2025-12-15 08:52:06
EXPERIENCE STANDOUT FESTIVALS
From vibrant art crawls to cultural celebrations, these gatherings offer a dynamic snapshot of life in Minnesota. Mark your calendars for these major annual events that bring people together.
Mid May 2026
Art-A-Whirl in northeast Minneapolis is the nation's largest open studio tour. This free event lets you explore private artist studios and galleries, connect with hundreds of local artists and purchase original artwork across various mediums.
Late June
The nation’s third largest free pride festival takes place in Loring Park every June. The family-friendly celebration features multiple vendors, events and stages. The fun kicks off with the Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday evening, where you can sample 60+ local craft beers and ciders. At the main festival on Saturday and Sunday, expect to see drag queens and kings strutting their stuff, live performers, food courts, and local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors.
Late August through Labor Day
America’s largest state fair by average daily attendance, the beloved Minnesota State Fair brings rides and a full cultural experience to St. Paul each summer. Admire food-based art, gaze at baby farm animals, indulge in glorious Fair food and sip beer from local breweries. Performers take the stage all day long, and every night wraps with a big show at the Grandstand, featuring national touring acts.
First two full weekends in October
Ranked by Fodor’s Travel, USA Today and Travel + Leisure as one of the best in the nation, New Ulm’s Oktoberfest showcases authentic German food, music and beer during the first two full weekends in October. New Ulm is also home to Schell’s Brewery, America’s second oldest family-owned brewery, which hosts an Oktoberfest of its own at its park-like campus.
Cultural Celebrations & Traditions
Minnesota festivals large and small honor culture and heritage through music, dance, food and community. Join in!
NATIVE AMERICAN POW WOWS
Whether you call them Pow Wows, Wacipi (in Dakota) or Nii Mii Win (Ojibwe/Anishinaabe), these are gatherings of Native arts, culture and celebration. They’re often open to the public, with food and arts and crafts available for purchase. The largest Pow Wows are held in summer. Visit the Festivals & Events section on our website for more info.
LATINO CELEBRATIONS
One of the nation’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations happens on Cesar Chavez Street in St. Paul. Enjoy six blocks of Mexican food, music and dancing, plus a parade and jalapeno-eating contest.
NORDIC FESTIVALS
Celebrate Minnesota’s Scandinavian roots at events like the American Swedish Institute’s Midsommar Celebration in June in Minneapolis, NordicFest in May in Thief River Falls and Flekkefest in Elbow Lake in August.
BLACK HISTORY
Juneteenth events include a block party on West Broadway in Minneapolis and festivities at local parks featuring food trucks, music, parades and more. In August, Little Africa Fest showcases African art, fashion, food, music and dancing in Hamline Park.
HMONG TRADITIONS
Traditional dance, music and crafts draw thousands to Hmong New Year festivities at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. In July, St. Paul’s Como Park hosts the Hmong International Freedom Festival, considered the Olympics of the Hmong American community.
THAI TRADITIONS
In May, the Minnesota Songkran Festival celebrates Thai New Year at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Held every four weeks from late June to mid-August, Thai Sunday Market in St. Louis Park evokes the vibrant markets of Southeast Asia with Thai street foods, souvenirs and live music.
IRISH PARADES & FAIRS
St. Patrick’s Day traditions include the state parade through downtown St. Paul and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration hosted by Crosslake in Central Minnesota. The festivities continue in August, when the Irish Fair brings traditional Irish food, music and dancing to St. Paul’s Harriet Island.
Scan or visit ExploreMinnesota.com/events to find more events and festivals around Minnesota.
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