Family-Friendly Events & Festivals Happening In Central Minnesota In 2026

Who says that you can't have fun in Minnesota's cold winter months? Whoever said that doesn't understand who we are. There's no time to waste.

It's a brand new year, and there are a lot of unique events to look forward to all year long here in Central Minnesota. Below is a list of the quirky, the delicious, the musical, and more that will keep Minnesotans busy all year long, starting in January of 2026.

This is just a glimpse at what's happening here in Minnesota. Mark your calendar for your favorites now, and let me know what we should add to the list for the end of the year.

JANUARY IS JUST THE BEGINNING

 JANUARY 21ST - TWINS WINTER CARAVAN 2026

Love baseball? So do we! Meet Twins players, coaches, and alumni in St. Cloud at the Kelly Inn on January 21st. Kids' tickets are free, but you must obtain them to attend this event. Tickets are available by clicking HERE now. Each ticket provides guests with a ballpark-style meal at the event.

FEBRUARY

 JANUARY 30TH - FEBRUARY 1ST: BOLD AND BRIGHT FESTIVAL

The Bold & Bright Festival will take place from January 30th to February 1st, 2026. It's a celebration that features lots of fun activities, including pond hockey tournaments, a Mac & Cheese Crawl, a Winter Market, A toboggan Derby, Comedy, live music, a lighted parade, as well as fireworks and other family-friendly events.

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FEBRUARY 21ST - CENTRAL MN BLOODY MARY & MARGARITA FEST

How do you celebrate when we're in the coldest depths of winter in central Minnesota? Everyone can head to The Regency in downtown St. Cloud on February 21st, 2026, to enjoy unlimited Bloody Marys, margaritas, craft beer, and more. This event will start at 10 am and last until 1 pm. Get your tickets HERE now before they are all sold out.

FEBRUARY 24 & 25th 2026 - CENTRAL MINNESOTA FARM SHOW

The Central Minnesota Farm Show will be coming to the River's Edge Convention Center. The show will take place from 9 am until 4 pm on February 24th and 9 am until 3 pm on February 25th.

Everyone is invited to look for special offers on products, learn from amazing educational opportunities from professional exhibitors, and learn more about farming in central Minnesota. While you are there, you will be able to register for prizes and enjoy entertainment.

They are currently looking for volunteers and sponsors for this years show. You can learn more by clicking HERE.

MARCH 2026

 MARCH 7 - PUZZLE PALOOZA JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION 2026

Puzzle lovers, this event is for you. Everything will kick off with a social hour and puzzle swap, where you can bring gently used puzzles to trade with fellow puzzle lovers. Then there will be teams of 2 to 4, racing to complete a 500-piece puzzle in the shortest time. Intergenerational teams are encouraged, and pre-registration is required.

The deadline to register is Friday, February 20th, by clicking HERE.

OTHER STORIES: EagleCam Is Back Just In Time For Winter Courtship

MARCH 28TH - MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL 2026

The Maple Syrup Festival takes place at St. John's University from noon to 4 pm on March 28th. This event happens entirely outdoors, whether it's raining, snowing, or a day full of sunshine. It's recommended that anyone who wants to participate wear boots or shoes that they don't mind getting dirty.

At the Maple Syrup Festival, you'll learn alla bout making maple syrup, sap collecting, and cooking. You'll also be able to enjoy hot maple syrup sundaes and enjoy demonstrations while you are there.

Walk-ins are welcome, but you can pre-pay online. CSB and SJU students and Monastery members can come for free, but anyone else who wants to participate can enjoy a very inexpensive experience that the whole family can enjoy. Click HERE for more information.

MAY

 THE LILAC LABYRINTH

Depending on when the lilacs bloom, this amazing maze opens at a place called Boomerville in Cold Spring. You can get lost in this one-of-a-kind maze entirely created from lilac bushes; some of which tower at 10 feet high!

The event typically takes place through Memorial Day Weekend. Click HERE for more details about this beautiful and scentfully amazing maze.

