Festivals and Major Events | Things to Do 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:

Ski Party Music Festival, Lutsen Mountains

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

Norpine Fat Bike Classic, Lutsen

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Cook County

February:

 Hygge Festival, Cook County 

Cook County Fireplace Tour 

Snowarama, Grand Portage

Cloud Cult, Lutsen Mountains

Fiber Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais

Snowmobile Drag Races at Hungry Jack Lodge, | Gunflint Trail

Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe, Lutsen

Pincushion Winter Festival Virtual Ski Race/Tour, Pincushion Mountain Trails, Grand Marais

March:

Annual Trout Derby, Grand Marais | 3/5/2022 |

Superior Timberwolves Annual Snowmobile Picnic – Tofte | 3/6/2022

Dog Days of Winter, Sled Dog Derbies & Skijoring Races, Gunflint Trail  | 3/13/2022 |

Wood Week, North House Folk School, Grand Marais  | 3/14-21/2022 |

April:

Volunteer Weekend, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 4/22-23/2022 |

May:

Superior Spring Trail Races, Lutsen | 5/21/2022 |

Le Grand Du Nord Gravel Cycling Classic, Grand Marais & Gunflint Trail | 5/28/2022 |

June:

Northern Landscapes Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 6/3-5/2022 |

Grand Marais Block Party, 1st Avenue, Grand Marais | TBD |

Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 6/17-19/2022

Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike Race, Lutsen | 6/24-26/2022 |

July:

Fourth of July Celebrations, Tofte, Grand Marais, Grand Portage | 7/4/2022 |

 Grand Marais Arts Festival, Grand Marais Art Colony | 7/9-10/2022 |

Annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, at Gunflint Lodge – | 7/20/2022 |

North Shore Water Festival, Stone Harbor, Grand Marais – | 7/15-17/ 2022 |

 Biggest Blueberry Contest, Gunflint Trail | 7/22 – 8/14 / 2022 |

August:

93rd Annual Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais | 8/4/2022 – 8/7/2022 |

Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow-Wow, Grand Portage | 8/12-14/2022 |

September:

Superior Fall Trail Races, Lutsen | 9/9-10/2022 |

WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival, Grand Marais | 9/9-11/2022 |

 Plein Air, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail | 9/9-16/2022 |

 Unplugged 2022 & Birch Bark Bash, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 9/23-25/2022 |

Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour, Cook County | 9/23- 10/2 / 2022 |

October:

 Moose Madness Family Festival, Grand Marais | 10/21-22/2022 |

Family Weekend, North House Folk School, Grand Marais | 10/20-23/2022 |

 

November:

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

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

Thanksgiving Dining Hours, Cook County

The New Standards Holiday Show, Lutsen Mountains  | TBD |

Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Grand Marais  | 11/25/2022 |

December:

Dark Sky Festival, Cook County | 12/9/2022 – 12/10/2022 |

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 |

 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining Hours, Cook County