Minneapolis Events and Festivals

(Minneapolis, Minnesota - MN, USA)

Every year, Minneapolis plays host to a fabulous program of events including numerous cultural performances, vibrant music festivals and superb art fairs. With the advantage of nearby Saint Paul across the river, the Minneapolis area has plenty of options and things to do, including the famous Winter Carnival and the Minneapolis International Film Festival in April.

One of the more bizarre events in Minneapolis is the aquatennial water festival, which has been running since 1940 and is a fun event, attracting locals and tourists alike.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Minneapolis Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Winter Carnival - a long standing Minneapolis tradition which includes parades, coronations, races, displays and even legend re-enactments. Traditionally it is held in the last week on January

February

• Winterfest - the Minneapolis Craft Brewers' Guild has been holding this fun-filled winter celebration of beer and jazz for the past few years

March

• No significant festivals in March in Minneapolis

April

• Minneapolis / St. Paul International Film Festival - this film festival is rated as one of the Midwest's best, showcasing films from over 50 countries and drawing crowds of local and foreign viewers to the Twin Cities

May

• May Day Parade - Powderhorn Park comes alive each year on the first Sunday in May when this vibrant parade of puppets from The Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater form a festive train that travels from the southern reaches of the city center to the banks of Powderhorn Lake

June

• Stone Arch Art Festival - this family-orientated festival takes place annually in June on Father's Day weekend and features a variety of shows and musical performances along with a vast number of stalls selling food, drinks, arts and crafts
• Twin Cities GLBT Pride - one of the many festivals held annually at Minneapolis' Loring Park, this gay, lesbian and bisexual pride festival extends over two days in June and features a parade, information booths, food and drink stalls and a colorful array of vendors selling various wares

July

• 4th of July Festival - this annual celebration of America's independence sees dazzling fireworks exploding across the city, with the most spectacular displays at Powderhorn Park and Nicollet Island. The park has the added attractions of a grassy lakeside area, a multitude of shows and stallholders offering endless goods for sale
• Aquatennial - this yearly Minneapolis event has been running since 1940 and involves a 'Milk Carton Boat Race' in South Minneapolis and 10 crazy days of live bands and non-stop parties
• Basilica Block Party - this two-day festival has been going strong in the city for the past 11 years and features an exciting line-up of bands and entertainment. Proceeds go to the restoration and maintenance of the Basilica of St Mary and to a charity organization

August

• Minnesota State Fair - the last big bash of summer is a festive event featuring a myriad of farm-related goods along with fair rides, scrumptious home-made foods and baked goods, as well as musical events
• The Fringe Festival - a fabulous arts festival that coincides with the Uptown and Loring Art festivals, and sees scores of theatrical, musical, dance and other cultural productions being held at venues across Minneapolis
• The Loring Park Art Festival - this celebration of art, photography, jewelry, woodworks, sculptures and other artworks is held annually at Loring Park
• The Uptown Art Fair - otherwise known as the Metris Art Fair, this event takes place at the beginning of August and is a vivid display of crafts and artworks from a conglomeration of painters, potters, silversmiths, clothing designers and other artists. Roughly 350,000 visitors and over 375 craftsmen gather in the suburb of Uptown Minneapolis to join in the fun and reap the rewards of their artwork

September

• Minneapolis Greek Festival - a taste of Greece, this festival usually takes place during the second week of September and features Greek dancing, food, shopping an support from the local Greek community

October

• Harvest Time barn dance - an annual hoe down celebrating the American culture of the wild west, with square dancing and jig music from popular bands, along with traditional food and auctions of cultural items. A wonderful way to truly experience The American west - and hugely popular with some locals

November

• Thanksgiving - this special nationwide holiday imbues Minneapolis with a heart-warming family spirit that includes a number of events around the city

December

• Minnesota New Years' Eve Folk Festival party - a huge city celebration in St. Paul to usher in the new year, with plenty of live music and heart warming tipple. One of the largest and liveliest new year's celebrations in the area