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9-12-2026 1:07am
MinneapoliMedia Presents | THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES™ | The Exhaustive Twin Cities Weekend Directory: September 12~13, 2026
Tom Akaolisa
Editor
Saturday becomes the weekend’s festival powerhouse, while Sunday brings Vikings-Packers, baseball, art, Hispanic Heritage celebrations, Open Streets, pets, cycling and family activities across the metropolitan area
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 12, 2026). If you have been waiting for a weekend when the Twin Cities seem determined to make staying home difficult, this is it.
MinneapoliMedia's updated Saturday-Sunday edition of This Weekend in the Twin Cities™ finds an unusually deep calendar stretching from Minneapolis and Saint Paul through Brooklyn Park, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Mounds View, Anoka, Ramsey, Otsego, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Edina, Burnsville, Lake Elmo, Apple Valley and surrounding communities.
Saturday is the heavyweight.
The Minneapolis Monarch Festival, Twin Cities Maker Fest, Open Streets West Broadway, Selby Avenue JazzFest, Brooklyn Park Latinofest, Blaine World Fest, Columbia Heights Pride, Ramsey Happy Days, Otsego Prairie Festival, Mercado Central's Mexican Independence Festival programming, Waite Park Fall Festival, Greenway Glow, Water Lantern Festival, Washington County Bluegrass Festival, Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster, Edina Fall Into the Arts and numerous other events compete for the same day.
Sunday changes character rather than slowing down. There is Open Streets Cedarfest, Mia Family Day, Minnesota Zoo Hispanic Heritage Day, Paws on Grand, the Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour for already-registered riders, the Stokley JazzFest masterclass, Twins baseball and the Vikings-Packers season opener.
The result is a weekend when geography matters almost as much as the event schedule.
A family in Coon Rapids should not automatically assume it needs to drive downtown for entertainment. A visitor staying in Minneapolis should think carefully before attempting Maple Grove, Lake Elmo and Burnsville on the same day. And anyone heading downtown Sunday needs to understand that Twins and Vikings crowds will overlap while a significant freeway ramp is closed.
This directory is designed to help readers decide not merely what sounds interesting, but where it is, when to leave, what it costs, whether children can attend, what restrictions apply and what can realistically be combined into one day.
WEEKEND WEATHER: SATURDAY GETS THE ADVANTAGE
Saturday should be the weekend's strongest outdoor day.
The forecast for Minneapolis calls for mostly sunny and pleasant conditions, with a high in the mid-70s. Saturday night should turn cooler, falling into the 50s.
Sunday is expected to be cooler, with the possibility of a spotty morning shower before clouds give way to some sunshine, with temperatures reaching the 60s.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA ADVICE: Saturday festival-goers should take advantage of the weather. Anyone staying for Greenway Glow, fireworks, Water Lantern Festival or another evening event should bring a light jacket. Sunday visitors should carry a light rain layer, particularly if attending Cedarfest, Paws on Grand or another outdoor event.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
MINNEAPOLIS MONARCH FESTIVAL | FESTIVAL DE LA MONARCA
TIME: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
LOCATION: Lake Nokomis Park, near Lake Nokomis Community Center, 49th Street and Woodlawn Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
ADMISSION: Free.
REGISTRATION: None required.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The 18th annual festival celebrates the monarch butterfly's approximately 2,300-mile migration from Minnesota to Mexico through music, dance, food, hands-on art, native plant sales, prairie programming and opportunities to learn about monarchs and their habitat.
ACCESSIBILITY / LANGUAGE: Festival organizers have announced bilingual programming and accessibility features associated with festival activities. Visitors needing a specific accommodation should contact organizers before traveling.
CONTACT: Event Manager MaryLynn Pulscher, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 612-313-7784; mpulscher@minneapolisparks.org.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent. This is one of the strongest all-ages choices of the weekend.
WEATHER: Outdoor event. Saturday's forecast is favorable.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: For a family visiting Minneapolis for the first time, this is difficult to beat. It combines Minnesota nature, Mexican culture, music, education and children's activities without charging admission.
Official Monarch Festival information
TWIN CITIES MAKER FEST
TIME: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: 31st Avenue S. and E. 26th Street, along 31st Avenue near Twin Cities Maker, 3119 E. 26th St., Minneapolis, MN 55406.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: More than 150 local artists and craftspeople, a makers market, free hands-on arts and crafts, demonstrations, food trucks and performances. The third annual festival is designed as a day-long celebration of making, art and creativity and is open to all ages.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Strong, particularly for children and teenagers who enjoy making rather than simply watching.
