Twin Cities Northeast Metro: Things To Do This Summer – Covering the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Blaine, Fridley, Maplewood, New Brighton, Oakdale, Lino Lakes, Roseville, Shoreview, St Anthony, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro summer events 2024
School’s out and your family is just itching to explore beyond the backyard. We have the scoop on your community entertainment in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro- live music in the parks, family festivals, swimming and splash pads, the puppet wagon and lots more to keep you busy this summer. Not the Twin Cities region you’re searching for? We’re also covering all the summer fun in the following:
Get started planning your best summer!
Everything under the sun you need to know about family fun this summer in the Twin Cities. Beat boredom and fill your long school break days exploring the best the Twin Cities has to offer in the way of parks, swim spots, community entertainment and local festivals with our Ultimate Summer Events Guide.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro Family Fun Calendar
- BLAINE -
Summer fun in Blaine parks
Blaine Performance in the Park
Classic, live summer entertainment in the park, all music appropriate for families with kids. The series kicks off with special Saturday concerts on June 8, 11am & 2pm. Then, most Tuesdays (kids night) & Thursdays, 6pm. Most performances take place in TOM RYAN PARK. June 8-August 15, 2024.
KIDS CONCERTS IN AQUATORE PARK
July 9: Tricia & the Toonies
July 23: Wendy’s Wiggle Jiggle Jam
July 30: Kid Power with RachelÂ
All shows at 6pm
Blaine summer festivals
Blaine Sizzling Summer Kickoff
Tom Ryan Park, 10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN
Start the season off with fun and activities for families in the park: a craft fair, kids garage sale (stock up on summer clothes?) and, best of all, a touch-a-truck event. June 8, 2024.
Blaine Festival
Aquatore Park, 9191 Lincoln St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
The biggest summer bash in Blaine includes plenty to do for families with kids: a family beach party, free carnival games and BINGO, petting zoos, dance party and magic shows. June 28-30, 2024.
Blaine swimming & beaches
Lakeside Commons Park
3020 Lakes Pkwy, Blaine, MN 55449
Lakeside Commons is an oasis for Blaine residents (who are admitted free) to enjoy a public beach, splash pad, playground, and water rentals like canoes and kayaks. Non-residents are welcome to spend a day by the water for $10. The beach opens late May 2024.
Lakeside Commons Park (image courtesy Twin Cities Northwest Metro City of Blaine)
- FRIDLEY -
Summer fun in Fridley parksÂ
2024 Fridley Summer Community Concert Series
Outdoor summer concerts are held at Springbrook Nature Center, Civic Campus Plaza & Amphitheater and Commons Park. You can expect activities to entertain all ages and food trucks to grab dinner before the show. Tuesdays, 7-8pm.
SPECIAL FUN FOR KIDS IN COMMONS PARK
Wet ‘n Wild Water Party
Cool off big time with a giant slip ‘n slide, sprinklers, water balloons, and more. The Fridley Fire Department will again bring out an engine to hose kids down if they’re not soaked enough! Register and pay online. July 10, 2024, 1-4pm.
Nickel Jamboree
Raid your piggy bank for carnival games ranging from just 10-50 cents apiece. Plus inexpensive activities like face painting, hayrides, popcorn and drinks. No need to register ahead. August 7, 2024, 1-4pm.
Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave NW, Fridley, MN 55432
The centerpiece of Fridley’s nature playground is a sandy play space kids can pump their own water into. Dress for a mess. Plan to spend time in the nature center exploring the exhibits, too.
Fridley summer festivals
Fridley ’49er Days
Fridley’s annual summer festival celebrates 50 years with a traditional parade put on by the city’s Lions Club, a pre-parade party in Commons Park with carnival games and inflatables and family activities all Saturday. June 13-15, 2024.
- MAPLEWOOD -
Summer fun in Maplewood parks
Maplewood Touch-a-Truck
2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood MN
Get close to police cars, firetrucks, garbage trucks, snow plows and more favorites plus the event includes activity stations, free hot dogs and chips – all free. June 12, 2024, 5:30–8pm.Â
MORE BIG RIGS IN TOWN! We know all ages delight in these – and keep a calendar of TWIN CITIES TOUCH-A-TRUCK EVENTS just so you can plan ahead.
