MinneapoliMedia Presents | THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES™ | The Exhaustive Twin Cities Weekend Directory: September 13, 2026

The final day of the weekend brings Vikings-Packers, Twins and Saints baseball, Hispanic Heritage celebrations, art, Greek culture, Open Streets, pets, cycling, Indigenous tradition, markets, music and community festivals across the metropolitan area

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 13, 2026). The Twin Cities enter the final day of a crowded September weekend with a Sunday calendar that is smaller than Saturday's festival avalanche but still unusually deep.

Minneapolis carries much of the day's activity through Mia Family Day, Open Streets Cedarfest, Cedar Cypher, Taste of Greece, the Minneapolis Vintage Market, Twins baseball and the Vikings-Packers home opener.

Saint Paul counters with Paws on Grand, the Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour for already-registered riders, the Stokley JazzFest masterclass, the St. Paul Saints' final home game of the season and the Lowertown Farmers' Market.

Beyond the two central cities, Edina Fall Into the Arts continues for a second day, the Minnesota Zoo marks Hispanic Heritage Day in Apple Valley, James J. Hill Days closes in Wayzata with its parade, Dakota tradition continues at the Mendota Mdewakanton Wacipi, Northfield reaches the final day of Defeat of Jesse James Days, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival remains open in Shakopee.

The day's biggest logistical story, however, is downtown Minneapolis.

The Twins play Cleveland at Target Field at 1:10 p.m. The Vikings host Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium at 3:25 p.m. The Vikings Kickoff Concert begins outside the stadium before the game, and the eastbound I-394 ramp to eastbound I-94 is closed.

That combination means Sunday requires a transportation plan before it requires an entertainment plan.

This final-day edition of This Weekend in the Twin Cities™ removes events that have already ended and concentrates entirely on what readers can still do today.

SUNDAY WEATHER: COOLER, CLOUDIER, STILL USABLE

Sunday is markedly cooler than Friday and Saturday.

Current Twin Cities forecasts generally place afternoon temperatures in the upper 60s, with considerable cloud cover and some possibility of showers depending on location and timing.

That does not make Sunday a washout.

It does make layers and a light rain shell sensible for anyone spending several hours at Cedarfest, Paws on Grand, James J. Hill Days, the Wacipi, the Renaissance Festival or another outdoor destination.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA ADVICE: Do not cancel an outdoor plan solely because the sky looks gray when you leave home. Check radar and the event organizer first. Many of today's largest activities are scheduled to proceed through ordinary light rain.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
MINNEAPOLIS

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: Mia's monthly Family Day fills the museum with art-making, storytelling and performances. September's Sounds of Summer edition includes TaikoArts Midwest, Train House Friends and Basic and Boring, along with opportunities for children and families to make their own musical instruments.

FOOD: Pretty Great Cheesecake is among the announced food offerings.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent.

WEATHER ADVANTAGE: Primarily indoors, making this one of Sunday's strongest choices if showers become more persistent.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: For families who want a low-cost Sunday without having to gamble on the weather, Mia is difficult to beat.

OPEN STREETS CEDARFEST

TIME: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

LOCATION: Cedar and Riverside avenues, West Bank, Minneapolis.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Cedar and Riverside become a people-centered corridor with live music, performances, local food, community programming, henna, Somali cultural activities and family attractions.

The event continues the Open Streets model of temporarily reshaping a commercial corridor around pedestrians, cyclists and neighborhood gathering rather than ordinary vehicle traffic.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.

TRANSPORTATION: This is excellent transit territory. The METRO Blue and Green lines both serve the West Bank area, and bicycling is particularly practical.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Do not arrive expecting one central festival stage. Cedarfest works best when you walk the corridor and allow the neighborhood itself to become part of the event.

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 connected to the broader Cedarfest and Open Streets activity.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Treat Cedar Cypher and Cedarfest as one geographic outing rather than two separate destinations.

