Minneapolis Aquatennial Returns July 18 – 26

The 2026 Minneapolis Aquatennial will take place July 18 - 26 and feature activities at locations throughout Minneapolis, including city parks, Bde Maka Ska, the Mississippi riverfront, and downtown. Events will be free, family-friendly, and open to all.

Today, June 2, members of the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO), community volunteers, and civic leaders officially ushered in a new era for Aquatennial, the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis. The AAO announced it will assume responsibility for producing the festival known as “The Best Days of Summer.” Organizers are emphasizing community involvement and volunteer recruitment to preserve and strengthen the tradition as the Minneapolis Aquatennial enters its 87th year. 

Representing a characteristic that resounds with citizens of Minneapolis – resiliency – the beloved celebration will continue under fresh leadership that brings together longtime festival devotees and a new generation of volunteers dedicated to Aquatennial’s future. The transition follows the Minneapolis Downtown Council's decision last October to step back from producing the event.

The signature Aquatennial event, the Torchlight Parade, is now being produced by the AAO. Fans are welcome to come downtown and witness marching bands, dance groups, and glowing floats as they proceed down Nicollet Mall on Wednesday, July 22, beginning at 7:30pm.

This year also marks the return of the Milk Carton Boat Races, under the Aquatennial umbrella. Created in 1971, this regatta of carton contraptions will set sail on Sunday, July 19 from 10am–2pm on Bde Maka Ska as part of the Twin Cities Beach Blast. Artists will be competing in a Sandcastle Competition nearby on Thomas Beach, too!

Organizers of the 2026 festival are also introducing new events designed to engage residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

New Aquatennial activities include:

• Saturday, July 18 – Model Sailboat Pond at The People’s Plaza

The fountains at Government Plaza will turn into a moving public attraction as 20+ model sailboats set sail. Inspired by the sailboats at Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, this experience will take place between City Hall and the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th St. Times TBD.

• Tuesday, July 21 - Summer Snowball Classic at The Commons Park

This truly cool event will bring the magic of winter to the heart of summer with an evening of snowball fun, friendly competition, and community celebration. Kids, families, and grown-ups alike are invited to throw real snowballs, play classic games, and experience a little midsummer wonder. Presented in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation board. Located near U.S. Bank Stadium, this new “classic” begins at 6pm.

• Thursday, July 23 – Hennepin Arts Presents “Summer Showtunes” on Nicollet Mall

This free outdoor celebration of Broadway, music, art and community will take place in the heart of downtown Minneapolis at 10^th & Nicollet from 12–3pm. Highlights include a special performance from the cast of Wicked and a musical improv inspired by Broadway favorites from Brave New Workshop.

• Friday, July 24 – Aquatennial Night at Target Field

The Minnesota Twins are proud to offer fans one of Aquatennial’s collectible souvenir, the Skipper Pin. The last official Skipper Pin was released in 2019. Fans may purchase the Aquatennial package for a discounted ticket price to Twins vs. Athletics game, enjoy postgame fireworks, and take home the exclusive Aquatennial Twins Skipper Pin. Supplies are limited. twins.com/Aquatennial

• Project: Alley Electric Dance Party at The Alley Project, 15-1/2 S 9th St.

Dance Agenda will take over one of downtown Minneapolis’ most unique outdoor spaces for a night of proper electronic dance music from 6pm–midnight featuring Interplanetary Criminal, Main Phase & Miley Serious. This is a ticketed event.

Highlights of the 2026 Minneapolis Aquatennial. All events are FREE unless noted. Event details subject to change.

PRE-AQUATENNIAL – WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

• Loring Park Family Fun Night, 1382 Willow St., 5–7:30pm     

SATURDAY, JULY 18

• NEW: Floating Lanterns + Night Market, Lake Nokomis, 3–10pm  
• NEW: Model Sailboat Pond, Government Plaza, 352 S 5th St., 10am–4pm 

SUNDAY, JULY 19

• BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Twin Cities Beach Blast featuring Milk Carton Boat Races and Sandcastle Competitions, Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach, 3700 Thomas Ave., 9am–3pm
• Free Sailing Sunday at Minneapolis Sailing Center, 3010 E Bde Maka Ska Pkwy, 12–5pm
• NEW: ETC Productions performance of “Frozen Jr.” in Loring Park, 2pm  

TUESDAY, JULY 21

• NEW: Summer Snowball Classic at The Commons Park, 425 Portland Ave. S, 6pm 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22

• Trivia at Water Works Park, 425 W. River Parkway, 6-8pm
• Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show, West River Road on Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues, 7pm
• Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, Nicollet Mall from 12th to 4th Streets, 7:30pm
• Movies in the Park at The Commons (“Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning”), 425 Portland Ave. S, Sunset (approximately 8:45pm) 

THURSDAY, JULY 23 

• Summer Showtunes with Hennepin Arts, outdoors at 10th & Hennepin Avenue, 12–3pm
• Aquatennial Ambassador Associations: Meet the Candidates for Queen of the Lakes, City Center, 33 S 6th St, 2pm
• Thursday Night Line Dance with Billie at The Commons, 425 Portland Ave. S, 6–9pm
• Commodore’s Dinner, Location TBD, 6pm (Ticketed Event)  

FRIDAY, JULY 24

• Lawn Games at Water Works – Kubb & Molkky, 425 West River Parkway, 3-7pm
• CorePower Yoga - Vinyasa Flow, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 6:30–7:30pm 
• NEW: Aquatennial Night at the Minnesota Twins featuring the reintroduction of the Skipper Pin, Target Field, 7:10pm

SATURDAY, JULY 25 

• Twin Cities Carifest – West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway Aves, 10am–10pm 
• Boom Island Big Bounce - Minnesota’s largest inflatable party, Boom Island, 800 Sibley St. NE, 11am–9pm (Unlimited access wristbands available for purchase)
• Minneapolis International Festival, Lake Harriet Park, 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, 1–5pm
• MN Cars & Coffee – Mississippi Mile Aquatennial Car Show, 196 W River Parkway, 3–8pm
• Loring Park Art Festival, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St, 10am–6pm
• NEW: Project: Alley Electric Dance Party Dance Party hosted by Dance Agenda, The Alley Project, 15-1/2 S. 9th St, 6:30pm–midnight. (Ticketed Event)
• Aquatennial Ambassadors Organization Coronation, Ted Mann Concert Hall, 4–6pm (Ticketed Event)
• Float Fest in partnership with the Mississippi Park Connection, Graco Park, 810 Sibley St. NE, Time TBD  

SUNDAY, JULY 26 

• Boom Island Big Bounce: Minnesota’s largest inflatable party, Boom Island, 800 Sibley St. NE, 11am–6pm (Unlimited access wristbands available for purchase)
• NEW: ETC Productions performance of “Frozen Junior,” Godfrey House, 28 University Ave. SE, 2pm 
• Loring Park Art Festival, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St, 10am–5pm 

Visit MplsAquatennial.com and follow @Aquatennial on Facebook and Instagram.