PARKING / TRANSIT: The festival takes place primarily in a residential area, and organizers warn that street parking is likely to fill quickly. The Midtown Greenway provides bicycle access from the 30th and 34th Avenue exits. The B Line stops at Lake Street and 31st Avenue, about two blocks away, while Route 9A stops at 25th Street East and 31st Avenue, about one block away. Organizers are also offering a free Metro Transit pass for festival visitors.
CONTACT: Twin Cities Maker, tcmf@tcmaker.org.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Maker Fest combines naturally with Greenway Glow later in the afternoon. With the Midtown Greenway running alongside the festival area, bicycle and transit users have an especially good opportunity to build both events into the same day without moving a car.
Twin Cities Maker Fest official information
OPEN STREETS WEST BROADWAY
TIME: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: West Broadway Avenue, North Minneapolis.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: West Broadway becomes a people-centered corridor for walking, bicycling, neighborhood businesses, food, vendors, music and community activities.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.
TRANSPORTATION: The entire point of Open Streets is to experience the corridor without ordinary automobile traffic. Do not expect to park immediately beside the activity you want to visit.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Wear comfortable shoes and explore rather than attempting to treat Open Streets as a single-stage festival.
MERCADO CENTRAL MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL | FAMILY POSTER WORKSHOP
TIME: Poster workshop and exhibition, 3–7 p.m.
LOCATION: Mercado Central, 1515 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55407.
ADMISSION: Free for the City-supported workshop.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Mexican artist José Luis Fitch Jiménez leads a family poster-making workshop during Mercado Central's Mexican Independence Festival. Visitors can also see an exhibition of posters created for Mercado Central over more than 20 years. Free signed collectible posters will be distributed while supplies last.
AGE: All ages. No art experience required.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is an especially worthwhile addition for families interested in Mexican American culture and public art. It can also be paired geographically with other south Minneapolis activities.
City of Minneapolis event information
WAITE PARK FALL FESTIVAL
TIME: 3–7 p.m.
LOCATION: Waite Park, 1810 34th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Music, food, community organizations, local vendors, artists and children's activities. The event is presented by Waite Park Community Council in partnership with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Strong.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: A useful neighborhood-scale alternative for families who prefer something less overwhelming than one of the metropolitan area's largest festivals.
GREENWAY GLOW BIKE RIDE + ARTS FESTIVAL
TIME: 4–10 p.m.
LOCATION: Midtown Greenway. Event address listed at 2834 10th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407.
ADMISSION: Pay what you can, beginning at $0.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Art, light installations, music, performances, food trucks, a beer garden and activities spread along the Midtown Greenway. A group bicycle ride begins around 7 p.m. near Venture Bikes at 10th Avenue.
WHAT TO BRING: Bike light or flashlight after dark.
REGISTRATION / TICKETS: Pay-what-you-can tickets are offered by the organizer.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Do this by bicycle if possible. The festival is distributed along the Greenway, so trying to experience it as a conventional walk-in festival misses much of the point.
Greenway Glow tickets and information
BRACKETT PARK ROCKET LIGHTING
TIME: 5–10 p.m.
LOCATION: Brackett Field Park, 2728 S. 39th Ave., Minneapolis, MN.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Community programming around the park's landmark former 1962 playground rocket, held in partnership with arts organizations and Greenway Glow. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic supplies, flashlights and lawn games.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Combine this with Greenway Glow. They belong in the same itinerary.
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Huntington Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
ADMISSION: Ticketed.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Minnesota hosts Mississippi State in a Big Ten versus SEC nonconference football matchup.
TRANSIT: The METRO Green Line is particularly useful for stadium access.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: University-area traffic will be substantial. If your Saturday includes the Gophers and another Minneapolis event, use transit and avoid repeatedly moving a vehicle.
MINNESOTA TWINS VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
TIME: 3:10 p.m.
LOCATION: Target Field, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
ADMISSION: Ticketed.
The Guardians and Twins continue their weekend series Saturday afternoon.
TRANSIT: Target Field has direct METRO light-rail access.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Baseball can consume most of the afternoon. If combining it with a festival, choose a morning event or an evening destination rather than attempting another major afternoon attraction.
