Youth Summer Programs

Choose from a variety of fun and safe summer programming options for youth. Register today as some camps and activities have limited spots remaining. 

• Summer camps and activities: Begin June 2. Full and half-day camps for youth of all ages. Costs range from free up to $240.
• Summer Rec Check: June 22-August 27. Free program for those entering grades 1-6 in the fall on Monday-Thursday from 1-4pm at 22 sites. 
  • NEW FOR 2026: Teen Summer Rec Check at Wilder Recreation Center. That’s right, you heard us say TEEN--has everything you love about our school year Rec Check, but with a summer twist FOR TEENS entering grades 6-8 this fall. This program runs the same dates and times as the other Rec Check sites. 
• Summer S'more Fun: June 22- August 28. $44/day for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm at 3 sites. Best availability at the Highland Park location! 

Featured Summer Camp: Jr. Police Academy

The St. Paul Police Department in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is excited to offer a Junior Police Academy. Participants will learn the ins-and-outs of our police department including visiting the police K9 Kennels, meet a SWAT officer, tour a St. Paul Fire Department firehouse, complete a bike rodeo course, go on a bike ride, play games, learn about internet safety, tour the Emergency Communications center and learn where 911 calls go, meet new friends, and have a graduation ceremony with ice cream at the end. These are free, camps offered at three recreation center locations:

• July 7: Junior Police Academy (Hazel Park)
• July 21: Junior Police Academy (Edgcumbe)
• June 23: Junior Police Academy (North Dale)

Recreation in your neighborhood

• Recreation in Motion brings outdoor summer fun to your neighborhood! This free, drop-in youth program offers athletic programs, STEM challenges, arts and crafts, games, and other organized activities led by the fun and energetic Rec in Motion team. Snacks will be served at each session. This is a free activity. No pre-registration is required.
• Park and Play (formerly Tech For All Pop-Up Recreation) is a traveling video game and technology truck for youth. Follow us to locations all over Saint Paul. This is a free activity. No registration is required--just show up! *2026 schedule will be finalized soon

Natural Resources programs

• Saint Paul Natural Resources: Our Natural Resources team hosts a variety of activities for all ages to get you outside and exploring nature in your local parks. All activities are free but some do require pre-registration. Programs include:
  • ExploraTots (monthly on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday) - Great for families with toddlers! *Adults must be present
  • Family Ecology Club (monthly on Saturdays) - Nature-based activities on ages 6-12 and families. 
  • Bird Bike Safari (June 10) - We’ll bring the binoculars, you bring the bicycle! Ages 14+
  • Small Mammal Survey (August 1) - Spend some time outside in a beautiful park, learn about our mammal neighbors, and contribute to scientific study. Ages 12+ 
• Restore! events: These events, hosted in partnership with, Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi, are intended for individual or small groups to help restore this park and be community stewards in the preservation of the Dakota sacred site, Wakáŋ Tipi. Dates available for pre-registration June - October. 
• Gardening Volunteer Opportunities: Many gardens across the city need help with water and weeding. We have monthly events at Churchill Gardens May - October. (The next one has a few spots left for this Monday, May 18 from 5-7pm!)

Lots of other events will be announced as they are finalized, including our popular Family Fishing Nights and other ways to explore the outdoors in Saint Paul!

Movies in the Parks

Bring along a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a starlit night of fun with friends and family! Movies in the Parks provides a wide range of outdoor films at parks and recreation centers around Saint Paul. Events are free and open to the public. 

This year, our "musicals" themed-line up will have something for the whole family to enjoy. 

• July 17, dusk: Movie in the Park - Coco (Midway Peace Park)
• July 24, dusk: Movie in the Park - High School Musical (Como Park Midway Pavilion) *note that this is NOT the Lakeside Pavilion
• July 31, dusk: Movie in the Park - School of Rock (Edgcumbe)
• August 14, dusk: Movie in the Park - Mamma Mia (Hampden Park)
• August 21, dusk: Movie in the Park - Encanto (El Rio Vista) *No dogs allowed on the turf field
• August 28, dusk: Movie in the Park - Wicked (Phalen Beach House)

Music in the Parks

Join us for some outdoor entertainment! All shows are free unless otherwise noted. Events are weather permitting and subject to change without notice. Visit the webpages below for full schedules and information.

