2025 Summer What to Do

Summers in Minnesota are all too short, with their warm and golden days to be savored and treasured after a long, cold winter. Residents here know not to squander them; we know that we have to fill them with as much fun and activity as we can, and local communities are more than happy to help out by providing a multitude of festivals, fairs and celebrations to fill these long, sun-soaked days. We’ve compiled a list of some of the events you can find around the area in these hazy, lazy days of summer to enjoy when you’re not up at the cabin or out on the lake!

May

Kickoff to Summer at the State Fair
May 22-25 • Tickets $13 online, $16 at gate, children 4 and under are free • Event is rain or shine • Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul

Join us for the fifth annual kickoff, which will feature more food than ever, a one-of-a-kind puzzle hunt, a free prize wheel, music, shopping and entertainment!
mnstatefair.org/kickoff-to-summer

Kygo
May 23 • 7 p.m. • Tickets start at $79 • Grand Casino Amphitheater, Hinckley, Minn.

A rising star with a global LGBTQ+ following, Kygo brings his show to Hinckley’s Grand Casino Amphitheater.
grandcasinomn.com/Entertain/KYGO

One Voice Mixed Chorus presents “Weather: Stand the Storm Concert”
May 24 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis

Featuring four Black choral leaders who want to pioneer new visions of social justice by way of artistry, this project acknowledges and commemorates the murder of George Floyd.
onevoicemn.org/upcoming-events/weather-stand-the-storm-concert

Brookside Bar & Grill Summer Music Series
Memorial Day Weekend to Early October • Every Saturday, Sunday • Most acts perform 2-6 p.m. • Brookside Bar & Grill, 140 Judd St., Marine on St. Croix, Minn.

Come out to enjoy talent from across Minnesota and the Midwest performing Americana, folk, blues, bluegrass and more.
brooksidebarandgrill.com

Cantus presents “Covers: Pure Funk”
May 31 to June 8 • Tickets $7-38 • Luminary Arts Center, 700 N. First St., Minneapolis

Featuring hits by Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind & Fire and more, Cantus will have you getting up, getting down and dancing and singing your hearts out.
cantussings.org

June

Grand Old Day
June 1 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Grand Avenue, St. Paul

Join us for the largest free one-day festival in the Midwest! St. Paul’s kick-off to summer promises food, music, fun and even a 3K run for all ages.
grandave.com/events/grandoldday

Lakewood 2025 Music in the Chapel: Cantus (Thursday Night Performance)
June 5 • $40/Advance, $50/Door • 6-7 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Known widely for its trademark sound that blends warmth with innovative programming and riveting performances, Cantus never fails to please.
lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

Edina Art Fair
June 6-8 • Friday 12-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • 50th and France, Edina, Minn.

With approximately 250,000-300,000 visitors to this three-day festival, this top-ranked art fair is not one to be missed!
50thandfrance.com/art-fair

Breakaway Music Festival
June 6-7 • Allianz Field, Festival Grounds, St. Paul

Come out and enjoy a great lineup of queer artists for a weekend of youthful dance music.
breakawayfestival.com/festival/minnesota-2025

Minnesota Twins Pride Day
June 7 • 1:10 p.m. • Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays • Target Field, Minneapolis

Dress in your sportiest rainbow gear and cheer on the Twins as they celebrate the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community so prevalent here in Twins Territory.
mlb.com/twins

St. Anthony Park Arts Festival
June 7 • Activities from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Como & Carter Ave., St. Paul

Join us for a day full of fun! The festival offers 70+ artist booths, two music stages, a beer and mead garden, plus plenty of family activities to suit any age.
sapfest.org

Trans Joy Fest
June 8 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Duluth, Minn.

Hosted by Trans Northland, this event aims to bring love, hope and joy into the transgender, two-spirit and gender expansive community. The festival will feature many vendors, performers, youth- and family-friendly activities, food trucks and so much more.
transnorthland.org

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”
June 10-15 • Tickets from $45 • Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington St., St. Paul

Come out to see this fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the hit movie.
ordway.org/events/legally-blonde

Excelsior Art on the Lake 2025
June 14-15 • Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Water Street, Excelsior, Minn.