SAINT PAUL
25TH SELBY AVENUE JAZZFEST
TIME: 11 a.m.–8 p.m., followed by a JazzFest Jam Session from 8–10 p.m. at Walker|West Music Academy.
LOCATION: Selby Avenue and N. Milton Street, Saint Paul.
ADMISSION: Main festival free and open to all.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A New Orleans-style brass parade opens the festival, followed by jazz performances, food, art, a marketplace and family programming. Organizers expect the two-day JazzFest programming to draw thousands.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is one of Saturday's strongest no-admission music destinations and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the cultural history and continuing creative life of Saint Paul's Rondo/Selby community.
Selby Avenue JazzFest schedule
SAINT PAUL OKTOBERFEST
TIME: Saturday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
LOCATION: Germanic-American Institute, 301 Summit Ave., Saint Paul.
ADMISSION: Free. A 21-plus wristband is $10 for alcohol purchases.
WHAT TO EXPECT: German food, beer, polka, music and cultural programming.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Family programming is available, although alcohol is served.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Out-of-state visitors should consider adding a walk along Summit Avenue. The neighborhood itself is part of the experience.
ST. PAUL SAINTS VS. SYRACUSE METS
TIME: 5:07 p.m.
LOCATION: CHS Field, Saint Paul.
ADMISSION: Ticketed. Published Saints prices generally range from $5–$35, with an additional charge for Saturday's fireworks supershow. Day-of-game purchases cost an additional $2.
SATURDAY SPECIAL: Fan Appreciation, a limited replica Minnesota Championship Ring giveaway and a postgame Monster Food Truck Rally and Fireworks Super Show.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: For families choosing between the Twins and Saints, Saturday's Saints promotions make CHS Field particularly attractive, especially if fireworks are part of the plan.
NORTH METRO
BLAINE WORLD FEST
TIME: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
LOCATION: Aquatore Park, 9001 Central Ave. NE, Blaine, MN.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Blaine's multicultural community celebration brings global food, music, dance and family activities to Aquatore Park for an all-day celebration of the cultural traditions represented across the community.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Strong. The festival is designed as a community-wide multicultural gathering.
PARKING / ACCESSIBILITY: Specific 2026 parking and accessibility instructions were not identified in the published event information. Visitors requiring a particular accommodation should confirm arrangements before traveling.
WEATHER: Outdoor event. Saturday's forecast is favorable, although visitors staying into the evening should bring a light layer.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Blaine World Fest deserves particular attention from North Metro families who might otherwise assume the weekend's major cultural festivals require a trip into Minneapolis or Saint Paul. With programming continuing into the evening, this can comfortably become the centerpiece of an entire Saturday.
BROOKLYN PARK LATINOFEST
TIME: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
LOCATION: Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN.
ADMISSION: Free and open to everyone.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Live music, art activities, Latin cultural performances and community resources. Salsa Del Soul and Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli Aztec Dancers are among the announced performers.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Because Latinofest ends at 2 p.m., it is one of the easiest North Metro events to pair with an afternoon or evening destination.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PRIDE
TIME: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
LOCATION: Kordiak Park, 1845 49th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Musical performances, storytellers, vendors, food trucks, activities and the festival's Pet Pawrade. Organizers explicitly describe the celebration as family-friendly and open to everyone.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Its location makes it particularly practical for families coming from Minneapolis, Fridley, New Brighton, Mounds View or the southern North Metro.
Columbia Heights Pride information
MOUNDS VIEW COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR & FAMILY FUN DAY
TIME: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
LOCATION: Mounds View Community Center, 5394 Edgewood Drive, Mounds View, MN 55112.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Free food, produce giveaway, children's activities, inflatables and connections to community resources.
RAIN PLAN: Activities can move indoors if necessary.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is particularly valuable because it combines recreation with practical assistance for families. It also ends early enough to combine with another North Metro destination.
OPERATION ZERO | ANOKA
TIME: Noon–10 p.m.
LOCATION: Anoka County Fairgrounds, 3200 St. Francis Blvd. NW, Anoka, MN 55303.
