Minnesota knows how to ring in the Fourth of July—towns across the state are coming together for festivals, parades, and fireworks shows. Here’s where to celebrate.
Courtesy of Explore Minnesota
Freedom Day
When: July 3
Where: 25532 Main St., Nisswa
Nisswa’s Freedom Day parade is a favorite annual tradition. Turtle races, live music, and food vendors kick off the fun before the parade. Spectators line Main Street to watch veterans, high school marching bands, fire trucks, vintage cars, and community groups on various floats.
Bloomington Summer Fete
When: July 3, 5-10 p.m.
Where: Normandale Lake Park, W. 84th St. and Normandale Blvd., Bloomington
Bloomington is ringing in Independence Day with its annual Summer Fete, featuring one of Minnesota’s largest firework displays. The event includes performances by local bands, a wide variety of food vendors, and a kids entertainment zone with special performances and games.
Courtesy of City of Bloomington
Fourth of July on Lake Minnetonka
When: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Commons Park, 135 Lake St., Excelsior
Visit Excelsior Commons for Lake Minnetonka’s only Fourth of July Celebration. There’s something for everyone at this celebration. Early risers can start the day with the Firecracker races at 7:30 p.m., kids can enjoy free face painting and participate in a bike parade, and everyone can listen to live entertainment at the Excelsior Bandshell. The event also features a petting zoo, live music, and delicious food vendors.
Courtesy of Explore Minnesota
4th in the Park
When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Langford Park, 2180 Knapp St., St. Paul
Celebrate the Fourth of July at one of Minnesota’s longest running parades! Watch community groups and kids ride decorated bikes and wave red, white, and blue flags. The parade concludes with food trucks, volleyball, pickleball, and pony rides at Langford Park. Listen to live entertainment at the Back to the Fourth concert, while kids participate in various races and contests.
Courtesy of Visit St. Paul
Red, White and Boom
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Water Works and the Stone Arch Bridge parking lot, 333 S. First St., Minneapolis
With more than 50,000 attendees and a full day of activities, “Red, White and Boom” is Minneapolis’s largest Fourth of July celebration. The day begins with morning yoga before a park market with more than 20 local artisans, pickleball on the parkway, dance classes, and 12 food trucks serving delicious eats all day. The event culminates with fireworks over the Mississippi.
Photo by Adam Bettcher/ Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Fourth Fest
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth
Skydivers, bounce houses, and live entertainment are just a few of the attractions at this year’s Fourth Fest. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs, enjoy tasty food trucks, and view a firework show over Duluth’s Harbor at dusk.
Courtesy of Visit Duluth
Stillwater Independence Day Celebration
When: 3-10 p.m.
Where: Lowell Park, 201 Water St. N., Stillwater
Stillwater is celebrating Independence Day with civil war cannons, live music and entertainment, the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, and a spectacular firework show over the St. Croix River and Stillwater’s Historic Lift Bridge.
Rock the 4th
When: 6:45 p.m.
Where: CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul
The ’80s cover band Hairball is rocking at CHS Field this Fourth of July. Hairball will perform renditions of Van Halen, KISS, Motley Cure, and Queen on a large stage with lights, pyrotechnics, and rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Their performance finishes with a fireworks show!
Red, Hot and Boom
When: 10 p.m.
Where: Minnesota State University Mankato Athletic Fields, 191 Stadium Road, Mankato
Watch a booming fireworks display at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Viewers can tune into local FM radio stations (93.1, 94.1, 96.7) for choreographed music that accompanies the fireworks show.
