2019 Event Planner: Downtown Minneapolis & Riverfront Neighborhoods
Our first annual event planner for Downtown Minneapolis & Riverfront Neighborhoods is a list of 20 top events for 2019. We'll be adding to the list during the year as event dates & details become available. Did we miss your favorite event? Let us know, click here to submit event info...
*MAY 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
MAY 4 / OPENING DAY: MILL CITY FARMERS MARKET (OUTDOOR SEASON)
Mill City Farmers Market is Minneapolis’ trusted source for healthy, local and organic groceries, bringing a wide assortment of fresh food, cooking education and live entertainment to one beautiful space.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillCityFarmersMarket
Website: www.millcityfarmersmarket.org/
MAY 17-19 / ART-A-WHIRL
View artwork of nearly 800 artists in every medium at more than 60 locations throughout Northeast Minneapolis, including studio buildings, art galleries, homes, storefronts, and local businesses. The artists’ open studio tours may include demonstrations, mini workshops, installations, and special exhibitions. Studio tours offer a great opportunity to ask questions, discuss techniques, experience art first-hand, and purchase unique artwork directly from the artists.
Website: https://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/
*JUNE 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
JUNE 14-15 / NORTHERN SPARK 2019
Northern Spark is known as an all-night arts festival that lights up the Twin Cities. In early June, tens of thousands of people gather throughout the city to explore giant video projections, play in temporary installations in the streets, and enjoy experimental performances in green spaces. From dusk to dawn the city surprises you: friendly crowds, glowing groups of cyclists, an unexpected path through the urban landscape, the magic of sunrise after a night of amazing art and experiences. Experience the artful magic of Northern Spark for two nights until 2 am!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorthernSparkMN/
Website: www.northern.lights.mn/
JUNE 15-16 / STONE ARCH BRIDGE FESTIVAL
A huge celebration of art and music on the Mpls Riverfront! Join 200+ artists, live music on 3 stages, family fun, food trucks, beer/wine gardens and the Art of the Car display.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoneArchBridgeFestival/
Website: www.stonearchbridgefestival.com
JUNE 22-23 / TWIN CITIES PRIDE
Twin Cities Pride brings the greater GLBT community together to commemorate our diverse heritage, foster inclusion, educate and create awareness of issues, and celebrate achievements in equality. We create events that are open and inviting to everyone in the community, providing a safe environment in which individuals feel free to celebrate their relationships.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tcpride/
Website: www.tcpride.org
JUNE 29 / ROCK THE GARDEN – WALKER ART CENTER
Share the love → 8 bands + 2 stages + 1 iconic sculpture garden = the perfect gift! Rock the Garden 2019 will be held Saturday, June 29, on the Walker hillside/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Band lineup will be announced this spring.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1889294254452439/
Website: www.rockthegardenfestival.com
DATE TBD (LAST YEAR JUNE 9 & 10) / LORING PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Annual Acoustic Music Festival in beautiful Loring Park, 3 blks So. of DT.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoringParkMusicFestival/
*JULY 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
JULY 4 / RED, WHITE & BOOM FIREWORKS
Celebrate America’s Independence Day at Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The annual event attracts more than 75,000 people to sites along the downtown Minneapolis riverfront, and features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/MinneapolisRedWhiteAndBoom/
Website: www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/events/red_white_and_boom/
JULY 12 / OPENING NIGHT: MILL CITY SUMMER OPERA “COSI FAN TUTTE”
A sophisticated comedy about the naiveté of love, and considered to be one of Mozart’s most “controversial” operas.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillCitySummerOpera/
Website: www.millcitysummeropera.org/season/2019-season
JULY 12-13 / BASILICA BLOCK PARTY
It's the 25th Anniversary of The Cities 97.1 Basilica Block Party, and we're going big. Save the date for Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. Stay tuned for the 2019 lineup.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/basilicablockparty/
Website: www.basilicablockparty.org/
JULY 24-27 / MINNEAPOLIS AQUATENNIAL
Celebrating the Best Days of Summer: The Minneapolis Aquatennial will return in July 24-27, 2019.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aquatennial/
Website: http://www.aquatennial.com/
JULY 26-27 / CARIFEST
Twin Cities Carifest began as a grass-roots celebration of the Caribbean cultural heritage in 1994. Now approaching our 21st anniversary, Carifest has grown to provide festival-goers of all ages and backgrounds the ultimate arts fusion experience featuring: colorful Caribbean flair, danceable live calypso and reggae beats, vibrant parade costumes and more. Each element is as diverse as the islands themselves.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/TCCarifest/
Website: https://carifest.org/
JULY 27 / AQUATENNIAL FIREWORKS!
