Best Bets: July 18-24

To do this week in the Twin Cities area: the Minneapolis Aquatennial, Summer Jam, a salsa cook-off, and more
Photo provided by the mpls downtown council
Aquatennial Parade

Celebration of the City

What: Minneapolis Aquatennial
When: July 20-23
Where: Downtown Minneapolis

Celebrate the city of Minneapolis with this annual festival on and around the river. On Wednesday, enjoy elaborate floats, displays, and marching bands with a parade, or ooh and ahh at the fireworks show on the banks of the Mississippi River on Saturday.

Market Fest

What: Eagan Market Fest
When:
Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m., July 20-Aug. 31
Where:
Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan

Join the Eagan community to learn more about healthy living, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy live entertainment at this weekly event through August. Shop for fresh produce, locally made products, and fine art. 

Photo provided by Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau
Rhythm on the Rails

Outdoor Concert Series

What: Rhythm on the Rails
When: Wednesdays, 6 p.m., July 20-Aug. 3
Where: 138 Lewis St. S., Shakopee

This free outdoor concert series features live music, fun and games, and food vendors. Local acts will open for regional headliners, and featured this week will be the World According to Garth, a tribute to Garth Brooks.

Photo by Adam Grim
Twin Cities Summer Jam

Photo by Adam Grim

Summer Music Festival

What: Twin Cities Summer Jam
When: July 21-23
Where: Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee

Head over to Shakopee for this annual summer music festival. This year, featured artists include Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Nelly, and Trace Adkins. Enjoy concessions from food vendors with kettle corn and cookie dough, and try drinks from celebrity bartenders. 

Caribbean Festival

What: Twin Cities Carifest
When: July 23, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: West River Road N. and 17th Ave. N., Minneapolis

Commemorate the 29th anniversary of the premiere Caribbean festival in Minnesota with food, live calypso and reggae music, arts and crafts, and a traditional carnival parade with vibrant costumes.

Midtown Global Market

Salsa Cook-Off

What: Midtown Global Market Cook-Off
When: July 23, noon-2 p.m.
Where: Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis

The chefs of the Midtown Global Market will present their best versions of salsa in a competition for the title Best Salsa of 2022. While enjoying live music and salsa dancing, guests attending the cook-off are invited to vote for their favorite salsa. 

Photo by Valleyfair

Photo by Adam Grim

Latin Festival

What: Univision MN Latin Days
When: July 23-24
Where: Valleyfair, 1 Valley Fair Drive, Shakopee

This weekend festival is a celebration of Latin culture with authentic foods, live musical performances, and the entertainment of local dance groups, also featuring the thrills of the,  amusement park.