions Club, the weekend is full of fun, food, entertainment, and fellowship. July 8-10, Deer River
Beans. The more you eat, the more you’ll be tootin’ for more! Every July, huge cast iron kettles of beans are buried Tuesday, July 12 to cook overnight and be served the next day to more than 3,000 hungry visitors. July 12-13, Pequot Lakes
A well-known treat to locals, this festival has been celebrating the Bohemiam delicacy since 1929. The Czechoslovakian themed festival brings a weekend of food, parades, activities, and more. July 22-24, Montgomery
See real-life Paul Bunyans chop wood and balance on a log, all for your entertainment. Take part in the parade, downhill derby, and boat cruise. July 15-July 17, Stillwater
Named the best festival in the Twin Cities, this is not just another art fair. Dozens of artists will sell more jewelry, photography, painting and wood art. Pair art with food for an even more fulfilling experience. July 15-17, Minnehaha Ave., Mpls.
Kicked off by the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade and wrapped up by the Target Fireworks, there’s no better way to celebrate everything the city of Minneapolis has to offer than the Aquatennial. July 20-23, Mpls.
If anyplace knows how to party on the lakes, it’s Lake Minnetonka. The festival brings a whole weekend of music, food, a boat-in movie, and fireworks. July 21-23, Surfside Park, Mounds
The Twin Cities Summer Jam is back for its fifth year. This year, headliners Blake Shelton and Kane Brown will take the stage, joined by 11 other bands and artists of all genres. July 21-23, Canterbury Park
The perfect place to fill up with 40+ local food trucks. The food-on-wheels festival is driving to three different cities this year. July 23 in Hopkins, August 6 in St. Paul, August 20 in Anoka
Twin Cities Water Lantern Festival
Looking to light your night? Enjoy a memorable night with family and friends, and witness thousands of lanterns float across Lake Phalen under the stars. July 30, Phalen Park Beach House
Celebrating art, food, music, and entertainment, this art fest features 140 artists selling original artwork. July 30-31, Loring Park
Live at the Hilde: Party in the Park
Sue McLean and Associates will put on a two-day festival with seven performers including Gary Clark Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, and Cold War Kids. July 29-30, Plymouth
August/September
The greatest collection of performances in the Twin Cities will host 119 live, in-person shows over 11 days. August 4-14, Uptown, Mpls.
The Irish Fair has struck gold with over 500 local, national, and international performers, dance, sports, comedy, and storytelling. August 12-14, Harriet Island
This is the perfect event for lovers of garlic. Featuring amazing food, celebrity chefs, silly games, and lots of garlic, this festival is in supports of a healthy environment and vital rural communities in Minnesota. August 13, Hutchinson
The RenFest is the perfect time to dress in your finest medieval garb. Watch traditional Renaissance activities like jousting, folk dancing, knife throwing, and more. August 20-October 2, Shakopee
The Great Minnesota Get-Together, which bookends the summer, will have all its iconic food and events from ronto Pups to the Giant Slide to Grandstand performances like Pitbull, Diana Ross, Disney princesses, and more. August 25-September 5, State Fairgrounds
Make your own wine—sort of. Over 300 teams will stomp on 10,000 plus pounds of grapes where winners will win a case of Vino d’Feet. The three-day festival also features 12 bands on four stages; over 150 food, art and marketplace vendors; and more. September 16-18, Alexandria
Experience the biggest plant-based festival in the Midwest! For the omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans, there’s an array of plant-based foods from multiple vendors, cooking demonstrations, and inspiring presentations. September 18, Harriest Island Park
Thinking of something we missed? Send us an e-mail and we'll add it to the list.
