Twin Cities weekend guide: Veg Fest, lantern lighting, apple pressing
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The suburbs are the place to be this weekend — we've spotted at least 10 major community festivals all around the metro.
- Here are some of our picks for family-friendly fun.
🖌️ Prior Lake: Watch professional chalk artists turn Main Avenue into an art gallery during Chalk Fest, a two-day event that also includes an amateur contest. Friday 4–8pm, Saturday 9am–4pm. Free
🍎 Excelsior: Can you win a pie eating competition? Find out at Apple Days, the Lake Minnetonka festival with plenty of local vendors, live music, street hockey and eating competitions for all ages. Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 9:30-4pm. Free.
🪙 Waconia: Nickle Dickle Day returns for its 65th year with duck races, classic car shows, an arts and crafts fair with 150 vendors, a library book sale and a new youth entrepreneurs narket. Saturday, 8am-5pm.
🎨 Bloomington: The Street Arts Festival will have over 40 artist vendors, free kid-friendly art activities, live painting, a sidewalk chalk contest and live music all day. Saturday, 10am-6pm. Free
🖼️ St. Louis Park: Head to the ROC for the rescheduled St. Louis Park Art Fair, featuring nearly 50 vendors, community art projects, a youth mini market and a llama petting zoo. Saturday, 10am-5pm
🪘 Crystal: Dance, shop and learn at AfroFest Minnesota, which will bring educational activities, authentic cuisine and plenty of live performances to Becker Park. Saturday, 2-9pm. $30.95 ages 13 and up, kids 12 and under free
🏎️ Edina: Ogle Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, a Ferrari showcase and more at the annual Edina Car Show at 50th & France. Note: The show is for exotic, rare and luxury vehicles, not classic cars. Sunday 12-4pm. Free.
Honorable mentions: White Bear Township Day, Eagan Autumn Craft & Gift Show, Elk River's Livin Music Festival.
More things to do…
🏮 Honor and remember loved ones at Lakewood Cemetery's annual lantern lighting this weekend. Decorate a lantern with provided supplies, then release it onto the lake at dusk in a community ceremony.
- Note: Keep an eye on the forecast — Friday's event has already been cancelled due to weather. Saturday, 5-8:30pm. Free entry, lanterns are $15 at the door.
🇲🇽 Celebrate Latino culture at the inaugural Fiesta Latina in St. Paul. The event at CHS Field will feature traditional folklorico dancing, giveaways, an artisan market, job fair, live music and more. Saturday, 11:30am-4:30pm. Free entry.
🌮 The Lake Street Taco Tour returns! Thirty restaurants along the South Minneapolis corridor will offer tacos for $3 or less, and Mercado Central and El Nuevo Campo host entertainment, family activities and a taco eating contest. Saturday, 12-8pm. Free entry.
🍎 Forget grape stomping — try apple pressing with Minneapolis Cider Company's head cider maker on Saturday. Staff will create the Fireside Hazy hard cider using apples from Northfield's Fireside Orchards; general admission includes a drink ticket. Saturday, 3-6pm. $18 GA, $45 VIP.
🥦 Bring a healthy appetite to Sunday's Twin Cities Veg Fest on Harriet Island this Sunday. The Midwest's largest vegan festival will feature nearly 100 exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, health and fitness influencer John Lewis and hardcore music. Sunday, 10am-4pm. Free entry.