Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Jan. 22-Feb. 1, 2009
Long known as the nation’s oldest winter festival, since 1886 the Carnival provides indoor and outdoor fun, while reliving the ancient legend of springtime’s triumph over winter. The celebration includes 75 events including parades, ice and snow carving competitions, ice skating, golf on ice and singing contests.
www.winter-carnival.com

Grumpy Old Men Festival, Wabasha
Feb. 28, 2009
Celebrate winter with that grumpy old man’s hobby of ice fishing, in the town that inspired the movie of the same name. Other activities include an ice shack contest, Frisbee games, golf tournaments on snow, bird watching and a spaghetti dinner and dance. You may not run into Walter Matthau or Jack Lemmon, but this quaint Mississippi River town knows how to celebrate,
www.wabashamn.org

Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, Moorhead
June 26-28, 2009
Authentic Scandinavian event featuring dancing, entertainment, booths and food celebrating the heritage of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The festival takes place at the Heritage Hjemkomst Center, home of the Viking ship which sailed from Minnesota to Norway in 1982.
www.scandinavianhjemkomstfestival.com

Sommerfest, Minneapolis
July-August, 2009
This annual music festival is offered by the Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vanska. Sommerfest concerts are held over a four-week period in midsummer at Orchestra Hall; concerts range from light to classical. Outside the Hall, Peavey Plaza becomes a Marktplatz offering food stands and music. The orchestra performs free live music on the plaza before and after each show, ranging from folk to jazz to polka band.
www.minnesotaorchestra.org/sommerfest

Grand Celebration Powwow, Hinckley
July 2009
This American Indian event is the largest Pow Wow in the Midwest with over 1,200 dancers, drummers and singers from nearly every tribe in the USA and Canada participating. In addition to the dancing, visitors learn American Indian traditions, eat Indian food and can purchase Indian crafts.
www.millelacsojibwe.org

Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth
Aug. 7-9, 2009
One of the largest annual outdoor music festivals in the Midwest showcases nearly 30 national performances on two concert stages. Additional weekend events include a Moonlight Mardi Gras Cruise and live Blues at nearly 20 Duluth nightclubs. The event takes place in Canal Park on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
www.bayfrontblues.com

PGA Championship, Minneapolis
Aug. 10-16, 2009
Witness history unfold in person when the 91st PGA Championship is played at acclaimed Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN. The PGA Championship features the strongest field in golf and is considered one of the largest sporting events in the world. Visitors to the event can play on more than 500 excellent public golf courses throughout Minnesota.
www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2009

Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul
Aug. 27-Sept. 7, 2009
The Great Minnesota Get-together features world class entertainment, agricultural exhibits, horse shows, a rodeo, arts and craft displays, amusement park rides, a daily parade and food of every variety. The event attracts almost 2 million visitors each year.
www.mnstatefair.org

Holidazzle Parades, Minneapolis
Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 2009
The annual Macy’s Holidazzle Parade shows over one million brilliant lights as visitors watch their favorite storybook characters come to life. Lighted floats, musical groups and costumed characters all lit up parade down the Nicollet Mall at 6:30pm, even as the winter weather descends upon Minneapolis. The parade is free to watch, and runs Thursday through Sunday during the holiday season.
www.macysholidazzle.com

Folkways of the Holidays, Shakopee
December weekends, 2009
Step back in time when you visit The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park, part of the Three Rivers Park District. On December weekends, visitors can experience the magic and joy of 19th century Christmas and Hanukah celebrations. The journey begins with a horse-drawn trolley ride. Guests can tour holiday home settings, enjoy lively musical performances, and interact with costumed interpreters portraying settlers.
www.threeriversparkdistrict.org