There’s always something to do in the Twin Cities, especially in the summer months! We’re here to help you keep your sanity by bringing these activities all together in one easy guide. In 2016, we’ve been providing you monthly event guides so you don’t miss a thing! This is month #8, again with no shortage of activities! We’ll update with new additions as they come.
June 1-5
August 3: Annual Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival | 5-8pm There a ton of family fun activities you don’t want to miss–family fitness challenge, canoe rides, Dave & Busters, story time, inflatables and more! This event is sponsored and supported by the Lake Hiawatha Recreation Council, Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
August 3: International Champions Cup: AC Milan v. Chelsea | 8-10pm Defending Premier League champions Chelsea and A.C. Milan will face off at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 3 as part of the 2016 International Champions Cup. The match will be the first major event in the history of U.S. Bank Stadium, which the Minnesota Vikings will play in starting in the fall of 2016.
August 3-7: Washington County Fair | Various Times Music, Educational Exhibits by 4-H and FFA members, fabulous fair food, animals, carnival rides, FREE events from pig races to magician shows, and hundreds of exhibits. Located just minutes from Stillwater.
August 3-27: The Great Minnesota Get Together | Various Times The exhibit’s two photographers, Charles Hézsely and John Mihelic, have radically differing photographic styles, yet complementary visions. In approximately 50 photographs they portray the Minnesota State Fair in its multifaceted living reality.
August 4: Children’s Day at Oliver Kelley Farm | 10am-5pm Children of all ages can help with the chores and play the games kids did on farms more than 150 years ago. Help load hay into a wagon pulled by the farm’s oxen, try to get the laundry clean using a scrub board without the calves eating the soap, haul baskets of weeds out of the garden, and enjoy 19th-century games like Cat’s Cradle or Grandmother’s Footsteps.
August 4: Esprit de She in Maple Grove | 6:30pm The Gildan Esprit de She Maple Grove outdoor Fitness Jam has a one hour heart-pumping, feel-good Zumba class and 30-minute yoga session followed by drinks at the signature Bubbly Bar with healthy eats and energetic tunes. Then enjoy the Panasonic Beauty Bar!
August 5: Summer Carnival in Shakopee | 10am-11:15am This annual event is everyone’s favorite. Swing by Lions Park from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5 and try your luck at winning some great prizes. Carnival games are geared for children ages 3 to 10. Admission is $5.
August 5: Friday Night Water Fights & Splash Pad | 5:30pm The Shakopee Fire Department invites you to its 2016 Water Fights! Before the water fights, the fire department will be hosting a splash pad from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Families will also be able to tour a fire truck and check out firefighting equipment.
August 5: Brew at the Zoo | 7pm There’s nothing better than cold beer on a warm summer evening. Enjoy a wide variety of refreshing local domestic/microbrews, complimentary appetizers, and live music. Non-alcoholic beverages and water will also be available. The beer tasting will take place outdoors on the Central Plaza.
August 5-7: Uptown Art Fair | Various Times An award-winning fine arts festival held annually the first full weekend of August. Features include artists, live music and performances, family activities, wine and beer gardens, and more.
August 5-20: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star | Various Times What comes out at night? In this magical experience, our youngest audience members will discover all the joy and wonder of night time sounds and creatures, fireflies and flashlights, blankies and teddy bears and of course, stars. Great for ages 18 months – 4 years.
August 6: Woofstock | 10am-3pm Good Karma Animal Rescue of MN is gearing up for the biggest and best dog-and-kid friendly event of the summer. This event is FREE to attend, with all kinds of amazing things to do for kids, pooches, and the whole family! We’re talking live music, free kids’ zone with games, free face painting, yummy food, and fun.
August 6: Twin Cities Familys Blog Family Fun Day | We are so excited to announce our First Annual Family Fun Day Event, presented by Minnehaha Academy and The Urgency Room! Join us on Saturday, August 6 for a morning of family fun. We will have lots of activities for kids geared towards 2-8 years old, but all children are welcome! Inflatables, face painting, crafts and more! Each ticket ($12/person) includes all activities, lunch, dessert and a goody bag full of fun items!
August 6: Blues Brews N BBQs | 3:30-10pm Blues, craft beer, and smokin’ barbecue come together to make a difference in the west metro for a fifth year. Profits from this event go to PRISM, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
August 6-7: Powderhorn Art Fair | Various Times Powderhorn Art Fair, one of the finest juried regional art fairs in the country, celebrates artistic expression and community engagement. Set in a pastoral, 66-acre city park, Powderhorn Art Fair features 184 regional and national artists of varied disciplines, as well as a Community Showcase and Group Exhibitors from the Powderhorn area.
August 7: Mu Daiko Japanese Drumming | 6:30pm With origins spanning nearly 1,000 years of Japanese history, taiko drumming now reaches around the globe as one of the most recognizable – and most exciting– representations of Japanese culture in the world. Come to Caponi Art Park in Eagan to check it out!
August 8-14: Dakota County Fair | Various Times With over 140 vendors, 48 rides and games, and 6 grand stand shows it’s guaranteed to be a fun time for the whole family!
