Summer Events

Our summer calendars are as colorful as our parks. You’ll find us shopping at the farmers market, exploring art fairs, staring in awe at fireworks, balancing it out with beer tastings, getting some sun on a rooftop, and always embarking on a new adventure. We have a major fear of missing out, and you will too! Check out the absolute best summer events in Minneapolis.

Please be sure to check the official event website or with event organizers for up to date cancellations and postponements.

Mill City Farmers Market

May - October 2024
Every Saturday, 8am-1pm

An essential provider now and always, Mill City Farmers Market’s Saturday Market is Minneapolis' trusted source for local, sustainable and organic groceries, bringing fresh food, cooking education and live entertainment to one beautiful place. Join dozens of local farmers, food makers and artisans – rain or shine – every Saturday for a unique outdoor shopping experience.

Find our favorite Minneapolis farmers markets near you.

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Music & Movies in the Park

Memorial Day - Labor Day
Live music times vary
Movies start 15 minutes after sunset

Known for one of the top park systems in the nation, summer in Minneapolis means Music & Movies in the Park. Brought to you by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, parks across the city will feature free outdoor music or movies from Memorial Day through Labor Day! Perfect for a night of relaxation in the summer weather, grab a date, some friends or the whole family.

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Meet at Mia: Summer Series

Thursdays, now - September
5pm - 9pm
Minneapolis Institute of Art

Connect, create, kick back! Meet at Mia is a new series of free Thursday evening events for adults. Get to know us—and each other—with live music, art making, special programs, and unique food and drink (for purchase). No registration or secret handshake required.

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July 19 to July 20

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair

Minnehaha Falls Park, one of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks, features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks, attracting more than 850,000 visitors annually. Minnehaha Falls Art Fair was voted by artists in the Sunshine Artist Magazine as the 49th Best Art Fair in the United States and 2nd Best Art Fair in Minnesota! The event will feature approximately 150 artist booths, along with music, crafts, food, and more.

This event is currently underway

July 20

Sister Cities Day

Join us as we celebrate Minneapolis Sister Cities with a FREE Ice Cream Social & gathering at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis. This family event features international entertainment, ice cream and refreshments. The event highlights all of Minneapolis’ International Sister Cities, with a special spotlight this year on the 10th anniversary of our sister city, Bosaso, Somalia.

July 23 to July 26

Minneapolis Aquatennial

Known to many as The Best Days of Summer, the Minneapolis Aquatennial events include a parade, marathons, performances, like music, special festivities and of course, water activities like canoeing and a water ski show.

July 26 to July 27

Loring Park Art Festival

Wildflowers and formal gardens make this an idyllic setting for art, music, food and entertainment. Circling the large pond in Loring Park, the work of 140 juried fine artists and fine craftspeople is showcased in a beautiful urban setting. Rated in ‘100 best fine art shows’ in Sunshine Artist magazine since 2004.

July 31 to August 10

Minnesota Fringe Festival

Find modern twists on classic tales, politically driven story lines, crying-tears-of-laughter comedic productions, and surprisingly relatable narratives. With performances for all ages, the Minnesota Fringe Festival is a unique and spirited celebration of diversity, artistic expression and voice that connects adventurous artists with adventurous audiences on both a local and national level.

August 2

Minneapolis Food Truck Festival

The MPLS Food Truck Festival, happening Saturday, August 2, will feature 45+ food trucks, a Craft Sips station offering cold brews, seltzers, and cocktails — including the event’s new signature MN Food Truck Festival® craft-batch vodka libations — and a lively lineup of live music, games, and activities for all ages. Dog stations and pet adoptions with Rescue Network will also be available.

August 2 to August 3

Powderhorn Art Fair

The 33rd Annual Powderhorn Art Fair is slated to bring together over 150 artists, immersive art installations, food trucks, and more to Powderhorn Park on August 2 & 3, 2025! Join us from 10 AM to 5 PM each day for art, food, friends and fun!

August 2 to August 3

SoMi Art Fair

A cherished tradition for over 60 years, the Uptown Art Fair is reimagining its format and location and announcing the SoMi (South Minneapolis) Art Fair in partnership with Bachman’s at their flagship location on Lyndale Avenue. The event will take place in the Bachman’s parking lot off Lyndale Avenue and features over 300 juried artists, art demonstrations, live music, and food.