• Melodies on the Mississippi (Harriet Island Regional Park Target Stage)
• Groovin' in the Garden (Como Park Zoo & Conservatory)
• Music in Mears Lunchtime Series (Mears Park)
• Como Lakeside Pavillion (Como Park) *some events may charge admission
• Lowertown Sounds (Mears Park)
• Twin Cities Jazz Festival (Mears Park)
• Summer Nights in Rice (Rice Park)
• Music Festivals at Harriet Island: Experience sound waves underneath the giant cottonwoods & along the majestic Mississippi River at Harriet Island Regional Park. *music festivals require paid ticket purchase for entry 
  • Country Club Festival
  • Yacht Club Festival

More music events will be added to the Music in the Parks webpage as those schedules are finalized.

FEATURED MUSIC EVENT: Saint Paul Get Down 

The Saint Paul Get Down is a hip-hop music showcase for young people 14-24 years old. All artists that fill out this application will have an opportunity to write, record, and produce their own music with local artist Terrell X. Free studio time and mentorship will be provided every Wednesday from 3pm-6pm at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center on Selby Ave. Artists that are chosen to perform will get a chance to play a set at a selected venue as well as earn a chance to open for a headlining act at the Target Stage on Harriet Island.

Apply by June 1st and let's GET DOWN! For more information, email mario.stokes@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Mark your calendars for these performance dates! (Headliners will be announced soon!)

• June 21, 1-5pm at Central Village Park
• July 9, 5:30-8pm at Arlington Hills Community Center 
• July 23, 5:30-8pm at 825 Arts
• August 5 (National Night Out), 5:30-8pm at Martin Luther King Recreation Center
• August 22, 3-10pm at Harriet Island Target Stage 

Downtown Park events

Discover downtown Saint Paul's parks! Our downtown parks come alive with a vibrant lineup of activities for everyone to enjoy — featuring outdoor fitness classes, live music, art installations, dancing, food trucks, festivals, and more. Dive into the lineup and experience your Capital city like never before! And kick it all off with us at the Downtown Block Party at Mears Park on May 29 from 5-8pm. 

NEW FOR 2026: LUNCH ON THE LAWN

Food Trucks and Grab-n-Go Lunch Menus at Downtown Parks

Join us Monday-Thursday during the summer for Lunch on the Lawn! Enjoy a weekly rotation of live music, DJs, fitness events, delicious food and more at a different downtown park each day. 

• Monday: Pedro Park
  • Grab-N-Go Lunch (11am-2pm) *menus coming soon
  • Music by DJ (11am-2pm)
  • Lawn games and makers space (11am -2pm)
  • Self-Led circuit workout (11:30am-12:30pm)
• Tuesday: Mears Park 
  • Grab-n-go lunch (11am-2pm) *menus coming soon
  • Lawn games (11am-2pm)
  • Live music (View music schedule) (12-1pm)
  • Yoga (1pm-2pm)
• Wednesday: Rice Park
  • Food Trucks (View food trucks schedule) (11am-2pm)
  • Resistance Band Workout (12pm-1pm)
  • Live music (12pm-1pm)
• Thursday: Kellogg Mall Park
  • Food Trucks (View food trucks schedule) (11am-2pm)
  • Lawn games (11am-2pm)
  • Sound Bath (12pm-1pm)
  • Yoga (1pm-2pm)

Aquatics

• Phalen Beach: Weather permitting, Phalen Beach be open on May 23-25, May 30-31, June 6-7, and June 13 - Sept. 7.
  • Camp Phalen
  • Sailing Lessons
  • Open Water Swim
  • Canoe and Kayak Storage
• Highland Park Aquatic Center: Weather permitting, Highland Park Aquatic Center will be open  May 23-25, May 30-31, June 6-7 and June 13 - Sept. 7. 
  • NEW FOR 2026: Adult Swim Clinics - Drop-in
• Como Regional Park Pool: Weather permitting, Como Regional Park Pool will be open June 13 - August 26. Como Regional Park Pool will be closed starting at 12pm on June 25 and reopen on June 30. 
• Great River Water Park: Great River Water Park will be closed May 15-17 & 22-25 as staff train and transition to outdoor swimming locations. The water park will close for the summer starting on May 29 and reopen September 21.
• Splash Pads: Splash Pads will open daily from 9am-9pm starting June 13-September 7.
• Aquatics memberships: Summer aquatics memberships are available for purchase online.