MINNEAPOLIS VINTAGE MARKET AT SOCIABLE CIDER WERKS

TIME: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

LOCATION: Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

ADMISSION: Early access from 11 a.m.–noon is $10. General admission from noon–4 p.m. is free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Minnesota vintage clothing, accessories and home-goods vendors, along with coffee, cider, food, a pop-up photo booth and music from DJ Buster Baxter.

EARLY-BIRD TICKET: Includes first access to vendors and a complimentary drip coffee.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is a good Northeast Minneapolis option for people who want browsing and shopping rather than a large outdoor festival.

MINNEAPOLIS TASTE OF GREECE FESTIVAL

TIME: Noon–5 p.m.

LOCATION: St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408.

ADMISSION: Free.

PAYMENT: The festival is cashless. Credit and debit cards are accepted.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Greek food, pastries, music, dancing, cultural activities, Greek dance lessons, cooking demonstrations and opportunities to learn about the church and Orthodox Christian tradition.

CHURCH TOURS: Interactive tours are scheduled during festival hours, with self-guided tours also available.

CONTACT: 612-825-9595; stmarysgoc@stmarysgoc.org.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Strong.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: The food may bring people through the gate, but the cultural and faith programming is what turns Taste of Greece into more than an outdoor food event.

MINNEAPOLIS FARMERS MARKET

TIME: 6 a.m.–1 p.m.

LOCATION: 312 E. Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55405.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Produce, flowers, baked goods, food products and other market vendors. The market's Sunday schedule is confirmed from 6 a.m.–1 p.m.

SUNDAY MUSIC: Kirk & Low are scheduled from 9 a.m.–noon.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is one of the easiest ways to start Sunday early before moving to Mia, Cedarfest, the Twins game or another midday event.

THE VIKINGS HOME OPENER TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN

VIKINGS KICKOFF CONCERT | COLE SWINDELL

GATES: 10:30 a.m.

LOCAL MUSIC: The Pork Tornadoes begin at 11:30 a.m.

COLE SWINDELL: 1 p.m.

LOCATION: The Commons outside U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: A large pregame gathering anchored by multi-platinum country artist Cole Swindell, with music, fan activities and Vikings-related programming before the home opener.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: All ages.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: You do not need a Vikings game ticket to make the Kickoff Concert the centerpiece of a downtown Sunday morning or early afternoon.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS VS. GREEN BAY PACKERS

GATES: 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 2026 regular season at home against Green Bay.

GAME-DAY FEATURES: The Vikings' current game guide lists a Classic Game theme, a full-field flag, military flyover, Vikings legend and former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page sounding the Gjallarhorn, and a halftime Corgi Classic featuring 12 racing corgis.

ACCESSIBILITY: Complimentary wheelchair escorts are available at stadium entry points. Guests needing ADA mobility assistance are encouraged to arrive about an hour before kickoff.

MAJOR ROAD ALERT: The eastbound I-394 ramp to eastbound I-94 is closed. Eastbound I-394 remains open into downtown, but drivers who normally take the I-94 connector must use another route. Westbound I-394 remains open.

TRANSIT: Strongly recommended.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: With the Twins already playing downtown and thousands arriving for Vikings pregame activities, today is not the day to assume you will simply drive toward U.S. Bank Stadium and figure out parking when you get there.

MINNESOTA TWINS VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

TIME: 1:10 p.m.

LOCATION: Target Field, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

ADMISSION: Ticketed.

Sunday closes the Twins-Guardians weekend series.

SUNDAY PROMOTION: Sunday Kids Day programming is scheduled.

TRANSIT: Target Field is directly served by the METRO Blue and Green lines.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: The 1:10 p.m. first pitch creates an unusual downtown overlap with Vikings traffic beginning to build toward the 3:25 p.m. kickoff. Baseball fans should expect a very different departure environment from an ordinary Sunday afternoon at Target Field.

SAINT PAUL

SAINT PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR

MORNING EVENT.

