The Great Northern celebrates winter culture in the North with community, fresh air, art, inspiration, good words, and nourishing food. Its robust climate series serves as a call to action to preserve the winter weather that makes this place unique. The 2023 festival runs Jan 25–Feb 5 with more than 60 events. Learn more at thegreatnorthernfestival.com.
Scroll through the gallery below to find ideas for the perfect itinerary in the Great North.
1. Chill Out: Festival Launch Party (January 25)
Kick off The Great Northern 2023 with a “festival eve” outdoor winter village at Surly Brewing’s Beer Garden. The outdoor event will offer a dynamic range of live music, projected artwork, mouthwatering food and beverages—plus sauna and hot tub experiences. Invite your friends and celebrate the North.
2. Iregular Studios: Our Common Home (January 26-February 5)
3. Ashwini Ramaswamy & Kevork Mourad: Invisible Cities (January 27 and 28)
This collaborative reimagining of Italo Calvino’s metaphysical novel by choreographer and dancer Ashwini Ramaswamy interweaves cultural perspectives with a dynamic group of dance artists—Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy (Bharatanatyam); Berit Ahlgren (Gaga), Alanna Morris (Modern), and Joseph Tran (Breaking), and visual artist Kevork Mourad. Copresented with The Cowles Center and Northrop.
4. Climate Solutions Series (January 27-29)
The Great Northern’s most robust Climate Solutions Series yet engages diverse perspectives on climate solutions through a collection of dynamic conversations presented primarily at American Swedish Institute, with additional events at the Parkway Theater and online.
5. K’óoben pop-up (January 30)
Food collective K’óoben’s 5th pop-up experience at Glass House features guest chefs who will reflect on what it means to be crafting and exploring food in the middle of winter in Minnesota—with specialty beverage pairings and live music.
6. Moonage Daydream outdoor screening and closing night party (February 5)
Cap off The Great Northern 2023 at Malcolm Yards Market with a special outdoor screening of David Bowie biopic Moonage Daydream and lively set by DJ Yasmeenah—plus plenty of delectable food and beverage offerings. Presented in partnership with MSP Film Society.
