Friday, June 22
Jazz Takes Over St. Paul
What: Twin Cities Jazz Festival
When: 4-9 p.m.
Where: Mears Park in Lowertown, St. Paul.
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival features three free outdoor stages of live music with headlining performers such as saxophonist Tia Fuller, Houston Person with the Emmet Cohen trio, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and over 100 youth. In addition to food (Big River Pizza, Mancini’s), beer (World of Beer, Summit), and wine, the festival partners with more than 20 St. Paul venues for additional jazz acts. Learn more.
Sip, Shop, and See in Alexandria
What: Wine, Art, & Ale Crawl
When: 5-7:30 p.m.
Where: Broadway Street in Downtown Alexandria
Explore new tastes and sights in Alexandria while touring local small businesses as they sell their wares along with wine, ale, and art—at locations including the Garden Bar on 6th, Hello Beautiful, Jete Salon, and the Scandinavian Gift Shop. A $10 wristband lets you to sample a variety of beverages, you’ll have the chance to win prizes, and artist exhibits and demos will keep you entertained. Learn more.
Saturday, June 23
Show Your True Colors
What: Pride Festival
When: June 23-24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis
All are welcome to gather in Loring Park for this two-day event celebrating the LGBT+ community. Featuring 400 exhibitor booths (with everyone from theaters to dog rescues and pro sports teams), 40 food vendors (see: El Burrito Mercado, La-La Homemade Ice Cream, and Nordic Wafles), and four free stages for live performances (by artists including The Lioness, Hot Pink Hangover, and our local drag queens). Learn more.
A Midsummer Night’s Festival
What: Great River Shakespeare Festival
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Winona State University, 175 W. Mark St., Winona
This 39-day Shakespeare festival kicks off its preview week with A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Saturday. Hosted by a nonprofit theater company in Winona, this 14-year fest puts on five different Shakespeare plays this year. This weekend also includes Shakespeare in Love—a stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film—and All’s Well Ends Well. Learn more.
Sunday, June 24
Uptown’s Food Truck Blowout
What: Uptown Food Truck Festival
When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Lake and Hennepin Avenues in Uptown, Minneapolis
Featuring more than 65 trucks, with more than 10 craft brewers, too, this food truck fiesta in Uptown is the first of three metro stops this summer, with Anoka and St. Paul to follow. The trucks serve up a range of food, from cookie dough to street tacos to gourmet grilled cheese. Live local music includes Sunshine Committee, Night Lights, and Blu Print, with such games as giant Jenga and hammerschlagen. Learn more.
The Walk of Pride
What: Ashley Rukes LGBT+ Pride Parade
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
The Ashley Rukes LGBT Pride Parade struts through downtown Minneapolis in celebration of the LGBT+ community, from Portland Avenue, down Hennepin Avenue, and ending at Loring Park. This 46-year-old tradition includes everyone from a new Ninja Warrior gym to the Minnesota Zoo (with no uniformed police this year). Buy tickets for Grandstand seating, plus food and two drinks, across from the emcees. Learn more.
