The Lowertown Blues & Funk Festival happened for the first time in 2005 (originally called Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival), organized by promoter Steven Heckler, in Minneapolis. Then, it wasn't able to be held for a few years starting with 2012 because of location issues, and it landed in Mears Park in Lowerton, St. […]
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is a longstanding annual event that is hotly (coldly?) anticipated every year, and it first occurred in 1886. It was established to rebut East Coast reporters who stated that Minnesota was "another Siberia, unfit for human habitation". Now, it is a two-week celebration of winter in Minnesota with highlights such […]
The Minnesota Hmong New Year was celebrated for the first time in 1979 and is now an annual event in late November/early December. It is hosted by The United Hmong Family, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting Hmong culture. St. Paul has the largest Hmong population of any city in the United […]
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon was started in 1982 and was an instant hit. It's since been called, "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America", and it strives to live up to its moniker. It is planned and executed by Twin Cities in Motion, and it occurs in October every year. The marathon starts near […]
The Stone Arch Bridge Festival is an annual arts and music festival that takes place in June at the Stone Art Bridge, of course. It's been happening for a quarter of a century, and it's a way to celebrate arts and music at a historic landmark. It is a two-day festival, usually held on Father's […]
The Minnesota Fringe Festival was founded in 1991 by Bob McFadden as a way to showcase very experimental and wild productions. It was very amateurish until Dean Seal took over in 1995. In the following 25 years, it has grown and become a reputable festival that is respected in the world of theatre. The goal […]
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is an annual event hosted by Twin Cities Pride, a nonprofit, every year in Loring Park in June--during Pride month, of course. It has a long and storied history, and it's highly anticipated every year. There is a parade full of pomp (and pumps) and circumstance, and it wends its […]
Holidazzle has been a yearly winter staple that happens in November/December. The first one occurred in 1992 and was thought up as a way to bring people downtown to shop during the holiday season. It's hosted by the mpls downtown council. It used to be a triumphant parade up and down the Nicollet Mall, including […]
Minneapolis Aquatennial is an annual event in July, hosted by mpls downtown council (mdc). It started in 1940 as a way to express pride in Minneapolis and to showcase it to people around the country. It is a yearly favorite, especially the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. It's the largest Minnesota nighttime parade, and it wends […]
Breakfast With Santa is an annual event that takes place at the City Hall in December. There will be a North Pole breakfast which includes fruit, juice, and donuts. There will also be a variety of games to play and activities to participate in. At the end of the breakfast, you can have your picture […]
Family Skate & Sled Day is held in Cummings Park in January, and the meeting point is the pavilion. There will be skating; there will be sledding; there will be winter crafting. Bring your own skates and sled, and hot chocolate and a snack will be provided. It's a good way to celebrate winter with […]
The Halloween Monster Mash (formerly the Boo Bash) is held annually at City Hall in October, and it's fun for the whole family. Come in costumes and win prizes. There is also ghost bingo, pumpkin carving, carnival games, and a pizza dinner. Put on your favorite costume and have a great time.