ADMISSION: Not specified by organizer in the published community-calendar listing.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Bike and car shows, live music, food, drinks and fireworks anchor this all-ages event built around a serious mission: supporting veteran suicide prevention and connecting veterans with critical resources. Organizers describe Operation Zero as a veteran-driven effort to build community, raise awareness and work toward ending veteran suicide. Proceeds support veteran suicide-prevention efforts and resources.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.
ORGANIZER: Operation Zero. The event is independently organized and is not sponsored by the City of Coon Rapids, according to the municipal community-calendar notice.
WEATHER: Much of the event is outdoors, with fireworks scheduled as part of the evening programming.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Operation Zero offers something different from the weekend's traditional community festivals. Visitors can come for cars, motorcycles, music, food and fireworks, but the purpose behind the gathering is worth remembering: bringing people together around veterans and suicide prevention.
THE MIDWEST'S LARGEST CORGI MEET-UP | ANDOVER
TIME: 2:30–5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 14861 Prairie Road NW, Andover, MN 55304, at the former Andover Sunflower Field.
ADMISSION: Free for families attending with a corgi. Spectators without a corgi are $5 per person, including children. Payment is made at the event.
IMPORTANT TICKET WARNING: Organizers state that no online tickets are sold for this event and warn visitors not to send money to anyone claiming to sell advance admission.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Hundreds of corgis and their humans are expected for an afternoon that includes the Great Corgi Derby, contests and prizes, games, puppy pools and cooling areas, vendors, food trucks, professional photo sessions, sunflower and prairie photo opportunities and fenced off-leash corgi play.
GREAT CORGI DERBY: On-site registration runs from 2:30–3 p.m., with racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. Entry in the derby is free.
PARKING: Free parking is available on site and across the street at Prairie Knoll Park.
CHILDREN: Children must remain actively supervised by a responsible adult.
DOG OWNERS: Owners remain responsible for controlling and supervising their dogs and should remove an animal from any situation in which it becomes aggressive, overly stressed or disruptive.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Yes, this really is an afternoon built around hundreds of corgis. Even people arriving without one can attend for $5, but remember the unusually important ticket rule: there are no advance online tickets. Pay at the event.
RAMSEY HAPPY DAYS
TIME: Activities begin at 8 a.m.; fireworks at 10 p.m.
LOCATION: Main festival activities along Sunwood Drive NW across from Ramsey City Hall, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey.
ADMISSION: Many activities are free. Some competitions require registration.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE: 5K and Fun Run, 8 a.m.; Expo and food vendors, 11 a.m.; parade, 11:30 a.m.; children's games and activities, noon; dog show, 1 p.m.; car show, 1:30 p.m.; bean-bag tournament, 2 p.m.; bingo, 5 p.m.; Jonah and the Whales, 6:30 p.m.; Stone Daisy Band, 8:30 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Ramsey Happy Days is not a quick stop. It can legitimately fill an entire Saturday.
OTSEGO PRAIRIE FESTIVAL
TIME: Opens at 10 a.m.; programming continues into the evening with fireworks at night.
LOCATION: Prairie Park, Otsego.
ADMISSION: Free, including many activities.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Car show, vendors, petting zoo, inflatables, live entertainment, paintball, bingo and fireworks.
CONTACT: Otsego Parks & Recreation, 763-235-3148; recreation@ci.otsego.mn.us.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: For northwest-metro families, this can replace a downtown trip entirely.
Otsego Prairie Festival schedule
MAPLE GROVE
WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL
TIME: 5–9 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.; food, music and activities 5–8 p.m.; lantern designing at 6:30 p.m.; lantern launch 8–9 p.m.
LOCATION: Town Green Park, 7991 Main St., Maple Grove, MN 55369.
ADMISSION: Ticketed. The organizer lists ticket tiers, with the published early-bird general-admission figure beginning at $28.99. Current price should be checked at purchase because ticket pricing can change by sales period.
TICKET INCLUDES: Festival admission, lantern kit, LED candle, markers and participation in the launch.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.
WEATHER: Outdoor evening event.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Do not arrive at 8 p.m. expecting only a lantern launch. Much of the experience occurs beforehand, including food, music and decorating the lantern.
Water Lantern Festival tickets and schedule
WEST METRO
JAMES J. HILL DAYS
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday.
LOCATION: Downtown Wayzata, MN 55391.
ADMISSION: Much of the festival is free; individual attractions, food, beverages and activities may cost extra.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Live music, carnival attractions, food trucks, craft beer, an open-air market, dachshund races, a parade and other Lake Minnetonka community programming.
