Festivals and Major Events | Things to Do in Minnesota

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 cancellations due to COVID-19. 

January:

Ski Party Music Festival, Lutsen Mountains

Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, Trail Center Lodge,  Gunflint Trail

Norpine Fat Bike Classic, Lutsen

Snowmobile Drag Races at Devil Track, Gunflint Trail

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Cook County

February:

Snowmobile Fun Run, Gunflint Trail

 Hygge Festival, Cook County

Snowarama, Grand Portage

Cloud Cult, Lutsen Mountains

Fiber Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

Snowmobile Drag Races at Hungry Jack, Gunflint Trail

Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe, Lutsen

Pincushion Ski Festival, Pincushion Mountain Trails, Grand Marais

Vintage Snowmobile Ride, Lutsen

Snowmobile Drag Races at Poplar Lake, Gunflint Trail

Wood Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

March:

Dog Days of Winter, Gunflint Trail

Annual Trout Derby, Gunflint Trail

April:

Volunteer and Service Learning Weekend, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

May:

Superior Spring Trail Races, Lutsen

Art Along the Lake Spring Gallery Tour , Cook County

Le Grand Du Nord, Grand Marais & Gunflint Trail

Northern Landscapes Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

June:

BWCA Expo, Gunflint Trail

Grand Marais Block Party, 1st Avenue, Grand Marais

 Voyage North 5 & 10k, Grand Marais

Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike Race, Lutsen

July:

Fourth of July, Tofte, Grand Marais, Grand Portage

Grand Marais Arts Festival, Grand Marais Art Colony

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, Gunflint Lodge

North Shore Water Festival, Stone Harbor, Grand Marais

Biggest Blueberry Contest, Gunflint Trail

August:

Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais

Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow-Wow, Grand Portage

September:

Superior Fall Trail Races, Lutsen

WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival, Grand Marais

Plein Air, Grand Marais

Unplugged and Birch Bark Bash, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour, Cook County

October:

Moose Madness Family Festival, Grand Marais

November:

Storm Festival, Cook County

Empty Bowls, Fundraiser for the Cook County Food Shelf, Grand Marais

Winterers Gathering & Arctic Film Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

Winter Kickoff Block Party, Downtown Grand Marais

Thanksgiving Dining Hours, Cook County

The New Standards Holiday Show, Lutsen Mountains

Light Up Lutsen, Downtown Lutsen

Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Grand Marais

December:

Dark Sky Festival, Cook County

Annual Cook County Community Center Holiday Craft Show, Grand Marais

Hovland Art Festival Holiday Show, Hovland Town Hall, Hovland

In the Spirit of Giving, Downtown Grand Marais

Snowball Music Festival, Lutsen Mountains

Northwoods Fiber Guild Open House & Holiday Sale, Grand Marais Art Colony

Annual Holiday Art Underground Show, Betsy Bowen Studio, Grand Marais

Alexa Can’t Save You Now!, Downtown Grand Marais

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining Hours, Cook County