Don't miss the Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival at Mears Park in St. Paul, July 19-20 / Minnesota Blues Society
Event highlights this week include:
July 18-20, New Ulm
Bavarian Blast
July 18-21, Stillwater
Stillwater Lumberjack Days
July 19-21, Battle Lake
Art of the Lakes Studio Tour
July 18-20, Walker
Moondance Jam
July 20-21, Duluth
Duluth Airshow, presented by St. Luke's
Southern Minnesota
June 30 - July 21, Winona
Minnesota Beethoven Festival
The Minnesota Beethoven Festival offers a broad range of concerts to satisfy a variety of musical tastes. There are 11 concerts planned including headliner Joshua Bell. Other guest artists to perform include clarinetist Julian Bliss, the Venice Baroque Orchestra, the Parker Quartet, and 2017 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Yekwon Sunwoo. Various venues in Winona. 507-474-9055
July 5-20 (Fridays & Saturdays), Walnut Grove
Wilder Pageant
The Wilder Pageant is a family-oriented outdoor drama based on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder in Walnut Grove. Nightly live performances feature all the characters from the Walnut Grove area. Laura narrates the story, reflecting on her life in Walnut Grove in the 1870s. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. 507-859-2174
July 17-21, Kasson
Dodge County Free Fair
The Dodge County Free Fair is Minnesota's oldest county fair. The 162nd Dodge County Free Fair will feature carnival rides and games, the Bull Riding Challenge, Thunderbird Stock Car Races, truck and tractor pull, demolition derby, Kiddie Power Wheels Demo Derby, Dodge Mayhem Trailer Races, great fair food, a dance party, live music, and hula hoop, cow milking and other contests. Dodge County Free Fair grounds. 507-634-7736
July 18-20, New Ulm
Bavarian Blast
In its 14th year, Bavarian Blast returns to celebrate Bavarian heritage and culture. Surround yourself with all things German and enjoy a wide variety of German food, German-American music under big top tents, Schell’s Beer, 1919 Root Beer, the famous Bavarian Blast Parade and uniquely German contests such as the stein holding contest, sauerkraut eating competition and barrel rolling races. On Sunday, don't miss the Polka Service. Brown County Fairgrounds. 507-233-4300
July 24-28, Madison Lake
Paddlefish Days
Madison Lake's Paddlefish Days features a wide array of fun activIties and events including Bands & Burgers at Lucky Lure, Kiddie and Grand parades, Sheephead Fishing contest, a Foam Party, 5K race/walk, children's games, car show, kiddie tractor pull, Kiss-A-Fish contest, street dance, live music by IV Play, food vendors and much more. 507-243-3216
July 26-27, Wabasha
Riverboat Days
Join in the fun at the biggest party of the summer on the Upper Mississippi! Highlights include live music acts, the Rubbery Ducky Derby, bouncy houses, parade, children's activities, performance of Jack & the Beanstalk, the Grumpy Old Men Walleye Tournament, Yoga in the Park, Wabasha Sings, tractor pedal pull, volleyball tournament, 10K, 5K & 1K runs, firemen’s chicken feed, beer tent, farmers market and more. Heritage Park, under the bridge. 651-565-4158
July 26-28, Montgomery
Montgomery Kolacky Days - Czech Festival
Kolacky Days celebrates Montgomery's Czechoslovakian heritage and culture by blending the Czech traditions of the past with today's festival favorites. From authentic Kroj costumes, Czech dancing, Bohemian tractor pull and classic car show to a Grand Day Parade, U.S. National Prune Spitting Championships, Tour de Bun Bicycle Classic and 5K Bun Run Road Race, there's something for everyone! Complete list of events. Memorial Park and downtown Montgomery. 507-953-0094
August 2-4, Red Wing
River City Days
Red Wing's annual summer festival is tons of fun for all ages! Events include live entertainment by the Fabulous Armadillos and other popular bands, a large arts and crafts fair, 43rd annual Drive-In/Fly-In Pancake Breakfast, River City Ramble 5K & Kids' Fun Run, River City Days Parade, Mystery of Chemistry Family Show, performances by the Royal Order of Klondike Kates, beer gardens, vintage car & truck show, antique boat & motor show, Cookies on the Cannon Valley Trail, Kids' Treasure Hunt, sidewalk sales, Human Foosball Tournament, children's games and activities, the Taste of Red Wing and fun activities such as archaeological dig boxes, dunk tank, climbing rock wall, goldfish pond, environmental games, dunk tank and so much more! Bay Point Park & Levee Park. 651-388-5934
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
March 1 - Sept. 28, Chanhassen
Mamma Mia!
