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 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 check the Event Calendar for the latest updates on event changes and cancellations. 

January 2026:

  • Norpine Fat Bike Classic, Lutsen | 1/11/2026
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Skyport Lodge | 1/24/2026
  • John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Cook County | 1/25/2026

February 2026:

  • Winter Fireplace Tour of Cook County | Month of February 
  • Hygge Festival, Cook County | 2/6/2026 - 2/16/2026
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Annual Fun Run, Gunflint Trail | 
  • Lutsen Trail Breakers Blast from the Past Vintage Snowmobile Weekend, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen | 
  • Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino | 
  • Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, Trail Center Lodge, Gunflint Trail | 2/7/2026
  • Fiber Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 
  • Candlelit Ski & Snowshoe, Oberg Mountain Trailhead, Lutsen | 2/15/2026
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Hungry Jack Lodge, Gunflint Trail | 2/14/2026
  • Pincushion Winter Festival Ski Race and Tour, Grand Marais | 2/14/2026

March 2026:

  • Annual Trout Derby, Gunflint Lake Boat Access | 
  • Charles J. Futerrer Memorial Open Bonspiel, Grand Marais | 3/13/2026 - 3/15/2026
  • Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races, Poplar Haus | 
  • Ski North Ultra, Lutsen | Cascade River State Park | 
  • Dog Days of Winter Sled Dog Derbies and Skijoring Races, Gunflint Trail  | 
  • Wood Week at North House Folk School, Grand Marais  | 

April 2025:

  • Mountain Meltdown Festival, Lutsen Mountains | 4/4/2025 - 4/6/2025

May 2025:

June 2025:

July 2025:

August 2025:

  • The Fisherman's Picnic, Grand Marais  | 7/31/2025 - 8/3/2025
  • Dark Sky Caravan & Star Parties, North Shore and Cook County | 8/11/2025 - 8/16/2025
  • Grand Portage National Monument Rendezvous Days, and Celebration Pow Wow, Grand Portage | 8/8/2025 - 8/10/2025

September 2025:

  • Old Fashioned Pie & Ice Cream Social, Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail | 
  • Superior Fall Trail Races, Lutsen | 9/5/2025 - 9/6/2025
  • WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival, Grand Marais | 9/5/2025 - 9/7/2025
  • Plein Air Grand Marais - Competition Week  | 9/5/2025 - 9/13/2025
  • Plein Air Grand Marais - Competition Exhibit | 9/14/2025 - 10/5/2025
  • Unplugged, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 9/19/2025 - 9/20/2025
  • Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour, Cook County | 9/26/2025 - 10/5/2025
  • Gunflint Scramble Bike Race, Bearskin Lodge | 9/27/2025 (Registration opens May 1, 2025)

October 2025:

  • Basket Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | Will return in 2026
  • North Shore Oktoberfest, Bluefin Bay Resort, Tofte | 10/11/2025
  • Moose Madness Family Festival, Grand Marais  | 10/17/2025 - 10/18/2025
  • Family Weekend at North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 

November 2025:

  • North Shore Readers and Writers Festival, Grand Marais | 11/5/2025 - 11/8/2025
  • 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 | 11/22/2025
  • Winterers Gathering & Arctic Film Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 
  • North Shore Winery Holiday Market, Lutsen | 
  • North Shore Artists League Holiday Art Sale, Surfside Ballroom, Tofte | 
  • Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Grand Marais  | 11/28/2025
  • Hovland Winter Art Show, Hovland Town Hall  | 

December 2025:

  • Holiday Harbor Village, Grand Marais | 
  • Northwoods Fiber Guild Open House & Holiday Sale, Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 21 | 
  • Pots for Presents Holiday Sale, Grand Marais Art Colony Founders Hall | 
  • Dark Sky Festival, Cook County |  12/11/2025 - 12/13/2025
  • Holiday Art Underground at Betsy Bowen Studio & Gallery, Grand Marais  | 

Special Offers

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