Minnesota's Best Fall Events
The following is a breakdown of the best events happening throughout Minnesota this winter. Check out more seasonal trip ideas, our entire festivals and events calendar, and quarterly surveys of our theater and music scenes.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Shakopee
Sept. 5 – Oct. 4
Join King Henry and his royal court for an unforgettable journey back in time to his 16th-century European village. With 16 stages of captivating live entertainment, wander through the vibrant festival marketplace, and interact with a host of colorful characters roaming the village streets, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Native American Music and Arts Festival
Onamia
Sept. 6
A day of music and art for all. Over 24 artists and demonstrators will showcase their work, with Native American musicians performing drum songs with headliners Annie Humphrey and Jada Brown. Food trucks will offer refreshments and indigenous cuisines. Bring the whole family for this fun-filled event.
Plein Air Grand Marais
Grand Marais
Sept. 11 – 18
This 20-plus-year tradition brings outdoor painters to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a week of competition, workshops and friendship.
Harvest Moon Festival
Ely
Sept. 11 – 13
Celebrate the culture of northeast Minnesota and discover unique art, pottery, woodcrafts, and more from over 124 exhibitors.
Utepils Oktoberfest
Minneapolis
Sept. 11 – 26
Whether you're here for the beer, the bratwurst or the polka, we've got a place for you. Utepils Brewing’s biggest celebration is held in one of the best beer gardens in Minnesota for three unforgettable weekends of laughter, music, cheers, and Indescribably Good™ beer.
Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair
Little Falls
Sept. 12 – 13
Established in 1973, the fair offers a variety of handmade crafts, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and more. It’s a great opportunity to support local artists and crafters.
Grape Stomp Festival
Stillwater
Sept. 12 – 13
Experience Minnesota's oldest and most beloved grape stomping tradition at Saint Croix Vineyard’s annual Grape Stomp event. This free, family-friendly festival celebrates the timeless art of winemaking while offering a full day of entertainment, food, and fun for all ages.
Arboretum Glass Pumpkin Patch
Chaska
Sept. 17 – Sept. 20
Browse 6,200+ stunning handmade glass pumpkins, fall glass decor, whimsical garden and fun Halloween glass art will be displayed and sold in a new spacious location — the Farm at the Arb. Your purchase supports the Arboretum and each of the award-winning glass artists from across the U.S.
Statewide Star Party
St. Paul
Sept. 18
Across the state, people will be looking up at the sky this weekend and learning about our state’s official constellation during the Bell Museum’s Statewide Star Party. Outside, telescopes will be set up to observe deep-space objects (weather permitting). Inside, you can learn about the life of massive stars like Polaris and make art inspired by them. We’ll also have short, free planetarium shows on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is requested to receive updates regarding this event.
Mahkato Annual Traditional PowWow
Mankato
Sept. 18 – 20
All Tribes and Non-Native Relatives are welcome at this annual event held at Dakota Wokiksuye Makoce (Land of Memories Park).
Fall for Harmony
Harmony
Sept. 19
Explore downtown shops, seasonal specials at local restaurants, and a variety of small pop-up activities and artisan experiences. Fall for Harmony is a great excuse to take a scenic drive through Bluff Country, enjoy the crisp fall air, and spend time exploring Harmony’s welcoming Main Street.
MinnesoThai Street Food Festival
St. Louis Park
Sept 19 – 20
The MinnesoThai Street Food Festival is a celebration of the Thai and SE Asian communities that have chosen to make Minnesota their home, presented by Wat Promwachirayan. This free, two-day event will showcase authentic Thai street food and feature cultural performances, live music, art and souvenirs, a papaya eating contest, a drag show, fire dancing, and more! This event is family-friendly, and there is ample free parking.
Art Along the Lake Studio Tour
Grand Marais
Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
Art Along the Lake is a 10-day, self-led art tour along Minnesota’s North Shore during peak fall colors. From Tofte to Grand Portage to the Gunflint Trail, this event offers the unique opportunity to meet local artists in their home studios and gain insights into their creative processes. Whether you’re revisiting a favorite gallery or meeting an artist for the first time, there’s always something new to discover and beautiful scenery to enjoy along the way.
Boats and Bluegrass Festival
Winona
Sept. 24 -26
Boats and Bluegrass is a family-friendly festival held on the Mississippi River. With over 40 bands playing all weekend long, enjoy bluegrass, folk, Americana, country, old-time, and everything in between.
Crosslake Days
Crosslake
Sept. 24 – 26
This annual event is a weekend of family fun with free activities for all ages, with an art & craft fair, chili cook-off, cider and candlelight tour, Knights of Columbus cornhole tournament, a street dance, and more.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Apple Valley
Sept. 25 – Nov. 2
The Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns, featuring over 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins. Guests can stroll a magical trail that’s part pumpkin patch and part art installation. Guests can marvel at carved pumpkins of all shapes and sizes from the trees to the ground as they wander through a naturally magical autumn trail at the Minnesota Zoo.
Stillwater Harvest Fest
Stillwater
October 10 – 11
Located along the St. Croix River in Lowell Park. Stillwater Harvest Fest includes a wide range of events, including a giant pumpkin weigh-off, a pumpkin drop from a 100-foot crane, a pumpkin regatta, live music, a beer and wine garden, a chili cook-off, a vendor market and more!
Moose Madness Family Festival
Grand Marais
Oct. 15 – 17
The ultimate family-focused celebration of all things moose. Enjoy the outdoors and learn a few facts about this celebrated species along the way with activities, scavenger hunts, quizzes, dance challenges and more.
Anoka Halloween Grande Day Parade
Anoka
Oct 24
Anoka is the “Halloween Capitol of the World,” and their amazing grand day parade is not to be missed.
Old Town Mankato Day of the Dead
Mankato
Oct. 31
Celebrate Day of the Day in Old Town Mankato with mariachi bands, Zamora folklore dancers, authentic food trucks, a maker’s market, free activities for families, and more.
Twin Cities Book Festival
St. Paul
Nov. 7
The 26th annual Twin Cities Book Festival features a vibrant all-day book fair with over 140 publishers, literary organizations, book dealers, authors, and more. Exhibitors offer special prices on merchandise and other perks, and many include author signings at their tables. Author events take place throughout the day, including readings, activities, and opportunities to meet and chat with dozens of authors.
Edmund Fitzerald: A Great Lakes Memorial
Two Harbors
Nov. 10
This annual event honors the Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking and all lives lost on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse, fog signal building, and visitor center will be open, with guides providing historical insights. Visitors can watch a film or join a guided tour about Fitzgerald’s final voyage.
Check out fall's best concerts and theater shows.