One mom. One daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget! Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. 952-934-1525
May 17 - Oct. 27, Minneapolis
The Vikings Begin
This extraordinary new exhibition features dozens of early Viking artifacts from boat graves, organized by Uppsala University in Sweden and its museum, Gustavianum, which is home to one of the world's finest collections of Viking and pre-Viking objects. The exhibition at ASI is the Midwest premiere of a collection that has never been outside of Scandinavia until this year, with many finds that are around 1400 years old. American Swedish Institute. 612-871-4907
July 13-21, Hopkins
Hopkins Raspberry Festival
The Hopkins Raspberry Festival has become a Twin Cities institution as a family friendly event. Highlights include the Hunt for the Golden Raspberry, Raspberry Festival of Bands, street dance, marketplace and craft fair, children's activities, big wheel races, ice cream social, car show, Grande Day Parade, Raspberry Run, fireworks and so much more! Sites throughout Hopkins. 952-931-0878
July 18-21, Stillwater
Stillwater Lumberjack Days
Stillwater Lumberjack Days is filled with fabulous events such as Lumberjack competitions and demonstrations, live music concerts by numerous bands, Grand and Little Lumberjack Days parades, medallion hunt, vendors, gondola, pontoon & helicopter rides, Karaoke contest, minnow races, petting zoo, fly fishing demonstrations, games and activities for all ages. Lowell Park/St. Croix Riverfront. 651-351-1717
July 19-20, Eagan
Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games
Visit Scotland in your backyard, where the "Highlands Meet the Prairie." Enjoy everything Scottish such as Highland & Country Dancing, a living history area, Scottish vendors & clans, pipers, traditional athletic competitions, non-stop music, children's activities & prizes, sheepherding demonstrations and hands-on curling activities. Great food, both ethnic and American, will also be available. Kids should bring their swimsuits and visit the splash pad. This fair and the parking are free. Eagan Central Park festival grounds. 952-994-8355
July 19-20, St. Paul
Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival
The Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival returns with a night of soul and funk on Friday, July 19, followed by a night of blues on Saturday, July 20. This is the Twin Cities' largest free blues festival (with an extra dose of funk). Mears Park. 612-308-5785
July 19-21, Hastings
Rivertown Days
This citywide festival includes many great events including Rivertown Days carnival rides & games, Heavy Metal Rodeos sponsored by Extreme Sandbox, Machinery Hill, Rivertown Days Arts & Crafts Fair, Fishing for Life Trout Pond, River of Life Kiddie Carnival, Model Aircraft Flying demonstration, Bubble Park, Black Dirt Improv Show, Daisy Dillman Band, Rivertown Days Grand Parade, Giant Duck Race on the Vermillion River, Hastings Sings Competition, sidewalk sales, petting zoo and fireworks display. Levee Park and Jaycee Park along the Mississippi River. 651-437-6775
July 20, Chanhassen
American Soul - A Tribute to James Brown, Ray Charles & The Blues Brothers
This is the show that never happened, but should have! Get on up with the most electrifying tribute to soul music with Ty Stone! Celebrating the legendary Ray Charles, Blues Brothers and the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Hear hits like "Unchain My Heart," "Georgia On My Mind,""Soul Man," "Living In America," "Super Bad," "I Got You (I Feel Good)," and many more! Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. 952-934-1525
July 20, Burnsville
International Festival of Burnsville
The annual International Festival of Burnsville celebrates the city's rich cultural diversity. Enjoy a wide array ethnic foods and vendor tents, ongoing performances and cultural displays. Kids' Village will feature craft projects, games, crazy hair, face painting and henna tattoos. Nicollet Commons Park. 952-895-4509
July 20, Anoka
Anoka Food Truck Festival
More than 45 food trucks will be selling their special concoctions with global cuisines ranging from Indian to British to Japanese to locally grown pork. Also enjoy live music by various bands, games, give-aways and handcrafted beers. Proceeds from all wristband sales will benefit a local charity. Downtown Anoka. 763-220-2380
July 24-27, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Aquatennial Festival
Join in the fun during The Best Days of Summer and enjoy activities for the whole family, Minnesota's largest night-time parade, the Top 5 Fireworks Display in the nation, Loring Park Art Festival, Twin Cities Carifest, AquaFest, Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides, Life Time Torchlight Parade After Party, Twin Cities River Rats Water Ski Show, Go Outside Trivia Night, great local food and so much more! Sites and venues throughout Minneapolis. 612-376-7669
July 25-27, Prior Lake
The Great Midwest Rib Fest
Summer sizzles as The Great Midwest Rib Fest returns with three days of food, music and fun! Get your groove on with free outdoor concerts by national and local acts. Bib up and chow down on ribs from the country's top pitmasters competing for bragging rights and thousands in prizes. Mystic Lake Resort & Casino. 952-445-9000
