Minnesota Monthly‘s Summer Weekends. When the days stretch long and the sun finally sticks around, there’s only one question: How will you spend it? From lakeside escapes to late-night patios, consider this your guide.
In the City | By the Water | In the Wild
In the City
The perfect Minnesota summer weekend might be closer than you think. In the Twin Cities, long days mean time for lake paddles, patio hopping, and festivals that stretch well into the golden hour.
Tap Into the Arts
In summer, art spills out into parks, neighborhoods, and unexpected corners of the city. Catch a Shakespeare performance by the Classical Actors Ensemble in a neighborhood park, or seek out smaller, community-driven productions like Bunce Performing Arts in Maple Grove, where the setting feels as intimate as the work itself.
Courtesy of Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
Wander through large-scale installations at St. Paul’s Western Sculpture Park or Silverwood Park in St. Anthony, where art and landscape blur together, or settle in for live music at Minneapolis’ Lake Harriet Bandshell as the sun goes down.
Even the classics hold their own. The Minnehaha Falls Art Fair pairs creative work with one of the city’s most scenic park settings. “Ranked the fifth-best art fair in the nation for the last two years, Minnehaha Falls Art Fair is one of the most beautiful art fairs in the country,” says Ben Cooney of Homespun Events.
Discover Unique Patios
The unofficial summer sport of Minnesota? It might be patio hopping.
For Global Flavors:
If you love Hola Arepa (Minneapolis) → Try Namaste Café (Minneapolis)
For Classic Charm:
If you love Jax Cafe (Minneapolis) → Try Waldmann Brewing (St. Paul)
For Atmosphere:
If you love St. Paul Brewing (St. Paul) → Try RH Rooftop (Edina)
For Lakeside Views:
If you love Lord Fletcher’s (Spring Park) → Try Dock & Paddle (St. Paul)
For Beer Garden Energy:
If you love Utepils Brewing (Minneapolis) → Try Bang Brewing (St. Paul)
For Skyline Nights:
If you love Union Rooftop (Minneapolis) → Try REVEAL Rooftop Bar (St. Louis Park)
Photo by Jim Krueger
Try Something Quirky
Every great city weekend deserves a little surprise. In Minneapolis, that might mean hopping aboard the Minneapolis Water Taxi or watching the Twin Cities River Rats, a beloved water ski team that has been performing choreographed shows for decades.
Courtesy of Minneapolis Water Taxi
For something more adventurous, the Twin Cities Trapeze Center invites beginners to climb a ladder and launch themselves into the air on a flying trapeze. And if that feels too conventional, there’s always one of the metro’s growing sea shanty sing-alongs—held monthly at The Local West End in St. Louis Park (first Monday), The Dubliner in St. Paul (second Monday), and Merlin’s Rest in Minneapolis (third Monday).
Follow the Festivals
In Minnesota, summer unfolds festival by festival, each one offering a new reason to gather, celebrate, and soak it all in.
Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
June 19-20 | St. Paul
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 20-21 | Minneapolis
Twin Cities Pride Festival
June 27-28 | Minneapolis
Irish Fair of Minnesota
Aug. 7-9 | St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 27-Sept. 7 | Falcon Heights
Get Sporty
Summer in the Twin Cities invites you to move. Try footgolf—a fun, competitive mix of soccer and golf—at Brookland Golf Park or Cleary Lake or hit the track with Minnesota Roller Derby’s Windchill program, a low-pressure way to learn, whether you’re brand new or returning to the track.
Yes, game day still delivers—whether it’s the Twins, Saints, Lynx, or a packed Allianz Field—but this season, it’s just as much about getting off the sidelines. Try something new: Catch a women’s Gemini rugby match, step into the fast-paced world of roller derby, or sign up for a rec league you’ve been meaning to try. Even lawn bowling at Brit’s Pub becomes part sport, part social ritual.
And this June, the stakes—and spirit—get even bigger. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games arrive in the metro, bringing thousands of athletes, fans, and unforgettable moments.
Courtsey of St. Paul Saints