TRAFFIC WARNING: Lake Street is closed through significant portions of downtown, with additional impacts at Broadway, Walker, Minnetonka, Manitoba and Barry avenues, plus the marina, Depot lot and Grove Lane.
ORGANIZER CONTACT: Wayzata West Metro Area Chamber, 952-473-9595; info@wayzatawestmetrochamber.com.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Make Wayzata the anchor of your half-day. Do not plan to dart from James J. Hill Days to Lake Elmo or Otsego and back.
SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST METRO
EDINA FALL INTO THE ARTS FESTIVAL
TIME: Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., and adjacent festival area at 7601 France Ave. S., Edina.
ADMISSION: Free.
PARKING: Thousands of free spaces are available around the park, with additional free parking north and south of the festival.
WHAT TO EXPECT: More than 250 artists, food vendors and sponsors, with painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, glass, wood, mixed media, wearable art and fine crafts. Proceeds support the Edina First Responders Fund.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Give yourself enough time to enjoy Centennial Lakes itself. This should not be treated merely as a shopping stop.
Fall Into the Arts official information
BURNSVILLE FESTIVAL & FIRE MUSTER
TIME: Saturday programming begins in the morning and continues through 11 p.m.
LOCATION: Civic Center Park and surrounding festival locations, Burnsville.
ADMISSION: General festival admission is free. Some attractions and premium experiences cost extra.
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS: Pickleball tournament, parade, food and merchandise vendors, K9 demonstration, bingo, multicultural music, family activities, live entertainment and the festival's largest fireworks display to date at approximately 9:30 p.m.
FREE TRANSPORTATION: Festival organizers list free bus service between Burnsville Transit Station and Civic Center Park from 10 a.m.–11:40 p.m.
SECURITY: Entry points have metal detectors and bag checks. Weapons, coolers, outside food and beverages, pets and emotional-support animals are prohibited. Personal water bottles and qualifying service dogs are exceptions under the organizer's published policy.
MINOR POLICY: After 8 p.m., anyone 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Read the rules before leaving home. A cooler, pet or prohibited bag can turn into an unnecessary trip back to the vehicle.
Burnsville Festival official schedule
EAST METRO
WASHINGTON COUNTY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
TIME: 2–6 p.m.
LOCATION: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Lake Elmo.
ADMISSION: Festival itself is free. A park vehicle permit is required.
LINEUP: Brotherhood of Birds, 2 p.m.; The High 48's, 3 p.m.; Blue Groove Bluegrass, 4 p.m.; Double Down Daredevils, 5 p.m.
WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or blankets.
FOOD: Food trucks available.
RESTRICTIONS: No animals or alcohol at the festival.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Explicitly family-friendly.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: One of Saturday's better choices for readers who want music and nature without the density of a major street festival.
CULTURE AND TRADITION
MENDOTA MDEWAKANTON DAKOTA TRADITIONAL WACIPI / POW WOW
SATURDAY: Dancer registration begins at 11 a.m.; Grand Entry, 1–5 p.m.; Quilts of Valor, 3 p.m.; second Grand Entry, 7–10 p.m.
SUNDAY: Registration, 11 a.m.; Grand Entry, 1–5 p.m.; closing ceremony, 5 p.m.; feast, 5:30 p.m.
ORGANIZER: Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community.
CONTACT: 651-249-7660.
PUBLIC ACCESS: Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.
VISITOR ETIQUETTE: Follow instructions from the emcee and organizers. Do not enter dance areas unless invited, and ask before taking close photographs of individual participants or ceremonial activity.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Attend as a respectful guest. A Wacipi is a living Dakota cultural gathering, not simply a staged entertainment attraction.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Sunday is not Saturday's leftovers. It has a substantial identity of its own, especially for families, sports fans, pet owners, cyclists, arts audiences and visitors interested in Latino culture.
MIA FAMILY DAY: SOUNDS OF SUMMER
TIME: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Art-making, music, performances and family activities throughout the museum. Sunday's program includes TaikoArts Midwest, Train House Friends and Basic and Boring; instrument-making; candy-skull and skeleton-puppet activities; and Children's Theatre Company story times.
CONTACT: 888-642-2787; visit@artsmia.org.
