Summer is coming to an end which means there are some great events in the Twin Cities this August including – The Minnesota State Fair, The Renaissance Festival, and the Fall Parade of Homes starts September 8th. The Parade of Homes is a wonderful opportunity for anyone thinking about building a home in the Twin Cities. You get to see the latest in home-building technology, trend and home design.

While all that is going on many people are getting all the back to school tasks completed and closing up their cabins or at least getting them ready for the colder months. August is a busy time in Minnesota no matter what you do during the month. Take some time to get out and enjoy these last few weeks of warmth and light. Before you know it, it’s going to be cold and dark here in the Midwest.

Events in the Twin Cities this August

Minnesota Fan Fusion
When: August 3rd, 2018
Where: River Centre
175 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN

Minnesota Fan Fusion is a celebration of comics, creators, and collectibles. It’s a place where you can Discover Your Inner Geek™. We focus on local creators and artists to showcase the finest talent in the Twin Cities area and welcome artists from around the country. Minnesota Fan Fusion is a great place for you to discover your nerd herd. Bring your friends and meet new ones. Our community is full of passionate, warm, supportive, welcoming fans. We can’t wait to have you join our big, geeky family.

Passes are on sale now at minnesotafanfusion.com. Follow us on Facebook at @MinnesotaFanFusion for updates, guest announcements, and more. Discover Your Inner Geek at Minnesota Fan Fusion.

Drafts and Crafts
When: August 3rd, 2018
Where: Minnesota Transportation Museum
193 Pennsylvania Avenue
St. Paul, MN

Imagine, getting to enjoy a cool draft beer at the historic Jackson Street Roundhouse while reliving the summer fun of your childhood – a four foot high connect four, ladder toss, 5×5 checkerboard, coloring, and crafting things from beer-related items! Once again, all while kicking back and enjoying a delightful beverage from a local brewery.

Dream no more! Join us for our summer Drafts & Crafts event on first Fridays, June through September from 3pm to 8pm featuring local Tin Whiskers and Urban Growler.

Uptown Art Fair
When: August 3rd– 5th, 2018
Where: Uptown – West Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN

Join us for the 55th Annual Uptown Art Fair, featuring over 350 artists, fine food and beverages from over 20 vendors, family activities, an outdoor performance stage, outdoor wine and beer gardens, a youth art fair and culinary arts competition.

At the intersection of West Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue lies a vibrant and diverse urban community that is a destination like no other in the Twin Cities. Throughout the year, business activities and events such as the City of Lakes Loppet in the wintertime to the Uptown Food Truck Festival, Bastille Day and the North Star Bicycle Festival in the summer enhance the energy of the Uptown community.

National Night Out
When: August 7th, 2018
Where: Neighborhoods across the nation

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Cat Video Festival
When: Auguwst 8th, 2018
Where: CHS Field
360 N Broadway Street
St. Paul, MN

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! Tentative schedule: reel will start around 8pm. Wear your cat ears and watch the funniest collection of video clips of cats being…well, cats. There will be music, fireworks, food, beer and of course 2018’s Cat Video Reel! See you at CHS Field!

Irish Fair
When: August 10th– 12th, 2018
Where: Harriet Island
St. Paul, MN

Since 2001, beautiful Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul has hosted Irish Fair of Minnesota. The festival is recognized as one of the most family-friendly events in the Twin Cities, one of the most authentic Irish festivals nationwide and an amazingly great time by the 100,000 people who attended last year’s festival. Come by, listen to the music, watch the dancers, and even enjoy a pint or two!

All proceeds from the festival are reinvested Minnesota’s Irish cultural community or shared with new immigrants groups through the Legacy Fund. The festival and organization is Volunteer driven and supported by people throughout the state. Please consider joining our volunteer team or donating to the Legacy Fund.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
When: August 18th– September 30th, 2018
Weekends and Labor Day
Where: Festival Grounds
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 47th season by visiting the Festival grounds in Shakopee, MN. Huzzah!

Minnesota State Fair
When: August 23rd– September 3rd, 2018
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
1265 Snelling Avenue N
St. Paul, MN

Today, often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 2 million guests annually. See attendance figures.

This end-of-summer tradition is always held the 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day. The 2018 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 23 – Sept. 3.

Welcome to the Great Minnesota Get-Together where you’ll find the best people watching and everything is on a stick! There are 300 food concessions including fair favorites – corn on the cob, Pronto Pups, deep fried pickles, and of course Sweet Martha’s Cookies.

The Grandstand has some outstanding entertainment this year including – Earth Wind & Fire,

The Beach Boys, Jason Mraz and the B-52s – just to name a few. There’s plenty of free entertainment and all the animals you could hope to visit in one day.