2024 Summer What To Do

Summers in Minnesota are all-too short, these warm and golden days that are 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 lake!

MAY

Cirque du Soleil Bazzar
May 18 – June 16 • Under the Big Top, Mall of America
For the first time in more than a decade, Cirque du Soleil returns to the Twin Cities under its renowned Big Top with BAZZAR, an eclectic homage to the origins and ongoing legacy of the world-famous circus company.
www.cirquedusoleil.com/bazzar

Living With, Coming Together: A Celebration of U
May 19 • 11 AM – 2 PM • Como Park Pavilion, St. Paul, MN
We’ve re-envisioned the AIDS Walk with this renewed commitment to celebrate & support people directly affected by HIV. Food, entertainment and activities for all ages. Come join the party! www.rainbowhealth.org/event/living-with-coming-together-an-event-to-celebrate-u/?mc_cid=a96926da02&mc_eid=0fa4f8201a

Edina Art Fair
May 31 – June 2 • 50^th and France, Edina, MN
Friday 12 – 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 10 PM – 5 PM
With approximately 250,000 – 300,000 visitors to this three-day festival, this top ranked art fair is not one to be missed!
www.50thandfrance.com/art-fair

JUNE

Lakewood 2024 Music In The Chapel – J.E. Sunde
June 2 • $25/Advance, $35/Door • 3 – 4 PM • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Minneapolis-based songwriter/composer J.E. Sunde shares his densely poetic songs with a bent toward the philosophical.
www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel  

Grand Old Day
June 2 • 9 AM – 5 PM • Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN
Join us for the largest free one-day festival in the Midwest! St. Paul’s kick-off to summer promises food, music and fun for all ages.
www.grandave.com/grand-old-day/

Saint Paul Saints Pride Night presented by Cub
June 5 • 7:07 PM • CHS Field, St. Paul
Dress in your rainbow best and come out to see the Saints take on Syracuse!
www.milb.com/st-paul 

Minnesota United FC Pride Night
June 8 • 7:30 PM • Allianz Field, St. Paul, MN
Show your Pride as the Loons take to the field against FC Dallas and show their support for the incredible diversity among their LGBTQ+ fans.
www.mnufc.com

Excelsior Art On The Lake 2024
June 8 – 9 • Water Street, Excelsior, MN
Enjoy perusing over 120+ artists displaying original works alongside live music and a variety of food offerings. Enjoy Excelsior’s many unique shops, galleries and eateries while you check out the many booths and vendors!
www.excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com/art-on-the-lake/

Minnesota Zoo ”Wild Nights”  – Kick Off Block Party
June 14 • 5 – 10 PM • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members • Amphitheater hosts PopROCKS and Upper South Plaza hosts High & Mighty
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.
www.mnzoo.org/WildNights

Minnesota Twins Pride Day
June 15 • 1:10 PM • Twins vs. Oakland Athletics • 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.
www.mlb.com/twins

Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 15 – 16 • Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM • West River Parkway, 11^th Ave. S to N. 4^th Ave., Minneapolis
Join more than 200 artists and culinary artists from a broad spectrum of mediums for this festival along the river in our 29^th year.
www.stonearchbridgefestival.com 

Judy Garland Festival 2024
June 20 – 23 • Grand Rapids, MN
Grab your ruby slippers and travel the yellow brick road to Dorothy’s hometown…not Kansas, but the hometown of Judy Garland!
www.judygarlandmuseum.com

Twin Cities Jazz Festival
June 21 -22 • Mears Park, 221 5th St. E., St. Paul
Join us to help us celebrate our 26^th year! The Festival is free and open to all.
www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Wayzata Art Experience
June 21 – 23 • Downtown Wayzata, MN
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.
www.artexperience.wayzatachamber.com

Aurora FC Pride Night
June 22 • 3:00 PM • TCO Stadium, Eagan, MN
The women of the Aurora FC invite you to show your pride as they take on Chicago City FC.
www.mnaurora.com

Minnesota Lynx Pride Night
June 22 • 7:00 PM (Time subject to change) • Target Center, Minneapolis
Come out and celebrate Pride Night as the Lynx take on the Phoenix Mercury.
www.lynx.wnba.com

LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Demonstration Box Tending On Nicollet Island
June 25 • 6:00 – 8:00 PM • 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.
www.fmr.org/events/lgbtqia2s-pride-demonstration-box-tending-nicollet-island

2024 Pride Beer Dabbler
June 28 • 5:00 – 9:00 PM • Ticket Prices $20 – $70 (plus fees) • 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 12th year and bringing together over 70 Minnesota breweries and cideries!
www.beerdabbler.com

Minnesota Zoo ”Wild Nights” – Minnesota Rockin’ Blues & Roots Music
June 28 • 5 – 10 PM • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members • Amphitheater hosts Chastity Brown and Upper South Plaza hosts Church of Cash
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.
www.mnzoo.org/WildNights

