For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (June 10, 2019) – A lush, green scene and perfect weather can mean only one thing: It’s summertime in Minneapolis. In this City by Nature, everything moves outdoors. Locals and visitors alike are thrilled to spend as much time as possible dining al fresco and festivals dominate the calendar. Here are the Top Five Summer Festivals and Top Five Outdoor Dining spots to savor the season like a proper Minneapolitan.

Top 5 Minneapolis Summer Festivals

• Twin Cities Pride – June 22-23, 2019 – One of the largest free Pride celebrations in the country, LGBTQ+ community and allies flock to the festival and concerts in Loring Park and the downtown parade.
• Basilica Block Party – July 12-13, 2019 – The 25th annual party includes concerts from local and national acts, on three stages over two days, on the grounds of the beautiful Basilica of St. Mary.
• Minneapolis Aquatennial – July 24-27, 2019 – The city’s civic celebration is 78 years old and draws thousands to the Torchlight Parade, which is the largest nighttime parade in Minnesota, 5K race and Target Fireworks on the Mississippi Riverfront, considered one of the top five annual fireworks displays in the nation. Additional events over the four days range from a waterski show to yoga to an art festival.
• Summer X Games – Aug. 1-4, 2019 – Skateboards, BMX Bikes and rock concerts draw fans and families to U.S. Bank Stadium for a third year.
• Minnesota State Fair – Aug. 22 – Sept. 2, 2019 – The “Great Minnesota Get-Together” draws 2 million people annually with new foods, blue-ribbon beasts and numerous free entertainment options for the 12 best days of summer.

Meet Minneapolis has a comprehensive list of the area festivals and fairs that span all four seasons at https://www.minneapolis.org/calendar/festivals/.

Top 5 Minneapolis Outdoor Dining Spots

• Betty Danger’s Country Club in Northeast Minneapolis – Perhaps you’d like cocktails on a Ferris Wheel? Yes! Cheers to this neighborhood joint with skyline views, tacos and all kinds of deep-fried goodness with mini-golf not far from the top arts district in the nation.
• Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park – The seasonal spot where fish tacos make a perfect picnic as you enjoy the view of the 53-foot falls that inspired “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
• Surly Brewing in Prospect Park – Grab a brew from 32 rotating taps and a bite from the Beer Hall or Pizza Upstairs and enjoy them in the lush Beer Garden at this destination brewery.
• Libertine in Uptown – Rooftop perches are the top of the top spots; Libertine’s vibrant skyline views, on top of bacon tot skillets at brunch, are reason enough to get down to Uptown.
• Brit’s Pub in Downtown – Lawn bowling, yoga and movie nights draw crowds to this rooftop under the skyscrapers where Scotch eggs, Bangers & Mash and ye old Fish & Chips pair perfectly with a pint.

Add to the five above with your own list. Unique outdoor dining spots come in many forms, in every Minneapolis neighborhood, and they are easy to find at https://www.minneapolis.org/blog/unique-outdoor-dining/.

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Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

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