TwinsFest 2026: Target Field Reopens in Winter to Signal Baseball’s Return

Preparations are underway at Target Field for the upcoming TwinsFest.

Preparations are in full swing at Minnesota Twins headquarters and inside Target Field as the organization readies itself for TwinsFest 2026, the club’s annual winter gathering that serves as both a celebration of the previous season and an unmistakable signal that a new one is taking shape.

Set for Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24, TwinsFest once again transforms Target Field from a dormant winter landmark into a living civic space, where fans, players, alumni, and staff gather to bridge the long distance between October’s final out and the optimism of spring training. For the Twins, it is the ceremonial opening chapter of the 2026 season. For Minnesota baseball fans, it is reassurance that the game’s rhythms endure, even in January.

A Weekend That Signals the Season

TwinsFest has long occupied a distinctive place on the team’s calendar. It is not merely a fan expo, but a tone-setter. The event blends access, nostalgia, and forward-looking ambition, while also supporting the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, reinforcing the organization’s public emphasis on community engagement alongside competition.

This year’s festival unfolds across multiple formats and locations, expanding beyond the traditional autograph hall model to include live programming, youth development, and a newly introduced awards component.

Event Schedule and Highlights

TwinsFest Live!

Friday, January 23 | 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Target Field

The weekend opens with TwinsFest Live!, an evening event positioned as both a celebration and a social kickoff. New for 2026 is the introduction of the Diamond Awards, recognizing standout performances and contributions from the 2025 season.

Attendees can expect an all-inclusive ballpark atmosphere, featuring all-you-can-eat classic stadium fare, interactive attractions such as the popular “puppy bullpen,” and early access to exclusive Twins merchandise. The format reflects a broader shift in TwinsFest programming toward experiential fan engagement rather than passive observation.

Signature Saturday

Saturday, January 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Target Field

The heart of TwinsFest remains Signature Saturday, an all-day indoor takeover of Target Field. Fans will rotate through autograph stations and photo opportunities with players, prospects, and alumni, while also taking part in interactive features, including the “Land of 10,000 Putts” mini-golf course built into the concourse footprint.

Local sports radio will again play a live role in the event. WCCO Radio (830 AM) is scheduled to broadcast from inside the stadium, hosting live interviews and Q&A sessions with players and team personnel, adding a layer of real-time conversation to the day’s programming.

TwinsFest Futures Clinic

Saturday, January 24 | Urban Ventures, South Minneapolis

Running parallel to Signature Saturday is the TwinsFest Futures Clinic, held off-site at Urban Ventures. Designed for youth ages 6 to 12, the clinic offers hands-on instruction in baseball and softball fundamentals from Twins players and coaches. The clinic underscores the organization’s long-standing emphasis on youth development and access to sport, particularly in community-centered spaces.

Who Fans Will See

The Twins have confirmed a wide-ranging guest list that blends current leadership, future promise, and franchise history.

Current Players:

• Royce Lewis
• Pablo López
• Bailey Ober
• Ryan Jeffers

Top Prospects:

• Walker Jenkins
• Brooks Lee
• Luke Keaschall

Alumni and Staff:

• Rod Carew
• Bert Blyleven
• Kent Hrbek
• Derek Shelton

The Twins also confirmed that Joe Ryan, previously listed, is no longer expected to attend, a reminder that appearance schedules remain subject to last-minute change.

Tickets, Access, and Demand

Demand for TwinsFest remains strong. Many autograph sessions and event components have already reached sold-out status on primary ticket platforms, though limited availability may persist through secondary marketplaces.

As an added incentive, the Twins announced that the first 500 attendees on Friday and the first 2,000 attendees on Saturday will receive vouchers redeemable for a complimentary ticket to an April 2026 home game, excluding the Home Opener.

More Than a Festival

In a state where winter often compresses public life, TwinsFest performs a subtle civic function. It reactivates a summer landmark, restores routine to a long offseason, and reminds fans that baseball is not simply a schedule of games but a shared cultural language.

For the Minnesota Twins, TwinsFest 2026 is a carefully staged invitation. It asks fans to look back with appreciation, look ahead with curiosity, and step, once again, into a season that is beginning to take shape, one autograph, one conversation, one winter weekend at a time.

MinneapoliMedia