WEATHER ADVANTAGE: Primarily indoors, making this one of Sunday's strongest weather-proof choices.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Families uncertain about Sunday's shower risk should put this near the top of the list.
OPEN STREETS CEDARFEST
TIME: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: Cedar and Riverside avenues, West Bank, Minneapolis.
ADMISSION: Free.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Live music, performances, local food, community activities, henna, a Somali hut, a camel attraction, storytelling and a Wiener & Wiener Wannabe Dog Race.
TRANSPORTATION: Excellent transit territory. Leave the car behind if practical.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Cedarfest is more rewarding if you explore the West Bank rather than arriving for one scheduled performance and immediately leaving.
Cedarfest official information
CEDAR CYPHER
TIME: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
LOCATION: Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454.
ADMISSION: Free.
AGE: All ages.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Hip-hop music, dance, live graffiti and community programming on Riverside Plaza in conjunction with Cedarfest and Open Streets.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: There is no reason to make this a separate car trip. It belongs naturally inside a Cedarfest itinerary.
CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT FIRST BIRTHDAY
TIME: 1–5 p.m.
LOCATION: Center for People and Craft, Minneapolis.
ADMISSION: Free.
AGE: All ages.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Birthday cake, refreshments, craft circles, games and opportunities to meet artists and makers as Minneapolis' Urban Folk School celebrates its first anniversary.
SAINT PAUL SUNDAY
SAINT PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR
CHECK-IN: 7:30–8:30 a.m. or 8:30–9:30 a.m. All riders must be on the route by 9:30 a.m.
START / FINISH: Como Lakeside Pavilion, Saint Paul.
ROUTES: 12.8-mile all-trail route, extendable to 15.8 miles with Lake Phalen; or approximately 30-mile Grand Round, extendable to 33 miles.
CRITICAL INFORMATION: Registration has closed. There is no day-of registration.
The deadline was midnight Thursday, September 10. The ride is limited to 2,100 bicyclists.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: If you did not register, do not drive to Como Sunday morning expecting to buy entry on site.
PAWS ON GRAND
TIME: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
LOCATION: Grand Avenue, Saint Paul.
ADMISSION: Street-festival participation is open to visitors; individual businesses and activities set their own purchase or registration requirements.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Pet rescues and adoptions, a Pet Marketplace, pet-friendly business activities and Wiener Dog Races hosted at Macalester College.
PET OWNERS: Bring appropriate leash, cleanup supplies and water, and check individual business policies before entering indoor spaces.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is Sunday's obvious destination for pet lovers, but owners of reactive or crowd-sensitive dogs should remember that a busy pet festival may not be enjoyable for every animal.
STOKLEY | SELBY AVENUE JAZZFEST MASTERCLASS
TIME: 3–4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Harmony Hall, Walker|West Music Academy, 650 Marshall Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55104.
ADMISSION: Free.
REGISTRATION: Required.
Stokley, the former Mint Condition frontman and Walker|West student, returns for a masterclass covering musicianship, experience and live questions and answers.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Do not assume Saturday's street festival is the end of JazzFest. Sunday's masterclass is a distinct program and one of the weekend's more intimate music opportunities.
ST. PAUL SAINTS VS. SYRACUSE METS | SESAME STREET DAY
TIME: 1:07 p.m.
LOCATION: CHS Field, Saint Paul.
ADMISSION: Ticketed.
SPECIAL EVENT: Sesame Street Day and the Saints' final home game of the season. Children can run the bases after the game as part of Cub Family Sunday.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: An excellent Sunday sports alternative for families who want something smaller and generally less expensive than an NFL game.
SOUTH METRO SUNDAY
MINNESOTA ZOO HISPANIC HERITAGE DAY
TIME: Zoo open 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; special programming throughout the day.
LOCATION: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 55124.
ADMISSION: Hispanic Heritage Day entertainment is included with regular zoo admission.
PROGRAMMING: DJ Supafly, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Ballet Folklórico México Azteca performances at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Away Runakuna Dance Group at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m.
Also planned are an artisan market, community resources, papel picado activity and specialty foods.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Because the cultural programming is incorporated into a normal zoo day, families should budget enough time for both rather than arriving only for a single performance.
Minnesota Zoo Hispanic Heritage Day information
SUNDAY SPORTS WARNING: DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WILL BE BUSY
MINNESOTA TWINS VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
TIME: 1:10 p.m.
