Summer Events | Downtown Minneapolis 2023
Summer has arrived and so have its events! We have put together a list of downtown Minneapolis’ most anticipated summer events. Whether you are craving the best eats, entertainment or art, we have got you covered!
STONE ARCH bridge FESTIVAL
Image courtesy Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Stone arch bridge festival: june 17th & JUNE 18th
The Stone Arch Bridge Festival returns to the west side of the Mississippi. The festival grounds will span the riverfront area on W. River Parkway from 11th Avenue South to North 4th Avenue. Committed to providing a platform for artists to sell their work, and the community to gather safely. More than 200 artists and culinary artists will participate with a broad spectrum of artistic mediums.
TWIN CITIES PRIDE FESTIVAL
Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Pride
twin cities pride festival: june 23rd - JUNE 25th
The 51st annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will be held at Loring Park and Parade Park in Minneapolis and will feature local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden, and music stages.
Twin Cities Pride Festival is a CELEBRATION of the LGBTQ+ Community and ALL LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome!
taste of minnesota
Graphic courtesy of Taste of Minnesota
taste of mn: july 2nd & july 3rd
Taste of Minnesota is back! The Twin Cities’ signature Fourth of July event for over 20 years will return, right in the heart of Minneapolis. This highly-anticipated festival is a true celebration of Minnesota culture and cuisine, from the classic dishes that have become our signature to the bold and innovative flavors that are putting MN on the map as a legit food destination.
WORDPLAY
Graphics courtesy of The Loft
The loft’s wordplay: july 8th
The Loft’s Wordplay launched in May 2019. More than 10,000 people showed up for the inaugural festival weekend, joining famous authors like Stephen King, Edwidge Danticat, and Amy Tan in a celebration of books. Attendees enjoyed readings, conversations, writing workshops, kids’ activities, and one-of-a-kind happenings with outdoor stages, cooking stages, book signings, quiet reading corners, boisterous parties, food trucks, beer tents, and books, books, books.
There is something for every reader at Wordplay. Whether your book club reads literary fiction or paranormal zombie romance, whether you get your books at your library or on your e-reader, or even if the last book you read was a movie, this festival is for you. Wordplay’s mission is to celebrate the ways in which people connect to and through words and welcomes anyone who shares a belief in the connective power of story.
tc summer fest
Graphic courtesy of MN Twins
tc summer fest: july 14th & JULY 15th
Target Field is hosting the live music event of the summer: The inaugural TC Summer Fest! This epic, two-night festival features some of music’s biggest names, including the GRAMMY® Award-winning Imagine Dragons, The Killers, GRAMMY® Award-winning The Flaming Lips, AJR, Death Cab for Cutie, and more! Create your own unique music experience with single-night or two-night festival passes, including options to get up close in the PIT, jam out on the field, get stadium seats or choose from incredible VIP add-ons.
AQUATENNIAL
Graphics courtesy of Aquatennial
Aquatennial: July 19th - July 22nd
The Minneapolis Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis.
Event highlights:
Photo courtesy of Aquatennial
Aquatennial Torchlight Parade on July 19, 2023. Enjoy great floats and performances at this signature Aquatennial event. We can’t wait to gather together for another fantastic evening in the heart of downtown as we kick off the 2023 Aquatennial.
Photo courtesy of Aquatennial
Target Fireworks are on Saturday, July 22, 2023 and enjoy one of the top five annual fireworks displays in the country. The fireworks begin at 10 pm. The Target Fireworks are a fully choreographed pyro-musical that times each firework pop to the beat of its soundtrack all the way down to 1/100th of a second. Enjoy this spectacular event along the Mississippi Riverfront on West River Parkway near Portland Avenue.
PLAN YOUR AQUATENNIAL CELEBRATION HERE
twin cities RIVER RATS
Photo courtesy of Twin Cities River Rats
river rats aquatennial water ski show: july 19th & JULY 20th
Enjoy the Twin Cities River Rats at Aquatennial! Take in a show on Thursday or Friday at 7pm and enjoy high-flying skills and tricks on water skis!
DETAILS:
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River between the Broadway and Plymouth Ave Bridges. Pre-show begins at 6:30pm, main show starts at 7pm.
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for seating. Concessions will be available.