Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This June Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of June 12-13, 2021. To find our most recent guide, click here.
School’s out for summer! We are so excited to be back on track towards a fun season out and about with our families – and we hope this weekend’s guide can inspire you as well. For more ideas on spending family time together this weekend, check our June Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar.
weekend festivals for the family
Albertville Friendly City Days
Carnival runs Thu-Sun; Saturday events for kids include a fire truck display, Kiddie Parade, kids pedal tractor pull, and Toddler Town.
Spring Lake Park Tower Days
Festival at Lakeside Lions Park features interactive lumberjack shows, bingo, outdoor movie, live music and other kids activities. Sunday, June 13, until dusk.
Hugo Good Neighbor Days
Parade (June 12, 11am), carnival rides all weekend petting zoo, live music and fireworks.
Lowertown Blues Fest | Dual Citizen Brewing, St Paul
All ages and free blues music fest held on the outdoor stage. June 12.
Deutsche Tage | St Paul
A sampling of German food (not free), culture, music and games. June 12-13.
Buffalo Days
Wed-Sun: Carnival, Thu: Kiddie Parade (6:30). Fri: Fireworks (dusk); Sat: Grand Parade (6pm).
Plan ahead for fun-filled family festivals in the Twin Cities with our complete June festival HERE.
fun outdoor activities in the parks
National Get Outdoors Day – Saturday, June 12, 2021
Twin Cities – Get Outdoors Day Events
Regularly $7 per vehicle, admission is free to encourage families to get out in Minnesota State Parks & Recreation Areas on National Get Outdoors Day. We’re lucky here in the Twin Cities to have 8 Minnesota State Parks within 60 miles of the heart of the Metro and many an easy day trip’s away.
Baker Park Reserve Playground Grand Opening
Celebrate the new creative play area at BAKER PARK RESERVE in Maple Plain. Try out the new 9-foot tall climbing feature and the 100-foot zip line. June 12.
Borrow a Bike at Battle Creek Park
BATTLE CREEK REGIONAL PARK will have bikes available to borrow in a variety of styles and sizes. We include this park as having one of the best bike trails for families in St Paul.
Nature Centers Without WallS
Activities may include animal interactions, outdoor displays, nature challenges and checking out free exploration materials. Held SATURDAY ONLY at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK (Brooklyn Park). HELD SUNDAY at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington), MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK, LOWRY NATURE CENTER (Victoria) & EASTMAN NATURE CENTER (Maple Grove). June 12-13, 1-3pm, FREE.
Try visiting a new park or nature center!
Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details on which buildings are open; all of these locations have outdoor trails to hike. Did you know that several of these nature centers have natural playgrounds nestled within them? You can build with natural materials, climb, balance, even wade and garden at some of the more elaborate spaces. This weekend’s featured photo comes from the DISCOVERY HOLLOW nature play area at TAMARACK NATURE CENTER in White Bear Lake. Find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.
free movies in the park this weekend
Roseville Summer Roll-in Movies
Summer Roll-In Movies have come to the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL. Bring your own outdoor seating; the free movie begins at 7:30pm. Friday night, June 11’s movie is Onward.
Minneapolis Movies in the Park – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
The movie will be screened in Armatage Park as part of the annual Minneapolis Music & Movies in the Park events. June 12, dusk.
Rosemount Movies in the Park
Bring your own seating for a free movie at the Central Park amphitheater. Movie begins around dusk. June 12 – Guardians of the Galaxy.
Plan ahead for a screening with our mega-list of 2021 TWIN CITIES FREE SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK. Pass the popcorn!
cool off this weekend in the Twin Cities
As the line between late spring and early summer starts to melt away in the rising temps, it’s time to visit your favorite splash spot – or find a new one! Jump over to our complete TWIN CITIES ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS to see what’s already open. Ready to welcome swimmers this weekend are:
- Minneapolis wading pools attached to a public school open Saturday, June 12 – meaning ALL wading pools are open for business. Many of them are no-frills with a standard depth of about 18″ but a few have been updated with fun spray features and zero-depth entry. All are located adjacent to a playground, rest rooms and space to spread out with a picnic. And all are FREE! Find our complete list at the link.
- Lifeguards start duty this weekend at select Minneapolis beaches & Ramsey County beaches.
Friday, June 11, 2021
- SHADY OAK BEACH | Minnetonka
- CASCADE BAY WATERPARK | Eagan
- RICHFIELD OUTDOOR POOL | Richfield
Saturday, June 12, 2021
- APPLE VALLEY AQUATIC CENTER
- BATTLE CREEK WATERWORKS | Maplewood
- COMO REGIONAL PARK POOL & HIGHLAND PARK AQUATIC CENTER | St Paul
- CRYSTAL COVE AQUATIC CENTER | Crystal
- JIM LUPIENT WATERPARK | Minneapolis
- WEBBER NATURAL SWIMMING POOL | Minneapolis
For our master list of Twin Cities splash pads, click here or tap on the frog below:
More fun events this weekend in the twin cities
always free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
Always free to visit weekends:
