Annual Festivals & Events In Cook County

In Cook County, Minnesota, we know how to have a good time. And we have no shortage of fun things to do in Minnesota. Among the thousands–that’s not a typo–of happenings we host each year are over a dozen annual festivals and major events. Whether your definition of “good time” is discovering the vibrancy of Ojibwe culture, chowing down on fish burgers, or dancing the night away, we’ve got a big day for you.

We have things to do in Minnesota in all four of the seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. Head north to experience a Naturally Unforgettable vacation in the arrowhead of Minnesota.  If you’re finally looking for that reason to head to up the shore to Lutsen, Tofte & Schroeder, or Grand Marais, or you’ve always had it on your Bucket List to see the BWCA up the Gunflint Trail for yourself, or maybe you’d like to poke around Grand Portage for the day, one of our events is sure to be a great start to the trip of a lifetime.

Please visit our  Events Calendar for Live Music and weekly events.

 

May 2026:

June 2026:

July 2026:

August 2026:

September 2026:

October 2026:

November 2026:

  • North Shore Readers and Writers Festival, Grand Marais | *Next festival in 2027
  • Murder Mystery on the North Shore | 
  • Empty Bowls, Fundraiser for the Cook County Food Shelf, Grand Marais | 
  • Up On The Yonder Holiday Market, Up Yonder on 61, Grand Marais | 
  • Winterers Gathering & Arctic Film Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 11/20/2026 - 11/22/2026
  • Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, First Congregational Church, Grand Marais | 11/26/2026
  • North Shore Artists League Holiday Art Sale, Surfside Ballroom, Tofte | 
  • North Shore Winery Holiday Market, Lutsen | 
  • Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Grand Marais  | 11/27/2026
  • Hovland Winter Art Show, Hovland Town Hall  | 

December 2026:

  • Holiday Market, Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 21 | 
  • North Woods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale, Studio 21 | 
  • Grand Portage Annual Christmas Craft Show  | 
  • Dark Sky Festival, Cook County | 12/10/2026 - 12/12/2026
  • Borealis Chorale & Orchestra - Annual Winter Concerts  |
  • Holiday Art Underground at Betsy Bowen Studio & Gallery, Grand Marais  | 

January 2027:

  • Norpine Fat Bike Classic, Lutsen | 1/9/2027
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Skyport Lodge, Devil's Track Lake | 1/23/2027
  • Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, Gunflint Trail | 1/17/2027
  • John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Duluth, North Shore and Cook County | 1/31/2027

February 2027:

  • Winter Fireplace Tour of Cook County | Month of February 
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Annual Fun Run, Gunflint Trail | 2/6/2027
  • Hygge Festival, Cook County | 
  • Lutsen Trail Breakers Blast from the Past Vintage Snowmobile Ride, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen | 
  • Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino | 
  • Fiber Week at North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 
  • Candlelit Ski & Snowshoe, Oberg Mountain Trailhead, Onion River Road | 2/13/2027
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Hungry Jack Lodge, Gunflint Trail | 2/13/2027
  • Pincushion Winter Festival Ski Race and Tour, Grand Marais | 
  • Charles J. Futerrer Memorial Open Bonspiel, Grand Marais | 

March 2027:

  • Charles J. Futerrer Memorial Open Bonspiel, Grand Marais | 
  • Wood Week at North House Folk School, Grand Marais  | 
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Poplar Haus | 3/6/2027
  • Ski North Ultra, Lutsen | Cascade River State Park | 3/6/2027
  • Annual Trout Derby, West Bearskin Lake, Gunflint Trail | 3/13/2027
  • The Snowball at Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail | 
  • The Poplar Plunge, Gunflint Trail | 

April 2027:

  • Frost & Flame: Lutsen's LGBTQ Ski and Winter Weekend | 
  • Mountain Meltdown Festival, Lutsen Mountains | 
  • Lutsongs: A Songwriter's Retreat, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen  | 

Special Offers

hot deals

Don’t just visit Cook County. Experience it like a pro with the hottest deals in the state. We’ve worked with our local vendors, artisans and owners to curate the best prices and most unique packages for our out-of-town visitors. Check out our hot deals today.