Spend your day perusing over 120+ artists displaying original works alongside live music and a variety of food offerings. Enjoy Excelsior’s unique shops, galleries and eateries while you check out the many booths and vendors!
excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com/art-on-the-lake/

Minnesota United FC Pride Night
June 14 • 7:30 p.m. • Allianz Field, St. Paul

Show your Pride as the Loons take to the field against San Diego and show their support for the incredible diversity among their LGBTQ+ fans.
mnufc.com

Minnesota Zoo “Wild Nights” — Nur-D, Smells Like Nirvana, Lighter Co. and Daphne Jane
June 13 • 6-10 p.m. • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members

This magical 18+ musical and community event celebrates and supports the Minnesota Zoo and its dedication to conservation both in Minnesota and around the globe.
mnzoo.org/WildNights

Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 14-15 • Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • West River Parkway, 11th Ave. S. to N. Fourth Ave., Minneapolis

Join more than 200 artists and culinary artists from a broad spectrum of mediums for this festival along the river in our 29th year.
stonearchbridgefestival.com 

Judy Garland Festival 2025
June 19-22 • Activities all day • The Judy Garland Museum, 2727 S. Pokegama Ave., Grand Rapids, Minn.

Grab your ruby slippers and travel the yellow brick road to Dorothy’s hometown … not Kansas, but the hometown of Judy Garland!
judygarlandmuseum.com

Twin Cities Jazz Festival
June 20-21 • Mears Park, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is celebrating its 27th year! The Festival is free and open to all.
twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Wayzata Art Experience
June 20-22 • Downtown Wayzata, Minn.

The jewel of Lake Minnetonka welcomes art lovers from across the Twin Cities to enjoy a celebration of art, music, food and fun for all ages.
artexperience.wayzatawestmetrochamber.com

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Leading Ladies: Divas of Broadway”
June 21-22 • 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday • Tickets $28-$53 • Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington St., St. Paul

Join TCGMC and Broadway star Britney Coleman for a concert that is a little bit beauty and a little bit beast and brings the best of Broadway’s music sung by the biggest divas to grace the stage. Visit TCGMC’s website to purchase tickets.
tcgmc.org

Minnesota Lynx Pride Night
June 21 • 7:00 p.m. (Time subject to change) • Target Center, Minneapolis

Come out and celebrate Pride Night as the Lynx take on the LA Sparks.
lynx.wnba.com

Monthly Drag Show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
June 22 • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn. • Age recommendation 13+

Show One: Drag Brunch • Brunch begins at 10:30 a.m., show at 12:30 p.m., add-on VIP Meet & Greet begins at 2:20 p.m. • The Main Stage
Show Two: Drag Dinner • Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. • The Playhouse Theatre
chanhassendt.com

LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Demonstration Box Tending on Nicollet Island
June 25 • 6-8 p.m. • Nicollet Island, Minneapolis

Join us for a special evening during Pride Month to come together and revitalize the planting demonstration boxes in the Nicollet Island prairie.
fmr.org/events/lgbtqia2s-pride-demonstration-box-tending-nicollet-island

St. Paul Saints Pride Night presented by Midwest Dairy
June 26 • 7:07p.m. • Saints vs. Louisville Bats • CHS Field, St. Paul

Dress in your rainbow best and come out to see the Saints take on Louisville!
milb.com/st-paul

Pride Beer Dabbler 2025
June 27 • 6-9:30 p.m., 5 p.m. with Early Access • Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Get ready to dress cute and raise your glasses and Pride flags because Pride Beer Dabbler is back this year for our 13th year and bringing together over 70 Minnesota breweries and cideries!
beerdabbler.com/festivals/pride-beer-dabbler