July 26-28 & Aug. 2-4, Minneapolis
2019 Minnesota Family Fringe
Adventurous art, family-sized. Don't miss this made-for-families festival of adventurous performance. With relaxed seating accommodations, accessibility services and more, all will enjoy the adventure of Fringe in an environment for adventurers of all ages. Shows are geared toward young people 12 and under and their families and caretakers. Barbara Barker Center for Dance on the University of Minnesota West Bank Campus. 612-872-1212
July 26 - Aug. 11, St. Paul
Circus Juventas presents Twisted
Comedy, magic and romance abound this summer at Circus Juventas as the renowned youth circus presents Twisted – a return to the world of international fairy tales for the first time since 2011. Circus Juventas. 651-699-8229
Upcoming Twin Cities' concerts and performances include:
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, July 19
Backstreet Boys at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, July 20
Khalid Free Spirit World Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, July 23
Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Xcel Energy Center, July 25
Jon Bellion at The Armory in Minneapolis, July 28
Tony Bennett - The I Left My Heart Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, July 28
Fiddler on the Roof at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 30 - Aug. 4
O.A.R. at Mystic Amphitheater in Prior Lake, Aug. 2
Santana: Supernatural Now at the Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 3
Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Aug. 3
John Mayer at the Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 5
Justin Hayward - All the Way at Ames Center in Burnsville, , Aug. 6
Kid Rock at Treasure Island Ampitheater in Welch, Aug. 10
Queen + Adam Lambert: The Rhapsody Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 10
Zakk Sabbath at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Aug. 13
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Aug. 14
Rent (Touring) at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Aug. 14-18
Bill Maher at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Aug. 17
Reba McEntire at Treasure Island Ampitheater, Aug. 17
Small Town Murder Podcast at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Aug. 17
Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Aug. 18
The Stray Cats - 40th Anniversary Tour at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Aug. 18
Tickets are available through Hennepin Theatre Trust and Ticketmaster
Central Minnesota
July 18-21, Sauk Centre
Sinclair Lewis Days
Sinclair Lewis Days is four days of fun for everyone with parades, fireworks, a craft fair, Family Day in the Park, ice cream social, 5K and kids' one mile run, Miss Sauk Centre Pageant, soap box derby races, raffle and more. Sinclair Lewis Park. 320-352-5201
July 19-21, Battle Lake
Art of the Lakes Studio Tour
The Art of the Lakes Studio Tour is a scenic, drive-yourself tour of 56 artists in 24 studios on curvy, hilly roads around lakes and through valleys with views that go on for miles. Many of the artists are tucked away on gravel roads scattered throughout Ottertail, Douglas and Grant counties. Look for the yellow signs to help guide you to your destination. Not all studios are open on Sunday. 218-864-8606
July 20, St. Joseph
HIKE@Night
There is nothing like viewing nature at night, especially with glow sticks, bonfires and specialty s'mores! Explore a Stearns County Park through night vision and enjoy a night out for less than the cost of a movie and popcorn! Kraemer Lake and Wildwood Park.
July 25-28, Glenwood
Waterama
Glenwood Waterama, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Minnewaska, features a 100-unit parade, kiddie parade, lighted pontoon parade, water shows, pageants, dances, sporting events, running races, great food, Crazy Days sales, an arts & crafts fair, fireworks and more! Learn why this is the largest community celebration of its kind in West Central Minnesota. Glenwood and Lake Minnewaska. 320-634-3636
July 26-28, Hutchinson
Orange Spectacular
The Orange Spectacular is considered the largest all Allis-Chalmers tractor show in the world, and it is dedicated to preserving the Allis-Chalmers name and its legacy. Don't miss the many field demonstrations, lawn and garden demonstrations, all Allis-Chalmers Tractor Pull, seminars, swap meet & flea market, toy farm scene displays, large toy vendor show and children's activities area. McLeod County Fairgrounds. 320-587-5252
Aug. 2-4, Pennock
Pennock Fun Days
Pennock Fun Days festivities include a hog roast, street dance, Movie in the Park, Grand Parade, antique tractor pull, craft show, kiddie parade, bean bag tournament, vendors, musical entertainment, children's activities, classic car cruise-in, tractor parade, beer garden, scavenger hunt, bingo and more. 320-599-4546
Northwest Minnesota
July 17-21, Thief River Falls
Pennington County Fair
