Special Events in Minneapolis - St. Paul

January
St. Paul Winter Carnival. A gala winter festival--the nation's oldest and largest--that encompasses ice-carving and snow-sculpting contests, a chili cook-off, snow volleyball, parades and the coronation of a carnival king and queen.

February
St. Paul Winter Carnival. A gala winter festival--the nation's oldest and largest--that encompasses ice-carving and snow-sculpting contests, a chili cook-off, snow volleyball, parades and the coronation of a carnival king and queen.

March
Winter Jazz Fest. Twelve hours of jazz on five stages from more than 100 regional and national guitarists, singers and performers of bop, blues, big band, salsa, swing, chanteuses, and funk.

April
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. The largest festival of its kind in the Upper Midwest attracts at least 120 entries from more than 50 countries. Screenings at various cinemas.

May
Festival of Nations.
Minnesota's largest ethnic event showcases approximately 100 different groups with international food, dance performances by more than 75 groups, cultural exhibits, folk-art demonstrations and an international bazaar with gifts from 50 regions around the world.

July
Taste of Minnesota. The state's largest outdoor festival features several stages with top national musicians performing, food from across the state, fireworks, children's activities, the Bridging the Arts festival and more. Harriet Island and along the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

August
Twin Cities Black Film Festival. In the Twin Cities' busy film-festival schedule, this annual festival focuses on films of African-American interest, screening feature-length and short narratives, documentaries, experimentals and animations. Various cinemas.

October
Central Standard Film Festival. This film festival presents independent films that reflect the geographical diversity of American regional filmmaking. Screenings of more than 50 features and shorts at various cinemas in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

November
Broadway in Minneapolis brings popular Broadway musicals to the Twin Cities. Historic Orpheum Theater

December,
Hill House Holidays. The James J. Hill House is dressed for the season, with dramatizations of family and servant life during circa-1900 holiday preparations. Weekends throughout December.