Minnesota Zoo “Wild Nights” — The Big Wu, Davina and the Vagabonds, Bloodline, The Cobra Trio
June 27 • 6-10 p.m. • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members

This magical 18+ musical and community event celebrates and supports the Minnesota Zoo and its dedication to conservation both in Minnesota and around the globe.
mnzoo.org/WildNights

July

Red, White and Boom!
July 4 • 6 p.m., Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. • West side of Mississippi River at Water Works and Stone Arch Bridge parking lot, Downtown Minneapolis

Join us to help celebrate Independence Day! Live music, food trucks and spectacular pyrotechnics.
minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/events/red_white_and_boom

78th Annual Fourth in the Park
July 4 • 8-6 p.m. • St. Anthony Park/Langford Park/Como Avenue

Pull out your flag, grab your lawn chair and dress in your patriotic best! There will be a fun run, a parade, food trucks, park activities, live music, a kids’ zone and so much more for a full day’s worth of fun and celebration at one of the longest-running parades in Minnesota!
4thinthepark.org

Taste of Minnesota
July 5-6 • 12-10 p.m. • Washington Avenue and Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

The iconic outdoor food and musical festival offers a dazzling array of flavors, live music and vibrant entertainment. Some of the headliners this year include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Ludacris, Nur-D and more.
tasteofmn.com

Lakefront Music Fest 2025
July 11-12 • Lakefront Park, Prior Lake, Minn.

Rock music? We’ve got it. Country music? We’ve got that, too! Foreigner will headline Saturday’s lineup while Miranda Lambert will take the stage as headliner for Sunday. See them and more!
lakefrontmusicfest.com

Minnesota Zoo “Wild Nights” — The Cactus Blossoms, Bad Bad Hats, Gully Boys, Colin Bracewell
July 11 • 6-10 p.m. • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members

This magical 18+ musical and community event celebrates and supports the Minnesota Zoo and its dedication to conservation both in Minnesota and around the globe.
mnzoo.org/WildNights

Lakewood 2025 Music in the Chapel — Heartfelt
July 13 • $10/Advance, $15/Door • 3-4 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

This unique blend of six women, whose ages span five decades, perform a slate of songs from the 1930s to current hits that will both soothe your soul and touch your heart.
lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

Cantus presents “In the Wee Small Hours”
July 15-18 • Tickets $7-38 • Luminary Arts Center, 700 N. First St., Minneapolis

Cantus will take you on a journey to explore the depths of the night as they reimagine the groundbreaking concept album of Frank Sinatra.
cantussings.org

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
July 18-20 • Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, Minneapolis

Join us for a Zero Waste Event! Every booth will have at least some items under $30. Parking is very limited, so biking and public transportation are recommended. The event will be set up in the main part of the park near the Sea Salt Eatery and the Minnehaha Pavilion.
minnehahafallsartfair.com

“Little Shop of Horrors”
July 17-20 • Heritage Players Community Theater, Pine City, Minn.

The popular musical comes back to the Pine City stage!
pinecityheritageplayers.com/season

Minnesota Yacht Club Festival
July 18-20 • Various Ticket Levels Available • Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul

Set the summer on fire with music from Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Sheryl Crow, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Green Day, Garbage and more! Three days of performances over two stages with no overlapping sets.
minnesotayachtclubfestival.com

Monthly Drag Show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
July 20 • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn. • Age recommendation 13+

Show One: Drag Brunch • Brunch begins 10:30 a.m., show at 12:30 p.m., add-on VIP Meet & Greet begins at 2:20 p.m. • The Main Stage
Show Two: Drag Dinner • Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. • The Playhouse Theatre
chanhassendt.com

Aquatennial
July 23-26 • Minneapolis

A Torchlight Parade, incredible Target Fireworks, fun for all ages — this is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis!
aquatennial.com

Minnesota Zoo “Wild Nights” — Wookiefoot, Captain Fantastic, Free Fallin, Nici Peper
July 25 • 6-10 p.m. • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members

This magical 18+ musical and community event celebrates and supports the Minnesota Zoo and its dedication to conservation both in Minnesota and around the globe.
mnzoo.org/WildNights

Loring Park Art Festival
July 26-27 • Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Loring Park, Minneapolis

A Twin Cities staple since 2000, this urban oasis of art and culture features over 150 visual artists showcasing and selling their work, strolling musicians, stage performances, children’s activities and numerous culinary options for everyone.
loringparkartfestival.com

Minnesota Pottery Festival
July 26-27 • Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • West Masonic River Park, Hutchinson, Minn.