The very popular Pennington County Fair includes a concert by Hairball, huge midway, Thunder On Hooves P.B.R. Bull Rides, the demolition derby, parade, fireworks display, grandstand acts, Talent Show, Beard & Mustache competition, chainsaw sculpting, raffle, wide variety of food and vendor booths and much more. Pennington County Fairgrounds. 218-681-5922
July 18-20, Walker
Moondance Jam
Moondance Jam is a classic rock and roll music festival held annually on the 300-acre Moondance Fairgrounds. This event features open festival seating, camping, well-kept facilities, two indoor regional stages, excellent security and an organized staff so fans are treated to great music and camping in a clean, safe and friendly atmosphere. Headliners for the 2019 Moondance Jam include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Train, Rick Springfield, The Sweet, Skillet, Goo Goo Dolls, Gov't Mule and Molly Hatchet! Moondance Fairgrounds. 218-836-1055
July 20-21, Bemidji
Art in the Park
Art in the Park features over 100 artists, live entertainment and a dozen food vendors, all within walking distance of downtown art galleries, including the premiere Watermark Art Center. This juried fine arts and craft fair is held on the shores of Lake Bemidji in the beautiful, tree-lined Library Park. 218-444-7570
July 26-27, Nevis
Nevis Muskie Days Music Festival
This annual celebration honors the big lunker that once ruled the waters of Lake Belle Taine. Highlights include music on three stages, parades, the 5K Muskie Race, fish fry, inflatables, children's games, kids' money dig, kids' fishing contest, street dance, beer garden, lots of food stands and more. 218-652-3115
July 27-28, East Grand Forks
Cats Incredible Catfish Days
The 32nd Annual Cat's Incredible Catfish Days will once again be held on the banks of the Red River of the North in East Grand Forks. The tournament is a two day event with cash paid to the top 15 teams. There will also be door prizes, beer gardens, food vendors, live entertainment and a Kids' Fun Zone. Great fun for participants and spectators alike! Downtown East Grand Forks, adjacent to Cabela's. 701-746-0444
Aug. 1-3, Detroit Lakes
WE Fest
WE Fest is considered by many to be America's best camping and country music festival! Headliners for this year's WE Fest include Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Jake Owen, Big & Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Currington and Jimmie Allen. Soo Pass Dude Ranch. 800-493-3378
Northeast Minnesota
July 19-21, Ball Club
Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Days Traditional Pow Wow
Just some of the highlights of the Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Days Traditional Pow Wow include Grand Entries, Flag Raising Ceremonies, parade, the open fire frybread contest, parade contest, Rez Car contest and walk/run. Ball Club, west of Deer River. 218-335-8395
July 20, Duluth
Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival
The 14th Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival showcases internationally touring performers, along with ethnic foods, beverages and a variety of artisans displaying their wares. This celebration of world music whose artists spread the message of love, hope and equality for all people worldwide -- bring your flag and wave it proudly! Bayfront Festival Park. 218-525-8099
July 20, Pine City
Art Fest 2019
The annual Pine City Art Fest is a unique outdoor arts and crafts fair. In addition to quality artwork and hand-crafted items, enjoy a Children's Corner, music by Freeway Jam, a petting zoo and great fair food. Robinson Park and downtown Pine City. 320-322-4040
July 20-21, Duluth
Duluth Airshow, presented by St. Luke's
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline the largest airshow in Minnesota! Arrive early to take in all of the static displays, a host of other aerial acts, and rides such as a 36' inflatable turbo shuttle slide, an inflatable aircraft carrier obstacle course, a Blue Angels bounce inflatable and the extreme air power jump ride at the Duluth Airshow Kids Zone! Additional charges may apply. Duluth International Airport. 218-628-9995
July 26-28, Ely
Blueberry Art Festival
This three-day event in beautiful Ely features more than 260 artists and crafters, 30 food vendors, activities for the children, a variety of musical entertainment and fresh blueberry pies. Whiteside Park. 218-365-6123
July 26-28, Grand Rapids
Northern Minnesota Car Show & Swap Meet
This car show & swap meet is considered the largest in Northern Minnesota with lots of vendors, morning breakfasts and free admission at the Itasca County Fairgrounds. On Sunday, July 28, don't miss the 35th Annual Northern Cruisers Weekend of Wheels Car Show at the IRA Civic Center. 218-326-6470; 218-259-3799
July 31 - Aug. 4, Grand Marias
Fisherman's Picnic
The 88th Annual Fisherman's Picnic is filled with crazy days sales, a craft show, daily contests and prizes, live music, food trucks, children's activities and so much more! Also enjoy Cutest Puppy, log rolling and loon calling contests, demonstrations, the Fish Toss and the Fisherman's Picnic Trail Run 5K. Downtown Grand Marais & Harbor Park. 218-387-2524
Be sure to visit the Deals section of ExploreMinnesota.com to learn of the latest discounts and specials!
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