Minneapolitans love to get outside in summer. You might find us whiling away the hours enjoying the outdoor seating that pops up at local restaurants, whether it’s on a sunny rooftop, a shady patio, or just a couple tables on the sidewalk. After a long winter, we love the opportunity to eat outdoors, and there are many great areas around town to have an alfresco picnic, as well.
We might be shopping outdoors at a local art fair or at one the many neighborhood farmers markets. We might be out watching a fireworks display or a movie in one of the parks.
Speaking of parks, did you know Minneapolis was voted one of the top 3 in the nation this year? Minneapolis’ 180 parks offer 55 miles of biking and walking paths.
And of course, summer is the time to be in and near the water. Minnesota, known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” has more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined. The city of Minneapolis alone has 22 lakes. Our lake culture makes it easy to get outdoors, stay healthy and enjoy the beauty of nature. Many Minneapolis lakes are part of the parks system, and boast well-maintained walking and biking paths. Watercraft rentals are available at several of the larger lakes. Check out our previous post on one of the three Minneapolis sailing lakes, Lake Nokomis.
Read on for a few of the best things to do in Minneapolis this summer.
Mill City Farmers Market
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday, May to October 2023
704 South 2nd Street, Downtown Minneapolis
There’s lots of farmer’s markets in neighborhoods across the city, including Kingfield, Midtown, Nokomis, Northeast and Linden Hills. Click here for information on more Minneapolis Farmer’s Markets.
The Mill City Farmers Market’s Saturday Market is one of my favorites. It has a very scenic location downtown between the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater. You can shop for local, sustainable and organic groceries, then visit the Mill City Museum inside the partial ruins of the old Gold Medal Flour and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at Gold Medal Park.
Dozens of local farmers, food makers and artisans converge every Saturday—rain or shine. With over 100 vendors offering prepared food, produce, body care, and crafts, Mill City market has a bit of everything. The market also offers free cooking classes with local chefs, children’s activities, free outdoor yoga and live entertainment.
Be sure to walk to the banks of the Mississippi nearby for excellent views of the river that include the iconic Stone Arch Bridge.
Minneapolis Parks
Music and Movies in the Park
Memorial Day–Labor Day
Live music times vary
Movies start 15 minutes after sunset
Known as one of the top park systems in the nation, summer in Minneapolis means Music & Movies in the Park. Brought to you by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, parks across the city feature free outdoor music or movies from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It’s perfect for a night of relaxation in the summer weather.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Our most famous Minneapolis park is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. It’s great to visit on a summer day. A partnership between the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis park system, the Sculpture Garden showcases works from the Walker’s modern and contemporary art collection. The Garden is 100% free and open 365 days a year, from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg And Coosje Van Bruggen
Skyline mini golf at the Sculpture Garden
A summer outing to the Sculpture Garden is even more fun with mini golf on the terrace of the Walker Art Center. Golf holes are designed by artists. You also get fantastic views overlooking the Minneapolis skyline—thus, Skyline mini golf!
If you want to play, get there early. Mini golf sells out.
For more on the Sculpture Garden, see our post The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Bastille Day!
July 14, 2023
5 to 9 p.m.
Alliance Française
Alliance Française hosts a Bastille Day celebration every year, and it’s a lot of fun for Francophiles and anyone who loves food and fun.
Bastille Day is a national holiday in France that celebrates French independence and the storming of the Bastille.
New in 2023: TC Summer Fest
July 14 & 15, 2023
3 p.m. to Midnight
Target Field
Target Field will be rockin’ July 14th and 15th at an all new, live summer music event. You can be among the first to experience this two-night festival featuring some of music’s biggest names, including the GRAMMY® Award-winning Imagine Dragons, The Killers, The Flaming Lips, AJR and more.
Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 3–13, 2023
Minnesota Fringe is one of the oldest and largest fringe festivals in the country. Witness one-of-a-kind acts that are debuted for the first time during the festival.
The Fringe Festival is dedicated to producing opportunities for artists from wide variety of backgrounds and of many different abilities and experience levels. Another main goal is giving audiences new ways of engaging with the performing arts.
If you think you might like to participate as an artist, Fringe Festival artists are selected by random luck of the draw through an un-juried and un-curated lottery process. Anyone can apply!
ART FAIRS
The arts are a big part of Minneapolis, and the summer expression of our love for the arts is outdoor art fairs! If you’re driving through town and find the streets are closed to traffic, there’s likely an art fair going on, so hop out and enjoy the fun.
Loring Park Art Festival
July 29–30, 2023
Loring Park
Bringing all types of artwork from 140 different artists, the Loring Park Art Festival celebrates its 22nd year in 2023. Art lovers will have a chance to see and take home one-of-a-kind pieces, including oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, textiles, photography, glass, ceramics, jewelry and more. Festival goers also enjoy food, live music and unique entertainment for the whole family in the beautiful setting of Loring Park.
Uptown Art Fair
August 4–6, 2023
Uptown Minneapolis
The Uptown Art Fair is huge (nearly 400,000 people attend over the 3 days of the fair) and award-winning. The Fair hosts over 350 professional fine artists from around the world. Artists work spans 12 different media including sculpture, painting, ceramics and jewelry. 25 different food vendors and several beer gardens are available to take care of any hunger or thirst. This is the place to find that perfect piece of art.
Powderhorn Art Fair
August 5–6, 2023
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Powderhorn Park
This is a smaller, more accessible art fair where vendors are set up on a pathway winding around the lake in South Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Park. The Powderhorn Art Fair is celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year. The Fair features over 150 artists. Be sure to check out the immersive art installations and the Family Zone. Taste sweet and savory delights from over a dozen food vendors.
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 19–22, 2023
The Aquatennial or as some say, the “Best Days of Summer” returns with the usual great events and even some new ones. The Torchlight Parade and 5k will take place again. The tennis classic is back in its usual great form. And this year, there is even a Candid Canines Film Fest: a fan-submitted doggo video to be shown on the Target Field Station screen. Of course the Target Fireworks, a top 5 national fireworks display, will light up the skyline and the river for everyone to enjoy.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Weekends, August 19–October 1, 2023
King Henry and his royal court invite one and all to his 16th Century European village featuring 16 stages of live entertainment. Over 250 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted wares. Patrons can interact with hundreds of memorable characters roaming the village streets as well as view live armored jousting throughout the day.
Minnesota State Fair
August 24–September 4, 2023
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Since 1859, the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, attracting more than 1.9 million guests each year. There’s something for everyone here. Foodies (anything and everything on a stick), art lovers, music fans, animal lovers, and more get together to experience the finest showcase of Minnesota’s agriculture, art, and industry.
Thinking of moving to Minneapolis?
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