With the end of the school year only a few mere weeks away, the days of beautiful weather and late nights are ahead. For those who are planning to spend the summer in the Twin Cities, there are plenty of exciting activities to fill the beautiful days and nights in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area. From concerts to food festivals, there’s something for everyone!
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 19-22, 2017
An exciting docket of activities awaits at Minneapolis’ annual celebration. Twins’ games, Yoga, a 5k and fireworks highlight an exciting four days in the city of lakes. A full schedule can be found online at www.aquatennial.com.
Basilica Block Party
June 7, 2017
July 8, 2017
The Basilica Block Party began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary. Today, proceeds from the event benefit The Basilica Landmark. About 20 acts are expected to play the festival, including WALK THE MOON, The Shins, AWOLNATION, Brandi Carlile, and more!
Rock the Garden
July 22, 2017
1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Rock the Garden returns to the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on Saturday, July 22, 2017 headlined by Bon Iver along with The Revolution, Benjamin Booker, Car Seat Headrest, Dead Man Winter, Margaret Glapsy, Bruise Violet, and Dwynell Roland.
Food Truck Festival
June 25, 2017
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
One of the Twin Cities most popular and delicious free events, the Uptown Food Truck Festival will host over 60 different food trucks. Guests will be able to celebrate with food, beer, live music, and more! Each beer sold will benefit Feed My Starving Children by providing a meal to someone in need.
Minnesota State Fair
August 24- September 4
A staple of every Minnesota summer, the Minnesota State Fair closes out the season with fried foods on a stick, music, root beer, frozen grapes, Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies, all you can drink milk for $1, farm animals, rides and a huge slide. What more could you want?
Brunch-A-Palooza
June 3, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Brunch-A-Palooza is a one-day, large-scale experience that will celebrate the beloved meal that combines breakfast and lunch – brunch! Join fellow brunchers at Upper Landing Park in St. Paul for a day of delicious food, music, people, and fun!
Soundset
May 28, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
After successfully moving to a new location on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds last year, Soundset’s 2017 lineup is sticking with the same mix of old, new, and very new acts that has made it the Twin Cities’ biggest music festival and one of the largest hip-hop fests in the country.
The Color Run 5K
July 9, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Also known as The Happiest 5K on the Planet, The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The Twin Cities Color Run is less about a 10-minute-mile and more about having the time of your life!
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Summer Concerts
June 6, 2017 – September 4, 2017
Music sounds better outside. Especially in the summer. Fortunately, you’ll have more opportunities to hear music in a Minneapolis park this summer than you could possibly take advantage of. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has scheduled an outdoor concert in some park or another almost every night between June 6 and September 4. The acts range from orchestras and jazz combos to folk singers and indie rockers.
Minne-Mile NightMarket hosted by the Minneapolis Craft Market
June 3, 2017
Founded in 2015, the Minne-Mile NightMarket is a community festival in the Longfellow neighborhood on the newly-established vintage shopping stretch of Minnehaha Avenue. The event is a showcase of local, independently-owned businesses, highlighting vintage, re-used and up-cycled goods. The Spring 2017 NightMarket will feature late night shopping at the vintage boutiques and businesses on the Minnehaha Mile, family-friendly activities and food and drink vendors.