X Games in Minneapolis, Aug. 1-4 / Matt Morning, courtesy of ESPN Images & Meet Minneapolis
Event highlights this week include:
August 2-4, Red Wing
River City Days
Aug. 2-4, Minneapolis
Uptown Art Fair
Aug. 2-4, Pennock
Pennock Fun Days
Aug. 1-3, Detroit Lakes
WE Fest
July 31 - Aug. 4, Grand Marias
Fisherman's Picnic
Southern Minnesota
Aug. 1-4, Lanesboro
Buffalo Bill Days
In 1900, the first of Buffalo Bill Cody's world-famous Wild West Shows were performed in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Buffalo Bill Days celebrates Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Shows with a three-day festival featuring plays at the Commonweal Theatre, live music, dances, beer and brat tents, barbecue chicken, marketplace, bingo, Baggo, dancing, karaoke, golf, softball & volleyball tournaments, and of course, an Old West Show. On Saturday night, enjoy fireworks off the bluffs, and don't miss the grand parade on Sunday afternoon. 507-467-2696
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
Aug. 2-4, Granite Falls
Wacipi Days
Come to Granite Falls and experience the Upper Sioux Community's Pezhutazizi Oyate Traditional Wacipi Pow Wow with flag raising ceremonies, grand entries, community meals and beautiful regalia! All are welcome. Upper Sioux Community Wacipi Grounds. 320-564-3853
Aug. 3, Houston
International Owl Awareness Day
Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day with live owls, special programs, vendors, face painting and owl-themed snacks. In addition to the International Owl Center's Eurasian Eagle Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Barn Owl and red morph Eastern Screech-Owl, you’ll meet and learn about Quarry Hill Nature Center’s tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl and Oxbow Park’s Barred Owl and gray morph Eastern Screech-Owl. You’ll also find a plethora of owl items for sale, including owl cookies you can decorate yourself, owl henna art, a scavenger hunt around town and lifelike owl carvings. Most activities take place at Houston Elementary School, two blocks south of the International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Aug. 7-11, New Ulm
Brown County Free Fair
Enjoy free admission and free parking at the Brown County Free Fair! Just some of the highlights include carnival rides and games, exotic animals, 4H & FFA exhibits, free live music, lots of traditional fair food, demolition derbies, a truck & tractor pull, and many activities for kids on Kids' Day Friday. Brown County Fairgrounds. 507-354-2223
Aug. 10, Faribault
Blue Collar BBQ Music & Arts Festival
Save the date for the Paradise Center for the Arts annual music and art festival with headliner Martin Zellar and the Hardways. Winner of 2017 Southern Minnesota Scene Best Music Festival, this all day festival features nonstop live music, art and market vendors, food trucks, family activities, beer gardens, backyard BBQ, bean bag contests and more. Paradise Center for the Arts. 507-332-7372
Aug. 16-17, Sleepy Eye
Buttered Corn Days Celebration
Celebrate Sleepy Eye's 58th Annual Buttered Corn Days Celebration! Join the lakeside celebration for free buttered sweet corn on Friday. Other highlights Friday include the Burgers & Beer Garden, pie & ice cream social, 1919 root beer, live music, children's activities, craft vendors and downtown street dance. On Saturday, attend the 3rd Annual BBQ Rib Contest, and watch the grand parade with roughly 100 units. Allison Park. 507-794-4731
Aug. 17, Henderson
Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah
Learn about the amazing ruby-throated hummingbird, how to attract them and keep them happy. The Hummingbird Hurrah may focus on hummingbirds, but birds, bees, butterflies & blooms will also be featured! Don't miss the hummingbird bandings from 9 a.m. until noon, as well as speakers, children's activities, educational booths, vendor mall, garden tours, book-signings, raffle prizes, food and more. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and view lots of hummingbirds at the feeders and flowers. Admission is free. Bender Park. 507-665-6570
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
Aug. 1-4, Minneapolis
X Games
Don't miss the world's best BMX, Moto X and Skateboard athletes competing for medals and prize money. This interactive festival experience also offers headline musical performances by The Blind Shake, Chevy Metal, Diplo, Incubus, P.O.S, SWMRS and Wu-Tang Clan. U.S. Bank Stadium. 612-444-8700
Aug. 1-11, Minneapolis
2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival
Minnesota Fringe Festival fills 40,000 seats to more than 650 performances by greater than 1,000 artists on over a dozen stages during 11 days of summer. Fringe shows are 60 minutes or less with a half hour break between each performance. Attendees can purchase a day pass that allows for entry into any show at any venue on that particular day. Venues are chosen in clusters to make traveling to multiple shows simple by walking, biking, personal and public transportation options. Minnesota Fringe is committed to producing opportunities for artists of a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities and experience levels. Multiple venues and locations in Minneapolis. 612-872-1212
Aug. 2-4, Jordan
Scott-Carver Threshers Harvest Festival
The Threshers Harvest Festival runs 3 big days and features all makes and models of antique tractors, gas & steam engines and machinery. Other highlights include craft vendors, food stands, daily parades, live music, a tractor pull and spark shows at dusk. On the grounds, tour the operating print shop, blacksmith shop, women's building, model t shop, saw mill and other buildings. Demonstrations include potato digging, quilting, spinning, threshing and plowing. Scott County Fairgrounds. 952-686-3191
Aug. 2-4, Little Canada
Little Canada Canadian Days
Canadian Days is Little Canada's is a celebration of its relationship with its sister-city -- Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, medallion hunt, corn feed, kiddie, boat and grand parades, numerous live music acts, classic car show, 5k walk/run, inflatables, face painting, children's entertainment, LC's Playland, petting zoo, food vendors, beer garden, fireworks and more. Spooner Park. 651-766-4029
Aug. 2-4, Minneapolis
Uptown Art Fair
The Uptown Art Fair is an award-winning fine arts festival featuring more than 320 artists, non-stop entertainment on the performance stage, a family activity area, youth art fair,
Culinary Arts Competition, great food and beverages from 25 vendors, a brand new marketplace featuring goods from local shops and businesses and more. Lake Street & Hennepin Avenue. 612-823-4581
Aug. 3, Maple Grove
Woof-a-Pawlooza
Bring your furry four-legged family member to Woof-a-Pawlooza and enjoy live music, raffles and merchandise vendors as you mingle with other dogs and owners. You can also enter your pet in the talent competition. There will be an adoption section for you or someone you know that is hoping to add a member to their family. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes. 763-424-0504
Aug. 3-4, Minneapolis
Powderhorn Art Fair
Beauty and creativity abound in the 66-acre pastoral Powderhorn Park where artists from across the country circle around the tree-lined, picturesque Powderhorn Lake. The Powderhorn Art Fair is a regional fine arts and fine crafts art fair that is a multi-cultural and family friendly event with food, music and community participation. Powderhorn Park. 612-767-3515
Aug. 4-12, New Brighton
New Brighton Stockyard Days
The annual Stockyard Days Festival features a medallion hunt, fireworks, water ski shows, parades, street dances, car show and swap meet, antique car run, karaoke contest, food and craft vendors, Corral Open Golf Tournament, games and contests, and the finish of the 120 mile Antique Car Run. Long Lake Regional Park. 651-636-4504
Aug. 9-11, St. Paul
Irish Fair of Minnesota
The Irish Fair of Minnesota, a three-day annual celebration of Irish heritage and culture, draws nearly 100,000 attendees each year making it the largest free celebration of its kind in the nation! Family-friendly experiences and activities include traditional music, Irish dance, Gaelic sports, children's games and crafts at the Children’s Tent, an Irish Authors Literary Corner, native Irish dogs, the Best Legs in a Kilt Contest, a variety of Irish shopping opportunities, and an array of food and beverage options. Harriet Island. 651-645-0221
Aug. 10, Stillwater
Square Lake Film & Music Festival
The Square Lake Film & Music Festival is one of the best kept summer secrets of the upper Midwest, featuring Minnesota music and independent short experimental and animated films. This is a rain or shine outdoor event with films shown in a hay barn-converted-to-theater during the transition time between bands. Square Lake. 651-351-1717
Aug. 10, St. Paul
Fiesta Latina 2019
Celebrate Latino Art and Culture! Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) will host its 4th Annual Fiesta Latina. The family-friendly festival will have activities for all ages, along with tasty Latino food, folkloric and contemporary dances, live music, Soccer with MN United, art and crafts, information on health and fitness, free medical exams, raffles and giveaways. CLUES St. Paul. 651-379-4200
Aug. 10, St. Paul
IndiaFest
