The August Free Events & Activities Guide is sponsored by:
8/3: Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival, Lake Hiawatha Park, Minneapolis • 5-8pm • Family highlights: Free canoe rides, family fitness challenge, and prizes. Bonus: the wading pool will have an inflatable slide!
8/5-7: Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis • Family highlights: Stop by the Family Imagination Station to create with Northern Clay Center.
8/6: First Free Saturday Stage & Screen: Afrobeats @ Walker Art Center, Minneapolis • 10am-3pm • Details: Activities are geared towards kids ages 6-12, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your littler ones! Free gallery admission for the whole family.
8/6: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Skateboard Pencil Box @ TC Home Depot locations • 9am-noon • Details: The first Saturday of each month kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany children.
8/7: Most Epic Olympic Family Day @ Target Field Station, Minneapolis • 12-4pm • Details: Free programming with an Olympic theme – games, giveaway and the movie “Cars”. Presented by the Downtown Minneapolis Council.
8/7: Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis • 1-4pm
8/9: Storytime with Engineer Paul @ Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul • 10am • Details: Wonderful stories, songs and preschool activities with a (no surprise) train slant. Stick around to play at one of the 7 train tables set up at the back of the store. Also held 8/23 & 8/30. For more storytelling, try our Top Preschool Storytimes in the Twin Cities.
8/12-14: Irish Fair of Minnesota, Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul • Family highlights: The Children’s Area of the Fair allows kids to explore Irish instruments, take an Irish dance lesson, and craft in the Art Tent.
8/13: Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic: Black Widow @ Twin Cities Lowe’s locations, 10am.
8/14: Minneapolis Institute of Art Family Day: Art-lympic Games, Minneapolis • 11am-5pm
8/20: IndiaFest, State Capitol grounds, St. Paul • 11am-9pm • Family highlights: Face painting, henna tattoos, magic show & reptile show.
8/21: Target Free 3rd Sunday @ Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul • 9am-5pm • Details: Explore the museum free, including the newest exhibit digiPlayspace. Keep in mind that the museum is currently under renovation and many exhibits are currently closed.
ONGOING AUGUST EVENTS – MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL
St. Paul Movies in the Park @ Various park locations & dates in August, 8:30pm.
Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids @ Twin Cities Lakeshore Learning locations • Ongoing Saturdays in August, 11am-3pm
Saturday Live! @ George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul • Ongoing Saturdays in August, 11:15am • Details: Fresh entertainment each week including live music, puppetry, magicians and more.
Grimm Farmhouse Open House @ Grimm Farm Historic Site • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm
Pierre Bottineau House Open House @ Elm Creek Park Reserve • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm
Free Family Fun Days @ Three Rivers Parks • Ongoing Sundays in August.
Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis • Ongoing Sundays, Noon-5pm • Details: Explore the very kid-friendly Touch and Feel room and the wildlife dioramas free.
Groovin’ in the Garden @ Como Park Zoo & Conservatory • Ongoing Wednesdays, 6-8pm • Details: FREE concerts, a climbing wall, bounce house, and lawn games for kids, and food available for purchase.
Wee Wednesdays @ Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis • Ongoing Wednesdays, 10:30am – 1pm • Details: In the past, MGM has offered dance troupes, cooking lessons, and live animals to entertain kids. Park in the adjacent Midtown Exchange Ramp up to 1.5 hrs. free with validation.
Games Galore @ Union Depot, St Paul • Ongoing Wednesdays, 10am-8pm • Details: Play giant-sized versions of classic games including chess, checkers, Connect Four, Dominoes, Jenga, etc.
Project Passport @ Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul • Ongoing Thursdays, 10-am-noon • suggested donation of $2/child & $3/adult, but all are welcome whether or not you choose to donate.
Twin Cities River Rats Ski Shows, 1758 N West River Rd, Minneapolis • Ongoing Thursdays, 6:30pm – please check the website first!
8/6: River Festival & Outdoor Extravaganza @ Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Brooklyn Park • 1-5pm • Details: Try a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, archery, minnow races and more.
8/7-15: New Brighton Stockyard Days • Family highlights: Family activities in Long Lake Regional Park and a kiddie parade and movie in Veterans Park (8/10, 6:30pm).
8/12-14: Rockford River Days • Family highlights: Fireworks (8/13) & Grand Parade (8/14, noon).
8/19-20: Maple Plain Days • Family highlights: Ice cream social & Movie in the Park (8/19), Maple Plain Historic Museum Open House (8/20, 10am-2pm).
8/20: Mounds View Festival in the Park @ City Hall Park • Family highlights: Parade, fireworks.
ONGOING AUGUST EVENTS – NORTHWEST TWIN CITIES METRO
Pierre Bottineau House Open House @ Historic Pierre Bottineau House, Maple Grove • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm.
Summer Concert Series @ Coon Rapids Regional Park performance pavilion, ongoing Thursdays.
Sounds of Summer @ Town Green Maple Grove, 7991 Main St N, includes Celebrate the Family, ongoing Thursdays through 8/25 and Movies by Moonlight ongoing Fridays.
8/14-15: Open Houses on the Farm @ Bruentrup Heritage Farm, Maplewood • 11am-2pm • FREE • Farm fun: Local farming exhibits, the chance to take a guided tour of the farmhouse and space to run and play.
8/18-21: Vadnais Heights Heritage Days • Family highlights: Movie in the Park (8/19), children’s games (8/20), watermelon-eating contest, and Grande Parade (8/21).
