Minneapolis (Dec. 17, 2025) – Winter in Minneapolis is about to get a lot more exciting. Over the next several months, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) will turn into a hub of activity with more than 20 major events, consumer shows and sporting competitions rolling into the building. From massive showcases of cars, boats and RVs to volleyball, gymnastics, dance and more, the MCC will offer a steady stream of entertainment and discovery for visitors of all kinds.

“The Minneapolis Convention Center is at its best when it’s buzzing with people exploring new ideas and experiences,” said Jeff Johnson, Executive Director of the MCC. “This upcoming stretch of events reflects the incredible variety our venue can support, from public consumer shows like the Twin Cities Auto Show to sporting events of all kinds. We’re eager to welcome the tens of thousands of guests who make these shows an essential part of winter in Minneapolis.”

Below is a select list of public-oriented events coming to the MCC in the first three months of 2026:

January

• Twin Cities Auto Show – Jan. 3-11: Compare hundreds of new vehicles – from compacts to luxury models – and see the latest designs from top automakers.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast – Jan. 19: Featuring keynote speakers Soledad O’Brien and Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, this annual event celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and inspires individuals to live out Dr. King’s message of unity.
• Minneapolis Boat Show – Jan. 22-25: The Upper Midwest’s largest boat show features 600+ new boats, including pontoons, fishing boats, wake boats and PWCs.
• Totally Rad Vintage Fest – Jan. 24-25: A nostalgia-packed celebration of the ’80s, ’90s and Y2K with 100+ vintage vendors, iconic clothing and accessories, photo ops, retro gaming and more.

February

• The Ultimate RV Show – Feb. 12-16: Tour over 300 of the newest recreational vehicles from the nation’s top manufacturers, learn from RV experts and browse the latest essentials from industry exhibitors.
• Minnesota Golf Show – Feb. 13-15: Kick off golf season with exhibitors, clinics, seminars, a $100,000 putt challenge and a relaxing golf lounge.
• National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic – Feb. 20-22: The nation’s largest upland event with 400+ vendors, demos, habitat education, stages, a bird dog parade.
• Minneapolis Home + Garden Show – Feb. 25-March 1: Home products and services, garden displays, expert advice, celebrity appearances, and presentations from renowned local and international home professionals.
• Lucky Leaf Expo – Feb. 27-28: The hub for all things cannabis. Connect with early movers, gain visibility and build relationships that will shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota

March

• Northwest Sportshow – March 5-8: The Midwest’s largest outdoors show featuring travel ideas, gear and products for fishing, hunting, camping, boating and more.
• Jurassic Quest – March 6-8: Walk among life-size, scientifically realistic dinosaurs representing the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods at America's largest and most realistic dinosaur event.

In addition to these public events, the MCC will host a wide variety of sporting events, meetings, conventions and trade shows in Q1. This variety helps draw people in and support the tourism and hospitality industry in the Minneapolis region.

A highlight of the first quarter includes three weekends of Northern Lights Volleyball tournaments. These are annually some of the largest events on the MCC calendar. The MCC, on average, hosts 15-20 youth sporting events every year and has welcomed more than one million attendees (athletes, coaches and spectators) to these sports competitions since 2014.

For a complete listing of MCC events in Q1 of 2026, go here.

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ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is owned by the City of Minneapolis and marketed through Meet Minneapolis. The 1.6 million square foot facility features 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 87 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. The MCC is GBAC STAR, LEED, SITES and GMIC certified and works to serve its constituencies and stakeholders as the face of Minneapolis to visitors. Learn more about the MCC here.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
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 and social benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Kevin Kurtt, PR & Communications Manager, (o) 612-767-8118, (c) 952-288-9319, kevink@minneapolis.org
Kathy McCarthy, Senior PR & Communications Director, (o) 612-767-8048, (c) 612-508-9720, kathym@minneapolis.org