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A guide to fun things to do in Twin Cities this weekend.

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Weekender

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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Nick Halter, Audrey Kennedy and Torey Van Oot.

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Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents

Two downtown hotels could lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.

News

The Minneapolis City Council could decide Thursday whether two downtown hotels should lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a>.Why it matters: Hospitality advocates say revocations would send a chilling message to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hospitality industry facing uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" target="_self">a hospitality industry facing uncertainty</a> in the aftermath of the Trump administration&#x27;s deportation blitz.<ul><li>But some hotel employees and union representatives argue federal agents&#x27; presence created safety concerns that justify a city intervention.</li></ul>

Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years

The Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close for two years

The heavily used Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close on March 3 for major rehab and won&#x27;t reopen for two years. Why it matters: This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" data-vars-content-id="83be5056-132c-4258-a23b-05cf3b99ffdd" data-vars-headline="Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" target="_blank">project</a> will send the roughly 14,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average day to nearby streets, and also re-route users of the highly popular Minnehaha Parkway below.

Minnesota's Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women's hockey win

Minnesotans have several more shots to make the podium before the Games wrap Sunday.

Sports

The Minnesotan-powered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team</a> toppled Canada in overtime to win Olympic gold Thursday. Why it matters: The dramatic 2-1 victory is golden redemption for a team of stars — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight of whom have Minnesota ties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">eight of whom have Minnesota ties</a> — that came up short four years ago.<ul><li>The all-North American final — which ended on a sick dangle by Megan Keller — doubled as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made-to-order marketing material" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" target="_self">made-to-order marketing material</a> for the fledgling Professional Women&#x27;s Hockey League.</li></ul>

Restaurant Roundup: Dahlia debuts, Hey Y'all closes, Company Bar moves in

Here's some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Food and Drink

Plenty of restaurants have made moves in the new year. Here&#x27;s some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Twin Cities weekend guide: Winter Beer Dabbler, curling competition, fish fry

Try your hand at the unique winter sport during Sociable Cider Werks' Bonspiel.

Things to Do

Feeling inspired after watching Olympic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="curling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/11/curling-clubs-filling-olympics-ice-time-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="3425e87e-99c5-426a-a56a-c46eda8c5e87" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Winter Beer Dabbler, curling competition, fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/11/curling-clubs-filling-olympics-ice-time-minnesota" target="_self">curling</a>? Try your hand at the unique winter sport during Sociable Cider Werks&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bonspiel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ap22sNLmH/" data-vars-content-id="3425e87e-99c5-426a-a56a-c46eda8c5e87" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Winter Beer Dabbler, curling competition, fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ap22sNLmH/" target="_blank">Bonspiel</a>, a curling tournament for beginners and pros alike.

Twin Cities weekend: Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, jug band battles

After-hours zoo access, name a bug after your ex and more.

Next Tuesday marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, and if you want to get a head start celebrating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Year of the Fire Horse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" data-vars-content-id="38f31215-9595-495c-a3e3-0ada36362e42" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Valentine&#x27;s Day, Lunar New Year, jug band battles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" target="_self">Year of the Fire Horse</a>, we know where to go.

Five unique Valentine's Day events in the Twin Cities

Spend the day with a partner, a friend or flying solo.

Valentine&#x27;s Day is Saturday, and if you&#x27;re struggling to get a dinner reservation, we have some … alternative suggestions.<ul><li>Here are five unique ways to spend the day with a partner, a friend or flying solo.</li></ul>

Twin Cities weekend: Luminary Loppet, hot air balloons, ice golf

Visitors can walk a path around Lake of the Isles lit by ice features.

Penguins, polar bears and 1,200 luminaries will surround Lake of the Isles Saturday night for the return of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luminary Loppet" data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/luminary-loppet/" data-vars-content-id="d93b1475-f92b-4454-a36f-304469739a4d" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Luminary Loppet, hot air balloons, ice golf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/luminary-loppet/" target="_blank">Luminary Loppet</a>.What to expect: Visitors can walk a path around the lake lit by ice features, including the frozen luminaries, an ice pyramid and a glowing enchanted forest, then stop by the Luminary Party for live music and food.

