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Bloomington summer festivals

Bloomington Summer Fete

W 84th St & Chalet Rd, Bloomington, MN 55437
Bloomington’s annual Independence Day event includes a Kids Zone and the 84th Street Kids Stage, live music for all ages, tons of food vendors and fireworks at dusk. 

Bloomington Arts In the Parks 

• MONDAY MORNING KIDS SERIES – The free kids concerts and entertainment alternate between Moir Central Park and Valley View Park and include local acts like the Bazillions and the Jolly Pops. Early June to mid-August.
• TUESDAY EVENING PERFORMANCE SERIES – Free live shows performed at the Normandale Bandshell. Mid-June to early August.
• MIDWEEK MUSIC & MARKET – Music, food trucks, a farmers market and lawn games at Civic Plaza. Wednesday evenings, early July to late August.
• THURSDAY BLOCKBUSTER SERIES – Big-name free summer concerts performed Thursday evenings at the Normandale Bandshell. Mid-June to mid-August.
  
• SUNDAY FUNDAY – locations change weekly and include destinations like the historic Pond House and Bloomington Central Station. Family-friendly live entertainment and food. Mid-June to mid-August.

Bloomington swimming & beaches

Bush Lake Beach

9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
The popular, sandy beach is located on the east side of Bush Lake in Bloomington. It is guarded during open hours (11am to 7pm daily during the season) and amenities include a volleyball court and concessions stand. Families can canoe, picnic and explore the trails. An annual tradition, each June a sandcastle building contest is hosted at Bush Lake Beach. Admission and parking are free. 

Bloomington Family Aquatic Center

201 E 90th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Fun features include a zero-depth entry pool, aqua climbing wall, water slides, diving boards, and a concession stand. Tot Time is held 10am to 12pm on weekdays for children ages 6 & under. Find more community Tot Time Open Swims. Please see link for this season’s dates. Admission $6-11/pp, discount after 4pm.

FIND MORE OF THE BEST TWIN CITIES BEACHES AND PLAYGROUNDS.

We pack loads of family entertainment into our regional Twin Cities summer guides: free concerts in the parks, playground programs, best beaches and splash pads, family festivals and more. For even MORE summer fun ideas, consider checking out our:

• ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES SUMMER FUN GUIDE
• TWIN CITIES SUMMER BUCKET LIST OF FUN
• TWIN CITIES FREE SUMMER MUSIC IN THE PARKS
• SPLASH HAPPY: TWIN CITIES GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS

For more splashy adventures this summer see our massive list of the BEST TWIN CITIES WATERPARKS, BEACHES, POOLS & SPLASH PADS.

Spring in Bloomington: Festivals & activities

Maple Syruping at Richardson Nature Center

8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
We are big fans of RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER and appreciate their steady stream of free event days each month. In March, you can drop in to learn about maple syrup free of charge – please see link for dates and times.

Maple Sugaring at the Gideon Pond House

Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
The annual, family-friendly spring program is all about learning how maple sugar is made, including choosing trees to tap, collecting the sap, and the boiling process of making collected sap into syrup and sugar. Drop-in program for all ages. FREE.

Find our complete guide to maple syrup programs in the Twin Cities.

Easter egg hunts in Bloomington

Bloomington Optimists Egg Hunt

Normandale Lake Bandshell, 5901 West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438
Bloomington’s egg hunt boasts thousands of eggs to scout with different areas for each age group. Arrive early for live entertainment for kids. Please see link for this year’s hunt date & time.

EXPLORE OUR GIANT LIST OF EASTER EGG HUNTS ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES METRO!

Spring registration for summer camps

Yes, it’s about that time to start planning summer camp opportunities for your kids! As many camps open registration as early as February (and many fill almost as quickly), we strive to publish our GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS accordingly. We work closely with local businesses and camps to provide a wide variety of activities and concentrations. Please make sure to check the links for this year’s updated schedules and pricing. Some camps we are proud to highlight in Bloomington, Minnesota, include:

The Works Museum summer camps

Works Museum, 9740 Grand Ave S., Bloomington MN 55420
At The Works Museum, kids are the designers, creators, and problem solvers – the engineers! Summer camps for kids ages 5-12 include topics like robotics, architecture, coding, LEGO engineering, carpentry, and more. With half-day, whole-day, 1-day, and 4-day options, there’s a summer camp that will fit your family’s schedule. Scholarships are available. Please see link for this year’s schedule and pricing.