IndiaFest celebrates the rich heritage, traditions, diversity and culture of India. This free event is open to all, and this year’s festival features performances by internationally-acclaimed Asian Indian dance groups based in Minnesota, as well as delectable Indian cuisine from local restaurants, foot-tapping to live Bollywood music, exhibits, cultural displays, and an Indian bazaar. Minnesota State Capitol Grounds. 651-321-3421
Upcoming Twin Cities' concerts and performances include:
Fiddler on the Roof at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, July 30 - Aug. 4
O.A.R. at Mystic Lake Casino Amphitheater in Prior Lake, Aug. 2
Santana: Supernatural Now at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, 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
WWE Monday Night Raw at the Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 19
Ganja White Night at The Armory, Aug. 24
Rod Stewart at the Treasure Island Ampitheater, Aug. 24
Iron Maiden at the Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 26
Lionel Richie at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, Aug. 30
Mark Knopfler at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Aug. 30
Tyler, The Creator at The Armory in Minneapolis, Sept. 2
Squeeze at the Historic State Theatre, Sept. 3
Tickets are available through Hennepin Theatre Trust and Ticketmaster
Central Minnesota
July 31 - Aug. 4, Sauk Centre
Stearns County Fair
This event showcases the county's best from the 4-H Club livestock shows to the demolitions derby. Other highlights include midway games and rides, the Stearns County Ranch Rodeo, concerts by the Pasadena Playboys, The Amazing Hoopsters, other concerts and performances, draft horse parade, rooster crowing contest, great fair food and much more! Fairgrounds in Sauk Centre. 320-352-5201
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
Aug. 3, Pequot Lakes
Choke Cherry Festival
The 12th Annual Choke Cherry Festival features the Chokecherry Culinary Contest, arts & craft fair, food booths, tractor races while blindfolded, pit-spitting contests and more. A Kids' Arcade Area with offer a wide variety of reasonably-priced children's games such as Plinko, bean bag toss, tug boats and fish pond with prizes for the kids! 218-838-8002
Aug. 8-11, Richmond
Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival
The Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival is a five-time nominee for Event of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville. Attend one or all four days of the festival featuring professional bluegrass and old-time string band music on the main stage. Workshops, instrument showcases, dances, kid's activities, food & merchandise vendors, and plenty of campground jam sessions will also be offered. Come for the day or camp for the weekend. Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver perform on Friday, and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder perform on Saturday. El Rancho Mañana Campground. 651-456-8919
Aug. 10, Hutchinson
Minnesota Garlic Festival
The Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of garlic, great local foods and good times! Family friendly, fun filled and fragrant, this festival features fantastic foods, celebrity chefs, marvelous music, area artisans, goofy games and lots of garlic – all in support of a healthy environment, sustainable farms and vital rural communities. McLeod County Fairgrounds. 763-244-6659
Aug. 17-18, Wahkon
Wahkon Days
The annual Wahkon Days celebration features a treasure hunt, live music and dancing, kayak tour of Spider Island, arts, craft & vendor fair, Classic Car Cruise, Mille Lacs Sings, minnow races, face painting, kids' coin hunt, kids' fishing contest, street dance, great food, beer garden and parade. Downtown Wahkon. 320-495-3441
Northwest Minnesota
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
Aug. 2-4, Thief River Falls
RiverFest
This year's RiverFest headliners will be The Johnny Holm Band, Creedence Revived and Martin Zellar’s Tribute to Neil Diamond, with numerous other acts performing Friday and Saturday evenings. Downtown Hartz Park. 218-681-3720
Aug. 2-4, Lake Itasca
Lake Itasca Family Music Festival
The 14th Annual Lake Itasca Family Music Festival features some of the greats in gospel bluegrass from around the country on the outdoor main stage. Side stages feature broad interpretations of the genre spanning from an exciting mix of seasoned performers to first-timers. It is family entertainment at its best with music, food, camping, fun and sun! Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Grounds. 218-333-1421
Aug. 9-12, Walker
Leech Lake Regatta
The Leech Lake Regatta features boat races in two fleets -- mono-hulls and multi-hulls. Other highlights include sailing, campfires, live music and camaraderie. Shores of Leech Lake Marina, RV Park & Cottages. 218-547-1819
Aug. 10, Hackensack
2019 Northwoods Art & Book Festival
