A Fest in the North Country
What: Dylan Fest Duluth
When: Through May 24
Where: Venues around Duluth
This week-long festival, run entirely by volunteers, is dedicated to highlighting Duluth’s energetic music and arts scene—and honoring native son Bob Dylan. This year’s lineup includes a “front lawn birthday party” outside of Dylan’s childhood home, a tour of Hibbing High School, jam sessions, lectures, a singer-songwriter contest, and more.
Courtesy of Dylan Fest
Support a Small Biz
What: You Belong Here Cash Mob
When: May 19, 4-7 p.m.
Where: Mercado Central, 1515 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
Join the Visit Lake Street organization in a “cash” mob (a la the 2010s trend of “flash” mobs) to support 35 local small businesses at Mercado Central in Minneapolis. Bring your dollars to shop and lift up businesses that were impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
Courtesy of Mercado Central
The Great Mini-Sota Get-Together
What: Kickoff to Summer at the Fair
When: May 21-24
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Enjoy a slice of the Minnesota State Fair before summer arrives with this four-day mini get-together. Beloved food stands—like Nelson’s Foot Long Hot Dogs & Corn Dogs and Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar—are open for business, plus a horse show, a crop art exhibit, the Giant Slide, and more.
Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair
Run by the River
What: Stillwater Half Marathon
When: May 23
Where: Downtown Stillwater
This unusual half marathon (plus its 10K and 5K distance options) runs through Stillwater’s charming, Victorian downtown on the St. Croix River and incorporates plenty of nature on Millbrook Trail, Gateway Trail, and Brown’s Creek Trail.
Courtesy of Run Stillwater
The Magical Macabre
What: Oddities and Curiosities Expo
When: May 23-24
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis
Check out the largest internationally traveling oddities event in the world when it arrives in Minneapolis this week. Vendors and artists present taxidermy, antiques, vintage clothing, funeral collectibles, jewelry, and other delightfully creepy objects. Guests can take classes, too, in entomology, taxidermy, and more.
Courtesy of Boulevard Trash Entertainment
Marketplace on the Hill
What: May Markets and Music
When: May 23-24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska
On select weekends in May, more than 60 local artists and artisans gather on the arboretum’s Scarecrow Hill with crafts, food, and other wares. This weekend, the Walker Brothers Band (Saturday) and the Abiders (Sunday) perform starting at 11 a.m.
Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