Bloomington Center for the Arts: Artistry Summer Camp

1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
Four sessions of weeklong, half-day camps in one of two art mediums: visual arts and performing arts. Camps are for grades K-2, early June through late August. 

Camp Kota

Fall in Bloomington: Festivals & activities

Fall Hyland Hills Chairlift Rides

8800 Chalet Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Take in the splendid fall colors view as you glide to the top of Mount Gilboa at HYLAND HILLS SKI AREA, the highest natural point in Bloomington. Enjoy some live tunes, too. Food will be available for purchase. Get your tickets fast as this event sells out. Early October.

Bloomington Halloween events

Bloomington Citywide Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail

W 84th St & Chalet Rd, Bloomington, MN 55437
Bloomington’s annual trick-or-treat trail takes place at NORMANDALE LAKE PARK. This FREE event will include live music. No registration required! Costumes encouraged but also not required. FIND MORE TWIN CITIES HALLOWEEN EVENTS near Bloomington, Minnesota!

More fall fun near Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY EVENTS

Christmas & holiday lights displays in Bloomington

Founders Ridge Senior Community, 6600 Auto Club Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Trees and decorated and lights throughout the entrance of the campus along circular drive, including a 12-foot tree at the entrance of the building. Collecting Toys for Tots in a collection box under the awning of the front entrance. Submitted by the community in 2020.

FIND MORE HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAYS NEAR BLOOMINGTON ON OUR HUGE LIST and hundreds of holiday events in our TWIN CITIES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY GUIDE.

Where to find Santa in Bloomington

The Santa Experience at Mall of America

Mall of America Level 1, 2131 Lindau Lane, Bloomington, MN 55425
Book your appointment to visit with Santa Claus at the Mall of America. Mid-December through Christmas Eve. Packages start around $36. FIND MORE PLACES TO VISIT SANTA NEAR BLOOMINGTON!

More Christmas & holiday events in Bloomington

Christmas Celebrations at the Pond House

401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
Costumed re-enactors at the historic Pond House will sing carols around the pump organ, read the Christmas story, and serve tasty holiday refreshments. Warm up by the fireplace and make paper star ornaments to take home. Please see link for this year’s holiday dates. FREE; donations appreciated.

WINTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN BLOOMINGTON

Outdoor ice skating rinks in Bloomington

The city of Bloomington plans to maintain outdoor ice skating rinks at nine community parks. Each has a general ice skating rink, a hockey rink, warming house and outdoor lights. Find the rinks at Brookside Park, Bryant Park, Kelly Park, Poplar Bridge Park, Ridgeview Park, Running Park, Southwood Park, Sunrise Park & Westwood Park.
The skating season typically runs from mid-December through mid-February. Looking for an indoor skating option? The BLOOMINGTON ICE GARDEN offers year-round ice skating (fees apply). Find more information on Bloomington ice rinks here.

Winter at Bloomington’s Hyland Hills Ski Area

During the winter months in Bloomington, Hyland Hills is a premiere family skiing and snowboarding destination. The terrain of the park is full of innovative features and offers some of the best snowmaking and grooming in the Midwest. Lessons are offered if you’re just getting started on skis or want to sharpen your skills. Find current ski prices here. Learn more about HYLAND HILLS SKI AREA in Bloomington.

The best sledding hills in Bloomington 

HYLAND LAKE PARK RESERVE: This is a winter recreational haven – bring your own sleds or rent one for a buck at the Richardson Nature Center (please check at the nature center for rentals – it’s also a fun place to warm up). The sledding hill is close to the nature center parking lot.

RUNNING PARK: Has a hilly terrain that is good for sledding. Bring along your skates for the outdoor ice rink. A warming house is open and staffed daily during the winter season. Find more of the best sledding hills near Bloomington, Minnesota.

Winter festivals & activities in Bloomington

Bloomington Winter Fete

Bloomington’s annual winter festival packs weeks of frosty fun activities between mid-December and the middle of February. Highlights include free indoor skating, a traditional Ice Harvest Day at Richardson Nature Center, and the Pond House Winter Festival. You can find the complete schedule of Bloomington Winter Fete activities at the link. Find more WINTER FESTIVALS near Bloomington, Minnesota.