The Minneapolis Aquatennial is back in 2023 from July 19 to 22!
The Aquatennial in Minneapolis will set sail Wednesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 22, 2023! All events are FREE, family-friendly, and open to all.
This year’s event kicks off with the signature Aquatennial Torchlight Parade on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm.
The parade runs along Nicollet Mall from 12th to 4th Street, filling downtown Minneapolis with great floats, displays, and marching bands through the heart of downtown. (I marched in this parade when I was in high school!)
The festivities conclude with Target Fireworks on Saturday, July 22 at 10 pm along the banks of the Mississippi on West River Road near the Stone Arch Bridge.
This show is considered one of the top five annual fireworks shows in the ENTIRE country! Come early for pre-fireworks festivities beginning at 6 pm.
There are a TON of events (all free!) so you’ll want to check out the full schedule of events on the Aquatennial website, but here are some highlights:
Wednesday, July 19
- Aquatennial Blood Drive with the American Red Cross – U.S. Bancorp Center, 9 am – 3 pm
- Park Market: The Black Market – The Commons, 11 am – 3 pm
- Go Outside: Summer Seesions – live music and giveaways – Government Center South Plaza, 11:30 am – 1 pm
- Music in the Park: Spaghetti Monetti and the Sauce – The Commons, 11 am – 3 pm
- USTA Cardio Tennis – Loring Park, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Loring Park Family Fun Night – Loring Park, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Aquatennial Torchlight Parade – Nicollet from 12th to 4th Streets, 7:30 pm
- Movies in the Park: Best in Show (PG-13) – The Commons (425 Portland Ave S), 9:30 pm
Thursday, July 20
- Downtown Thursdays: Nicollet Market, food trucks, music, games, giveaways and more – Nicollet between 6th to 8th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Minne-Golf: nine minne-golf holes related to downtown Minneapolis – Nicolett Mall, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Outdoor Movie Night, Go Outside with Hennepin County: Legally Blonde (PG-13) – Target Field Station, 7 pm
- Minnesota Lynx vs. Loss Angeles Sparks – Target Center, 7 pm
- Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show – West River Road on Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues, 7 pm
- Music in the Park: Chemistry Set – The Commons, 7 pm
Friday, July 21
- Park Market: Indigenous Market – Water Works Park, 10 am – 2 pm
- Alchemy 365 outdoor fitness class at Aquatennial – Mpls Sculpture Garden, 5:30 pm
- Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show – West River Road on Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues, 7 pm
- Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox – Target Field, 7:10 pm
Saturday, July 22
- USTA Cardio Tennis – Loring Park, 9am – 10:30 am
- Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam Open House – St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam, 10 am – 4 pm
- Twin Cities Carifest – West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway Ave, 10 am – 10 pm
- Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides and Fire Building – Boom Island Park, 12 pm – 5 pm
- AquaJam Skateboarding – West River Parkway near Stonearch Bridge, 4 – 7 pm
- Mpls Craft Market – Chicago Mall between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum, 5 – 10 pm
- City of Lakes Market – Chicago Mall between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum, 5 – 10 pm
- Pre-Fireworks Festivities: live music – West River Parkway near Stone Arch Bridge, 6 – 10 pm
- Kids Zone – Pre-Fireworks Festivities – West River Parkway near Portland Avenue, 6 pm – 9 pm
- Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox – Target Field, 6:15 pm
- Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces – Target Center, 7 pm
- Target Fireworks – West River Parkway, 10 pm
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Laura is a former high school English teacher turned avid deal shopper following the birth of her first child. Now she’s a work-from-home mom of six which keeps her plenty busy!
Laura grew up in southern Minnesota and has called the Twin Cities home for over fifteen years. On the off chance she gets some free time you’ll find her with her nose in a book, spending time with family and friends, or enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
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