Minneapolis Fall Festivals – Fall 2024 MN Events

Twin Cities Oktoberfest - Falcon Heights, MN - Oct 4 to Oct 5, 2024
This Minneapolis-St. Paul Oktoberfest provides two days of live music, dancers, games, authentic German food and a wide range of beer, including multiple varieties of Marzen style beer. The event is held at the historic Progress Center of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

New Ulm Oktoberfest - New Ulm, MN - Oct 4 to Oct 12, 2024
This annual Minnesota Oktoberfest will take place at four locations in New Ulm on the first two weekends in October (Friday and Saturday). The four locations are the Best Western Plus, Downtown New Ulm, Morgan Creek Vineyards and Schell’s Brewery. This has been ranked one of the top 25 events in Minnesota for many years. The Best Western Plus has two indoor band stage areas with German-style polka and bands playing party favorites for dancing. Downtown activities include horse-drawn trolley rides, hometown bands and tours of various buildings including the John Lind House, Hermann Monument, Schell’s Brewery and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Don’t miss the 45 foot Musical Glockenspiel which is setup in the downtown area. Morgan Creek Vineyards generally has a Grape Stomp on the first Saturday of the festival.

St. Paul Oktoberfest - St. Paul, MN - Sep 13 to Sep 14, 2024
The annual Saint Paul Oktoberfest will have German food, beer, and culture

Tree Lighting Ceremony at 50th & France - Edina, MN - Nov 25 to Nov 25, 2023
Enjoy chorale and dance performances, caroling, horse-drawn trolley rides, delicious roasted nuts, and hot beverages as part of your holiday shopping experience. And it wouldn’t be a celebration without the jolly ol’ fella himself, Santa Claus!

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt - Excelsior, MN - Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2023
In 2005, an Excelsior resident visited the Chicago Christkindlmarket. They suggested it to a committee of local business owners and residents, who agreed overwhelmingly. The Excelsior festival started small, at Lyman Park (now the Excelsior Library). It continued to grow, and eventually moved to its current location: the East Municipal Parking Lot. Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt, a completely volunteer and donation driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, manages and coordinates the festival to this day. In keeping with the German traditional Christkindlsmarkt, enjoy the holiday sounds as you take in the aromas and delight your senses with German/Alpine Christmas traditions such as German sausages and potatoes, roasted almonds, sweet & savory strudel, delectable chocolates, cakes & cupcakes, KinderCocoa, and “Gluehwein’’ (a warm, sweet, spiced wine).

Taylors Fall Lighting Festival - Taylors Falls, MN - Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2023
Lots of fun activities over Thanksgiving weekend, at Interstate Park

European Christmas Market - St Paul, MN - Nov 24 to Dec 17, 2023
Visit the only authentic Christmas Market in Minnesota running through the advent season

Turkey Day 5k Minneapolis - Minneapolis, MN - Nov 23 to Nov 23, 2023
Raises money for Second Harvest Heartland, which helps Minnesotans facing hunger and food scarcity

Gobble Gait 8K & 2K - Hastings, MN - Nov 23 to Nov 23, 2023
Gobble Gait started in 1998 as a small race to raise some additional money for the Hastings Family Service. Years later, we are still raising money to benefit Hastings Family Service, but it is no longer a small race! Our 3k (2K prior to 2019) and 8k combined are now averaging well over 2,000 runners each year, and have consistently been one of the Twin Cities’ largest Thanksgiving Day runs! Many families have made it their traditional way to kick off the holiday season

Minnesota Monster Dash - St. Paul, MN - Oct 28 to Oct 28, 2023
Half marathon, 10 mile and 5K runs on Halloween. Costume contest with prizes for the top three in each division.

Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon - Minneapolis, MN - Oct 28 to Oct 28, 2023
After 20 years, the Mill City Suds Run (aka the Blubber Run) was changed into the Minneapolis Halloween Half Maration, 10K and 5K, starting in 2017. It is part of a year-long MN RUN Series, a total of 7 races throughout the year. The Halloween Half starts and ends at Father Hennepin Park. Costumes aren’t required, but they sure are fun to run in for this one!

