4th of July weekend updates and reminders
As you celebrate, please remember that we all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those around us as we enjoy our public spaces.
- All are welcome to use our parks and recreation center properties to celebrate responsibly, but use of fireworks is not permitted.
- This will be a busy period for our staff. Your help in keeping our parks clean is much appreciated.
- With the exception of authorized picnic areas, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited at parks and recreation center properties.
Wednesday, July 1
-
Climb to the top of the Landmark Center Tower and experience a rare view of downtown Saint Paul. The north tower is only accessible via stairs, 61 steps total from the 6th floor landing to the top. Or skip the elevator altogether and climb the 198 stairs from the first floor. This free activities is offered from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Live music with Mississippi River Brass Band from 7 p.m. -9 p.m. at Como Lakeside Pavilion.
- Live music with Mac Hoffman at 12 p.m. in Mears Park.
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Must-Do Activities
Closures
- All recreation centers will be closed July 3-5.
- All Saint Paul Public Library will be closed July 3-4.
- Due to firework damage to several athletic courts and fields in recent years, the following will be locked and field lights turned on from 6 p.m.-9 a.m. July 2-6.
- Arlington Arkwright, Battle Creek, Conway, Dayton’s Bluff, Eastview, El Rio Vista, Frogtown, Groveland, Hamline Park, Hayden Heights, Hazel Park, Highwood Hills, Langford Park, Linwood, McMurray, MLK, North Dale, North End, Orchard, Oxford, Palace, Prosperity, Rice & Arlington, St. Clair, Victoria Park, and West Minnehaha.
Find more information special events to celebrate the 4th of July!
|
 |
Saint Paul's Red, White, and BOOM!
Saint Paul Rotary Club will host the 4th of July Fireworks for our capital city on the highest point in Saint Paul, Cathedral Hill Park. Come early to picnic in the park with food trucks lined up on Dayton Avenue starting at 6 p.m.
The fireworks will begin at dusk!
Clothing Swap: Hosted by Saint Paul Public Works
Swap out what you don’t wear for something you will. Bring items to swap, or stay a while and browse for hidden gems. If items are too worn to wear, don't worry, our on-site clothing recycling ensures nothing goes to waste. Make sure to check the list below for items to bring and avoid. Bring items to Public Works Solid Waste and Recycling Facility - 60 Sycamore St W on Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
No items will be accepted after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. All items will be exchanged freely. Unclaimed items will be donated or recycled. Please visit the webpage for more information!
Park and Play - traveling video game and technology truck for youth
Park and Play (formerly Tech For All Pop-Up Recreation) is a traveling video game and technology truck for youth. This popular attraction is back with a whole new look! Follow us to locations all over Saint Paul. This is a free activity. No registration is required, just show up!
Learn more about Park and Play today!
|
|
 |
Day
|
Date
|
Location
|
Time
|
|
Monday
|
June 29
|
Wacouta Commons
|
5 - 7:30pm
|
|
Tuesday
|
June 30
|
Assembly Union Park
|
5 - 7pm
|
|
Monday
|
July 6
|
Wacouta Commons
|
5 - 7:30pm
|
|
Tuesday
|
July 7
|
Parque Castillo
|
5 - 7pm
|
|
Tuesday
|
July 14
|
St. Clair Park
|
5 - 7pm
|
Looking for more gaming truck times? The truck will be making the rounds to all our parks for lunchtime in downtown Saint Paul!
Fall youth sports registration open until June 30
We know summer has barely started, but our fall sports registration is here! Fall sports offerings include soccer, flag football, lacrosse. Soccer and flag football are FREE for ages 9 and up and fall lacrosse is FREE for ages 7 and up! (Please note that fees apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U.)
is open until June 30!
|
Seussical Jr. at Highland Park Community Center Theatre
Just a few performances left!
Grand Opening of the South Saint Anthony Park Play Area & Courts - July 8
Budget engagement meeting with the Mayor's Office - Arlington Hills
The Mayor’s Office recently launched a serious of budget engagement meetings in the community. These engagement meetings focus on informing the general public about the city’s overall budget and Mayor’s priorities. All are welcome! RSVP is highly encouraged.
Spend the Summer in Downtown Parks
Fun almost every day of the week all summer long! Join us for summer fun in your local downtown parks. Music, fitness, festivals, food, community building and more!
Pilates for the People in Kellogg Mall Park
Join instructor Mariusz Kujawski on June 29, July 27, August 24, and September 21 in Kellogg Mall Park for FREE pilates in the park! Participants must sign up to save their spot.
Mariusz Kujawski is a co-founder of a local Pilates Studio, Pilates for the People, freelance dancer, producer, and a total wizard in the kitchen. Mariusz has guided over 20,000 students in group reformer classes, and threads his intuitive sense of creativity and humor into every Pilates session. Encouragement is a cornerstone of his teaching practice, but he absolutely does not let his students get away with poor form.
|
Saint Paul Get Down
Headliners for August 29 showcase!
The , our City’s hip-hop showcase, is back – and this year we're amping it up so you can GET DOWN. Join us for a longer day of music, creativity, and community as young local emerging artists take the stage along with some of your established favorites. This FREE outdoor event is open to all. Bring your friends, a chair or blanket, and come support the next generation of artists in Saint Paul.
Mark your calendars for upcoming performance dates!
|
 |
|
LUNCH ON THE LAWN
Food Trucks and Lunch Menus at Downtown Parks
Join us Monday-Thursday all summer long 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. NEW! Our popular gaming truck will be making the rounds at all four parks!
