Summer in Minnesota is coming to an end but there are still plenty of great events in the Twin Cities this August. August is a great time in the Twin Cities, there are so many fun, family oriented things to do including of course, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. There are also plenty of neighborhood gatherings. Hopefully you were able to attend your neighborhood block party on National Night Out. Have a wonderful August!

Events in the Twin Cities this August

Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival
When: August 2^nd, 2017
Where: Lake Hiawatha Park
2701 E. 44^th St.
Minneapolis, MN

The Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival will be held on Wednesday, August 2, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 2701 E. 44th St., Minneapolis, MN. First started in August 1996, this summer will be the festival’s 22nd year. This popular event is sponsored and supported by the Lake Hiawatha Recreation Council and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The activities will again include face painting, hair painting, pony rides for kids under 10 years old, caricaturist, inflatable moon walk and water slide. Don’t forget to preregister for the family fitness challenge and the talent contest.

Summer Faire at the Shoppes at Arbor Lake
When: August 3^rd, 2017
Where: The Shoppes at Arbor Lake
12459 Elm Creek Blvd.
Osseo, MN

Summer Faire Announces Its 2017 Season!
The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes’ popular summer concert series returns this summer!

What: Summer Faire at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes

Don’t miss FREE live music from talented local musicians. Summer Faire is an annual warm-weather tradition for families, couples and music lovers everywhere.

Grab your family, friends, and a lawn chair for relaxing in The Shoppes’ central courtyard while enjoying sounds from Minnesota’s favorite musicians. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Shoppes popular retail offerings and fine restaurants before and after the concert!

Blues Brew N BBQs 2017
When: August 5^th, 2017
Where: Mount Olivet Lutheran Church Plymouth
12235 Old Rockford Road
Minneapolis, MN

BLUES BREWS N BBQS 2017
A benefit for PRISM and Twin Cities Habitat – In five years, your support has helped us distribute $77,000 to these great organizations.

Crayfest
When: August 5^th, 2017
Where: Smack Shack
603 Washington Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN

We’re celebrating 5 years of Crayfest and it’s bigger and better than ever before! Join us on August 5th from 12-8pm for the best party of summer. Enjoy live music, our crayfish eating contest, all-you-can-eat crayfish boil and all-you-can-enjoy beer and hurricanes. New this year, we will have a variety of food and drinks as well as other activities. Proceeds from Crayfest 2017 will benefit Matter. Must be 21+ to attend.

Victory Neighborhood Garden Tour
When: August 6th, 2017
Where: Loring School Butterfly Gardens
2600 44^th Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN

Join us for our annual Victory Neighborhood Garden Tour on Sunday, August 6. This year the tour will kick off with a garden party at the Butterfly Gardens of Loring School – 2600 44th Avenue N. Meet us at noon in the Loring Shool butterfly garden for light snacks and lemonade. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.

The tour features gardens of the Victory neighborhood. The gardens will be open from 1pm through 4pm. At each garden, you will be able to talk with the homeowner and hear and learn about their successes and failures of gardening in Victory.

Pick up your tour brochure at the Butterfly Gardens as you walk, bike, or drive the self-guided tour. The brochure will identify the theme of the garden as well as the location on the map.

Cat Video Festival
When: August 8^th, 2017
Where: CHS Field
300 E 5^th Street
Saint Paul, MN

Everything is Better with Cats. The Cat Video Festival celebrates all things funny and feline and brings together cat lovers, cat-video lovers and those who just love laughing under the stars! The Cat Video Festival is presented by myTalk 107.1 and The St. Paul Saints and returns to CHS Field on August 8th.

Minnesota State Capitol Grand Opening
When: August 11^th – 13^th, 2017
Where: State Capitol Building
75 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

All Minnesotans are invited to the Capitol Grand Opening Celebration on August 11, 12 and 13 at the fully renovated and restored Minnesota State Capitol. During the weekend there will be a variety of exciting events and activities for all ages. Highlights of the weekend include an official ribbon cutting ceremony and a Prince dance party on Friday. Cap Untapped presented by The Current and the Craft Brewers Guild, The Current presents a concert by Lizzo and Poliça, and Fireworks on Saturday. On Sunday you can sing along at Bring the Sing presented by Classical MPR and VocalEssence and attend workers recognition events. Everyday will start with yoga on the lawn, there will be a kid’s zone, “Hot Dish” lectures with celebrity speakers, exclusive access tours, diverse performance groups, food trucks and much more! All of the activities are very low cost or completely free of charge. Metro Transit will be providing free rides to the Capitol Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday and Sunday!

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
When: August 19^th – October 1^st, 2017
Where: MN Renaissance Festival Site
12364 Chestnut Blvd.
Shakopee, MN

King Henry and his royal court invite one and all to his 16th Century European village featuring 16 stages of live entertainment. Over 250 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted wares for a truly unique shopping experience. Patrons can interact with hundreds of memorable characters roaming the village streets as well as view live armored jousting throughout the day. Come celebrate our 47^th season by visiting the Festival grounds in Shakopee, MN. Huzzah!

Minnesota State Fair
When: August 24^th – September 4^th, 2017
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
1265 Snelling Avenue N
St. Paul, MN

Join us for the Great Minnesota Get-Together where you’ll find all the things you love on a stick! From fantastic music at the Grand Stand to livestock and agriculture and all the great people watching, there’s no better way to end summer in Minnesota than the Minnesota State Fair.