Pride Month is winding down, but the biggest celebrations in Minnesota are about to take over the Twin Cities.

The big picture: The Twin Cities Pride Festival returns to Loring Park this Saturday and Sunday with over 650 vendors, three live entertainment stages, an LGBTQ+ History Pavilion, the 61-foot-tall "World's Largest Rubber Duck" and so much more. Free

• You can get a head start at tomorrow's Pride Beer Dabbler in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, where tickets include unlimited pours from over 70 breweries and cideries. $59.61+ for drinking tickets
• The festival's Pride Youth Night, a special event tailored for folks ages 10-20, will also return tomorrow from 5-8pm in Loring Park. Free

Meanwhile: Minneapolis People's Pride, which organizers describe as the "non-corporate alternative pride event" by and for the Twin Cities queer community, is Saturday from 12-4pm at Powderhorn Park.

• The event will have free food, up to 50 vendors, two stages with performers and activities. Note: Masks are recommended and provided. Free

🎤 Millennials, this one is for you — Ludacris is performing at Target Field after tomorrow night's Twins game, and admission is included with your ticket. $22.75+

• Meanwhile, EDM music festival Breakaway returns to Allianz Field Festival Grounds Friday and Saturday with a packed lineup that includes Zedd, Gryffin and Subtronics. One-day tickets start at $99

🥔 How much dip could you fit on a chip? Find out at Farmington's Top the Tater Days, a community festival now through Sunday entirely themed around the beloved Midwestern chive and onion dip.

• The "scooping contest," in which folks see how much Top the Tater they can get on an Old Dutch potato chip without breaking it, will return Saturday afternoon. Check out my video of last year's intense competition. Free

🏛️ PSA: The Minnesota Historical Society's quarterly free admission day is this Saturday. All 26 sites, including Split Rock Lighthouse, James J. Hill House and Jeffers Petroglyphs are open to all for self-guided tours only. Free

🕰️ Step back in time at Saturday's Time Travelers Vintage Expo in the Minneapolis Convention Center, featuring up to 120 small businesses selling retro clothing, home goods and handmade items. $11.57

• Situational awareness: The convention center is also hosting Minneapolis' first Exxxotica Expo this weekend. Prices vary, "ladies get in free" on Friday

🎳 Celebrate Hmong culture at the sports-focused Hmong International Freedom Festival in St. Paul this weekend. Activities include flag football, volleyball and "top spin" tournaments — the latter has been described as "bowling mixed with baseball." Free

😋 Eat your way through the Soul Food Festival this Saturday evening at Minneapolis' Farmer's Market Annex. Expect food trucks, live music, community organizations and cultural activities. Free

🧳 Find anything you need (and plenty you don't) at the Stillwater Flea & Crafter Market Saturday and Sunday at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Over 200 vendors will be selling antiques, collectibles and more, new, "rusty and rustic." Free entry and parking

Your couch time is valuable. Here are a few new streaming picks worth checking out this week.

"The Bear" — fifth and final season available today on Hulu.

• After Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) exits, the rest of the crew tries to finally earn a Michelin star, amid money trouble and a looming sale.

"Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness" — limited series available Friday on HBO Max.

• Larry David turns American history into sketch comedy, placing his familiar social irritation inside major moments from the country's past.

"The Sheep Detectives" — mystery comedy available now on Prime Video.

• Hugh Jackman stars as a shepherd who reads detective novels to his flock in this family film that earned strong reviews during its theatrical release last month.

"Little Brother" — comedy film available Friday on Netflix.

• John Cena plays a successful real estate agent whose life gets upended when his chaotic former mentee, played by Eric André, reappears.

Earlier this month, I celebrated my five-year anniversary with Axios — and am now heading out on sabbatical!

• I'll be off for the next six weeks starting Wednesday, returning just in time for the State Fair.

What I'll be up to: My plans include roadtripping to Montreal (send me any and all recommendations!), diving into a variety of my niche hobbies, spending time with friends and family and hopefully, deleting Instagram for a month.

The fine print: If you're someone who sends me press releases, event recommendations or social media content, please send them to [email protected] so Kyle and Nick receive them during my absence.

• The team will be taking over the Weekender and the Axios Twin Cities Instagram until I'm back.

My thought bubble: I haven't had this much time off since my freshman year of high school. I'm looking forward to unplugging!

• You might find me on Instagram @AudreyRKennedy — but if all goes well, not often.