Watercraft Rentals and Boat Rides

No boat? No problem! Whether you are looking for a kayak, canoe, paddle board, swan boat, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or riverboat ride, our partners offer plenty of options to get you out on the water this season.

• Lake Phalen Beach: Whenever Watersports | Kayak & paddle board rentals - Open
• Lake Como: Wheel Fun Rentals | Kayak, paddle board, canoe & swan boat rentals - Available starting May 16
• Pickerel Lake & Mississippi River: Mississippi Paddle Share | Kayak rentals  - Begins May 22 but you can make your reservation now
• Mississippi River: Your Boat Club at Watergate Marina | Pontoon & fishing boat rentals - Online reservations are open now 
• Mississippi River: Magnolia Blossom | Riverboat cruises for groups/special events - Contact Magnolia Blossom for availability 
• Mississippi River: Padelford Riverboats | Riverboat cruises for individuals or groups - Online reservations are open now 

Safe Summer Nights

Safe Summer Nights are designed to provide opportunities for police officers to become acquainted with residents of the neighborhoods they serve over a meal. These are free, public events and feature food, activities for children and ample opportunities for attendees to meet their Saint Paul police officers. All are welcome!

• June 11, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (McDonough)
• June 16, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights Special Edition (Griggs) **Special edition for adaptive recreation
• June 18, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Duluth & Case)
• July 9, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Jimmy Lee)
• July 23, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Palace)
• August 6, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Northwest Como)
• August 13, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Dayton's Bluff)

FEATURED SPECIAL EVENT: Waterfest at Lake Phalen

Waterfest is back May 30, 2026 at Phalen Regional Park (next to the Phalen Lakeside Activity Center: 1530 Phalen Dr, St Paul, MN 55106).

This free, family festival celebrating our clean lakes provides an opportunity for outdoor hands-on learning about clean water, wildlife, and land and water conservation.

This is an outdoor, free, family-friendly, and hands-on celebration! Experience activities on and off the water, games, food, and more

Places to eat: City House on the Mississippi River and Dock & Paddle on Como Lake

Downtown Saint Paul's waterfront dining destination is back! City House is located in the historic Municipal Elevator and Sackhouse building along the Sam Morgan Regional Trail at 258 Mill Street. The restaurant features a patio overlooking the river and Harriet Island and serves up local craft beer, cider, and wine on tap as well as a delicious rotating seasonal menu. City House is open 11am-8pm daily and features live music* on select dates. *Check back for their 2026 schedule to be posted

Community Recreation Leader

To apply, submit an application via the online portal.

Work with youth at recreation centers leading games, activities, and off-site field trips, work citywide events at a variety of park locations, drive gaming truck to help community play on different gaming consoles, safely assist in harnessing community members at the climbing wall, and more.

Como Zoo & Conservatory events

Como Town open for the season beginning May 16, check website for hours: Como Town, the family-friendly amusement park located next to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, opens for the 2026 season on May 16. With kid-sized rides and classic attractions, it’s a favorite destination for family fun in the Twin Cities.

Free Shuttle Service Returns for the Season on weekends beginning May 23
Make your visit to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory even easier by taking advantage of our free weekend shuttle service, operating Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through August 23, 2026. Shuttles will also run on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day).

Our convenient shuttle transports guests from the off-site, staffed parking lot at 1930 Como Avenue directly to the front doors of the Visitor Center. The shuttle runs continuously from 9:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Buses are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Plus, Cafesjian’s Carousel is open Thursday-Monday, 11:00am-4:00pm weather permitting, and the Spring Flower Show Part II inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Sunken Garden is open through June 7.