Schell’s Oktoberfest - New Ulm, MN - Oct 14 to Oct 14, 2023
Between 11 am and 5 pm, enjoy German food, dancing, music and plenty of Schell’s Oktoberfest beer inside the beer tent. Lots of fun activities for kids. Tickets are $10, kids free – tickets sold at the gate, and a portion of proceeds will be donated. Schell’s is America’s second oldest family owned brewery, started in 1860 by August Schell. It survived Prohibition and has been passed down through six generations of the family. They make German craft beer. In 2013, their Oktoberfest beer took home a bronze medal in the American-Style Lager category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Since most Germans don’t celebrate Oktoberfest for just one day, they even remind you to check out New Ulm’s Oktoberfest downtown, which takes place the weekend before and the same weekend as theirs.

Stillwater Harvest Fest - Stillwater, MN - Oct 14 to Oct 15, 2023
Chili Cook-Off, microbrew tasting, Giant Pumpkin weigh-Off, pumpkin regatta, live music, kids costume parade, food vendors, kids pumpkin pull, face painting, pie eating contest, and more.

Twin Cities Book Festival - St. Paul, MN - Oct 14 to Oct 14, 2023
Join 5000 of your fellow book lovers for this annual event in the Progress Center building at the State Fairgrounds from 10 AM to 5 PM. Author readings, exhibitors, used book fair and children’s pavilion. Free admission!

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 29 to Oct 1, 2023
5k, 10k, 10 mile, marathon, family events and health expo all on the same weekend

Minnesota Renaissance Fest Oktoberfest Weekend - Shakopee, MN - Sep 29 to Oct 1, 2023
Oktoberfest weekend at the Ren Fest includes bier pong, plus contests for the best beard, lederhosen and dirndl, sauerkraut eating, stein hoisting, dachsund races; and more!

Twin Cities Arab Film Festival - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 27 to Oct 1, 2023
TCAFF 2023 is a hybrid film festival, screening independent Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) cinema virtually for audiences across the United States and in-person at the Main Cinema in Minneapolis. The festival seeks to provide Arab American and Arab film artists support and exposure, build the local Arab American community, and present to the general public the diverse ways in which Arabs view themselves and the world they live in through the powerful and accessible medium of film.

Septemberfest - Eagan, MN - Sep 23 to Sep 23, 2023
Friday night is family night; Saturday night is a 21+ concert. A family event with food truck, games, face painting, photo booth, 3 bands and more. Put on by Faithful Shepherd School.

Gasthof Oktoberfest - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 22 to Sep 30, 2023
Weekends at Fulton’s Taproom.. A Bavarian bar and eatery in Minneapolis that pitches a massive tent and brings in the picnic tables for a celebration of Germany. Draft beer (bring your own stein or buy one there), and food for purchase There will be live polka music and dancing, too.

Junk Bonanza - Shakopee, MN - Sep 21 to Sep 23, 2023
A place for antiquers, junkers, and flea market lovers to enjoy shopping experiences, guest appearances, workshops, and giveaways.

Boats and Bluegrass - Winona, MN - Sep 21 to Sep 24, 2023
A family friendly music festival on the shores of the Mississippi River. Three day passes available for adults include camping. Kids 16 and under are free with adult.

Delano Oktoberfest - Delano, MN - Sep 16 to Sep 16, 2023
The tents will go up at Delano Central Park! Oktoberfest beers, food, and music. $5 for 21+ with a commemorative mug for the first 500 paid adults; under 21 is free.

Lakeville Art Festival - Lakeville, MN - Sep 16 to Sep 17, 2023
Held the third weekend in September on the grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center, visitors can enjoy over 90 artists in a park-like setting. There will also be artist demonstrations, a Youth Art tent, performing and literary artist, food and more.

Wild Rice Festival - Roseville, MN - Sep 16 to Sep 16, 2023
A celebration of wild rice, Native American culture and Minnesota’s harvest season. Pancake breakfast, live entertainment, food trucks and vendors. Located at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center.

Utepils Oktoberfest - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 15 to Sep 23, 2023
Friday and Saturday two weeks in a row. They are going to have a mass vow renewal ceremony as part of the Oktoberfest revelries, as well as music, games, great food and beer.