"Heated Rivalry" is heating up library waitlists

The sports romance is flying off the shelves.

Demand for &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heated Rivalry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/09/crosby-ovechkin-feud-inspires-heated-rivalry" data-vars-content-id="9359f548-8ff4-493d-93db-87fc9b07d5f5" data-vars-headline="&quot;Heated Rivalry&quot; is heating up library waitlists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/09/crosby-ovechkin-feud-inspires-heated-rivalry" target="_self">Heated Rivalry</a>&quot; at Twin Cities libraries is red-hot. Why it matters: The &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gay hockey smut" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thecut.com/article/heated-rivalry-series-show-book-women-explained.html" data-vars-content-id="9359f548-8ff4-493d-93db-87fc9b07d5f5" data-vars-headline="&quot;Heated Rivalry&quot; is heating up library waitlists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/heated-rivalry-series-show-book-women-explained.html" target="_blank">gay hockey smut</a>&quot; book-turned-HBO-streaming-hit has exploded into a pop culture sensation.

Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, "Heated Rivalry," bike swap

This year's activities include fat bike marathons, snowshoe runs and a scavenger hunt on skis.

Ready to enjoy the balmy 20-degree weather? The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/winter-festival-2/2026-01-31/" data-vars-content-id="2c9c7ba7-5add-4331-bbb4-4e7ff9d27883" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, &quot;Heated Rivalry,&quot; bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/winter-festival-2/2026-01-31/" target="_blank">City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival</a> returns this weekend with winter competitions throughout Theodore Wirth Park.What to expect: This year&#x27;s activities include <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fat bike marathons" data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/marathon-pouli-tour-fat-bike/" data-vars-content-id="2c9c7ba7-5add-4331-bbb4-4e7ff9d27883" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, &quot;Heated Rivalry,&quot; bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/marathon-pouli-tour-fat-bike/" target="_blank">fat bike marathons</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snowshoe runs" data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/snowshoe-loppet/" data-vars-content-id="2c9c7ba7-5add-4331-bbb4-4e7ff9d27883" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, &quot;Heated Rivalry,&quot; bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/snowshoe-loppet/" target="_blank">snowshoe runs</a>, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scavenger hunt " data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/ski-orienteering-loppet/" data-vars-content-id="2c9c7ba7-5add-4331-bbb4-4e7ff9d27883" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, &quot;Heated Rivalry,&quot; bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/ski-orienteering-loppet/" target="_blank">scavenger hunt </a>on skis and the popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Skijor Loppet" data-vars-click-url="https://loppet.org/event/skijor-loppet/" data-vars-content-id="2c9c7ba7-5add-4331-bbb4-4e7ff9d27883" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Loppet fest, &quot;Heated Rivalry,&quot; bike swap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://loppet.org/event/skijor-loppet/" target="_blank">Skijor Loppet</a>, where you can cross-country ski the trails with your dog.

Twin Cities weekend guide: Museum exhibits, cat show

Here are three new exhibitions you can visit Saturday and Sunday.

It&#x27;s the ideal time to explore your local museum. Though these museums are observing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Friday&#x27;s strike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/22/what-to-know-about-ice-out-of-mn-day" data-vars-content-id="b3c473f7-7b35-4f35-a70f-c171b897370a" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: Museum exhibits, cat show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/22/what-to-know-about-ice-out-of-mn-day" target="_self">Friday&#x27;s strike</a>, here are three new exhibitions you can visit Saturday and Sunday.

Twin Cities weekend: Art Shanties, Art Sled Rally, Red Bull Heavy Metal

Brave souls will attempt to ride their homemade cardboard sleds down a steep hill.

