MidwestWeekends.com — Your Travel Guide to the Upper Midwest

Events for "Minneapolis, MN"

January

  • Art Sled Rally (Jan. 26)

    Minneapolis, MN

    Ride down a decorated hill at Powderhorn Park in your own wacky sled, which you can make at home or at free workshops at Powderhorn Park Community Center. There's also live music and hot chocolate.


February

  • City of Lakes Loppet (Feb. 2 – 3)

    Minneapolis, MN

    For recreational skiers, the highlight of this big cross-country ski festival is the Saturday-night Luminary Loppet, with glowing ice pillars and "ruins.'' There's a tent party with music afterward.

    On Saturday, there are also ski games and races for children, a snow-sculpture contest and bicycle and skijoring races.

    On Sunday, there's a 10k tour, a 25k classical race and a 33k freestyle race, all in Wirth Park.


April

  • Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival (Apr. 11 – 28)

    Minneapolis, MN

    More than 170 films from 50 countries are shown at St. Anthony Main Theatre on the Minneapolis riverfront.


  • Spring Outdoor Adventure Expo (Apr. 26 – 28)

    Minneapolis, MN

    A spring kickoff for outdoor enthusiasts, with presentations on outdoor adventures and destinations and a gear sale and auction of used canoes and kayaks.


May

  • May Day Parade and Festival (May 5)

    Minneapolis, MN

    This earthy, lighthearted Sunday-afternoon event in south Minneapolis' Powderhorn Park features the giant puppets of Heart of the Beast Theatre and a people's parade to the park.

     


  • Art-A-Whirl Studio and Gallery Tour (May 17 – 19)

    Minneapolis, MN

    More than 500 artists take part in this tour of the northeast Minneapolis arts district, around the old Grain Belt brewery at Broadway and Marshall avenues.

    On Saturday, there's a Craft Beer Festival and Block Party outside Stanley's Barroom at Lowry and University avenues.


June

  • Stone Arch Bridge Festival (Jun 14 – 16)

    Minneapolis, MN

    250 artists show their wares on the banks of the Mississippi at St. Anthony Main. There are also three stages, art for kids and a car show.


July

  • Red White and Boom (Jul 3 – 4)

    Minneapolis, MN

    On Wednesday, there's a 5K fun fun, followed by music and a movie. On Thursday, there's a half-marathon in the morning, and music and family activities starting at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks.

    Festivities are along the riverfront downtown.

     


  • Basilica Block Party (Jul 12 – 13)

    Minneapolis, MN

    This family-friendly outdoor rock festival on the grounds of the Basilica of St. Mary benefits its restoration and outreach programs.

    Headliners include the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, Mayer Hawthorne, Matt Nathanson, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.


  • Aquatennial (Jul 12 – 20)

    Minneapolis, MN

    Among the highlights of this big festival are the Lake Calhoun milk-carton boat races and sandcastle contest, the Hennepin Avenue Torchlight Parade and Mississippi River fireworks show.


  • ArtBike + ArtCar Parade (Jul 20)

    Minneapolis, MN

    Decorated bikes, cars and one Couchmobile will circle Lake Harriet at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to bring a decorated conveyance and join the parade; meet at 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden.


August

  • Uptown Art Fair (Aug. 2 – 4)

    Minneapolis, MN

    This large juried art fair in the Uptown neighborhood draws crowds. Take the Art Hop bus to avoid congestion and to get to the two other art fairs in south Minneapolis.


  • Loring and Powderhorn arts festivals (Aug. 3 – 4)

    Minneapolis, MN

    These smaller festivals in Powderhorn Park, in south Minneapolis, and Loring Park, on the edge of downtown, are not far from the Uptown Art Fair. All are easily reached by bus shuttle or by bicycle on the Midtown Greenway.


  • Twin Cities Polish Festival (Aug. 9 – 11)

    Minneapolis, MN

    This celebration of Polish culture is on the St. Anthony Main riverfront across from downtown, with music, art, food and free polka lessons.


September

  • Minneapolis Bike Tour (Sep. 15)

    Minneapolis, MN

    Ride a 14- or 36-mile route on parkways along the Mississippi and the Chain of Lakes. Start and finish is Parade Field, across from the Walker Art Center; there's a party afterward.


November

  • Outdoor Adventure Expo (Nov. 22 – 24)

    Minneapolis, MN

    A winter kickoff for outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 100 presentations on outdoor adventures and destinations and a gear sale. At Midwest Mountaineering on the West Bank.