Arts and Crafts Festival - Hutchinson, MN - Sep 15 to Sep 16, 2023
Annual event for more than 40 years. Located at Liberty Square Park. Free admission and parking. Plenty of food vendors and arts and craft exhibits.

St. Paul Classic Bike Tour - Saint Paul, MN - Sep 10 to Sep 10, 2023
Annual event benefiting BikeMN’s education programs. More than 6,000 riders, live music, refreshments and beautiful views of St. Paul. Riders can choose a 15, 32, or 47 mile route, and there is a minimal amount of traffic along the routes, as well as rest stops with beautiful views, hot and cold beverages, treats, live music and more.

Fall into the Arts - Edina, MN - Sep 9 to Sep 10, 2023
250+ exhibitors, artists, sponsors and food vendors attend the event at Centennial Lakes Park. Nearly 20,000 attendees expected.

Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 9 to Sep 9, 2023
Celebrate the monarch butterfly at Lake Nokomis community center. Features music, food, hands-on art, plant sales, and workshops about this butterfly that migrates 2000 miles from Minnesota to Mexico.

American Pottery Festival - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 8 to Sep 10, 2023
Annual fundraising event for the Northern Clay Center, with national artists showcasing their work. Pre-festival workshops and lectures with the main events happening over the weekend.

MetaCon - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 1 to Sep 3, 2023
Minneapolis’s comic book convention brings exhibitors, guest starts, interactive events, artists and entertainers, and costuming together in a three day celebration of geek culture and nerd life.

Minnesota State Fair - St. Paul, MN - Aug 24 to Sep 4, 2023
Grandstand shows, live entertainment, food, shopping, agricultural exhibits and competitions, and more! Started as a territorial fair in 1854, it changed its name in 1859 after Minnesota became a state. Always the 12 days leading up to and including Labor Day. Nearly 2 million people attend the event. Held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Holidazzle - Minneapolis, MN - Nov 25 to Dec 18, 2022
2023: “Holidazzle is hibernating in 2023. This is a one-season decision that does not impact plans for the 2024 Holidazzle.” Normally: Holidazzle is a mpls downtown holiday tradition that creates a community gathering place and holiday destination for people of all ages to come together and celebrate winter. Holidazzle focuses on featuring local people, places and products that showcase the local food and art scenes, active lifestyle, local entertainers, and community groups that make the city and region unique and special.

Walk to End Hunger 5K - Bloomington, MN - Nov 24 to Nov 24, 2022
Discontinued. Formerly: Make the Walk to End Hunger your Thanksgiving tradition! Raise money for an organization of your choice, or support 7 Twin Cities-based hunger relief organizations.

Black Forest Inn Oktoberfest - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 23 to Sep 23, 2022
Ten days of alphorns, live music, food and beer, and more!

Gluek’s Bar and Restaurant Oktoberfest - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 23 to Oct 8, 2022
Live music as the Golden Keg is tapped on 9/26 and festivities begin! Free Oktoberfest appetizers, a pint from the Golden Keg, and live polka music, and a closing party on 10/24 with specials, drawings, and a surprise giveaway. In between, enjoy an exclusive traditional Oktoberfest menu, daily specials, and a variety of Oktoberfest beers – and get a FREE giant pretzel for group reservations of 12+ during Oktoberfest!

Holiday Tree Lighting - Saint Paul, MN - Dec 4 to Dec 4, 2021
Tree lighting and movie night at Union Depot. The tree will be lit throughout December

Holiday Music Festival at Mall of America - Bloomington, MN - Nov 29 to Dec 26, 2021
Live performances on select dates

Giving Thanks 5K - Maple Grove, MN - Nov 25 to Nov 25, 2021
Run or walk a timed 5k or 2k fun walk ‘round Arbor Lake on USATF certified 5k course with family & friends at the ThanksGiving Day – GivingThanks 5k (15th Annual) presented by Charities Challenge. Check in and other areas are in the parking lot behind the closed Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant

WinterSkate in Loring Park - Minneapolis, MN - Jan 4 to Feb 29, 2020
Taking the year off. Normally: Free skating with complimentary skates in downtown Minneapolis!

Minneapolis Club Oktoberfest - Minneapolis, MN - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2019