Courtsey of NEMAA
Northeast Minneapolis’ beloved arts festival, Art-A-Whirl, returns May 15-17 with more than 1,600 artists and vendors at more than 100 locations around the city.
Organized by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the nation—visitors get to interact with artists (and purchase art) directly in their own spaces, enjoy demos and interactive activities, listen to live music, and more. The festival itself is free and open to the public, but you’ll want to check NEMAA’s website for a detailed map of activities and make a plan to prioritize your favorite stops.
Getting to and from the popular fest can be challenging, and organizers encourage guests to make use of bikes, public transit (you can download a free Metro Transit pass), and the Art-A-Whirl trolley system. “We’re expanding the number of free trolleys and accessible shuttles running through the Arts District during the hours of the event,” says NEMAA executive director Anna Becker. “A pro tip is to park for free in the Graco lot, then grab the trolley from Grain Belt Bottling House.”
Also new this year is an activation at Logan Park—a one-stop-shop location that’s a good fit for guests who might not be able to traverse multiple venues. “There will be an artist market, live music (organized by the Logan Park Neighborhood Association), a beer garden with Pyres Brewing and Sociable Cider as sponsors, and food trucks,” Becker says. “There’s also a playground there, making it family friendly.”
All kinds of art activities, many of them free, are scheduled at locations around the fest this weekend—from designing a personalized bike flag or building a mini bookshelf to crafting a flower collage or watching an oil painting demonstration.
Restaurants and coffee shops around Northeast Minneapolis are open to welcome Art-A-Whirl guests, and a series of food trucks are scheduled in the neighborhood, too.
Art-A-Whirl 2026 At a Glance
May 15, 5-10 p.m.
May 16, Noon-8 p.m.
May 17, Noon-5 p.m.
Locations vary; check the interactive map to make your plan.
Courtesy of NEMAA