8/19-21: North Hudson Pepper Fest • $2-$3/button for events • Family highlights: Grand Parade (8/20, 11am).
8/19-21: Blue Heron Days, Lino Lakes • Family highlights: Movie in the Park (8/19), Parade on Lake Drive (8/20), and tour of Waldoch Farm Garden (8/21).
ONGOING AUGUST EVENTS – NORTHEAST TWIN CITIES METRO
Drop-in Discoveries @ Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake • Ongoing Saturdays, 10am-12pm. Stay to play in the amazing outdoor nature playground Discovery Hollow!
Live @ The Rog! Performance Series @ Frank Rog Amphitheater, Roseville • Ongoing Sundays
Shoreview Puppet Wagon @ Shoreview parks • Ongoing Mondays
Roseville Puppet Wagon @ Roseville parks • Ongoing Tues-Thurs
Concerts in the Commons @ Shoreview Commons at Shoreview Community Center • Ongoing Wednesdays, 7pm.
8/8: Dakota County Fair Free Admission Day, Farmington • Details: Included in admission are free exhibits and attractions, live entertainment, and entrance into the Dakota City Heritage Village. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
8/14, Pioneer Day @ Pioneer Memorial Park, Newport • 11am-7pm • Family highlights: Parade (11am), live music, inflatables and a balloon artist.
8/19-21: Heritage Days Festival, St. Paul Park • Family highlights: Grande Day Parade (8/20), Kids Zone filled with games (8/21) and a petting zoo.
ONGOING AUGUST EVENTS – SOUTHEAST TWIN CITIES METRO
Eagan Puppet Wagon @ Eagan parks, ongoing Mon-Fri thru 8/19. Bring a blanket for the shows, then stay after for art projects and interactive activities.
Apple Valley Mobile Puppet Theater @ Apple Valley parks, ongoing Mon-Fri thru 8/12. Stay for a free craft project following select performances.
Woodbury Puppet Wagon @ Woodbury parks, ongoing Mon-Thurs thru 8/18.
Eagan Market Fest, Eagan Central Park Festival Grounds • Ongoing Wednesdays thru 8/31, 4-8pm. FREE family fun: The grounds buzz with weekly concerts and themed nights including one devoted solely to families (Kidsdance DJs, free inflatables, lawn games and craft projects galore). Get the full lineup of entertainment here.
Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour Concerts & Thursday Rockin’ Readers @ Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville • Ongoing Thursdays thru 8/18, concerts begin at noon, read-alouds begin 11:15am.
Friday Night Flicks on the Bricks @ Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville • Ongoing Fridays thru 8/26, movies begin at dusk.
Music in Kelley Park, Apple Valley • Ongoing Fridays thru 8/19 with FREE music 6-9pm, food available for purchase, prizes and a splash pad for the kids to cool off in.
Splash Pad Special Event @ Highlands Park, Cottage Grove • Ongoing Fridays thru 8/26, 11am-noon
8/1: Free Movie Monday: Jungle Book 2 @ Chaska Community Center Theater • 10am & 2pm.
8/2: Family Beach Bash @ Clayhole Swim Beach, Firemen’s Park, Chaska • 11:15am-noon
8/2 & 16: Kids Entertainment Series @ Chaska Community Center • 10:30am, followed by a Family Beach Bash at Clayhole Swim Beach from 11:15am-noon with games & activities.
8/2: KidStock @ Staring Lake Amphitheatre, Eden Prairie • 10:30am, also held 8/8 & 8/16.
8/6: Nature Rocks! Open House @ Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, Eden Prairie • 9am-noon • Details: The first Saturday of each month enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more!
8/14: Lighthouse Night with Edina Model Yacht Club @ Centennial Lakes Park, Edina • 6pm • Details: Model boats glow when the sun goes down; concert starts at 8pm.
ONGOING AUGUST EVENTS – SOUTHWEST TWIN CITIES METRO
Centennial Lakes Park is a haven for FREE summer entertainment! Events are held daily Sun-Thurs and include family-friendly concerts at the outdoor amphitheater, Movies in the Park ongoing Thursday evenings, the Farmers Market ongoing Thursdays and the Edina Model Yacht Club races on select Thursdays.
Free Family Flicks: @ Theatres at Mall of America • Ongoing Saturdays, 10am.
Grimm Farmhouse Open House @ Grimm Farm Historic Site, Victoria • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm
Monday Morning Kids Series @ Moir Park, Bloomington • Ongoing Mondays thru 8/8, 10:30am.
MOA Toddler Tuesdays, Mall of America Rotunda • Ongoing Tuesdays, 10am – noon • Details: Live entertainment and activities guaranteed to excite the stroller set. View upcoming event details here.
Kids Entertainment Series @ Augsburg Park, Richfield • Ongoing Tuesdays through 8/16, 12-1pm.
Creative Kidstuff Concert Series @ The Shops at West End, St. Louis Park • Ongoing Wed. thru 8/17, 10-11am.
Children’s Entertainment @ Edinborough Park Amphitheater, Edina • Ongoing Thursdays, noon.
Moonlight Movies @ Normandale Lake Park, Bloomington • Ongoing Fridays thru 8/12, 8:30pm.
Movies in the Park @ Staring Lake Amphitheater, Eden Prairie • Ongoing Fridays thru 8/19, 9pm.
Drop-in Playtime @ Amma Parenting Center, Edina • Ongoing Fridays, 11:45am-12:45pm • Details: Drop-in play for newborns through walking age.
The post Free Twin Cities August Events & Activities appeared first on Family Fun Twin Cities.