-
Monday: Pedro Park
- Grab-N-Go Lunch (11am-2pm) *support nearby local restaurants with food to go
- 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) *support nearby local restaurants with food to go
- 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)
- NEW! Now featuring t every week! Look for their pop up in the park! (11am-2pm)
-
Thursday: Kellogg Mall Park
- Food Trucks (View food trucks schedule) (11am-2pm)
- Lawn games (11am-2pm)
- Sound Bath (12pm-1pm) *Select dates: July 2, July 16, Aug 6, Aug 20
- Yoga (1pm-2pm)
|
|
Roller Disco in Rice Park
Dancing in the Park
Free to attend! Held on Tuesdays from 6-8pm on June 30 & Aug 18-Sept 8 at Harriet Island Wigington Pavilion Patio.
Built by loyal volunteers and sustained by long-standing community members, Tapestry Folkdance Center has always been committed to celebrating the joys of dance and music from around the world. A variety of live performers will play while you learn to dance to the rhythm!
Ballroom in the Park
Although different from our Dancing in the Park offering, Ballroom in the Park is a unique opportunity to samba, rumba, waltz, and more in Mears Park, Wacouta Commons Park, and Kellogg Mall Park on select dates.
Yappy Hour - June 30
The Cellar Dwellers: A 7th Community Fundraiser for a New Dousman Park Playground
Buffet dinner at Mancini's at 5, live music starts at 7!
Summer Rec Check and summer camps
Choose from a variety of fun and safe summer programming options for youth. Some camps and activities have limited spots remaining. school is officially out - Saint Paul Parks & Recreation has you covered with camps and activities this summer!
-
Summer camps and activities: 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! With 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.
|
|
The St. Paul Police Department in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is excited to offer FREE Junior Police Academies this summer!
Participants will learn the ins-and-outs of our police department, and get to visit 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 to learn about 911 calls, and meet new friends.
There are still spots available at two locations this summer!
|
|
Summer S'more Fun
Looking for other ways to keep your youth busy this summer? In addition to our popular Summer Rec Check program, we offer , a recreational childcare program providing structured and unstructured activities for youth entering grades 1-6 this fall. Summer schedules provide full day care from 7am-6pm at three sites: Groveland, Highland Park and Northwest Como Recreation Centers. Cost is $44/day. (Financial assistance is available.)
|
Aquatics updates
Weather permitting, outdoor pool and beach offerings are now open!
Explore other aquatics offerings throughout the summer:
|
Rec in Motion
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.
More music events will be added to the Music in the Parks webpage as schedules are finalized.
|
Upcoming Special Events
June
July
- July 1, 6-8pm: (Como Park Zoo & Conservatory)
- July 4, 11am-6pm:
- July 8, 12pm:
- July 8, 6-8pm: (Como Park Zoo & Conservatory)
- July 9, 5-7pm:
- July 9, 6-10pm: (Mears Park)
- July 9, dusk:
- July 10-11: (Harriet Island)
- July 17, dusk: Movie in the Park - Coco (Midway Peace Park)
- July 18: Rondo Days (Martin Luther King)
- July 21, 6-8:30pm: Family Fishing (Lake Phalen)
- July 23, 5-7pm: Safe Summer Nights (Palace)
- July 24, dusk: Movie in the Park - High School Musical (Como Park Midway Pavilion) *note that this is NOT the Lakeside Pavilion
- July 28, 6-8:30pm: Family Fishing (Lake Phalen)
- July 30, 5-8pm: Saint Paul Get Down (Dayton's Bluff)
- July 31, dusk: Movie in the Park - School of Rock (Edgcumbe)
Register for senior river cruises and boat tours below. Registration closes one week prior to activity date.
|
Family Fishing at Lake Phalen
Learn more about Family Fishing opportunities this summer!
Fitness in the Parks
Fitness in the Parks is a free outdoor exercise program that brings a variety of fitness activities to many of Saint Paul’s beautiful parks. No registration required, all ages welcome, and no experience is necessary (all fitness levels are welcome!).
FitLots are found at Martin Luther King Recreation Center & Uŋčí Makhá Park.
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.
|
 |
|
Dock & Paddle is located within the Como Lakeside Pavilion in Como Park. Dock & Paddle is open 9am-9pm daily with a variety of food offerings and refreshing drinks, including beer and wine. They host many fun shows and performances throughout the summer. (Please note that some events may charge admission.) |
Apply for seasonal positions
Several seasonal positions are still available. Apply online today!
Apply for other jobs with us
Updates & Reminders
-
Supporting Young People During Increased Federal Law Enforcement Activity: Young people are aware of what’s happening around them and may be carrying strong feelings, especially during times of community conflict like what’s been happening in the Twin Cities and across the state. Check out these additional resources on our website to help you feel more prepared to support them with care and confidence, including conversation starters and more.
-
Immigration Resources: The City of Saint Paul has compiled a robust list of immigration resources, including information on knowing your rights and finding community-based support.
-
Free Meals and Snacks for Saint Paul Youth now available: Free meals for Saint Paul youth in the summer are made possible through a partnership with Youthprise and Saint Paul Public Schools. Visit the webpage to view each site's meal distribution schedules.
-
Sprockets Community Newsletters: Want to keep with opportunities for teens throughout the summer, or youth friendly activities? Sign up for the Sprockets Community Newsletters Just for Teens and Youth and Family News.
-
Saint Paul Youth Program Map: Sprockets is a network of many different after-school and summer programs in Saint Paul. Check out the map to find a variety of organizations where young people can get involved in great opportunities to explore, learn, and grow.
-
Closures and Special Notices
- Planning a visit to a park or recreation center? Be sure to review the latest closures and important notices from Saint Paul Parks & Recreation on the Closures and Special Notices page.
|