Maplewood Nature Center
2659 E 7th St, Maplewood, MN 55119
The public is welcome to come play in the Nature Play Yard: The boulders and giant logs are particularly pleasing to scale, there’s a natural amphitheater for an impromptu performance, and the butterfly garden gives it a nice pop of color. Indoors are touch-and-feel exhibits for curious littles.
FIND MORE AMAZING NATURE PLAYGROUNDS TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER!
Maplewood summer festivals
Maplewood Light it Up
Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Road C East, Maplewood, MN
Maplewood’s Fourth of July festival features food trucks, live music, family games and other activities and, of course, the big fireworks display that lights up town. July 4, 2024.
DID YOU KNOW? We carefully maintain a GIANT list of TWIN CITIES FOURTH OF JULY events? That’s something to celebrate!
Maplewood swimming & beaches
Phalen Park Beach
1600 Phalen Dr, St Paul, MN 55106
The northern curve of Lake Phalen resides in Maplewood though the big, sandy beach is technically in St Paul. Pop over during the summer for a swim & dash through the adjacent splash pad. The lake is also a site for sailing lessons, swimming lessons, and canoe & kayak clinics. We’ve included this spot on our list of the BEST BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER!
Maplewood historic sites
Bruentrup Heritage Farm
2170 County Rd D E, Maplewood, MN 55109
Operated by the Maplewood Historical Society, the farm has been traditionally accessible during summer open houses and for special events. The public is permitted to walk the grounds and trails at any time that summer camps are not in session.
Maplewood summer library events
The MAPLEWOOD LIBRARY is a branch of the Ramsey County Library system. It has a large area devoted to early literacy skills through play. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs and the 2024 summer reading program page for more details.
- NEW BRIGHTON -
Summer fun in New Brighton parks
Summertime means MORE time to explore! If you’re looking for something to do in New Brighton parks with kids, start with our list of the BEST PARKS IN NEW BRIGHTON and surrounding communities!
New Brighton summer music & entertainment
New Brighton Summer Concert Series
Veterans Park, 803 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112
The park, nestled just off the interstate and tucked into a collection of city service buildings, hosts the Summer Concert Series – free music in the park the second Thursday of the month. Starts May 9, 2024, 6-8pm.
New Brighton Park Discovery Days
Crafts, games, and demos in the park. See link for schedule.
June 11 Sunny Square Park
June 18 Hidden Oaks Park
June 25 Meadow Wood Park
July 9 Driftwood Park
July 16 Innsbruck Park
July 23 Brightside Park
July 30 Vermont Park
August 13 Totem Pole Park
New Brighton swimming & beaches
Long Lake Regional Park Beach
1500 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112
The large, sandy and picnic-friendly beach makes our list of the Top 20 BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES. It’s great for swimming and we’ve found reasonably-priced summer kayak and paddleboarding classes for our teens.
New Brighton historic sites
700 Park Drive, New Brighton, MN 55112
Home to the NEW BRIGHTON HISTORY CENTER MUSEUM and definitely worth a whistlestop during the summer:
- Visit the restored train depot and let your kids climb aboard the caboose.
RHUBARB FEST – A whole spread of rhubarb treats available for purchase at the historic New Brighton History Center. Early June TBA.
New Brighton summer festivals
New Brighton Stockyard Days
New Brighton’s largest community-wide event includes a grand parade, duck races, fireworks and a youth fun zone. Â August 9-11, 2024.
- ROSEVILLE -
Summer fun in Roseville parksÂ
Want to get out and play in Roseville parks this summer? Try starting with our list of the best:Â Roseville Family Fun: 10 Best Parks in Roseville to Explore This Summer.
Harriet Alexander Nature Center
2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113
Indoors, an impressively realistic floor-to-ceiling “tree” dominates the entrance to the nature center’s exhibits. There’s a library nook with children’s nature books, a back room crammed with tanks of turtles to observe, and a seasonal bee exhibit. Outside, explore the trails and boardwalks through 52 acres of prairie, marsh, and forest habitats.
