Bismarck Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Bismarck, North Dakota - ND, USA)
Due to the cold winter months, spring and summer tend to be the time when the majority of festivals take place in North Dakota's capital, capitalizing on the seasonal influx of tourists and visitors. Many of the city's annual events are held at the Bismarck Civic Center on South 5th Street, such as the Bismarck-Mandan Show Choir Festival each May and the Rip Roarin' Ribfest in June.
Set within the grounds of the North Dakota State Capitol Building, the Capital A'Fair attracts crowds at the beginning of August. This popular event sees artists, musicians and entertainers gather over a weekend, with all kinds of related artisan vendors selling their wares. In the following month of September, notable things to do in the capital of North Dakota include the Bismarck Marathon, the Downtowner's Street Fair and the Applefest.
Located within the downtown district, the Belle Mehus Auditorium stands on North 6th Street, where it dates from 1914 and serves as an important center for the arts. The Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra regularly stages concerts here, while the Northern Plains Dance is another draw.
Bismarck Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- Jazz Festival - late January, with various jazz and blues concerts staged at the University of Mary, 7500 University Drive.
February
- Presidents' Day - late February, a public holiday honoring all of the presidents of the USA, including the very first, George Washington (born on February 22nd, 1732).
March
- St. Mary's Jazz Festival - mid-March, taking place at the Belle Mehus Auditorium.
- Hoops Fest - late March, a basketball tournament for local students, with games staged at Bismarck schools such as the Century High School and the Horizon Middle School.
April
- Dakota Digital Film Festival - early April, staged at the downtown Belle Mehus Auditorium to encourage local filmmakers, with workshops, presentations, screenings of student films and the chance to speak to professionals working in the movie industry.
- Bismarck-Mandan Earth Day Festival - late April, including an art competition with pieces created by nothing more than trash, taking place at the Bismarck Career and Technical Education Center, located on College Drive.
- University of Mary Spring Choir Concert - late April, featuring a variety of songs, classical music and chamber groups.
- Race to Zero: 4K Run / Walk for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention - late April, based at the VFW All Season Arena 2 on North Washington Street.
May
- Bismarck-Mandan Show Choir Festival - early May, at the Civic Center on East Sweet Avenue.
- Arthritis Walk - early May, organized by the Sanford Women's Health Center on 1100 College Drive, including many activities for younger visitors, along with plenty of refreshments. Participants can choose between either a 10-mile / 16-km or 3-mile / 5-km walk.
- For Art's Sake Flea Market - early May, at the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association on East Front Avenue.
- Dakota Thunder R/C Club Races - early May, model car racing at Wheels Wings-n-Hobbies on the Memorial Highway, in neighboring Mandan.
- Big Brew Day - early May, an event for homebrewers everywhere, held at the Main Street Drive Thru Liquor Store on East Main Street, in nearby Mandan.
- Band Night Parade - mid-May, with the procession beginning at the Capitol Grounds and heading along 6th Street, Avenue C and 5th Street, all the way to the Civic Center.
- Annual Bismarck-Mandan CF Golf Classic - late May / early June, at the Prairie West Golf Course in nearby Mandan, with big prizes for holes in one.
June
- Saturday in the Park - mid-June to mid-September, an event for families at Legion Park in nearby Mandan, roughly 15 minutes to the west of downtown Bismarck, with inflatables, fun games and plenty of hot dogs.
- Rip Roarin' Ribfest - mid-June, a Downtowner's event with tasty BBQ ribs, pulled pork and steaks, which are served up with coleslaw and potato salad, and accompanied with live music and fun for all ages. This family themed event is a fundraiser for the local community and is based outside the Bismarck Civic Center.
July
- Under the Stars - various dates in July, outdoor performances are staged by night in the Sleepy Hollow Arts Park.
- Family Rocket Day - mid-July, the opportunity to build and then launch a model rocket at the Gateway to Science attraction on Schafer Street.
- BAGA (Bismarck Art and Galleries Association) Co-Ed Sand Volleyball Tournament - mid-July, a free event with a fun-packed beach volleyball tournament and other recreational activities.
August
- Capital A'Fair - early August, a sizeable free summer fair with over 120 artisans selling their wares, accompanied by live music and activities, at the Capitol Grounds.
- Downtowner's Art and Wine Walk - early August, a chance to enjoy a stroll along the historic streets of the downtown district, stopping off at various locations along the way for wine and nibbles. Participants are given a passport, which is stamped along the route and offers the chance to win some prizes.
- Corn Feed and Old Settler's Day - mid-August, marking the anniversary of the Missouri Valley Historical Society, with bands, local talent and lots of food, ranging from burgers and hot dogs to popcorn and ice cream, at Buckstop Junction.
September
- Bismarck Fly-In / Drive-In Breakfast - early September, an opportunity to see some classic cars and small planes after first enjoying a breakfast with freshly made pancakes, at the Bismarck Municipal Airport on University Drive.
- Bismarck Marathon - mid-September, first held in the capital in 1981 and attracting in the region of 2,000 runners, who participate in a variety of races, such as the main marathon, the half-marathon, a relay race and a 3-mile / 5-km walk. The route always draws crowds of supporters and offers superb elevated views across the Missouri River.
- Downtowner's Street Fair - mid-September, heralding the onset of fall and first held in the early 1970s, this street fair features food stalls, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and market stalls galore, which line the streets of downtown Bismarck.
- Applefest - late September, including a children's carnival, a small petting zoo, music, and food stalls with lots of tasty apple dishes, at Buckstop Junction.
October
- The Fall Art Exhibition - early to late October, a seasonal fundraising exhibition at the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association on East Front Avenue, offering local artists the chance to show their latest art works and hopefully sell them.
November
- Festival of the Arts - early November, a gala event with live entertainment, a charity auction and dancing, hosted by the Radisson Hotel.
- Big One Art and Craft Fair - late November, an annual show with over 100 vendors from North Dakota and beyond, at the Bismarck Civic Center.
December
- Cookie Walk - mid-December, an annual event organized by the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association.