
Summer may seem short in Minnesota, so make the most of it. Here is a calendar of community festivals, cultural events, recreation ideas, and other happenings for each day in July and August. Most are free, many are outdoors, and some run over multiple days (as noted in parentheses)—so check the websites for details before soaking up the fun.
July
July 1: Ham Lake Freedom Festival, Ham Lake
July 2 (1-2): Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland
July 3: Freedom Day Celebration and Parade, Nisswa
July 4: Fourth of July fireworks, statewide
July 5 (through 8): Karl Oskar Days, Lindstrom
July 6 (through 9): North Mankato Fun Days, North Mankato
July 7 (through 9): Prairie Island Indian Community Summer Wacipi-Powwow, Welch
July 8 (& 1): Lanesboro Farmers Market, Lanesboro
July 9: Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear, Owatonna
July 10 (7-16): Pan-O-Prog, Lakeville
July 11 (7-14): Sweetheart Days, Hackensack
July 12: Picnic in the Park, The Commons, Minneapolis
July 13 (Thursdays): Swing Night at the Caves, Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul
July 14 (12-16): Sinclair Lewis Days, Sauk Centre
July 15: Emily Day, Emily
July 16 (13-16): Lutsong Music Festival, Lutsen
July 17 (through 22): New London Water Days, New London
July 18 (1-Sept. 3): Pacita Abad exhibit, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
July 19 (through 23): Minnesota Original Music Festival, St. Peter
July 20 (through 22): Gem Days, Owatonna
July 21 (20-23): Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival, Hoyt Lakes
July 22 (19-22): Minneapolis Aquatennial, Minneapolis
July 23 (21-23): Foreston Fun Days, Foreston
July 24 (through 28): Bike MS: Ride Across Minnesota, Ottertail to Long Prairie
July 25 (& 11, 18, Aug. 1): Rockin’ Robbins, Willmar
July 26 (through 30): FinnFest, Duluth
July 27 (& Aug. 24): Hot Summer Nights Cruise In, Waterville
July 28 (through 29): Riverboat Days, Wabasha
July 29 (through 30): Loring Park Art Festival, Minneapolis
July 30 (& 29): Minnesota Pottery Festival, Hutchinson
July 31: Opera Under the Stars, Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis
August
Aug. 1 (July 30-Aug. 6): Lake Lillian Fun Days, Lake Lillian
Aug. 2 (1-6): Clearwater Heritage Festival, Clearwater
Aug. 3 (& July 6): Downtown Thursday, Owatonna
Aug. 4 (through 6): Buffalo Bill Days, Lanesboro
Aug. 5 (4-6): River City Days, Red Wing
Aug. 6 (4-6): Canadian Days, Little Canada
Aug. 7 (3-13): Minnesota Fringe Festival, Minneapolis
Aug. 8 (through 13): Mower County Free Fair, Austin
Aug. 9 (& 2 / July 12, 19, 26): Rhythm on the Rails, Shakopee
Aug. 10 (& 3, 17, 24/July 13, 20, 27): Lowertown Sounds, Mears Park, St. Paul
Aug. 11 (through 13): Irish Fair of Minnesota, St. Paul
Aug. 12 (9-12): Kandiyohi County Fair, Willmar
Aug. 13 (11-13): Grand Portage Rendezvous Days Celebration Pow-wow, Grand Portage
Aug. 14 (11-14): Leech Lake Regatta, Walker
Aug. 15 (through 20): Steele County Fair, Owatonna
Aug. 16 (through 20): Swift County Fair, Appleton
Aug. 17 (through 20): Ki Chi Saga Days, Chisago City
Aug. 18 (through 20): Summerfest, Sleepy Eye
Aug. 19 (18-19): Art and All That Jazz Festival, Burnsville
Aug. 20 (18-20): Goodview Days, Goodview
Aug. 21: Summer Camp Nature Art Sketchbook, Anoka
Aug. 22: Pop-Up Dog Park, The Commons, Minneapolis
Aug. 23 (& 2, 9, 16, 30/July 5, 12, 19, 26): Eagan Market Fest, Eagan
Aug. 24 (through Sept. 4): Minnesota State Fair, Falcon Heights
Aug. 25 (through 27): Raymond Harvest Festival, Raymond
Aug. 26: Milaca Homegrown Music Festival, Milaca
Aug. 27: Cuyuna Crusher, Cuyana Country State Recreation Area, Ironton
Aug. 28: Jigsaw Junkies, Water Works Park and Pavilion, Minneapolis
Aug. 29: Old Guys Play the Blues concert, Loring Park, Minneapolis
Aug. 30 (Wednesdays through September): Ham Lake Farmer’s and Artisan Market, Ham Lake
Aug. 31 (through Sept. 4): Duluth Superior Pride, Duluth