Join the Minneapolis Aquatennial in celebrating another year of with the Target Fireworks, considered one of the top five annual fireworks displays in the nation. The event will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. Get there early! Space fills up pretty quickly at this beloved event along West River Parkway and on the Stone Arch Bridge. Music and activities run from 6-10 pm.
Viewing Tips: Come early to get your viewing spot—bring sunscreen for the afternoon and bug spray for the evening. The best spots are between Gold Medal Park and the 3rd Avenue Bridge on West River Parkway.
While you’re there: Enjoy a show, tour or walk on the Endless Bridge at the Guthrie Theatre, learn about Minneapolis’ history at the Mill City Museum, enjoy a morning at the Mill City Farmers Market or a leisurely afternoon at Gold Medal Park. Stop by Stone Arch Bridge and check out the skyline view from the Mississippi River.
JULY 27-28 / LORING PARK ART FESTIVAL
Since 2000, Loring Park Art Festival has combined creative expression and community connectedness to surprise and delight all who attend. With beautiful ponds and formal gardens, Loring Park makes an idyllic spot to celebrate art, music, food and entertainment for two days each summer in downtown Minneapolis.
The event features 140 visual artists selling original work, with something for everyone. Visitors will encounter strolling musicians, scheduled stage performances, engaging children's activities and adventurous culinary options.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/loringparkartfestival/
Website: http://www.loringparkartfestival.com
*AUGUST 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
AUGUST 1-4 / X-GAMES
Website: www.xgames.com/minneapolis/
AUGUST 9-11 / TWIN CITIES POLISH FESTIVAL
Bring a blanket, take a seat on the lawn along the Old Main Street in Minneapolis, visit with friends, watch outstanding musical and dance entertainment, enjoy traditional foods and beverages, and just simply have fun!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twincitiespolishfestival/
Website: www.tcpolishfestival.org/
*SEPTEMBER 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
SEPTEMBER 15 / MINNEAPOLIS BIKE TOUR
The 13th annual Minneapolis Bike Tour starts and ends at beautiful Boom Island and features multiple fully supported routes that take riders through the spectacular park and byway system of Minneapolis at their own pace, traffic free!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MplsBikeTour/
Website: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/events/minneapolis_bike_tour/
*NOVEMBER 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
NOVEMBER 28 / TURKEY DAY 5K
Since 1989, the Life Time Turkey Day 5K has brought family and friends together to start the day in a healthy way. Join runners, joggers and walkers for Minneapolis’ Thanksgiving day – turkey trot – tradition.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/313749865896025/
Website: https://www.turkeyday-5k.com/races/minneapolis/
*DECEMBER 2019 DOWNTOWN & RIVERFRONT EVENTS*
DATE TBD (LAST YEAR NOV. 30 – DEC. 30) / BRITISH ARROW AWARDS – WALKER ART CENTER
Celebrate the UK’s most innovative and daring commercials from the creative world of British advertising. One of our most popular traditions, back for the 32nd year, the British Arrows showcases an eclectic mix of riveting mini-dramas, high-tech extravaganzas, wacky British comedy, and vital public service announcements.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/walkerartcenter/events/
Website: www.walkerart.org/calendar
DATE TBD (LAST YEAR NOV. 23 – DEC. 23) / HOLIDAZZLE
The mpls downtown council is excited to bring Holidazzle to Loring Park. As downtown Minneapolis’ premier holiday celebration, Holidazzle has delighted residents, visitors and downtown employees for years.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MplsHolidazzle/
Website: www.holidazzle.com/
David Tinjum