JUNE

JUNE 20TH - 8TH ANNUAL REDHEAD CREAMERY CURD FEST

Love cheese? Of course you do! Cheese lovers unite each year at Redhead Creamery for their annual Curd Fest celebration. This year's event is planned for Saturday, June 20th, from 11 am until 5 pm.

Shop, have a cold beverage, and watch the hand milking competition. You can also see their robotic milkers in action and snuggle up with an adorable, fluffy calf at Cow Camp. Pan Fried Curds and Curd Kabobs will be available fresh and squeaky!
Each ticket includes live music, food, and beverages, as well as educational presentations, a scavenger hunt, and sampling in the cheese shop.

JUNE 24TH THROUGH JUNE 27TH - LAKES JAM 2026

This years amazing line up at Lakes Jam includes headliners Neal McCoy, Tucker Wetmore and Bailey Zimmerman, along with other entertainers Josh Ross, Ashland Craft, Chandler Walters, Sir Psycho, Dasha, Drew Baldridge, Emily Ann Roberts, Wild In The Streets, Terri Clark, Chris Cagle, Jake Nelson, Chris Hawkey, If Nothing Else, Aaron Simmons, Leavin' Page Town, Wayside, Rhymin' N Stealin,' and Girls Night VIP guests will also enjoy music by Rachel Neal, Tony Williams, and Jessica Loobey.

Whether you come for the whole week or just a couple of days, this event is sure to be one of the highlights of your summer. Click HERE for more information and tickets.

JUNE 27TH - SAUK RAPIDS RIVER FOOD FEST 2026

On June 27th from 11 am until 8 pm, you're invited to join in the fun. Free admission and free parking for this event that features a beer garden, live music, food vendors serving a variety of your favorite food truck options, as well as fun activities for the kids. More information to come as we get to the event. You can learn more by clicking HERE.

JULY

 JULY 17TH & 18TH - FREEDOM FEST 2026

Formerly known as Pierz Freedom Fest, this exciting venue has been bringing some of the best country artists around to central Minnesota for years. This is the second year they are bringing all the excitement to their new location at the Morrison County Fairgrounds in Little Falls.

There's camping, country music, food, and drinks, and every year it ends up being one of the most fantastic events of the year.

This year's incredible lineup includes:
LoCash, Scotty McCreery, Uncle Kracker, Tyler Farr, Allie Colleen, and Zach John King.

For tickets and more information, you can click HERE now.

AUGUST

 AUGUST 8TH & 9TH - NORTHERN HOLLOW WINERY 2026 ART FEST

Our exciting new winery located in Foley will be holding an Art Fest on August 8th, beginning at 11 am and going until 10 pm, andon  August 9th from 11 am until 7 pm.

Are you an artist? You are invited to participate in this exciting event. Come explore the area artists and creators' works in a beautiful new vineyard setting. Click HERE to learn more.

AUGUST 15TH - THE MINNESOTA GARLIC FESTIVAL

The Minnesota Garlic Festival takes place on Saturday, August 15th, from 10 am until 5 pm. This is a unique, fun-filled event for the whole family that takes place in Hutchinson at the McLeod County Fairgrounds.

This event features delicious foods, celebrity chefs, great music, area artisans, silly games, and garlic, garlic, garlic! You'll be able to meet garlic farmers and growers, and learn all about garlic.

AUGUST 27TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7TH - MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

What would 2026 be without plans to attend the Minnesota State Fair? You know what to expect. Great food, new foods, rides and attractions, farm animals, contests, and unbelievable entertainment.

So far, we know that Weird Al Yankovic will be coming this year, as well as Rod Stewart with special guest Richard Marx.

More information and ticket information are available by clicking HERE.

SEPTEMBER

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH - THE PEASE PICKLE FESTIVAL 2026

The Pease Pickle Festival has been confirmed to return in 2026, and will be happening this year on Saturday, September 26th, from 3 until 7 pm. You can click HERE for more details on this year's fun event.

The Pease Pickle Festival is for all lovers of pickles, and thousands of people come for this one-day event for food, fun, music, and more. Plus, it's quirky fun!

I know this isn't a full list of all the fun activities that are happening in central Minnesota, but it's a good start to take you all the way through September of 2026.