August 9: Cat Video Festival | 6pm The Twin Cities experienced its first cat video festival in 2012 and became an international hit. It is in that spirit that we bring back the Cat Video Festival on August 9th 2016 at 6pm at CHS Field. Last year over 13,000 cat lovers attended the festival. This year’s Cat Video Festival will benefit Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue of MN.
August 9: Dodge Nature Center: Discover the Life of Raptors | 10am Artist-Led Explorations is Caponi Art Park’s new Tuesday morning program. We’ve kept the best of Family Fun Tuesdays and added more opportunities for families to learn and explore the arts together.
August 10: AARP Free Movie at the Ballpark | 6pm Join AARP Twin Cities for a special screening of The Sandlot, the story of a new kid in town who is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his team in this coming of age movie set in the summer of 1962. Sit in the stands or bring a blanket and watch from the outfield. The movie is free and open to the public. FREE.
August 12: Premium Outlets Summer Fun Series: House of Dance | 6-8pm Join us for some fun on the 2nd and 4th Friday’s of the month (June-August) from 6pm-8pm in center court. All concerts are free to the general public. FREE.
August 12-14: Twin Cities’ Polish Festival | Various Times The Twin Cities Polish Festival will immerse Minnesotans and visitors in “all things Polish”, presenting a kaleidoscope of unique cultural and educational displays, food and top-notch entertainment. FREE.
August 12-14: Irish Fair of Minnesota | Various Times The unique once a year celebration offers attendees an opportunity to celebrate authentic Irish heritage through a multitude of activities such as: step dance, traditional group dance, gaelic sports, Celtic marketplace, cultural displays, native Irish dogs, traditional tea room, Irish food and drink as well as several local and international bands.
August 13-14: Corn Days | Various Times Bingo, kids games, pony rides, petting zoo, climbing wall, music, food and more all happening at St. George’s in Long Lake!
August 13: Lake Minnetonka BBQ & Beer Fest | 12-8pm The sport of competition barbeque continues to grow in popularity, from TV shows to backyard and professional cooking events. In the inaugural year, 36 teams of professional pitmasters will put their barbeque skills to the test against each other for bragging rights and prize money!
August 14: Pioneer Day | 11am-7pm Pioneer Day is the City of Newport’s annual get together and takes place on the second Sunday of August from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park. The day is a hometown affair providing a day of family oriented fun.
August 18: Adult Night Out at the Zoo | 6-8:30pm Plan to attend our next 18+ evening event and experience a kid-free version of the Zoo while exploring indoor and outdoor trails. Grab a cocktail and enjoy a summer evening stroll through the Zoo.
August 18-21: Vadnais Heights Heritage Days | Various Times Enjoy fun for all ages at the 2016 Heritage Days Celebration! Events include a medallion hunt, movie in the park, senior picnic, Lions pig roast, kiddie parade, children’s games and inflatables, bingo, car show, food and merchandise vendors, fireworks, live bands, Grande Parade, Booya, bean bag tournaments, softball tournaments, a water ball tournament between local fire departments, and more!
August 20: Kräftskiva – Crayfish Feast | 6:30-10pm Experience a not-to-be-missed traditional Swedish crayfish feast! American Swedish Institute’s popular, annual Kräftskiva party serves unlimited crayfish that are consumed outside in the evening Courtyard.
August 20: Music on Maine Street in Blaine | 12-3pm Take a trip to Texas without leaving the state! An up-tempo county band true to the “honky-tonk” spirit that will get you up dancing or just groovin’ at your seat. FREE.
August 20-21: World War 1 Weekend | 10am-5pm Commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I (1914-1918) at Historic Fort Snelling. The “Great War” raged for three years before the U.S. entered the conflict in 1917. Explore the ways this conflict shaped the world we know today and learn about Minnesota’s role in the war. Visit with costumed reenactors, watch military demonstrations, stand in a recreated WWI-style trench, and experience what life was like for Minnesotans during this crucial time.
August 21: Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival | 3-9pm Bonsai, martial arts, Ikebana, singing, dancing, drumming, delicious food and other aspects of Japanese culture will take center stage at the 18th annual Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival, a family-friendly event, reminiscent of Japan’s annual Obon holiday, on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 3:00pm-9:00pm on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park.
August 25th – September 5th: Minnesota State Fair! The Annual Great Minnesota Get Together! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for our annual family guide to the fair!
August 26: Premium Outlets Summer Fun Series: Teddy Bear Band & The Resistors | 6-8pm Join us for some fun on the 2nd and 4th Friday’s of the month (June-August) from 6pm-8pm in center court. All concerts are free to the general public.
August 27: MN Zoo Tiger Tracks 5k and Kids 1/2 Mile Run | 8am Lace-up your shoes and make tracks to the Minnesota Zoo for our annual 5K run to save wildlife. The 5K starts at Shady Oaks Picnic Pavilion and weaves into the Zoo, through Russia’s Grizzly Coast and around the Northern Trail. Bring the whole family for a fun morning run through the Zoo. All runners will receive a Tiger Tracks t-shirt and free admission to the Zoo on race day. Strollers are allowed along the 5K course and kids’ run. The proceeds from the run support the Zoo’s conservation programs.