The Saint Paul Classic returns Sunday as a recreational ride along the Saint Paul Grand Round and river corridor. Saint Paul lists the event from approximately 7:30–10:30 a.m.

CRITICAL INFORMATION: Registration closed before Sunday. There is no day-of registration.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: If you are not already registered, this is not a walk-up Sunday option. Readers should not travel to the start expecting to purchase entry.

ST. PAUL FARMERS' MARKET | LOWERTOWN

TIME: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

LOCATION: 290 Fifth St. E., Saint Paul, MN 55101.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Produce, flowers, baked goods, locally produced foods and other market vendors. Sunday's regular-season Lowertown market runs from 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This pairs naturally with the Saints game at nearby CHS Field.

PAWS ON GRAND

TIME: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

LOCATION: Grand Avenue, Saint Paul.

ADMISSION: General street-festival participation is open. Individual activities and businesses may have their own purchase requirements.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Pet rescues and adoption organizations, a Pet Marketplace, pet-friendly activities and Wiener Dog Races.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Strong for pet-loving families.

PET OWNERS: Bring water, waste bags and a secure leash. Not every dog enjoys a crowded environment filled with unfamiliar animals.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: No dog? That is not a problem. Organizers specifically note that rescue organizations will be present for visitors interested in adoption.

ST. PAUL SAINTS VS. SYRACUSE METS | SESAME STREET DAY

TIME: 1:07 p.m.

LOCATION: CHS Field, 360 Broadway St., Saint Paul.

ADMISSION: Ticketed. Published ticket prices range from $5–$35 before applicable day-of adjustments.

SPECIAL EVENT: Sesame Street Day.

SIGNIFICANCE: This is the Saints' final home game of the 2026 season.

FOR CHILDREN: Kids can run the bases after the game as part of Cub Family Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Families who want professional baseball without entering the enormous Twins-Vikings downtown Minneapolis traffic mix have an unusually attractive alternative in Lowertown.

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 session focused on musicianship, professional experience and conversation with participants.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Saturday's street festival may be over, but JazzFest programming is not. This is one of Sunday's more intimate cultural options.

SOUTH METRO

MINNESOTA ZOO HISPANIC HERITAGE DAY

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

ZOO HOURS: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

LOCATION: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 55124.

ADMISSION: Included with regular zoo admission.

Published pricing includes approximately $25.95 for ages 13–64, $23.95 for visitors 65 and older, $19.95 for children ages 3–12, and free admission for children 2 and younger. Zoo members are also admitted under membership terms.

PROGRAMMING: DJ Supafly performs from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ballet Folklórico México Azteca is scheduled at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Away Runakuna Dance Group performs at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m.

Also planned are an artisan market, community resources, papel picado activities and specialty foods.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Excellent.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Do not plan this as a one-hour cultural stop. The strongest value comes from combining the Hispanic Heritage programming with a full zoo visit.

EDINA FALL INTO THE ARTS FESTIVAL

TIME: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

LOCATION: Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., and adjacent festival area at 7601 France Ave. S., Edina, MN.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Approximately 250 artists, food vendors and sponsors with jewelry, pottery, photography, sculpture, glass, fiber, wood, painting and other visual arts.

PARKING: Thousands of free parking spaces are available around Centennial Lakes, with additional free parking north and south of the festival.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT: The festival supports the Edina First Responders Fund.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Centennial Lakes makes this more than an art-shopping trip. Give yourself enough time to walk the park rather than rushing from booth to booth.

WEST METRO

JAMES J. HILL DAYS | FINAL DAY

TIME: Major Sunday programming runs approximately 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

LOCATION: Downtown Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka waterfront area.

ADMISSION: Much of the community festival is free. Carnival rides, food and some activities cost extra.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Street Market, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Lake Minnetonka Carnival, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; logrolling, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Doggy Olympics and dog-park activities, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; live music, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; T-6 Thunder Airshow, approximately 2:45–3 p.m.; James J. Hill Days Parade, 3–4 p.m.