LOCATION: Target Field, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis.
ADMISSION: Ticketed.
Sunday closes the Twins-Guardians weekend series.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS VS. GREEN BAY PACKERS
TIME: Gates open 1 p.m.; kickoff 3:25 p.m.
LOCATION: U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415.
ADMISSION: Ticketed.
The Vikings open their regular season at home against Green Bay.
MAJOR ROAD ALERT: The eastbound I-394 ramp to eastbound I-94 will be closed. Eastbound I-394 remains open into downtown, but motorists who normally use the I-94 connector must find another route. Westbound I-394 remains open.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is one of those Sundays when public transit can turn from an alternative into the sensible first choice.
Target Field's 1:10 p.m. game means baseball crowds will already be downtown as tens of thousands of Vikings fans arrive for the 3:25 p.m. kickoff.
Do not treat Sunday as an ordinary downtown driving day.
Vikings official game-day guide
IMPORTANT UPDATE: DO NOT GO TO THE ST. LOUIS PARK ART FAIR SATURDAY
The St. Louis Park Art Fair was originally scheduled for September 12 but has been rescheduled to September 19 at the ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive.
This is precisely why readers should use current event information rather than an older September calendar.
FOR OUT-OF-STATE VISITORS: FOUR EASY BACKUP ATTRACTIONS
If weather, crowds or a schedule change disrupts your plans, several permanent attractions provide dependable alternatives.
Como Park in Saint Paul combines the zoo and conservatory campus with surrounding parkland and is particularly useful for families.
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. in Saint Paul, provides an indoor alternative with interactive science and natural-history exhibits.
Mill City Museum, 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis, is an especially good choice for visitors who want to understand why Minneapolis developed where it did and how flour milling shaped the city.
And Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 725 Vineland Place, provides a flexible free outdoor stop that can fit into a gap between scheduled events.
THE MINNEAPOLIMEDIA SATURDAY STRATEGY
Saturday is too full to approach without a plan.
For Minneapolis families: Start with Monarch Festival or Maker Fest. Move toward Mercado Central, Waite Park or another nearby afternoon activity, then finish with Greenway Glow or the Brackett Rocket Lighting.
For Saint Paul: Oktoberfest and Selby JazzFest can anchor the day, with the Saints and fireworks providing the evening option.
For the North Metro: Mounds View Community Resource Fair, Brooklyn Park Latinofest, Columbia Heights Pride and Blaine World Fest provide strong morning and midday choices. From there, families can head toward the corgi gathering in Andover, Operation Zero in Anoka, Ramsey Happy Days or Otsego Prairie Festival. Those looking for an evening finale can choose among fireworks in Anoka, Ramsey or Otsego, or head west to Maple Grove for the Water Lantern Festival.
For art lovers: Edina Fall Into the Arts can easily consume several hours. Do not schedule it as a 30-minute stop.
For families watching their budget: Monarch Festival, Latinofest, Columbia Heights Pride, Selby JazzFest, Blaine World Fest, Otsego Prairie Festival, Mercado Central's poster workshop and several other community events offer free admission or free programming.
THE MINNEAPOLIMEDIA SUNDAY STRATEGY
Sunday requires a different approach.
For families: Mia Family Day, Minnesota Zoo Hispanic Heritage Day, Saints Sesame Street Day and Cedarfest are among the strongest choices.
For pet lovers: Paws on Grand.
For arts and culture: Mia, Cedar Cypher, Cedarfest and the Stokley masterclass.
For sports: Twins, Saints or Vikings, but understand the very different cost and crowd environments.
For people who want something relaxed: Fall Into the Arts continues in Edina, and permanent parks and museums provide easier alternatives.
ACCESSIBILITY: DO NOT ASSUME
A permanent museum, street festival, park event and temporary fairground are very different accessibility environments.
Readers who require accessible parking, mobility assistance, ASL interpretation, sensory accommodations or accessible restroom confirmation should contact the organizer when those services are not explicitly stated.
Likewise, a paved venue does not necessarily mean every temporary booth, lawn activity or festival feature will be equally accessible.
PET OWNERS: CHECK BEFORE YOU LOAD THE CAR
An outdoor event is not automatically a pet-friendly event.
Washington County's Bluegrass Festival specifically prohibits animals. Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster prohibits pets and emotional-support animals under its published festival rules, while allowing qualifying service dogs.