August 27: The Chalk Walk Art Festival | 12-6pm The Chalk Walk is a free festival. Chalk is the theme. Artists are free to create, with chalk pastels, a picture on the concrete. The Chalk Walk and Art Festival has numerous vendors, sponsors, and artists,muscians, including chalk artists, musicians , performances, food and drinks. FREE.
Minnesota State Fair: August 25 – September 5 | Also known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, the Minnesota State Fair features 12 days of food on a stick, agricultural exhibits, parades, entertainment, rides, animals and more.
Renaissance Festival: August 20 – October 2 | 9am-7pm The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 46th Season!
Come and be a part of this long-standing tradition by visiting the festival grounds in Shakopee.
Groovin’ in the Garden: Wednesdays 6-8pm, June 15 – August 3 | While the grownups get their groove on with some of the Twin Cities best bands, the kids will be entertained by a climbing wall, bouncy house, and lawn games. Food, ice cream treats, beer and wine will be available to purchase. FREE.
Story Time Trolley in Stillwater: June 4 – October 29 | This event for families includes a short ride on the trolley with an author or storyteller! Your $5 registration includes a token to board the trolley, a discount for 20% off a children’s book the day of the event and a snack after your ride.
Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs: Through September 5 | Get a rare, up-close look at nearly 20 mummies from ancient Peru and Egypt in this stunning new exhibition, developed by the world-renowned Field Museum of Chicago. Featuring one of the largest collections of mummies in North America, Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs lets you see how modern technology has revealed intricate details about the lives and customs of these ancient people. Saint Paul is one of only four cities on this exclusive tour. Don’t miss it!
Dinosaurs @ MN Zoo: May 28-September 5 | This summer, bring your family to the Minnesota Zoo, where amazing lives and dinosaurs roam! See life-like Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus and more. You can even snap a selfie with a T. rex. The Zoo is the only place your family can experience dinosaurs and some of their living friends who survived extinction.
Farm Babies at Gale Woods Farm: April 2 – August 27 | The arrival of spring at Gale Woods Farm means the arrival of other exciting things – farm babies! From piglets, chicks and lambs in April to a calf in June, see which animals might be there to greet you at an exciting event on the farm. See schedule for dates and times.
Three Rivers Park District: FREE Family Fun Days: Sundays | Various Times Three Rivers offers family fun at Kroening Interpretive Center or Richardson Nature Center. Discover all the fun that life in and around the river and woods has to offer. FREE.
Toddler Tuesdays at MOA Tuesdays | 10am-Noon Toddler Tuesdays is a program that provides events, free entertainment and discounts especially for toddlers. Events include special character appearances, arts and crafts, story time and much more! FREE.
Wee Wednesdays at Midtown Global Market Wednesdays | 10:30am-1pm Wee Wednesdays showcase free educational programming, fun crafts and great meal deals each Wednesday morning at Midtown Global Market! Dance with them, experience live puppet theater, learn to cook fun items together in the kitchen, and even pet live animals from the Como Zoo. FREE.
Kids at the Castle: Third Friday Playdates (American Swedish Institute) In the hour before the museum opens, join ASI for visual play, storytelling, music, movement and crafts inspired by ASI’s current exhibits- activities that will encourage creative minds and active hands. Recommended for ages 2-5. $5 per family. Registration not required; check in at the Information Desk by 11 a.m. on the day of the program. Adult accompaniment required.
Beauty and the Beast at Chanhassen Dinner Theater: March 4 – September 3 | Various Times The classic story brought to life at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater! Only ages 5 and up are admitted.
What’s Up Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones: April 30-August 14 Explore the creative genius behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the hapless but optimistic Elmer Fudd. How did Chuck Jones and his collaborators create cinematic magic? Original sketches, storyboards, cels, photographs, wall-projected animated films and more tell the story of this amazing animation.
Have you joined one of our Twin Cities Neighborhood Groups yet? We recently added two more groups–Northfield Area and Hastings Area! During the busy summer months, we give our hardworking Mombassadors a bit of break with event planning. All monthly events will be back in September. Here’s what our Mombassadors have planned for August – please note that in order to view these activities, you’ll need to join the group for your area.
Moms’ Nights Out in August:
August 7: East @ Speed Dating for Mom Friends | 7pm
August 7: South of the River East @ Family Scavenger Hunt | 4pm
August 9: South of the River West @ Bad Moms Movie | 7pm
August 10: Lake Minnetonka @ Miyabi in Excelsior | 8pm
August 19: Bloomington @ Dred Scott Mini Golf and Scoops Ice Cream | 7pm
August 21: Eau Claire @ Bad Moms Movie Night | 4pm
Neighborhood Group Play Dates in August:
August 5: Lake Minnetonka @ Cottagewood | 9:30am
August 6: Eau Claire @ Keller Park | 6pm
August 13: Bloomington @ Smith Park | 9:30am
August 17: South of the River West @ Huber Park | 9:30am
August 21: Southwest Family Play Date @ St. Louis Aquatic Park | 11am
Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on all that we’re up to!
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