Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Minnesota
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Minnesota, including events in Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth.
Saint Paul Winter CarnivalJanuary
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Long known as the nation’s oldest winter festival, since 1886 the Saint Paul Winter Carnival provides indoor and outdoor fun, while reliving the ancient legend of springtime’s triumph over winter.
The celebration includes 75 events including parades, ice and snow carving competitions, ice skating, golf on ice and singing contests.
For more information visit: www.winter-carnival.com
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL
Grumpy Old Men Festival
February
Wabasha, Minnesota
A fun event in which visitors celebrate winter with that grumpy old man’s hobby of ice fishing, in the town that inspired the movie of the same name.
Other activities include an ice shack contest, Frisbee games, golf tournaments on snow, bird watching and a spaghetti dinner and dance. You may not run into Walter Matthau or Jack Lemmon, but this quaint Mississippi River town knows how to celebrate.
For more information visit: www.wabashamn.org
Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival
June
Moorhead, Minnesota
Authentic Scandinavian event featuring dancing, entertainment, booths and food celebrating the heritage of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The festival takes place at the Heritage Hjemkomst Center, home of the Viking ship which sailed from Minnesota to Norway in 1982.
For more information visit: www.nordiccultureclubs.org
SommerfestMinneapolis
July-August
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This annual music festival is offered by the Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vanska. Sommerfest concerts are held over a four-week period in midsummer at Orchestra Hall with concerts ranging from light to classical.
Outside the Hall, Peavey Plaza becomes a Marktplatz offering food stands and music. The orchestra performs free live music on the plaza before and after each show, ranging from folk to jazz to polka band.
For more information visit: www.minnesotaorchestra.org/sommerfest
Grand Celebration Powwow
July
Hinckley, Minnesota
This Indian event is the largest Pow Wow in the Midwest with over 1,200 dancers, drummers and singers from nearly every tribe in the USA and Canada participating. In addition to the dancing, visitors learn American Indian traditions, eat Indian food and can purchase Indian crafts.
For more information visit: www.millelacsojibwe.org
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis, a ten-day festival held annually in July. Entering its 70th year, Minneapolis residents, workers, and tourists love and appreciate the fun and entertainment, the beach parties, the sandcastle contests, water ski shows, milk carton boat races, classic car shows, the sports tournaments, the fireworks show along the Mississippi River and the neighborhood block parties.
For more information visit: http://www.aquatennial.com
Bayfront Blues Festival
August
Duluth, Minnesota
One of the largest annual outdoor music festivals in the Midwest , the Bayfront Blues Fetival showcases nearly 30 national performances on two concert stages. Additional weekend events include a Moonlight Mardi Gras Cruise and live Blues at nearly 20 Duluth nightclubs. The event takes place in Canal Park on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
For more information visit: www.bayfrontblues.com
Irish Fair Minnesota
August
Harriet Island, Minnesota
On the banks of the Mississippi River, this three-day celebration of Irish heritage comes complete with music, dance, family activities and good craic. Since 2001, beautiful Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul has hosted the Irish Fair. The festival is recognized as one of the most family-friendly events in the Twin Cities, one of the most authentic Irish festivals nationwide and an amazingly great time by the nearly 100,000 people who attended last year's festival.
For more information visit : http://www.irishfair.com
Minnesota State Fair
August / September
Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best attended expositions in the world, attracting nearly 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day.
For more information visit: www.mnstatefair.org
Holidazzle Parades
November / December
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The annual Macy’s Holidazzle Parade shows over one million brilliant lights as visitors watch their favorite storybook characters come to life. Lighted floats, musical groups and costumed characters all lit up parade down the Nicollet Mall at 6:30pm, even as the winter weather descends upon Minneapolis.
The parade is free to watch, and runs Thursday through Sunday during the holiday season.
For more information visit: www.macysholidazzle.com
Folkways of the Holidays
December weekends
Shakopee, Minnesota
Visitors step back in time when they visit The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park, part of the Three Rivers Park District, on December weekends, when they can experience the magic and joy of 19th century Christmas and Hanukah celebrations.
The journey begins with a horse-drawn trolley ride. Guests can tour holiday home settings, enjoy lively musical performances, and interact with costumed interpreters portraying settlers.
For more information visit: http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/the-landing/the-landing-folkways-of-the-holidays.aspx