Roseville summer festivals
Roseville Rosefest
Festival activities include a free family skate at Roseville Skate Center, community theatre performances, a Great American Campout at Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Touch a Truck and children’s concert & parade. June 22-28 & July 4, 2023.Â
Roseville swimming & beaches
Lake Johanna Beach
Tony Schmidt Regional Park, 3500 Lake Johanna Blvd, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Just a few blocks away from Roseville in Arden Hills, the large sandy beach within Tony Schmidt Regional Park beckons to swimmers. We rate this beach one of the top for families in the Twin Cities.
- Shakespeare in the Park – Twelfth Night. Thursday, June 20, 2024 @ 7pm. Learn more here.
Lake Josephine County Park
3027 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
The sandy area of this beach is on the small side, but there are shady spaces where families could camp out close to the sand. There are also strategic spots where a parent could watch both the beach and the playground.
Lake McCarrons County Park
1795 Rice St, Roseville, MN 55113
Park amenities include a playground and guarded beach. There is also space for picnics and fishing.
Roseville bike trails
Start: CENTRAL PARK Lexington Ave parking lot and bike your way around Bennet Lake to the Victoria West portion of the park. Pause for the big playground! Continue your route west to Dale Street through the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum.
Finish: HARRIET ALEXANDER NATURE CENTER. Bikes aren’t allowed on the boardwalks so you’ll need to park yours to explore on foot.
Distance: This is an easy trip of less than two miles.
Start: RESEVOIR WOODS trailhead parking lot. Bike the Trout Creek Trail west through the park until you reach McCarrons Blvd.
Finish: From McCarrons Blvd, you can choose to bike further west around the lake to LAKE MCCARRONS COUNTY PARK and hit the small beach, or bike north to Villa Park. There is a surprising amount of wildlife in these urban parks – see how much you can spot along the way!
Distance: This is another biking option under two miles, but the terrain is often rolling.
Roseville summer library events
The ROSEVILLE LIBRARY is the largest branch of the Ramsey County Library system. We recommend this library as one of the best for its creative spaces and extensive youth programming. Ramsey County recently announced that they will be enhancing the Children’s Reading Garden with interactive STEAM elements. Families can currently relax and read on the benches provided, picnic at the tables, or play in the prairie area. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Roseville Central Park
2540 Lexington Ave. North, Roseville MN 55113
The 225 acre park is so large that it’s really more like 6 separate parks connected by walking paths and biking trails. The green space encompasses Lake Bennett, two playgrounds, the nature center, an arboretum and several picnic shelters and ballfields.
LIVE AT THE ROG! PERFORMANCE SERIES Â Ongoing Sundays, June 9-August 18, 2024.
SPECIAL FUN FOR KIDS IN ROSEVILLE PARKS!
Roll-In Movies at the Oval
2661 Civic Center Dr, Roseville, MN 55113
Summer Roll-In Movies are FREE, family-friendly Friday night movies screened on on the outdoor OVAL score board. Showtime 7:30pm.
- June 7: The Super Mario Bros
- July 12: Elemental
- August 2: The Mighty Ducks
Roseville Puppet Wagon
Make way for the puppets, coming to 9 Roseville parks this summer. Please see the link for the schedule. Tues-Thurs, June 18-August 15, 2024. 9:30-11:30am.
Roseville Discover Your Parks
June 26: ACORN PARK
July 10: KELLY MAYFLOWER PARK
July 17: VILLA PARK
July 24: LAKE MCCARRONS COUNTY PARK
July 31: KEYA PARK
August 7: APPLEWOOD PARK
August 14: LEXINGTON PARK
Family activities at eight Roseville parks, refreshments and a bounce castle. Ongoing Wednesdays, June 26-August 18, 2024.
- SHOREVIEW -
Summer fun in Shoreview parksÂ
Want to get out and play in Shoreview parks this summer? Try starting with our list of the best: SHOREVIEW FAMILY FUN: THE BEST PARKS IN SHOREVIEW, MINNESOTA.
