Things to do in the Twin Cities in summer 2025
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Don't wait until the State Fair to have some fun this summer. Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
It's May in Minnesota, which is the unofficial beginning of five months of weekend festivals, concerts and other entertainment, much of it outdoors.
Why it matters: We have to cram a lot into our short summers. Let's not find ourselves full of regret this winter that we missed out.
Here are some highlights as you make your summer plans.
🇲🇽 May 2-3: St. Paul's West Side Cinco de Mayo celebration is this weekend, with music, food, a car show and a parade.
🎆 May 13: Katy Perry at Target Center.
🎨 May 16-18: Art-A-Whirl in Northeast Minneapolis. 100+ locations with art and music.
🍲 May 17-18: Hmong American Day Festival in St. Paul's former Sears parking lot, with music, food and speakers.
💴 June 1: Grand Old Day takes over St. Paul's beloved street with music and food.
🧑🎨 June 6-8: Edina Art Fair at 50th and France.
🌉 June 14-15: Stone Arch Bridge Festival brings art and food to West River Parkway.
🏳️🌈 June 27-29: Twin Cities Pride at Loring Park
🐢 July 5: Get out of town and head to Duluth for the Bayfront Music Festival, headlined by Trampled by Turtles.
🏙 July 5-6: Taste of Minnesota in downtown Minneapolis. Headliners: Joan Jett and Cheap Trick on Saturday and Ludacris on Sunday.
💦 July 18-20: Minnehaha Falls Art Fair. Art, but also Sea Salt Eatery.
🛥 July 18-20: Minnesota Yacht Club returns to Harriet Island with headliners Hozier/Alabama Shakes, Fall Out Boy/Weezer and Green Day/Sublime.
🎇 July 23-26: Minneapolis Aquatennial. Torchlight Parade on Wednesday and fireworks on Saturday night.
🇮🇪 Aug. 8-10: Irish Fair at Harriet Island. Gaelic Storm plays Saturday.
⚔️ Aug. 16- Sept. 28 (weekends): Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee.
🎡 Aug. 21-Sept. 1: Minnesota State Fair. Perhaps you've heard of it? Announced Grand Stand acts so far include Avett Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Hank Williams Jr., Def Leppard and Meghan Trainor.
Be smart: Remember to open Audrey Kennedy's Weekender newsletter every Thursday evening for a more thorough lineup of events each weekend.