Upcoming Festivals & Events in Minnesota

Judy Garland Festival
Dates: June 19–22, 2025
Location: Grand Rapids
A heartfelt celebration of Hollywood legend Judy Garland in her hometown. Expect live performances, film screenings, and fan tributes.

Water Ski Days
Dates: June 26–29, 2025
Location: Lake City
Celebrate Lake City’s gravity-defying invention with ski shows, a parade, and community festivities.

Twin Cities Pride Festival
Dates: June 27–29, 2025
Location: Minneapolis (Loring Park)
A vibrant, family-friendly LGBTQ+ pride celebration featuring a parade, community picnic, festival booths, and a rainbow fun run .

Paul Bunyan Days
Date: June 28, 2025
Location: Akeley
A one-day homage to the legendary lumberjack with contests, art shows, minnow races, and local flair.

Hot Dog Nite
Date: July 10, 2025
Location: Luverne
Free hot dogs galore—over 15,000 served—plus a wiener dog race and a lowrider beauty pageant.

Wilder Pageant
Dates: July 11–12 & July 18–19, 2025
Location: Walnut Grove
Outdoor performances celebrating Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life and legacy in the prairie town she once called home .

Sinclair Lewis Days
Dates: July 16–20, 2025
Location: Sauk Centre
Five days of literary homage, including treasure hunts, concerts in the park, and the Miss Sauk Centre pageant.

Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games
Dates: July 19, 2025
Location: Macalester College, St. Paul
A celebration of Scottish culture and heritage with heavy games, dancing, Celtic music, food, and more.

Blueberry/Arts Festival
Dates: July 25–27, 2025
Location: Ely
Art booths, blueberry treats, family activities, and over 250 exhibitors in the scenic Northwoods.

Heritage Days
Dates: August 7–10, 2025
Location: East Grand Forks
Celebrate Red River Valley history with antique tractors, a parade, and historical reenactments.

Rendezvous Days Celebration Pow Wow
Dates: August 8–10, 2025
Location: Grand Portage
A cultural celebration featuring traditional Ojibwe dancing, music, crafts, and community gatherings.

Irish Fair of Minnesota
Dates: August 8–10, 2025
Location: Harriet Island, St. Paul 
A celebration of all things Irish with music, food, sports, dance, family activities, and "good craic!"

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Dates: August 16–September 28, 2025
Location: Shakopee
Step into a seven-week world of knights, mermaids, pirates, and medieval merriment.

Minnesota State Fair
Dates: August 21–September 1, 2025
Location: St. Paul
The iconic “great Minnesota get-together” with livestock, grandstand shows, fair food, and carnival attractions .

Potato Days
Date: August 23, 2025
Location: Barnesville
A quirky food lovers’ delight featuring fry feeds, lefse cook-offs, and a bustling street fair.

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Tips & Highlights

Plan ahead: Festivals like the State Fair and Renaissance Festival can draw big crowds—grab tickets early.

Family friendly: Many events offer inclusive, community-focused fun—perfect for all ages.

Explore regional diversity: From small-town pageants and Hayes to northern art showcases, these events highlight Minnesota's rich cultural tapestry.

For more ideas, check out ExploreMinnesota.com!