Celebrate Summer: 14 Exciting August Events & Things to Do in the Twin Cities
The final stretch of summer is almost here—and it’s anything but boring! August is bursting with exciting events and things to do with kids in the Twin Cities. You can enjoy everything from big-deal favorites like the Minnesota State Fair to quirky local gems, such as the Minnesota Garlic Festival (yes, there’s even garlic ice cream!). Want to cool off? Head to Soak City Waterpark. Or, catch a breezy outdoor movie in the park.
Whether you’re chasing one last summer adventure or just looking for some free things to do in the Twin Cities with kids this August, we’ve rounded up 14 fantastic ways to make the most of summer’s end. These kid-friendly summer activities in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and beyond are perfect for creating a few more summer memories together. Or, maybe even a new family tradition. Just in time to hear the school bells start ringing again!
Attend the Vikings Training Camp, Eagan
2025 Dates: Select dates between July 26 and August 14
Make unforgettable summer memories with your little football fans at the Vikings Training Camp, kicking off July 26 at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan! Catch the team on the field, and enjoy various activities each day (like performances by the SKOL Line and Vikings Cheerleaders!). Not to mention, chances to score player autographs.
Kids can also test their football skills in the TCO Family Fun Zone, cool off in the JonnyPops Cool Zone, and meet Viktor the Viking and Vikings Legends. Don’t miss interactive games, giveaways, and live animals from Sustainable Safari!
Upgrade your experience with shaded views, snacks, and celeb appearances in the Omni Hospitality Tent. Tickets start at just $5 for kids, and Season Ticket Members get exclusive perks. With 12 open practices and something new every day, it’s the perfect family outing for Vikings fans of all ages!
Find the full schedule here.
Visit the Minnesota History Center, Saint Paul
2025 Dates: Every Thursday
Looking for meaningful things to do in the Twin Cities with kids this August? How about something fun for the whole family without spending a dime? Head to the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul on a Thursday evening (4–8 p.m.) for free admission and parking!
This inspiring museum offers interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity for all ages. Explore Minnesota’s diverse stories through powerful exhibits like Our Home: Native Minnesota, Reframing Our Stories, and the always-popular Then Now Wow. Kids can explore, play, and learn throughout the museum. Additionally, parents can enjoy a bit of nostalgia in Minnesota’s Greatest Generation.
Thursday nights are the perfect time to visit. They are free and full of discovery. Bonus: these free evenings are available all year long, not just in August!
For updated schedules and special events, click here.
Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival, Minneapolis
2025 Dates: August 9 & 10
If you’re looking for colorful, creative, and free August events in the Twin Cities for families, the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival is a must! Held along Nicollet Mall, this annual celebration of street art turns downtown into an open-air gallery. The inclusive event features chalk and spray art, murals, live performances, and hands-on activities for all ages.
This joyful, all-ages event invites families to stroll through the city streets while watching artists at work. Along the way, enjoy live entertainment, food, and kid-friendly activities. Additionally, shop from over 100 hand-picked vendors. You can browse (and shop!) everything from jewelry and home décor to photography and gourmet treats.
The Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival is a vibrant and fun way to experience art, culture, and community in the heart of the city!
Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Shakopee
2025 Dates: August 16 – September 28
Looking for unique summer events in Minneapolis for families with kids? Say “huzzah!” to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Kicking off in mid-August, this beloved tradition transports your crew back to a 16th-century village. The event is filled with knights, jesters, fairies, and turkey legs the size of your child’s head.
Held in Shakopee, the festival features 16 stages of live entertainment, including armored jousting. Plus, you’ll enjoy interactive encounters with colorful characters from King Henry’s royal court and mischievous woodland creatures. Kids will love meeting the mermaids and fairies! Wander the artisan marketplace, snack on shepherd’s pie or steak on a stake, and let the kids try hands-on crafts or games. There are endless ways to enjoy the Minnesota Renaissance Festival with your kids.
It’s one of the most magical events with kids in the Twin Cities in August!
Minnesota State Fair, Saint Paul
2025 Dates: August 21 – September 1
Celebrate the end of summer in the most iconic way possible—at the Minnesota State Fair! This beloved event is one of the most significant August events for families in the Twin Cities, drawing crowds from across the country. Across the grounds, revel in the best of agriculture, art, science, food, and fun.
With over 500 delicious food items (including 80+ on-a-stick treats!), 900 free entertainment shows, and 1,000 vendors, there’s something new to experience around every corner. Kids will love the Kidway rides! Afterward, indulge in Sweet Martha’s Cookies or a deep-fried candy bar. Of course, you have to save time to spot baby animals at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. You might even catch a calf being born!