August 2

Nershfest

Live local music, craft beer, food trucks, vendors, and more is coming to the streets of the Northeast Minneapolis! The party of the summer has yet to arrive. Join us at Nershfest 2025 for a block party with backyard vibes at 56 Brewing filled with all the good things: local bands, craft beer, food trucks and tomfoolery.

August 2

Open Streets Central Avenue

Each Open Streets Minneapolis event sees a dynamic blend of local businesses, artists, and community groups coming together to infuse the streets with public art, dance performances, pop-up shops, games, and various activities, offering a lively showcase of Minneapolis’ diversity, creativity, and culture. Full of hundreds of vendors, food trucks, business participation, live music, and family activities!

August 3

Minneapolis Vintage Market at Utepils Brewing

Join us outdoors for a day of vintage, great beverages, and fun. Find Minnesota's best vintage clothing, accessories and home goods vendors all in one spot. Plus we'll have coffee, drinks and food available for purchase, Darin Kamnetz with a pop-up photo booth and DJ Buster Baxter spinning tunes. Schedule: 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM - Early Bird ticket holders only ($10) 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM - General Admission (FREE)

August 9 to August 10

Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival

The Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival is a free and unique downtown art experience for residents and visitors that celebrates street art in all its forms. The festival takes place annually the second weekend in August and features chalk and spray art, murals, performance, craft, food and fun! We hope to see you, your friends and family for this inclusive and joyful experience in the heart of downtown Minneapolis!

August 17

Open Streets Cedar Riverside

Join Our Streets Minneapolis and the City of Minneapolis in a celebration of community at Open Streets Cedar Riverside in 2025. Play, eat, bike, walk, dance, sing, and more at this free, family-friendly event. More than a street festival, Open Streets Cedar Riverside allows neighbors to experience city streets as public spaces where communities thrive. The event will be held on Cedar Avenue from Third Street South to Sixth Street South, and on Riverside Avenue from Cedar Avenue to 19th Avenue…

August 16 to August 17

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

King Henry and his royal court invite one and all to his 16th Century European village featuring 16 stages of live entertainment. Over 250 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted wares for a truly unique shopping experience. Patrons can interact with hundreds of memorable characters roaming the village streets as well as view live armored jousting throughout the day.

There are future dates for this event

August 21 to September 1

Minnesota State Fair

A cherished end-of-summer tradition, the Great Minnesota Get-Together welcomes 1.8 million guests annually. A world-class showcase of agriculture, entertainment, food, art and industry, the Minnesota State Fair is a whole lot of fun! Perennially popular are the 500 food items (more than 70 on-a-stick); 900 free entertainment shows; Minnesota craft brews and wines; livestock competitions; the Mighty Midway and Kidway; horse shows; CHS Miracle of Birth Center; baking, fine arts, talent, 4-H and…

September 5 to September 7

Taste of Greece Festival

Enjoy authentic Greek food, music and cultural experiences while supporting philanthropy! Dance & Music Throughout the weekend, live Greek music and dancing will take place at both the indoor and outdoor stages. Catch Greek dance performances at the bottom of the hour both Saturday and Sunday. Check out the beautiful costumes, enjoy the Greek beat, and maybe take a few steps on the dance floor yourself! Courtyard Cafe Enjoy a glass or flight of red or white Greek wines, along with…

September 6

Open Streets West Broadway

Open Streets West Broadway is a free, family-friendly event that offers a variety of activities such as biking, walking, playing, eating, dancing, and singing. The event covers 17 blocks on West Broadway and attracts over 250 participants and vendors with over 3,000 attendees. This event is not just a street festival, but it is a celebration of community and allows neighbors to experience city streets as public spaces where communities thrive. The event will stretch along West Broadway from…

September 19 to September 20

Minnesota Ukrainian Festival

Join us on Friday and Saturday, September 19-20, 2025 to celebrate Ukrainian culture and traditions! Experiencing traditional dance, music, food and pivo (beer) in the company of an open and welcoming community. Featuring entertainment from the Ukrainian Village Band, Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and more!

September 20

Farm Aid 40

Farm Aid is heading to Minnesota for the first time for its 40th anniversary festival on Saturday, September 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis! The event will launch a celebration of four decades of impactful advocacy, historic cultural moments and unforgettable music. This full day of music, family farmers, HOMEGROWN food and agricultural experiences will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young (and the Chrome Hearts), John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews…

September 20

Open Streets Hennepin Avenue

Summer Events

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