Shoreview Commons Park
- CONCERTS IN THE COMMONSÂ start June 12-August 7, 2024. Ongoing Wednesdays, 7pm. FREE.
- KIDZ CONCERTS IN THE COMMONS – Entertainment includes The Raptor Center, Mr Norman the Magician & Kid Power with Rachael. Wednesdays, 10am starting July 10-August 7, 2024.
Shoreview summer festivals
Slice of Shoreview Days
3611 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
Held at ISLAND LAKE COUNTY PARK, the festival includes a parade and free kids activities – chalk art, slip’n slide & climbing wall. July 26-28, 2024.Â
Shoreview swimming & beaches
Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park
4191 Snail Lake Blvd., Shoreview, MN 55126
The beach is tucked away in a pocket of the north Metro, less populated, grassy, shaded and shallow with a sand-and-water play structure right at the shoreline. We only wish the unique playground equipment was closer to the water.
Shoreview summer library events
4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
The SHOREVIEW LIBRARY is a branch of the Ramsey County Library system. The new location opened in 2017 with a large children’s area that includes a small, interactive treehouse play structure installed by the Minnesota Children’s Museum. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
- ST ANTHONY VILLAGE -
Summer fun in St Anthony Village parksÂ
Silverwood Park
2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Silverwood offers a combo of natural space and art for exploring at leisure. If you prefer guided exploration, there are regular free artist and naturalist led hikes.
- SILVERWOOD ONSTAGE – Wednesdays starting June 12, 2024, 6:30-8pm.
- FREE FAMILY FUN DAY: PUPPET ADVENTURES– joins Ned as he stops Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Try art making with a take-home activity. June 9, 2024, 1-3pm FREE.
- Explore the outdoor sculpture trails.
Salo Park Concert Series
3301 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55418
Thursday evenings 7-8pm. June 20-August 8, 2024.Â
Bonus Fun: Check out the park’s recently-resurfaced trail around the pond and/or grab a cold treat at Cold Stone Creamery, Cub or Culvers.
St Anthony Village splash pads
Two spots for a quick cool-down in St Anthony Village:
- EMERALD PARK SPLASH DECK – 3925 MacAlaster Dr NE, St Anthony, MN 55421
- CENTRAL PARK SPLASH DECK – 3503 Silver Lake Rd NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS -
Summer fun in Vadnais Heights parks
Vadnais Heights Music in the Parks
The lineup features 4 shows in 2024 at parks in Vadnais Heights: June 26 at Kohler Meadows Park, July 17 at Oak Creek Park, July 24 at Westfield Park & July 31 at Bridgewood Park. 6-8pm.
Vadnais Heights summer festivals
Vadnais Heights Heritage Days
Offers a medallion hunt, kids parade, children’s activities, live bands and fireworks. August 12-18, 2024.
- WHITE BEAR LAKE -
Summer fun in White Bear Lake parks
Tamarack Nature Center & Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
What really shines at Tamarack is its glorious outdoor DISCOVERY HOLLOW & GARDEN, the ultimate nature playground for kids. Bring a change of clothes and prepare to spend hours if you’re able.Â
Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area, White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake Marketfest
Food trucks and art vendors in downtown, plus live music on 2 stages. Thursdays, June 13-July 25, 2024, 6-9pm.
White Bear Lake summer festivals
White Bear Lake Manitou Days
Annual festival events include the Grande Parade, a medallion hunt, beach dance, July 4th fireworks, and a kids fishing contest. June 13-July 4, 2024.
White Bear Lake swimming & beaches
White Bear Lake County Park
5050 Lake Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
The park has a good sized playground and several picnic tables throughout the park as well as a guarded beach during the summer months.
White Bear Lake summer library events
The WHITE BEAR LAKE LIBRARY is a branch of the Ramsey County Library system. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
150+ things to do this summer in the Twin Cities with kids!
Drop us a comment if you are aware of something else in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro that we missed. We will share it with the community.