A beaver pond maze, folk tale puppet show and &quot;phenology wheel&quot; are headed to the middle of frozen Lake Harriet this weekend for the return of the Art Shanties, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="village of interactive art projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/21/art-shanty-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="1f148379-5626-47d4-a9c9-c31524679ad9" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Art Shanties, Art Sled Rally, Red Bull Heavy Metal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/21/art-shanty-minneapolis" target="_self">village of interactive art projects</a> and experimental performances.What to expect: Old favorites, including disco karaoke spot &quot;The Sync Hole,&quot; will return alongside new projects like submarine shanty &quot;SUB BDé UMáŋ&quot; and &quot;MEDUSA,&quot; a crashed alien spaceship that doubles as a dance club.

Twin Cities weekend: Tricycle jousting, John Mulaney, ice carousel

Do you have what it takes to win a fight — with a pool noodle?

Do you have what it takes to win a fight — on a tricycle?Driving the news: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tricycle Jousting" data-vars-click-url="https://calendar.boomte.ch/single/hJ7iwvM6O4sW2O4qJ7O4oz" data-vars-content-id="ddf64a92-66b0-4ed9-ad79-f93399fb69c0" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend: Tricycle jousting, John Mulaney, ice carousel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://calendar.boomte.ch/single/hJ7iwvM6O4sW2O4qJ7O4oz" target="_blank">Tricycle Jousting</a>,&quot; where participants on child-sized trikes whack each other with pool noodles, will return to Under Pressure Brewing Company on Sunday.

We tried it: Minnesota's new forest ice skating trail

The experience is more like lake skating than rinks.

<figure><img alt="A man in a green jacket ice skating quickly through a path of ice in the forest." height="496" id="84e26205-61f2-465f-a5bf-84b8b2b1f5aa" src="https://images.axios.com/aHBQ9uOl1R_HxsX3qZTL1LGKLgY=/2026/01/05/1767637544532.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>An experienced skater on the trail. Video: Audrey Kennedy/Axios</figcaption></figure>I took a trip to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northland Arboretum" data-vars-click-url="https://northlandarb.org/" data-vars-content-id="7187031a-8964-4a6c-907d-fad778567377" data-vars-headline="We tried it: Minnesota&#x27;s new forest ice skating trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://northlandarb.org/" target="_blank">Northland Arboretum</a> in Baxter to try a unique spin on a classic winter activity: forest ice skating.What to expect: The ice-covered path is around 0.5 miles long and winds through an open field and forested areas. Staff at the arboretum <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="believe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/20/arboretum-in-baxter-debuts-new-forest-skating-trail-if-we-build-it-they-will-come" data-vars-content-id="7187031a-8964-4a6c-907d-fad778567377" data-vars-headline="We tried it: Minnesota&#x27;s new forest ice skating trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/20/arboretum-in-baxter-debuts-new-forest-skating-trail-if-we-build-it-they-will-come" target="_blank">believe</a> it&#x27;s the first of its kind in Minnesota, though <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Warroad" data-vars-click-url="https://visitwarroad.com/riverbend-skate-path/" data-vars-content-id="7187031a-8964-4a6c-907d-fad778567377" data-vars-headline="We tried it: Minnesota&#x27;s new forest ice skating trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://visitwarroad.com/riverbend-skate-path/" target="_blank">Warroad</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maple Grove" data-vars-click-url="https://maplegrovemn.gov/facilities/facility/details/centralparkiceskatingloop-28" data-vars-content-id="7187031a-8964-4a6c-907d-fad778567377" data-vars-headline="We tried it: Minnesota&#x27;s new forest ice skating trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maplegrovemn.gov/facilities/facility/details/centralparkiceskatingloop-28" target="_blank">Maple Grove</a> have variations.

Things to Do 🗓

Twin Cities weekend guide: Winter Beer Dabbler, curling competition, fish fry

Twin Cities weekend: Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, jug band battles

Five unique Valentine's Day events in the Twin Cities

Twin Cities weekend: Luminary Loppet, hot air balloons, ice golf

"Heated Rivalry" is heating up library waitlists