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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Scan or visit ExploreMinnesota.com/events to find more events and festivals around Minnesota. Oktoberfest at Schell's Brewery ICOnIC EXPERIEnCEs | 63
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2026 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 63