Paws on Grand, by contrast, is designed specifically around pets.
Check the rules of the event you are actually attending.
THE ONE-DAY VISITOR'S DILEMMA
If you have only Saturday in the Twin Cities, resist the temptation to collect events as though they were checkpoints.
A better day is three good experiences than seven parking lots.
Choose one major morning or midday festival, one compatible nearby afternoon activity and one evening destination.
For example:
South Minneapolis: Monarch Festival → Mercado Central → Greenway Glow.
Saint Paul: Oktoberfest → Selby JazzFest → Saints baseball and fireworks.
North Metro: Mounds View, Latinofest, Columbia Heights Pride or Blaine World Fest → Andover, Anoka, Ramsey or Otsego → fireworks or Water Lantern Festival.
Southwest Metro: Edina Fall Into the Arts → Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster.
The common ingredient is geography.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE: THE MINNEAPOLIMEDIA FIVE-MINUTE CHECK
Schedules can change even after publication. Before starting the car, check five things:
- Weather and cancellation notices.
- Current ticket availability and registration status.
- Road closures and parking instructions.
- Bag, pet, food and beverage restrictions.
- Accessibility requirements specific to your household.
That tiny investment can prevent an hour-long wasted trip.
A WEEKEND THAT BELONGS TO THE WHOLE METRO
If there is one thing this weekend makes abundantly clear, it is that the Twin Cities and surrounding communities have collectively decided that staying home should require a very good excuse.
Look at the map.
Minneapolis has butterflies taking center stage at Lake Nokomis, makers filling the streets, Mexican Independence celebrations, art, bicycles, baseball and college football. Saint Paul counters with jazz, Oktoberfest, pets, cycling and minor-league baseball. Brooklyn Park celebrates Latino culture. Columbia Heights gathers at Kordiak Park. Blaine celebrates the world at Aquatore Park. Anoka brings cars, motorcycles, music and a veterans' mission to the fairgrounds. Ramsey and Otsego have turned Saturday into full-day community celebrations. Maple Grove waits until sunset and then sends lanterns glowing across the water. Edina transforms Centennial Lakes into an outdoor gallery. Burnsville intends to finish Saturday with fireworks. Apple Valley brings Hispanic Heritage celebrations to the Minnesota Zoo.
And then Sunday afternoon arrives, the Vikings and Packers take over U.S. Bank Stadium, and any remaining suspicion that this might be a quiet weekend can officially be dismissed.
This is not a weekend suffering from a shortage of things to do.
It is suffering from a shortage of weekend.
There are only two days, and somehow the metro has packed them with jazz and butterflies, art and football, powwow traditions and polka, Mexican dance and bluegrass, bicycles and baseball, neighborhood festivals and fireworks, zoo animals and, because apparently the weekend still had room, a gathering of corgis.
The challenge is no longer finding something to do. It is deciding what you are willing to miss.
That abundance is precisely why This Weekend in the Twin Cities™ exists.
We do not want to hand readers another collection of event names and call it a guide. Anyone with a search engine can find a festival. The useful questions come immediately afterward: Where exactly is it? When should we arrive? Is it free? Do we need tickets? Can we bring the children? What about the dog? Where do we park? What happens if it rains? And if we are already there, what else is nearby?
Our job is to get you past all of that.
We want the Minnesota family making plans around the breakfast table, the couple wondering what to do with a beautiful September Saturday, the college student looking for something that does not empty a bank account, the grandparent searching for somewhere to take the grandchildren, and the visitor opening the curtains in a Twin Cities hotel room and asking the most promising question of any trip:
“So, what’s happening today?”
Plenty.
And we want the answer to move quickly from:
“That sounds interesting.”
to:
“We know where it is. We know when it starts. We know what it costs. We know what to bring. We know how to get there. Now, let’s go.”
Because somewhere across this metro this weekend, a band is warming up. A grill is getting hot. Artists are setting out their work. Dancers are preparing to take the stage. Baseball players are taking batting practice. A neighborhood is putting up its tents. Lanterns are waiting for darkness. Fireworks are waiting for the sky.
And thousands of people are about to turn ordinary September streets, parks, stadiums and gathering places into something worth remembering.
The Twin Cities are not merely open this weekend.
They are showing off.
Now the difficult part is deciding where you want to be when they do.
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