This is just the tip of the iceberg for festivals and events in Minnesota in August. I’ve avoided the more routine festivals, Crazy Days, and city parties. You can find more information about those over at Explore Minnesota. What follows is a list of the more unique possibilities this month. If there’s something I’ve missed, please let me know. And don't forget to check out the events page at the Minnesota Historical Society--there's always something fun going on over there.
St. Paul
August 3-7 National Poetry Slam
Poetry will be happening like crazy in St. Paul. Check the website for venues and times.
Twin Cities
Minnesota Fringe Festival
Aug. 5-15
Original, independent artists and performers giving it all they’ve got during this non-juried 11-day festival.
Two Harbors
Two Harbors Kayak Festival
Aug. 6-8
All things kayak: races, demos, training, equipment swaps.
Minneapolis
Metris Uptown Art Fair
Aug. 6-8
Powderhorn Park Art Fair
Aug. 7-8
Loring Park Art Festival
Aug. 7-8
One weekend, three big art festivals. Bring your wallet and your patience—the crowds can be heavy, especially if the weather is nice. Take advantage of Metro Transit’s Art Hop bus, a free service connecting the three events:
Target Art Hop
Aug. 7-8
Brooklyn Park
Afrifest
Aug. 7
Live music and entertainment, fashion show, soccer tournament, children’s activities, comedy, all celebrating the varied African heritage present in the Twin Cities. Oh, and of course there’ll be food.
Duluth
Bayfront Blues Festival
Aug. 13-15
Annual blues festival in a lovely location. This year’s performers include Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe, Keri Noble, The Insomniacs, Elvin Bishop, and Dr. John and the Lower 911.
St. Paul
Irish Fair
Aug. 13-15
Held on Harriet Island, Irish Fair celebrates the city’s Irish heritage with music, entertainment, dance, family activities, and of course food.
Hutchinson
Minnesota Garlic Festival
Aug. 14
Kite flying, entertainment, old-fashioned children’s activities, the Peculiar Pragmatic Promenade, and all things garlic. Did you know that there are over 100 varieties of garlic grown here? It’s pretty much guaranteed that vampires will not be present.
Pipestone
Civil War Days
Aug. 14-15
Battle re-enactments, educational programs, etiquette and ballroom dance lessons, a Grand Ball, children’s activities, and of course, food.
Walker
Leech Lake Regatta
http://shoresofleechlake.com/regatta
Aug. 14-16
Multiclass sailboat races for sailors of all skill levels.
Scandia
Spelmansstamma Music Festival
Aug. 21
Smorgasbord, traditional Swedish music and dancing, and children’s activities.
Shakopee
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Aug. 21-Oct. 3, weekends and Labor Day
Come lords and ladies! Followers of Sir Puke and Sir Snot! Lovers of turkey legs! Costumes, food, entertainment of the Renaissance style, at least by today’s standards. Come early, or you’ll be parking in South Dakota.
Roseau
Pioneer Village Festival
Aug. 23-24
This lovely recreated pioneer village celebrates its heritage with pancake breakfasts, parades, children’s activities, and of course food.
St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 26-Sept. 6
The granddaddy of Minnesota festivals. Go for the cheese curds, stay for the rides, the animals being born, the crafts and arts exhibits, Machinery Hill, the stage shows, the cheesy giveaways, and of course, the food on a stick. Not to mention the cheese curds.
Barnesville
Potato Days
Aug. 27-28
Three words: mashed potato wrestling. I’m SO there. Plus lots of lefse.
Norwood Young America
Stiftungsfest
Aug. 27-29
Minnesota’s oldest festival, held annually for 149 years. Activities, arts and crafts, softball tournaments, bingo, and of course food.
St. Paul
August 3-7 National Poetry Slam
Poetry will be happening like crazy in St. Paul. Check the website for venues and times.
Twin Cities
Minnesota Fringe Festival
Aug. 5-15
Original, independent artists and performers giving it all they’ve got during this non-juried 11-day festival.
Two Harbors
Two Harbors Kayak Festival
Aug. 6-8
All things kayak: races, demos, training, equipment swaps.
Minneapolis
Metris Uptown Art Fair
Aug. 6-8
Powderhorn Park Art Fair
Aug. 7-8
Loring Park Art Festival
Aug. 7-8
One weekend, three big art festivals. Bring your wallet and your patience—the crowds can be heavy, especially if the weather is nice. Take advantage of Metro Transit’s Art Hop bus, a free service connecting the three events:
Target Art Hop
Aug. 7-8
Brooklyn Park
Afrifest
Aug. 7
Live music and entertainment, fashion show, soccer tournament, children’s activities, comedy, all celebrating the varied African heritage present in the Twin Cities. Oh, and of course there’ll be food.
Duluth
Bayfront Blues Festival
Aug. 13-15
Annual blues festival in a lovely location. This year’s performers include Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe, Keri Noble, The Insomniacs, Elvin Bishop, and Dr. John and the Lower 911.
St. Paul
Irish Fair
Aug. 13-15
Held on Harriet Island, Irish Fair celebrates the city’s Irish heritage with music, entertainment, dance, family activities, and of course food.
Hutchinson
Minnesota Garlic Festival
Aug. 14
Kite flying, entertainment, old-fashioned children’s activities, the Peculiar Pragmatic Promenade, and all things garlic. Did you know that there are over 100 varieties of garlic grown here? It’s pretty much guaranteed that vampires will not be present.
Pipestone
Civil War Days
Aug. 14-15
Battle re-enactments, educational programs, etiquette and ballroom dance lessons, a Grand Ball, children’s activities, and of course, food.
Walker
Leech Lake Regatta
http://shoresofleechlake.com/regatta
Aug. 14-16
Multiclass sailboat races for sailors of all skill levels.
Scandia
Spelmansstamma Music Festival
Aug. 21
Smorgasbord, traditional Swedish music and dancing, and children’s activities.
Shakopee
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Aug. 21-Oct. 3, weekends and Labor Day
Come lords and ladies! Followers of Sir Puke and Sir Snot! Lovers of turkey legs! Costumes, food, entertainment of the Renaissance style, at least by today’s standards. Come early, or you’ll be parking in South Dakota.
Roseau
Pioneer Village Festival
Aug. 23-24
This lovely recreated pioneer village celebrates its heritage with pancake breakfasts, parades, children’s activities, and of course food.
St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 26-Sept. 6
The granddaddy of Minnesota festivals. Go for the cheese curds, stay for the rides, the animals being born, the crafts and arts exhibits, Machinery Hill, the stage shows, the cheesy giveaways, and of course, the food on a stick. Not to mention the cheese curds.
Barnesville
Potato Days
Aug. 27-28
Three words: mashed potato wrestling. I’m SO there. Plus lots of lefse.
Norwood Young America
Stiftungsfest
Aug. 27-29
Minnesota’s oldest festival, held annually for 149 years. Activities, arts and crafts, softball tournaments, bingo, and of course food.
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