2026 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!

Art-A-Whirl
May 15-17 • Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. • Northeast Minneapolis

The largest open artist studio tour in the country, Art-A-Whirl showcases over 1,600 NEMAA member artists, galleries and businesses in 100-plus locations. Free and open to the public!
nemaa.org/art-a-whirl

Drag Brunch With the Divas – With Sunny Dee-Lite
May 17 • Brunch at 11 a.m., Show at 12:30 p.m. • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Main Stage, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn.

Get ready to brunch like a queen at Nina DiAngelo’s flagship drag extravaganza, where you never know which legendary diva might take the stage!
chanhassendt.com/dragshows

Kickoff to Summer at the State Fair
May 21-24 • Tickets $14 online, $17 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

Cantus presents “Covers: Dolly & Friends”
May 30 to June 7 • Tickets $5-$47 • Luminary Arts Center, 700 N. First St., Minneapolis

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music celebrating the legendary Dolly Parton and her profound influence on generations of artists as Cantus will have you tapping your toes, singing your hearts out, and embracing the joy, heartbreak and hope that only Dolly and other iconic female artists can bring.
cantussings.org

Edina Art Fair
June 5-7 • Friday 12-8 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

St. Anthony Park Arts Festival
June 6 • Activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Como & Carter Ave., St. Paul

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

Grand Old Day
June 7 • 8 a.m. to 6 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 2026 Music in the Chapel: Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus: Borealis
June 7 • $20 advance, $30 door • 3-4 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Borealis, a dynamic 10-bass chamber ensemble from the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, brings their powerful voices to the chapel to connect, heal and celebrate the voices of all.
lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

Trans Joy Fest
June 7 • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Park Point, Duluth

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

Minnesota Twins Pride Day
June 12 • 7:10 p.m. • Twins vs. St. Louis Cardinals • Target Field, Minneapolis

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

Excelsior Art on the Lake 2026
June 13 and 14 • Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Water Street, Excelsior, Minn.

Spend your day perusing 120-plus 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/

Drag Divas & Pride Anthem at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
June 14 • Brunch at 11 a.m., Show at 12:30 p.m. • Age recommendation 13-plus • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Main Stage, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn.

Wear your pride loud and turn up the volume with this drag brunch featuring bold beats, fierce performances and unapologetic joy.
chanhassendt.com/dragshows

Saint Paul Saints Pride Night
June 18 • 7:07 p.m. • Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers • CHS Field, St. Paul

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

Twin Cities Jazz Festival
June 19 and 20 • Mears Park, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is celebrating its 28th year! The festival is free and open to all.
twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 20 and 21 • 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

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Disney PRIDE in Concert with Minnesota Orchestra”
June 20 and 21 • 7 p.m. on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday • Tickets $28-$53 • Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Join TCGMC as they celebrate LGBTQ+ life, love, family and pride in a spectacular new concert that draws inspiration from both iconic Disney films as well as modern classics. Visit TCGMC’s website to purchase tickets.
tcgmc.org

Minnesota Lynx Pride Night
June 21 • 5 p.m. (Time subject to change) • Target Center, Minneapolis

Come out and celebrate Pride Night as the Lynx take on the Washington Mystics.
lynx.wnba.com

Breakaway Music Festival
June 26 and 27 • Friday 3-10:30 p.m., Saturday 3-10:30 p.m. • 18-plus • Allianz Field Festival Grounds, 400 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul

Come out and enjoy a great lineup of queer artists for a weekend of youthful dance music.
universe.com/events/breakaway-minnesota-2026-tickets-FR16NP

Wayzata Art Experience
June 27 and 28 • 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

One Voice Mixed Chorus presents “Royalty”
June 27 and 28 • Saturday 7-9 p.m., Sunday 3-5 p.m. • Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul

Blending choral music, drag artistry and storytelling, this concert uplifts queer history, challenges choral traditions, and honors drag as both an art form and resistance.
onevoicemn.org/upcoming-events

LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Demonstration Box Tending on Nicollet Island
June 30 • 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

Taste of Minnesota
July 3 and 4 • 4-10 p.m. on Friday, 12-10 p.m. on Saturday • Washington Avenue and Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Delicious food vendors, standout local businesses, talented artists, inspired makers and an all-star lineup of music — your Fourth of July weekend will never be the same!
tasteofmn.com

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

79th 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

Lakefront Music Fest 2026
July 10 and 11 • Lakefront Park, Prior Lake, Minn.

