Minneapolis-St. Paul Events and Festivals

Ice palaces, a giant state fair, art crawls and summer festivals on the river.

Minnesotans make the most of every season, so the event calendar does not stop in winter. The St. Paul Winter Carnival, which dates to the 1880s, fills late January and early February with ice sculptures, parades and a treasure hunt, and the lakes host ski and skating events. Once the weather turns, outdoor festivals run almost every weekend from May to September.

The Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, between the two cities, is the biggest event of the year and draws well over a million visitors over its 12 days. Dates for every event shift from year to year, so check with organizers before you book.

Annual Festivals and Events

Saint Paul Winter Carnivalusually late January into early February · St. Paul

A winter festival dating to 1886, with ice and snow sculptures, parades and a citywide medallion treasure hunt.

Loppet Festivalusually early February · Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis

A weekend of cross-country ski races, fat-tire bike races and family events in a city park.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festivalusually April · Minneapolis and St. Paul

More than two weeks of screenings of independent and international films, with visiting filmmakers.

Art-A-Whirlusually mid-May · Northeast Minneapolis

One of the largest open-studio tours in the country, when hundreds of artists open their studios across the Northeast arts district.

Stone Arch Bridge Festivalusually June · Minneapolis riverfront

An arts, music and food festival along the riverfront near the Stone Arch Bridge, usually on Father's Day weekend.

Twin Cities Prideusually June · Loring Park, Minneapolis

A festival in Loring Park and a parade on Hennepin Avenue, among the largest Pride events in the Midwest.

Twin Cities Jazz Festivalusually June · Lowertown, St. Paul

Free outdoor and club performances centered on Mears Park in St. Paul's Lowertown.

Minnesota Renaissance Festivalusually weekends, mid-August to late September · Shakopee

A long-running Renaissance fair with costumed performers, jousting and craft booths, southwest of the cities.

Minnesota State Fairusually the 12 days ending on Labor Day · Falcon Heights

One of the biggest state fairs in the country, famous for its food on a stick, livestock barns, butter sculptures and grandstand concerts.

Twin Cities Marathonusually early October · Minneapolis to St. Paul

A marathon past the Chain of Lakes and along the Mississippi, finishing near the State Capitol.

Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.

Official Event Calendars

Meet Minneapolis events calendarThe official visitor bureau calendar for concerts, festivals, theater and sports in Minneapolis. Visit Saint Paul eventsFestivals, performances and seasonal events in St. Paul from its visitor bureau. Mall of America eventsConcerts, appearances and family events at the mall. Minneapolis Parks eventsLake concerts, outdoor movies and seasonal programs across the Minneapolis park system.

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Minneapolis-St. Paul Events — FAQ

When is the Minnesota State Fair?

It runs for 12 days ending on Labor Day, so it usually starts in the last week of August. The fairgrounds are in Falcon Heights, between Minneapolis and St. Paul, and park-and-ride buses run from both cities.

Is there anything to do in the Twin Cities in winter?

Plenty. The St. Paul Winter Carnival, ski races at the Loppet, skating on the lakes, the theaters and museums, and Mall of America all keep winter busy, and the skyways make downtown Minneapolis easy to get around.