TRAFFIC: Downtown street closures and parade activity will affect movement and parking.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: If the parade is your priority, arrive well before 3 p.m. Wayzata becomes substantially harder to navigate once spectators begin gathering along the route.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

MENDOTA MDEWAKANTON DAKOTA TRADITIONAL WACIPI / POW WOW

SUNDAY REGISTRATION: 11 a.m.

GRAND ENTRY: 1–5 p.m.

CLOSING CEREMONY: 5 p.m.

FEAST: Follows the closing ceremony.

ORGANIZER: Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community.

CONTACT: 651-249-7660.

PUBLIC ACCESS: Sunday's Wacipi programming is open to the public.

VISITOR ETIQUETTE: Follow instructions from the emcee and organizers. Do not enter dance areas unless invited, and ask permission before taking close photographs of individual participants or ceremonial activity.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Attend as a respectful guest. This is a living Dakota cultural gathering, not simply an entertainment attraction.

WORTH THE DRIVE

DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES DAYS | NORTHFIELD

TIME: Festival activity continues through Sunday, with the city calendar listing the event from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

LOCATION: Downtown Northfield and multiple festival locations.

ADMISSION: Many public activities are free. Individual rides, food, rodeo and other attractions vary.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Bank-raid reenactments, carnival attractions, food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and Northfield's long-running celebration of the townspeople who resisted the James-Younger Gang's 1876 bank robbery.

GRAND PARADE: 2–4 p.m. along Division Street from Northfield High School toward the downtown area. The city recommends arriving early because the parade is heavily attended.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: This is a genuine day trip rather than a quick metro stop. If you go, let Northfield be the destination.

MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

TIME: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

LOCATION: Shakopee area.

ADMISSION AT GATE: Adults $29.95; seniors 65 and older $27.95; children ages 5–12 $19.95; children 4 and younger free, plus applicable tax. Advance pricing is lower.

WHAT TO EXPECT: More than 16 stages, more than 250 artisans, jousting, food, games, rides and dozens of family activities. The 2026 season marks the festival's 55th year.

WEATHER: Rain or shine. The festival does not issue weather-related refunds or rain checks for ordinary inclement weather.

PARKING: A parking pass is required for on-site parking.

SUNDAY FEAST: The September 13 Sunday XL Feast is sold out.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA VISITOR ADVICE: Buy ordinary admission only through official channels and do not build today's plan around the special feast. That experience has already sold out.

SUNDAY TRANSPORTATION: DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS IS THE PRESSURE POINT

The most important planning information today is concentrated within a relatively small area of Minneapolis.

The Vikings Kickoff Concert begins outside U.S. Bank Stadium before noon.

The Twins begin at Target Field at 1:10 p.m.

U.S. Bank Stadium gates open at 1 p.m.

Vikings-Packers kicks off at 3:25 p.m.

At the same time, the eastbound I-394 ramp to eastbound I-94 is closed.

That means baseball traffic, football traffic, concert traffic, ordinary downtown activity and construction detours will overlap.

If you can reasonably use METRO light rail today, use it.

The Blue and Green lines serve both Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium.

FOR OUT-OF-STATE VISITORS: PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS STILL MATTER

Not every hour of a Twin Cities visit needs to be scheduled around a festival.

Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., provides a major museum experience and today's Family Day without general admission.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 725 Vineland Place, remains a useful flexible stop for visitors with only an hour or two available.

Mill City Museum, 704 S. Second St., gives visitors context for the flour industry and river geography that shaped Minneapolis.

Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., offers a substantial indoor Saint Paul alternative.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory provides another family-friendly option that can function independently of today's major events.

THE MINNEAPOLIMEDIA SUNDAY STRATEGY

Sunday works best when readers resist trying to cross the metro repeatedly.

For Minneapolis families: Mia Family Day can anchor the morning or early afternoon. From there, choose Cedarfest, Taste of Greece or another single neighborhood destination.

