May has been a great month to get outside in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities Bird Festival on May 2nd at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park was a fun way to celebrate spring migration along the Mississippi Flyway. Then Mother's Day weekend brought the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair back for its third year: 180 artists, food trucks, and live music set against one of the city's most iconic backdrops.
And of course, Mother's Day itself meant brunch was a citywide sport. Restaurants across the metro pulled out all the stops with special menus and prix fixe spreads. Hopefully you snagged a good reservation and earned some serious family points!
Art-A-Whirl is back this weekend in Northeast Minneapolis - the largest open artist studio tour in the country where over 1,600 artists, galleries, and local businesses throw open their doors across 100+ locations. It's a great excuse to wander Northeast, meet artists in their own spaces, catch some live music, and pop into your favorite breweries along the way. Free and open to everyone.
Here are some events at Art-a-Whirl we’re excited for:
Studios & Art The heart of Art-A-Whirl is the studios themselves - wander into artist spaces across 100+ locations and watch painters, ceramicists, jewelers, and sculptors at work. NEMAA's website has a full sortable directory so you can plan your route ahead of time. More info.
Activities There's plenty to do beyond just browsing art — NEMAA has a full listing of demos, interactive activities, and family-friendly offerings happening all weekend. More info.
Live Music Music is everywhere this weekend, from breweries to church parking lots. Some highlights: Dessa at Earl Giles, Kiss the Tiger at Sociable Cider Werks, and a full three-day lineup at Indeed Brewing's Whirlygig. More info.
Food & Drink Northeast's restaurants and breweries go all-in for the weekend. Bauhaus Brew Labs' Liquid Zoo brings in local food favorites alongside the music (Bauhaus is sadly closing at the end of June so check it out while you still can) and Pryes Brewing has their official Art-A-Whirl beer on tap. Honestly, you could eat and drink your way through the whole weekend without setting foot in a studio. More info.
What's better than hunting morels on over 100 acres of forested private property in the metro area with professional guides, competing to find the first, largest, and most morels for prizes, and eating delicious food? The fact that we can have all that fun and raise funds for research for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease at the same time!
More info HERE.
The heywood ride
The Heywood Ride is a gravel bike ride where everyone is welcome. Come explore the downright pleasant gravel roads around Northfield and Rice County. With 5 courses ranging from 30 miles to 390 miles, they have something for all levels.
upcoming events
Here are a few upcoming events we’re most excited for.
Tap the Barrel Weekend
If you're looking for a reason to get out of the city this weekend, Winehaven is celebrating the arrival of spring with their Tap the Barrel Weekend through Sunday. You'll get to sample a brand-new red wine straight from the barrel, catch the vines coming to life during bud break, and relax on the patio with vineyard and lake views. A great excuse for a little road trip.
May 14-17
More info HERE.
Minnesota Songkran Festival
The Thai Cultural Council of Minnesota is bringing the largest Thai New Year Festival outside of Thailand right here to the Twin Cities. There will be incredible food, traditional performances, and a whole lot of celebration. It's a fantastic event and a great opportunity to experience Thai culture right here in Minnesota.
May 16-17
More info HERE.
May Markets
Soak up spring at the beautiful Arboretum while shopping from up to 60 local artists and artisans select weekends in May. Enjoy live music and food and beverage for purchase as you check out your favorite makers from past years and discover new ones. Markets will be in the Scarecrow Hill area and will be open rain or shine.
Saturdays and Sundays in May
More info HERE.
Shakopee Food Truck Festival
Get ready for a day of delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and fun for the whole family at the Shakopee Food Truck Festival!
Enjoy the unique flavors from over 30 food trucks, offering everything from savory bites to sweet treats. Domestic beers will be available for purchase throughout the event while browsing a variety of local vendors.
May 16
More info HERE.
50th Annual Cannon River Fur Trade Rendezvous
The fur trade was an essential part of the 18th and 19th century history of the region that was to become the State of Minnesota. The Cannon River Rendezvous is a re-enactment of a fur trade encampment during that period. Characters and activities of the time are portrayed by over 150 re-enactors in historically accurate attire and tent camps. Enjoy music, food, demonstrations, contests, vendors, and games. Beautiful, patriotic Memorial Day service. Fun for the entire family.
May 22-25
More info HERE.
Upcoming shows
Memorial Day weekend is packed with ways to honor the holiday and kick off summer at the same time. Whether you're looking for a parade, a ceremony, or just a good excuse to get outside, there's plenty happening around the metro.
Kickoff to Summer at the Fair — The Minnesota State Fair opens early for a special Memorial Day weekend kickoff. May 21.
SPUT 5K Fun Run — Kick off Memorial Day weekend with Saint Paul Urban Tennis's 5K fun run at Lake Phalen. May 23, 9–11am.
Traders Market Elko Memorial Day Event — A big outdoor market and community gathering in Elko New Market. May 23, 8am.
The Great Big Jamboree — A family-friendly festival at Hyland Hills in Bloomington. May 23, 9am–5pm.
Minneapolis Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl — Hit the bars around Bryant Lake Bowl with fellow revelers. May 23.
KMOJ's 17th Annual Voyage Cruise down the St. Croix — Celebrate the long weekend with a cruise down the St. Croix River. May 23, 6pm.
National Memorial Day Concert – Live Stream — Watch the annual PBS concert from your couch. May 24, 7pm CDT.
Memorial Day – Minnesota Streetcar Museum — Ride historic streetcars and honor the holiday in a classic Twin Cities setting. May 25, 10am–4pm.
Memorial Day at the Fort — Historic Fort Snelling comes alive with costumed actors and Civil War-era demonstrations. May 25, 10am–4pm.
Memorial Day Celebration at Lakewood — A meaningful ceremony at the historic Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. May 25, 10:30–11:15am.
Memorial Day Ceremony – City of Cottage Grove — A local ceremony honoring those who served. May 25, 11am.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Lake Ann Park — A community ceremony in Chanhassen honoring fallen veterans. May 25, 1–2pm.
2026 Memorial Day Parade – Elk River — A classic small-town Memorial Day parade on Main Street. May 25, 10am.
Memorial Day weekend has a way of flipping a switch. Suddenly the lake is calling, the grill is out, and everyone starts thinking about how they want to spend their summer, and where.
If you've been thinking about a move, that feeling is worth paying attention to. The market is active right now, and so are buyers. The neighborhoods you're wandering through this weekend, whether it's Northeast for Art-A-Whirl or somewhere out by the river, are worth a second look. Sometimes the place you want to be finds you before you're even looking.
As always, I'm here when you're ready to talk. Enjoy the weekend.
