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Hopkins Center For the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
952-979-1104
Admission: $0.00
Purchase tickets to Hopkins Center for the Arts Concert Events online or call 952-979-1111
Hours of Operation:
Mon. 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Tue. 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Wed. 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Thu. 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Fri. 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sat. 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sun. 12:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Hours accurate as of 11/9/21. Find the most current exhibit hours here

There are several great reasons to visit Hopkins Center for the Arts (“HCA”) with kids.  To begin with, it is the home of Stages Children’s Theatre and hosts music and events throughout the year. It is also a fun, free way to introduce children to art without overwhelming them. With smaller art galleries, it is easier to keep each visit short. The gallery is always free to visit and has rotating exhibits from mostly local artists. All work displayed has been reviewed and approved as appropriate for a family audience, which makes it a great option for short visits with small kids. Find current and upcoming exhibits here.

Boy standing outside Stages Theatre Company before attending a show
Hopkins Center for the Arts is home of Stages Theatre

Make a Day of Your Visit to Hopkins Center for the Arts

While short visits are ideal with very small kids, as your kids get older, Hopkins offers a perfect backdrop to a fun day out. Parking is free in the nearby ramp for up to 3 1/2 hours. This gives you time for a full Stages show, a short gallery visit and possibly even a stroll down Mainstreet.  If you want to add a picnic in the summer months, Downtown Park (where the Hopkins Farmers Market is held on Saturdays) is just a 4 minute walk to the south.  There is also a nearby grocery store — Driskill’s Downtown Market — just north of HCA.

Take a Walking Art Tour When You Visit Hopkins

Hopkins itself is a fun city to visit. Besides Stages and the HCA, visitors can take a walking art tour down Mainstreet. The “ArtStreet” sculptures change annually, but you can find the latest installations here, including a map and descriptions so you can take a self-guided tour. New art goes up in June and stays up through the following May. The sculptures displayed are eligible to win an Adult People’s Choice Award and a Children’s Choice Award. After touring ArtStreet, fill out a ballot with your kids to vote for your favorite piece (one ballot per person per year).

Art in Hopkins, MN
Find Art on Main Street in Hopkins.

Our Favorite Shops to Visit in Downtown Hopkins

If you want to make a day of Downtown Hopkins, you may want to visit these family-friendly places as well.

Birthday Parties at Hopkins Center for the Arts

The building has several different spaces that can be rented for private events. Some of them would be more practical for a family birthday party budget than others. Perhaps a small party could also be combined with a Stages show. Find rooms, rates and other details here.

Find more birthday party ideas in our guide:  Twin Cities Birthday Parties for Kids.

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