Featuring 35 potters from all over the nation, you can browse racks of original, unique gifts from the weird to the wonderful. Demonstrations, free kids’ activities, food and beverage trucks and more.
mnpotteryfestival.com

32nd Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival
July 31 through August 10 • Various venues

There’s something for everyone at the Fringe!
minnesotafringe.org

August

34th Annual Powderhorn Art Fair
August 2-3 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days • Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis

Come on out for the 34th annual fine art and fine crafts event featuring over 150 artists, immersive art installations, food vendors and more! The Fair features artwork across 20 media.
powderhornartfair.com

The 34th Annual Polo Classic
August 3 • Rain or Shine! • 6755 Turner Rd., Maple Plain, Minn.

Elegant hats, summer fashion, champagne, tasty appetizers, tailgating, divot stomping and sleek horses thundering across the field as their riders wield mallets to knock balls through the goal — what more could you ask for in regards to a great way to spend a summer day? How about the proceeds going to This Old Horse to give retired and rescued horses green pastures for their golden years! It’s a win-win for everyone!
thepoloclassic.com

Northern Minnesota CampOUT
August 7-10 • West Forty RV Park Campground, Gilbert, Minn.

Enjoy an LGBTQ+ safe space, make new friends and explore the beauty of Northern Minnesota! This year’s CampOUT will be coordinated with Range Iron Pride.
westfortyrvpark.com/campout-weekend

36th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival
August 8-10 • Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, Minn.

One of the largest annual outdoor music events in the upper Midwest hosts nearly 20,000 fans to hear more than 30 different acts on two stages.
bayfrontblues.com

Minnesota Zoo “Wild Nights” — Cloud Cult, Sweet & Tender Hooligans, DJ Jake Rudh, Alexis Rose
August 9 • 5-10 p.m. • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members

This magical 18+ musical and community event celebrates and supports the Minnesota Zoo and its dedication to conservation both in Minnesota and around the globe.
mnzoo.org/WildNights

Lakewood 2025 Music in the Chapel — Daniel the Violinist
August 10 • $10/Advance, $15/Door • 3-4 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Based in the Twin Cities, Daniel Gilbert’s journey in music shows the depth of his passion and dedication to sharing his talent and gift with the world.
lakewoodcemetery.org/event/music-in-the-chapel-daniel-the-violinist

Monthly Drag Show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
August 17 • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn. • Age recommendation 13+

Show One: Drag Brunch • Brunch begins 10:30 a.m., show at 12:30 p.m., add-on VIP Meet & Greet begins at 2:20 p.m. • The Main Stage
Show Two: Drag Dinner • Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. • The Playhouse Theatre
chanhassendt.com

LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip
August 20-24 • $855 per person, with possible financial assistance based on need • Maximum of 8 in group, minimum group size is 4 • Minimum age is 18 • Ely, Minn.

Ely Outfitting Company & Boundary Waters Guide Service is a gay-owned business that supports diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces, so this is a great opportunity to make new friends and meet interesting people in a beautiful locale! This trip is queer-guided & open exclusively to those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
elyoutfittingcompany.com/lgbtq-boundary-waters-trip/

Minnesota State Fair
Aug 21 through September 1 • Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul

Pronto Pups, cheese curds, deep-fried everything on a stick, music, animals and hanging out with tens of thousands of people? It can only be The Great Minnesota Get-Together!
mnstatefair.org

All events are subject to change or cancellation. Please check individual websites before attending to confirm.