Parents can also sip on Minnesota craft beers and wines, stroll through exhibits, and enjoy live music. Have extra time? Don’t miss the livestock competitions, Grandstand concerts, horse shows, butter sculptures, and nightly fireworks. It’s easily one of the best things to do this summer with your kids!
Ki-Chi-Saga Days, Chisago City
2025 Dates: August 14 – 17
Celebrate summer with a day trip to Chisago City for Ki-Chi-Saga Days (just 40 minutes from Minneapolis)! As one of the most festive summer activities near the Twin Cities, this multi-day August event is packed with fun for kids of all ages. It truly showcases the best of small-town Minnesota!
Families can explore the dedicated kids’ area at Paradise Park throughout the event. On Friday night, enjoy a cozy movie in the park together. Saturday ends with a dazzling fireworks show. And, the Grand Day Parade rolls through town on Sunday! The festival also has one of the region’s largest craft and food shows, a street dance, and live music. Not to mention fun community contests, including fishing, skateboarding, and an epic pie-eating showdown.
With citywide garage sales running all weekend, Ki-Chi-Saga Days is the perfect place to squeeze in one last adventure before the school year begins.
Thai Sunday Market, St. Louis Park
2025 Dates: Every Sunday in August
Get a taste of Thailand without leaving Minnesota! The Thai Sunday Market at Wat Promwachirayan in St. Louis Park is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration you won’t want to miss! This lively event brings a splash of culture and delicious flavors the whole family will enjoy. No wonder it’s one of the best things to do with kids this August in the Twin Cities!
Held every Sunday through August, this colorful market recreates the bustling street markets of Thailand and Southeast Asia. The market offers authentic Thai food vendors, featuring a diverse range of dishes, from Pad Thai to rolled ice cream and fried bananas. After grabbing a bite to eat, explore stalls filled with unique clothing, souvenirs, and crafts. You can also enjoy live music, photo-worthy moments, and a welcoming, dog-friendly atmosphere—all with free admission and parking.
It’s a perfect way to savor new tastes and experiences with your whole crew on a sunny summer Sunday!
Irish Fair of Minnesota, Saint Paul
2025 Dates: August 8 – 10
Celebrate Irish heritage in the heart of Saint Paul at the Irish Fair of Minnesota. Set on beautiful Harriet Island, this three-day festival has toe-tapping music, high-energy dance, and family fun! It is undoubtedly one of the most unique summer events in the Twin Cities for families with kids of all ages.
With six lively stages, sports demos (like hurling and camogie!), kids’ activities, cultural exhibits, and authentic Irish food and drink, there’s truly something for everyone. As one of the top things to do in Saint Paul in August with kids, the fair is known for its warm hospitality, community spirit, and, of course, good craic! Whether you’re Irish or enjoy learning about new cultures, this free celebration is a summer highlight for families across Minnesota.
Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park, Saint Paul
2025 Dates: August 17
The Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park is one of the most peaceful and mesmerizing events in August for families in the Twin Cities. Held at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, the festival features a vibrant afternoon of Japanese music, dance, crafts, martial arts, and delicious food.
Families can explore cultural exhibits, enjoy taiko drumming, and take in several performances. Kids will adore watching traditional koto performances, listening to the bamboo flute, and witnessing a variety of traditional and contemporary Japanese dances. As the sun sets, the event culminates in a stunning lantern lighting ceremony, with floating paper lanterns gliding across the pond in remembrance of loved ones.
With its mix of hands-on fun and meaningful tradition, the Obon Festival is a beautiful and memorable way to spend a summer day with your kids.
August Twin Cities Events: Movies in the Park, Locations Across the Twin Cities
2025 Dates: Varies by community, check individual websites for dates
A beloved summer tradition, Movies in the Park is one of the best free things to do with your kids in the Twin Cities this August. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful summer night while giving your family a fun, outdoor twist on movie night. So, grab a blanket, pack your favorite snacks, and head to a nearby park! Cities like Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Oakdale, Bloomington, Columbia Heights, Roseville, Stillwater, Burnsville, and more host evening screenings throughout the month. Kids love the relaxed, outdoor vibe where they can stretch out, roam a bit, and enjoy a mix of new releases and old favorites under the stars.
