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 – Cancelled in 2021
Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, Trail Center Lodge, Gunflint Trail – Cancelled in 2021
Norpine Fat Bike Classic, Lutsen
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Cook County
February:
Hygge Festival, Cook County
Snowarama, Grand Portage – Virtual Event
Cloud Cult, Lutsen Mountains – Cancelled in 2021
Fiber Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – Virtual Event
Snowmobile Drag Races at Hungry Jack, Gunflint Trail – Cancelled in 2021
Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe, Lutsen – Cancelled in 2021
Pincushion Ski Festival, Pincushion Mountain Trails, Grand Marais – Virtual Event
Wood Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – Virtual Event
March:
Dog Days of Winter, Gunflint Trail – Cancelled in 2021
April:
Volunteer and Service Learning Weekend, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – TBD
May:
Superior Spring Trail Races, Lutsen – TBD
May 28 – 31, 2021 | Art Along the Lake Spring Gallery Opening , Cook County
Le Grand Du Nord, Grand Marais & Gunflint Trail – Dates TBD
Northern Landscapes Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – TBD
June:
BWCA Expo, Gunflint Trail – TBD
Grand Marais Block Party, 1st Avenue, Grand Marais – TBD
Voyage North 5 & 10k, Grand Marais – Cancelled in 2021
Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – TBD
June 26-27, 2021 | Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike Race, Lutsen
July:
Fourth of July, Tofte, Grand Marais, Grand Portage – TBD
July 11-12, 2021 | Grand Marais Arts Festival, Grand Marais Art Colony
Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, Gunflint Lodge – TBD
North Shore Water Festival, Stone Harbor, Grand Marais – TBD
July 16 – August 8, 2021 | Biggest Blueberry Contest, Gunflint Trail
August:
Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais – TBD
Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow-Wow, Grand Portage – TBD
September:
Superior Fall Trail Races, Lutsen – TBD
WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival, Grand Marais – TBD
September 10 – 17, 2021 | Plein Air, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail
Unplugged and Birch Bark Bash, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – TBD
September 24 – October 3, 2021 | Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour, Cook County
October:
October 22-23, 2021 | Moose Madness Family Festival, Grand Marais
November:
Empty Bowls, Fundraiser for the Cook County Food Shelf, Grand Marais – TBD
Winterers Gathering & Arctic Film Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais – TBD
Thanksgiving Dining Hours, Cook County
The New Standards Holiday Show, Lutsen Mountains – TBD
November 26, 2021 | Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Grand Marais
December:
Dark Sky Festival, Cook County – TBD
Annual Cook County Community Center Holiday Craft Show, Grand Marais – TBD
Hovland Art Festival Holiday Show, Hovland Town Hall, Hovland – TBD
Snowball Music Festival, Lutsen Mountains – TBD
Northwoods Fiber Guild Open House & Holiday Sale, Grand Marais Art Colony – TBD
Annual Holiday Art Underground Show, Betsy Bowen Studio, Grand Marais – TBD
Alexa Can’t Save You Now!, Downtown Grand Marais – TBD
December 24-25, 2021 | Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining Hours, Cook County