Summer Fun: Fairs, Festivals & Events

Summer Fun: Fairs, Festivals & Events
By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | July 2025

Movies in the Parks – St. Paul Parks and Recreation is hosting the following free movies, beginning at dusk. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to join the fun. “The Parent Trap,” July 10 at Sibley Manor; “Clueless,” July 25 at Como Park; “Men in Black,” Aug. 8 at El Rio Vista Recreation Center; “Toy Story,” Aug. 15 at Edgecumbe Recreation Center; “Cool Runnings,” Aug. 22 at Central Village Park; “Jumanji,” Aug. 29 at Phalen Beach Area; “Bad Boys,” (rated R) Sept. 5 at Harriet Island Stage. Sweet Dairy food truck will be present at all events beginning one hour before showtimes.

Lowertown Sounds presents free concerts 6-9:30 p.m. on Thursday nights in Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. Dan Rodriguez, July 10; Annie and the Bang Bang, July 17; Turn Turn Turn, July 24; Salsa del Soul, July 31; Kiss the Tiger, Aug. 7; Yam Haus, Aug. 14. Food trucks and local beer and wine will be available at each performance. For more information, visit lowertownsounds.com.

Mears Lunchtime Series – Free concerts are held noon-1 p.m. at Mears Park every Tuesday and Wednesday through Aug. 20. Ariel Corrine, July 1; J-Mo on the Beat, July 2; Capital City Wind Ensemble, July 8; Brass Union, July 9; Jim Emery, July 15; Makeready, July 16; Zoe Says Go, July 22; Swing 6625, July 23; Stevens Family Band, July 29; Women’s Drum Center, July 30; Nancy Olson, Aug. 5; Drunk Girl Crush, Aug. 6; Niny Salem Jazz, Aug. 12; Lilianna Rindal & Lili Horizon, Aug. 13; The Gated Community, Aug. 19; 29:11 International Exchange, Aug. 20.

Groovin’ in the Garden free concerts are held 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday through July 30 at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir, July 2; Salsa del Soul, July 9; Jellyjacket, July 16; Favourite Girl, July 23; School of Rock, July 30. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Summer Nights in Rice are free concerts held 5-7 p.m. on select Thursdays in Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St. Boiled in Lead, July 10; Kendra Glenn Band, July 31; Café Accordion Orchestra, Aug. 7; International Reggae All Stars, Aug. 21.

Roller Disco with DJ Presto at Rice Park, 109 W. Fourth St., 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Friday through September. Free. For more information, visit twincitiesskaters.com.

Food Truck Wednesdays with live music, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., each Wedenesday, June-Aug., in Rice Park. Truck and musicians are different each week.

The City of Mendota Heights presents free concerts, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, at Market Square Park, 720 Main St. All Good Company, July 9; The Dirty Shorts, July 23; Russel Schmidt Band, Aug. 6; The New Mendota Heights Jazz Ensemble, Aug. 20; M.T. Pockets & Loose Change, Sept. 3. For more information, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/438/Music-in-the-Park.
Music on the Cortile free lunchtime concerts are held noon-1 p.m. in Landmark Center’s Musser Cortile, 75 W. 5th St. Laamar, July 9; Laura Hugo, July 30; and Ray Bonneville, Aug. 13.

370 Sets, a free, happy hour concert series, is held 4-6 p.m. each Tuesday through Aug. 12 on the covered patio of Osborn370, 370 Wabasha St. N. Kathy Vernon, July 1; John Swardson, July 8; Kiernan, July 15; Mary Cutrufello, July 22; Alexander Natalie, July 29; Kate Malanaphy, Aug. 5; Martin Devaney, Aug. 12.

Ordway Inside Out – Several recorded music performances by The Ordway, Schubert Club, Minnesota Opera and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will be streamed onto a giant 23’ by 13’ video wall in Rice Park this summer. The events are free and take place at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. In case of rain, each will be held the following day. People are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The String Queens: Our Favorite Things, July 12; Schubert Mixology @ Amsterdam with Bradley Greenwald and Friends, Aug. 2; Cruzar a la Cara de la Luna, Aug. 9; Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos with Richard Egarr, Aug. 24.

The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is held July 18-20 at Harriet Island Regional Park. Friday’s lineup includes Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Train, Sheryl Crow, Father John Misty, Gigi Perez, The 502s, Hamilton Leithauser, Mike Kota, and Maygen & The Birdwatcher. Saturday features Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Remi Wolf, O.A.R., Cory Wong, Motion City Soundtrack, Silversun Pickups, Jake Clemons, Raffaella and Laamar. Sunday features Green Day, Sublime, 311, Garbage, Semisonic, Beach Bunny, The Beaches, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Winona Fighter and Landon Conrath. One-day general admission tickets start at $150. For more information, visit minnesotayachtclubfestival.com.

Safe Summer Nights – The St. Paul Police Department collaborates with the Safe Summer Nights organization to offer free food and beverages at parks and recreation centers throughout the city. Events are 5-7 p.m., Thursdays, and feature fun activities for children, first responder vehicles, and the chance to meet police officers. Dayton’s Bluff Rec Center, 800 Conway St., July 10; El Rio Rec Center, 179 Robie St. E., July 24; West Minnehaha Rec Center, 685 Minnehaha Ave. W., Aug. 7; North Dale Rec Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N., Aug. 14. The event at Griggs Recreation Center is designed for families with special needs. For more information, visit stpaul.gov or call 651-266-5485.

Tour de Rec – Free games, activities and arts and crafts for youth ages 6-12 will be offered 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at parks in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights. The program will be at Victoria Highlands (chalk and lemonade) July 8; Marthaler Park (scavenger hunt) July 15; Mendakota Park (painting and planting) July 22; Harmon Park (splash pad fun) July 29; and Thompson Park (magic shows) Aug. 5.

Wednesdays in West St. Paul – Free events featuring games, food and community resources will be held Wednesdays 1-3 p.m., through Aug. 6 at Southview Park, 275 Westview Dr., West St. Paul. Slip ’n’ Slide is slated for July 9.
Mendota Days is held July 11-12, featuring a parade, live music, car show, food trucks, bounce houses, treasure hunt and more. For more information, visit cityofmendota.org.

Music on the Mississippi – This new music series is held Wednesdays, Aug. 13-Sept. 3 at the Harriet Island Stage. Performances run 5:30-7:30 p.m. The lineup includes Funk N Spud, Aug. 13; Gentleman’s Anti-Temperance League, Aug. 20; TBD, Aug. 27; and Jazicality, Sept. 3.

‘Hidden Herald’ returns for a second season. Beginning July 11, walkers will be able to seek out QR codes around downtown and the East Side linking to audio micro-plays with delightful stories of St. Paul. They include two fun kid-oriented plays; an adult scavenger hunt; some twisted Twilight Zone-type offerings; and plays about the MPR Raccoon, St. Paul’s gangster history, the Hamm’s Beer Bear and more. They are presented by Wonderlust Productions, which launched the program last summer, and feature the work of nine playwrights who worked with an ensemble of 13 professional voice actors. In total, 36 short audio plays can be accessed free using the QR codes. Free artist-made maps are available for self-guided tours. The entire series is available at pay-what-you-can prices at wlproductions.org.

Summer Event Guide (2025)

Sample St. Paul Entertainment Guide: July 2025

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