If your calendar isn’t already full of fun family activities and festivals over the next few months — well, that’s about to change.
Across St. Paul and the greater metro area this season, there are dozens of art fairs, cultural festivals and seasonal celebrations to help you get out of the house and into the community before the weather turns too chilly.
Here’s what’s on our calendar:
September
Now through Sept. 28 — Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Shakopee: Although it’s too late to see magician duo Penn and Teller’s one-time-only return to the festival where they got their start 50 years ago, it’s not too late to experience one of the oldest and largest such Renaissance-era fairs in the country. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28, plus a bonus Friday, Sept. 26. Gate admission for adults is $28.95, seniors $26.95, and kids $19.95; renaissancefest.com.
Now through Oct. 5 — Take Me To The River, St. Croix Valley: During this annual monthlong art crawl, visit open studios throughout the valley; specific dates/locations at takemetotheriver.info.
Tony Stelter, a volunteer from West St. Paul takes a break from cooking brats as the Germanic American Institute celebrated Deutsche Tage duinrg their 60th anniversary on Sunday 10th 2018. The weekend event included arts, traditions, and cuisine of the German speaking world at the Germanic American Institute on Summit Ave in St. Paul. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)
Sept. 12–13 — St. Paul Oktoberfest, Germanic-American Institute: The ultimate German fall celebration, with beer; food vendors serving pretzels, brats, potato pancakes, strudel and more; and plenty of music and dance. Prost! Free, but a $10 wristband is required to buy beer or wine. Runs 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; 301 Summit Ave.
Sept. 12–14 — Arboretum Glass Pumpkin Patch, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The only downside of these gorgeous glass pumpkins for sale is that you can’t make pie with them! More than 6,000 hand-blown pumpkins will be for sale, plus glass-blowing demos. You’ll need to enter the arboretum to access the sale: free for members and $20 advance tickets for nonmembers. (Tickets may be available at the gate for $25, but the event is very popular and the Arb folks suggest reserving tickets ahead of time.) 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska.
Sept. 13 — Autumn Arts Festival, North St. Paul: This annual event at Casey Lake Park features dozens of art vendors, plus a bounce house, face painting, kids crafts and several local food trucks. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 2101 E. 17th Ave., North St. Paul.
Sept. 13 — Fiesta Latina, CLUES St. Paul: Join the Latino community for this massive, lively family festival that’ll include dancing, live music, craft activities, and health and wellness opportunities. Starting earlier/running later this year: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; 797 E. Seventh St.
Sept. 13 — Rivoli Bluff Bash, St. Paul: Celebrate urban food production with Urban Roots at the Rivoli Bluff Farm and Restoration Site, with farm tours, garden activities, face painting, produce giveaways and other entertainment. Free; at the corner of Rivoli Street and Minnehaha Avenue.
Sept. 14 — Selby Jazz Fest, St. Paul: The beloved annual festival returns with a variety of jazz performances, plus food and crafts, hosted by local actor T. Mychael Rambo. Free, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Selby Avenue and Milton Street. Besides the daylong festival on Sept. 14, musicians can also sign up for master classes on Sept. 13 and 15 at Walker West Music Academy; more info at selbyavejazzfest.com.
Tennessee Chroma Zone muralist Birdcap (aka Michael Roy) paints “goblins” on the west side of the Security building on University Avenue in St. Paul in May 2024. Seven new murals will be debuted with events like artist talks, tours, music and food, part of Chroma Zone’s fifth annual artist celebration, Sept. 18-20, 2024 in St. Paul. The art festival is free and open to the public. (Courtesy of the Creative Enterprise Zone)
Sept. 18–20 — Chroma Zone Mural and Art Festival, Creative Enterprize Zone: All summer long, muralists have been bringing art to walls around South St. Anthony Park. Attend a muralist panel discussion at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Bang Brewing Company (2320 Capp Road), attend the outdoor block party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 and see the murals with bus and bike tours Sept. 20. More details at chromazone.net.
Sept. 20–21 — Viva la Vida Taco and Tequila Festival, St. Paul: This is the inaugural year for a two-day celebration of Latino culture — food trucks, cultural demonstrations, arts, soccer showdowns, dance lessons and live music headlined by Los Amigos Invisibles and Salsa del Soul. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 20 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at the former Sears parking lot; 425 Rice St. More info at vivalavidamn.com.