The Northwoods Art and Book Festival will feature over 50 artists and 30+ authors. A presentation at 11:00 a.m. in the UCC ‘Murder She Writes Again and Again’ featuring Marlene Chabot, Pat Dennis and Christine Husom as presenters. The Minnesota Art Truck “Baxter” once again rolls into Hackensack for the 24th Annual Art & Book Festival. Guests will also enjoy food, wine, beer and live music! Hackensack Community Building, UCC Church, and the intersection of 3rd Street & Lake Avenue. 218-675-6181
Aug. 10, Park Rapids
Legends & Logging Days
Legends & Logging Days celebrates the area's logging and lumberjack heritage with a Lumberjack shows where lumberjacks compete against each other in log rolling, cross-cut sawing, hot sawing, axe throwing, chainsaw carving and log chopping. New this year, the exhilarating Speed Pole Climb and the Cant Hook Choker Race. In addition, there will be a historical encampment, wood carving demonstrations, Civil war Cannon and Kids' Candy Cannon shoots, an archery challenge, corn hole tournament, painting with Nate workshop, festival food, beer garden, live music and crafts. Park Rapids Antique Tractor & Engine Club. 218-732-4111
Aug. 15-18, East Grand Forks
Heritage Days and Happy Harry's Rockin' Up North Festival
Watch history come to life at Heritage Village with tours of pioneer buildings, hands-on learning, educational programs and presentations representing the Upper Midwest in the mid to late 1800’s and early 1900’s. On Saturday, Aug. 17, head to the Up North Pizza Pub parking lot for the 3rd Annual Happy Harry's Rockin' Up North Festival with headliner BlackHawk and special guests James Otto and Paint The Town. 218-791-6764; 701-306-2166
Northeast Minnesota
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
July 31 - Aug. 4, Chisholm
Doc "Moonlight" Graham Days and the St. Louis County Fair
Doc "Moonlight" Graham Days pays tribute to the longtime town doctor who enjoyed a short stint in Major League Baseball. This served as the inspiration for a character of the same name in the W.P. Kinsella novel “Shoeless Joe,” which became the major motion picture “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner, where Doc was portrayed by Burt Lancaster. Visit the Minnesota Discovery Center to see the documentary "The Real Moonlight Graham: A Life Well Lived" showing on the hour beginning at 9 a.m. In downtown Chisholm, enjoy parades, a car show, street dance, Moonlight Festival Bingo, youth fishing contest, Doc Moonlight Graham exhibits, baseball exhibition game & more make this celebration fun for all ages. And while in Chisholm, check out the St. Louis County Fair at the St. Louis County Fairgrounds near the Minnesota Discovery Center, July 31 - Aug. 4, with exhibits, animals, performances, events, midway rides and games, and all the "fair food" you crave! 218-254-7931; 218-263-4256
Aug. 2, Braham
Braham Pie Day
Braham Pie Day brings you more than 1100 homemade and artisan pies, as well as live music, costumes, recycled pie tin art contest, craft and vendor show, Sweet as Pie collector car show, antique bicycle show, quilt show, pie baking contests, pie eating contests, pie trivia and so much more! Free shuttle service. Freedom Park. 320-396-4956
Aug. 2-3, Duluth
City on the Hill Music Festival
The 5th Annual City on the Hill Music Festival brings together people of faith for two days of fellowship and music by a diverse group of Christian Music artists, right on the shores of Lake Superior. Bayfront Festival Park. 218-591-5268
Aug. 9-11, Grand Portage
Grand Portage National Monument Rendezvous Days & Pow Wow
Travel back in time to 1797 when the hustle and bustle of summer activity peaked with the North West Company Rendezvous in Grand Portage. This was the time when furs from wintering posts, were delivered down the Grand Portage Trail. The annual Rendezvous is still celebrated in conjunction with the Rendezvous Days Pow Wow, sponsored by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The entire family will enjoy music, dancing, a traditional pow wow, craft demonstrations, interpretive programs, the Dainty Voyageur contest and interactive workshops. Grand Portage National Monument218-475-0123
Aug. 9-11, Duluth
Bayfront Blues Festival
The Bayfront Blues Festival is one of the Midwest's largest outdoor blues festivals featuring international, national and regional music acts. Each year nearly 20,000 fans are treated to more than thirty different acts on two stages, as well as a variety of food vendors at one of the region’s most beautiful open-air venues. Bayfront Festival Park. 218-722-4011
Be sure to visit the Deals section of ExploreMinnesota.com to learn of the latest discounts and specials!
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