Rock music? They’ve got it. Country music? They’ve got that, too! Billy Idol will headline Saturday’s lineup, while Keith Urban will take the stage as headliner for Sunday. See them and more!
lakefrontmusicfest.com

Lakewood 2026 Music in the Chapel: Mwago Kuria
July 12 • $10 advance, $15 door • 3-4 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Mwago Kuria, a Minneapolis-based artist specializing in blues, R&B and funk, brings his uplifting and deeply soulful music and joyful energy to the Chapel.
lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

Cantus presents “Genius Child”
July 14-17 • Tickets $5-47 • Various venues — check website for locations of specific dates

 Cantus will take you on a journey to explore what it means to create beauty in the face of injustice with the works of brilliance created by Black poets, musicians and artists during the Harlem Renaissance.
cantussings.org

Spirit of the Lakes Festival
July 16-18 • Surfside Park, Mound, Minn.

Lakeside yoga, movies in the park, food, music or the Wakesurf Open on Lake Minnetonka — there are 10,000 ways to celebrate Minnesota and its 10,000 lakes!
spiritofthelakes.com

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair 2026
July 17-19 • Friday 3-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Minnehaha Falls
Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis

Over 180 artists, food and drink, kids’ activities, live
entertainment, all at beautiful Minnehaha Falls!
homespunevents.com/minnehahafallsartfair

Lumberjack Days
July 17-19 • Downtown Stillwater, Minn.

Embrace Minnesota’s lumberjack history and culture with lumberjack shows, parade, downhill derby, a 5K and 10K race, a boat cruise and plenty of live music in beautiful downtown Stillwater!
lumberjackdays.com

Minnesota Yacht Club Festival
July 17-19 • Various Ticket Levels Available • Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul

Set the summer on fire with music from The Lumineers, The Black Keys, Marcy Playground, Matchbox Twenty, The Strokes and more! Three days of performances over two stages with no overlapping sets.
minnesotayachtclubfestival.com

July Drag Brunch
July 19 • Brunch at 11 a.m., Show at 12:30 p.m. • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Main Stage, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn.

Get ready to brunch like a queen at Nina DiAngelo’s flagship drag extravaganza, where you never know which legendary diva might take the stage!
chanhassendt.com/dragshows

Loring Park Art Festival
July 25 and 26 • 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 25 and 26 • Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • West Masonic River Park, Les Kouba Pkwy. NW, 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

20th Annual Dragon Boat Races
July 30 to August 1 • Bemidji, Minn.

Great food, a 5K and Kids Fun Run, entertainment, music, a parade of teams, cultural performances — you’ll find it all here!
bemidjidragonboat.com

35th Annual Powderhorn Art Fair
August 1 and 2 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days • Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis

Come on out for the 35th 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 35th Annual Polo Classic
August 2 • 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

33rd Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 6-16 • Various venues

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

Northern Minnesota CampOUT
August 6-9 • 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. Owners Paul and Chuck will host their usual CampOUT CookOUT as well!
westfortyrvpark.com/campout-weekend.html

Uptown Art Fair 2026
August 7-9 • Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Uptown Minneapolis

The Uptown Art Fair returns with approximately 300 gallery-quality artists from across the country. Live art demonstrations, music, food trucks and family-friendly activities.
zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14541

Lakewood 2026 Music in the Chapel: Flutes and Low
August 9 • $10 advance, $15 door • 3-4 p.m. • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Folk duo Ben Pichler and Cambria Haen, also known as Flutes and Low, create lush sounds and memorable melodies that are deeply influenced by the rich landscapes of the Midwest.
lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

37th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival
August 14-16 • 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

August Drag Brunch
August 16 • Brunch at 11 a.m., Show at 12:30 p.m. • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Main Stage, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, Minn.

Get ready to brunch like a queen at Nina DiAngelo’s flagship drag extravaganza, where you never know which legendary diva might take the stage!
chanhassendt.com/dragshows

LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip
August 19-23 • $895 per person, with possible financial assistance based on need • Groups of 4-8 • Ages 18-plus • 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/

2026 Minnesota State Fair
Aug 27 to September 7 • 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.