Please check the schedules beforehand, as not every film is suitable for young viewers. From giggles to glowsticks, these kid-friendly summer movie nights rank highly amongst the best things to do in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Use them to make magical memories that don’t cost a dime!
Dakota County Fair, Farmington
2025 Dates: August 4 – 10
Farmington’s Dakota County Fair delivers all the nostalgic summer fun your family craves! Each August, this beloved local fair is packed with rides, games, 4-H exhibits, farm animals, live music, food on a stick, and plenty of space to roam. It’s a local favorite for fun activities near the Twin Cities with kids this August.
Families can’t get enough of the Dakota County Fair! There are so many fun things to do, see, and eat together. Visit farm animals in the barns. Cheer on the drivers at the demo derby. And, spin to your heart’s content on the many carnival rides. Grown-ups can also browse exhibits, shop the vendor market, and enjoy live entertainment. And, everyone will love munching on cheese curds and mini donuts!
With its rural charm and festive energy, the Dakota County Fair is a summer must-do that keeps families returning year after year.
Minnesota Garlic Festival, Hutchinson
2025 Dates: August 9
Looking for truly unique summer events near Minneapolis for families with kids? Make your way to Hutchinson (about 75 minutes away) for the delightfully quirky Minnesota Garlic Festival. It’s a one-of-a-kind celebration of all things garlic and our local farmers.
This August festival is packed with fun activities for kids, from goofy games and garlic-themed treats to live music. Plus, the chef demos on the Minnesota Cooks stage are sure to be a hit! Families will love the Garlic Buds Kids Tent. It offers free hands-on activities for all ages. Of course, everyone is invited to join the wacky Promenade Parade, featuring costumes, unicycles, and hula hoops! Then, experience traditions like the garlic bulb toss, garlic Bloody Mary tasting, and exploring local artisan booths.
It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it supports Minnesota’s farmers and rural communities—this flavorful fest is worth the drive!
Spend the Day at Valleyfair & Soak City
2025 Dates: Daily through September 1
Pack your sunscreen and sense of adventure, because Valleyfair and Soak City Waterpark are calling! This massive amusement park boasts adrenaline-pumping coasters like Wild Thing and Renegade. Plus, tot-sized rides in Planet Snoopy. And the summer’s heat makes Soak City’s slides and lazy river the ideal August attractions!
When temps climb, make a beeline for Soak City. It’s one of Minnesota’s best outdoor waterparks! It has nine unique water attractions, including the splash-happy Barefoot Beach, high-speed Breakers Pipeline, and the relaxing Ripple Rapids lazy river. There’s something for everyone, from toddlers and teens to adults alike.
Don’t miss Beach Bites for snacks or a refreshing drink. They are best enjoyed under the shade of your rented cabana! No matter how you spend your day, Valleyfair and Soak City deliver nonstop, kid-friendly summer fun near Minneapolis.
Check Out Your Local Pool
2025 Dates: Until the local pools close!
Hot summer days are made for cool pool adventures! The Twin Cities deliver BIG with some of the best family-friendly spots around. From splash zones to thrilling slides, these local waterparks and pools offer refreshing fun for all ages. There are tons of options to choose from across the Twin Cities. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- At the Edina Aquatic Center, kids can conquer towering slides, zip across the Shipwreck Express, and catch a wave on the Lost Wave surf simulator.
- In Eagan, Cascade Bay Water Park combines sandy play areas with high-speed slides. And, a lazy river that is perfect for drifting the afternoon away.
- Families in Saint Paul love Como Regional Park Pool. It features a zero-depth entry area for little ones, a lazy river, and diving platforms. Additionally, there’s a Tot Time specifically for younger kids.
Whether you’re chasing thrills or simply soaking up the sun, these pools are fantastic for your August family adventures in the Twin Cities. Looking for more ideas? Read our Guide to the 15 Best Outdoor Waterparks + Pools in the Twin Cities this Summer with Kids!
Enjoy These August Events & Things to Do in Twin Cities with Your Kids!
From cultural festivals to outdoor adventures and splash-worthy waterparks, there’s no shortage of exciting events and things to do with kids in the Twin Cities this August. Whether you’re seeking free things to do in the Twin Cities or unique August events for families with kids, this month is brimming with fun for every age. August is the perfect time to celebrate community, participate in hands-on cultural experiences, or spend a night under the stars with a movie in the park. From the heart of Minneapolis to the parks of Saint Paul and beyond, there’s something magical happening every weekend.
Soak up the season and make the most of these last sunny weeks together. Summer won’t last forever, but the memories you make will!
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam and on her website. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