For Vikings fans: Get downtown early, consider the free Kickoff Concert, use transit if practical and do not underestimate the combined Twins-Vikings traffic.

For Saint Paul families: Lowertown Farmers' Market followed by the Saints' Sesame Street Day creates an easy geographic combination. Paws on Grand offers a very different alternative.

For Latino culture: Minnesota Zoo Hispanic Heritage Day is the day's strongest dedicated program.

For visual art: Edina Fall Into the Arts remains one of Sunday's largest free art events.

For a day trip: Choose Wayzata, Northfield or the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Do not try to treat any of them as a brief stop between Minneapolis events.

For free or low-cost plans: Mia Family Day, Cedarfest, Cedar Cypher, Taste of Greece, Minneapolis Vintage Market after noon, farmers' markets, Paws on Grand and Fall Into the Arts all provide free admission or substantial free programming.

ACCESSIBILITY: CHECK THE SPECIFIC VENUE

A museum, stadium, outdoor street festival, zoo, cultural gathering and temporary marketplace present very different accessibility environments.

Readers requiring accessible parking, mobility assistance, sensory accommodations, ASL interpretation or accessible restroom confirmation should check the organizer's current information before departure.

U.S. Bank Stadium, for example, provides wheelchair escorts and other accessibility services, while temporary street events may have uneven terrain or limited nearby parking.

PET OWNERS: SUNDAY HAS OPTIONS, BUT NOT EVERYWHERE

Paws on Grand is explicitly designed for people attending with animals.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival permits dogs under its published dog-registration and conduct policies.

Other venues may restrict pets or allow only service animals.

Never assume that an outdoor festival automatically welcomes dogs.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE: THE MINNEAPOLIMEDIA FIVE-MINUTE CHECK

Before starting the car today, check five things:

1. Weather and any same-day schedule changes.
2. Current ticket or registration availability.
3. Road closures, parking instructions and transit service.
4. Bag, pet, food and beverage restrictions.
5. Accessibility requirements specific to your household.

That matters more today than usual because several major outdoor events share the day with a concentrated downtown sports schedule.

THE WEEKEND IS DOWN TO ONE DAY

Saturday may have been the heavyweight, but Sunday is not an afterthought.

The Twin Cities still have art filling Centennial Lakes, Greek food and dancing near Bde Maka Ska, families making music inside Mia, pets taking over Grand Avenue, baseball in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Latino culture filling the Minnesota Zoo, vintage vendors gathering in Northeast Minneapolis, cyclists moving through Saint Paul, Dakota tradition continuing at the Wacipi, a hometown parade closing James J. Hill Days, and Jesse James history drawing thousands to Northfield.

And then there is downtown Minneapolis.

By early afternoon, Target Field will be playing baseball while U.S. Bank Stadium prepares for Vikings-Packers. Country music will be coming from The Commons. Purple jerseys will be filling trains and sidewalks. Guardians fans, Twins families and Packers visitors will be moving through the same downtown streets.

It is an unusually Minnesota way to close a September weekend.

There is still enough happening to spend the day inside a museum, outside at a street festival, beside a baseball diamond, around an art market, at a cultural gathering or in a stadium with more than 60,000 football fans.

But there is no longer any reason to plan for Friday.

There is no reason to plan for Saturday.

There is one day left.

And the useful question this morning is no longer:

“What is happening this weekend?”

It is:

“What can we still do today?”

Quite a lot.

That is why this final-day edition exists.

We want the family looking across the breakfast table, the visitor opening the curtains in a downtown hotel, the couple trying to salvage Sunday after a busy Saturday, the grandparent deciding where to take the grandchildren and the sports fan wondering whether driving downtown is a terrible idea to have the same advantage:

One place to figure out where to go, when it begins, what it costs, what to expect and what could complicate the trip.

The weekend is almost over.

The Twin Cities are not.

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