Sept. 20 — Marine Mills Folk School Fall Festival, Marine on St. Croix: Artists and friends of this organization that safeguards and teaches traditional crafts will have handmade items for sale — plus, live music, raffles, sheepherding demos and hands-on crafts. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 550 Pine St., Marine On St. Croix.
Sept. 21 — 40th Anniversary Open House, Ordway: In honor of four decades, the Ordway is hosting a day of live performances, backstage tours, treasure hunts, games and the chance to try on costumes from the theater’s collection. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tickets available to reserve in advance online. Free; 345 Washington St.
Sept. 21 — Twin Cities Veg Fest, Harriet Island Regional Park: One of the largest vegan festivals in the Midwest, thousands are expected to gather along the Mississippi for a day of music, cooking demos, nutrition presentations, family performances, art and more. Free, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd.
Sept. 27–28 — MinnesoThai Street Food Festival, St. Louis Park: This two-day celebration of local Thai culture, from fashion to folk dance to music to food. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28. Free, but note the changed location: This year’s festival is at Wat Promwachirayan; 2544 Highway 100 S., St. Louis Park.
October
Oct. 3–4 — Twin Cities Oktoberfest, State Fairgrounds: For the 15th annual festival, enjoy plenty of beer and food, plus the exact kind of live music you want to hear at Oktoberfest. No admission charge, but IDs are a must and your own mugs are encouraged. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Find more info at tcoktoberfest.com.
Oct. 4–5 — Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Stillwater: The 48th annual art festival along the St. Croix is set to bring more than 200 artists — one of its largest-ever lineups — and thousands of art fans to Stillwater. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days; Lowell Park.
Oct. 10–12 — St. Paul Art Crawl, various locations: More than 300 artists across the city are opening their studios and hosting special events and sales, as are various museums, shops and cafes. Check out more details at stpaulartcollective.org.
Oct. 11 — MN Woodworkers Expo, State Fairgrounds: Local and national woodworkers, manufacturers, and organizations will converge for a day of tool swaps, demos, kids crafts and other fun activities. Free, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Progress Center building (aka Eco Experience)
Volunteer Sam Steinmeyer, 17, from Menomonie, Wis., takes advantage of the “perfect chair” on one giant pumpkin to take a break from moving the gargantuan gourds during the St. Croix Growers Association Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Stillwater’s Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct., 14, 2023. In all there were 50 giant pumpkins, from 5 states, at the event. The winning entry was the Lancaster resident, Charlie Bernstrom’s 2501 lbs monster. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Oct. 11–12 — Stillwater Harvest Fest: Giant pumpkins — weighing, dropping, eating, rowing in them as boats… what more could you ask for?! The festival bills itself as a smashing good time, and the schedule is packed, so don’t miss it. Downtown Stillwater; full schedule at harvestfeststillwater.com.
Oct. 11–12 — Country Fall Days, Franconia Sculpture Park: In addition to hayrides, scavenger hunts and a barn quilt drop-in activity, attendees can participate in a textile collage workshop on Oct. 11 and honey-tasting on Oct. 12. The park is open all day, as usual, but these specific events run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 29836 Saint Croix Trail, Shafer.
Oct. 25–26 — Autumn Fest, Franconia Sculpture Park: Keep celebrating fall at Franconia with trick-or-treating and other fun activities, including a “dog and human costume contest” on Friday, Oct. 25. The park is open all day but events run noon to 4 p.m. both days.
Oct. 26 — BOOnion Depot, St. Paul: Put on your costumes and head to Union Depot for crafts, a DJ and dance zone with prices, face painting, balloon artists and character meet-and-greets. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 214 E. Fourth St., St. Paul
November
Nov. 8 — Twin Cities Book Festival, Union Depot: The 25th annual literary fest features author tables, readings, sales and more for all ages, presented by Rain Taxi. Free; 214 E. Fourth St.
Opening Nov. 20 — “Show & Tell,” Walker Art Center: Specifically designed for those under 9, this interactive exhibition — on view till April — presents and reimagines iconic works from the Walker’s collection in hands-on, kid-friendly ways. This exhibition is included with regular museum admission, which is free for kids (and Walker members of any age) anyway, but the grown-ups among us can reserve tickets in advance at walkerart.org or pay at the door for $18, $16 for seniors or $12 for students. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.
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