JULY

Red, White and Boom
July 4 • 6 PM, Fireworks begin at 10 PM • West side of Mississippi River at Water Works and Stone Arch Bridge parking lot
Join us for the return of Independence Day fireworks at the downtown Minneapolis riverfront after a five-year absence! Live music, food trucks and spectacular pyrotechnics.
www.minneapolisparks.org

Lakefront Music Fest 2024
July 12 – 13 • Lakefront Park, Prior Lake, MN
Rock music? We’ve got it. Country music? We’ve got that, too! Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Dierks Bentley, Elle King, Morgan Evans and more!
www.lakefrontmusicfest.com    

Minnesota Zoo ”Wild Nights” – Country Music Night at the Zoo
July 12 • 5 – 10 PM • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members • Amphitheater hosts Caitlyn Smith and Upper South Plaza hosts World According to Garth
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.
www.mnzoo.org/WildNights

Lakewood 2024 Music In The Chapel – Too Old Cat
July 14 • $15/Advance, $20/Door • 3 – 4 PM • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Too Old Cat charms audiences with their original folk music that blends traditional and progressive elements with banjo, cello, accordion and vocals.
www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
July 19 – 21 • Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, Minneapolis, MN
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.
www.minnehahafallsartfair.com

2024 Little House Cast Reunion
July 19 – 21 • Walnut Grove, MN
Embrace your childhood pioneer dreams and meet cast members of Little House on the Prairie, including Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) for autograph sessions, meet & greets, and various fun events.
www.walnutgrove.org/2024-cast-reunion/?fbclid=IwAR07uiTIYQ8YXRbXytlEOV41iZj3KlXaobwVq7kRL4DL_nIYh6OF94xEvKI

Minnesota Yacht Club Festival
July 19 – 20 • Various Ticket Levels Available • Harriet Island, St. Paul
Set the summer on fire with music from Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette, The Black Crows, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more!
www.minnesotayachtclubfestival.com

Aquatennial
July 24 – 27 • Minneapolis, MN
A Torchlight Parade, incredible Target Fireworks, fun for all ages – this is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis!
www.aquatennial.com

Minnesota Zoo ”Wild Nights” – A Wild Night of Rock N’ Roll
July 26 • 5 – 10 PM • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members • Amphitheater hosts Kiss the Tiger and Upper South Plaza hosts Mallrats
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.
www.mnzoo.org/WildNights

Loring Park Art Festival
July 27 – 28 • Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM • Loring Park, Minneapolis
A Twin Cities staple since 2000, this event features 140 visual artists showcasing and selling their work, strolling musicians, stage performances, children’s activities and numerous culinary options for everyone.
www.loringparkartfestival.com

North Star Regional Rodeo
July 27 – 28 • Gates open at 11 AM • Deadbroke Arena, Hugo, MN
Come out and enjoy competition between some of the best LGBTQ rodeo riders and competitors in the Midwest.
www.nsgra.org

Minnesota Pottery Festival
July 27 – 28 • Masonic West River Park, Hutchinson, MN
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.
www.mnpotteryfestival.com

AUGUST

31st Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 1 – 11 • Various venues
There’s something for everyone at the Fringe!
www.minnesotafringe.org

33^rd Annual Powderhorn Art Fair
August 3 – 4 • 10 AM – 5 PM both days • Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
Come on out for the 32^nd annual fine art and fine crafts event featuring over 150 artists, immersive art installations, food vendors and more!
www.powderhornartfair.com

The 34^th Annual Polo Classic
August 4 • Rain or Shine!
Elegant hats, summer fashion, champagne, tasty appetizers, tail gaiting, divot stomping and sleek horses thundering across the field as their riders wield mallets to knock balls though 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!
www.thepoloclassic.com

35^th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival
August 9 – 11 • Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, MN
One of the largest annual outdoor music events in the upper Midwest hosts nearly 20,000 fans to more than 30 different acts on two stages.
www.bayfrontblues.com

Minnesota Zoo ”Wild Nights” – Hip Hop & Funk at the Zoo
August 9 • 5 – 10 PM • Individual Tickets $30 for MN Zoo members/$40 for non-members, Season Pass $150 for members/$175 for non-members • Amphitheater hosts Nur-D and Upper South Plaza hosts Chase & Ovation
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.
www.mnzoo.org/WildNights

Lakewood 2024 Music In The Chapel – Red Thread
August 11 • $15/Advance, $20/Door • 3 – 4 PM • Historic Memorial Chapel, Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Folk ensemble Red Thread blends its original music rooted in Eastern European, Yiddish and Americana sounds with harmonic sensibility.
www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel

LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip
August 21 – 25 • $845 per person, with possible financial assistance based on need • Maximum of 8 in group, minimum group size is 4 • Ely, MN
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.
www.elyoutfittingcompany.com/lgbtq-boundary-waters-trip/

Minnesota State Fair
Aug 22 – Sept 2 • 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!
www.mnstatefair.org

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