Address: 1245 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN, 55103
Upcoming Events: Jump to Cafesjian’s Carousel Events
Website: Cafesjian’s Carousel
It has become a spring tradition of ours to visit Cafesjian’s Carousel, the beautiful antique merry-go-round in Como Park. In the spring the temps are cooler and the price is always unbeatable (even on days it is not free). For those of you who love a Minnesota State Fair connection, the hand-carved horses called the Fairgrounds home until the 1980’s. A St. Paul couple saved this large carousel from the auction block, carefully restored the 68 hand-carved horses and 2 chariots, preserving the original paint, and eventually were able to raise enough money for the carousel’s permanent pavilion home near the entrance of Como Zoo. It is now run by volunteers during the warmer months.
2026 Cafesjian’s Carousel Free Ride Tuesdays
While the everyday price is a good deal, you can’t beat FREE. Traditionally, free days are offered once a month during the season.
- May 26
- June 30
- July 28
- August 25
- September 29
May 1st through Labor Day
- Mondays & Thursday-Sunday: 11am — 4pm
- Last Tuesday of the month: FREE DAYS
September 5 – November 1
- Weekends: 11am-4pm (plus Thurs & Fri of MEA Weekend)
Admission to Cafesjian’s Carousel
- Tickets: $4/ride
- Children under age 1 ride free with paying adult
- Adults over 90 also ride free
2026 Special events
- May 21: Twilight PJ Party – Wear your pajamas (for a discount!) and take a spin at night with the carousel all ablaze, special music & decor | 7-10pm
- June 19-20: Back to the Fifties
- July 23-25: Christmas in July – Holiday tunes & decor and Santa visits on the 25th!
- August 14-15: Carnival – Games with prizes, bubbles and clowns.
- September 7: Birthday Bash – $2 discount tickets and giveaways.
- October 16-19 & 25-26: Spooky Carousel – Halloween music, costumes & decor
Touring tips
- Address 1245 Midway Pkwy, Saint Paul, MN 55103
- Parking: Choose the Palm Lot for the closest parking. You’ll find the carousel southwest of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and the zoo’s visitor center next to Cleveland Court. Find a full-color, printable map of the entire carousel, zoo, conservatory, Como Town area (including all the family restrooms) HERE
Related content
Planning a day at Como Park? Don’t forget all these fun ideas:
- Como Town Amusement Park – tickets, hours & attractions
- Como Splash Pad & Pool
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Como Regional Park
- Mini Golf Course
- Como Zoo Attractions – Summer Checklist
More Minnesota carousels
Carousel rides offer vintage family fun that doesn’t go out of style. Their history dates back to the 18th century, but at that time, they were called “merry-go-rounds” and “dobbies.” Always a fun family experience, we have more beautiful options for carousel enthusiasts in the Twin Cities. These are the rest of our favorite Minnesota carousels:
Share Your Experience/Tips:
We would love to hear your thoughts and parental tips. Share your experiences and any information you think other parents would find useful. Leave us a comment below.Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
- Cafesjian's Carousel Twilight PJ Party - 05/21/2026 - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
- Cafesjian's Carousel Free Ride Tuesday - 05/26/2026 - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Cafesjian's Carousel Free Ride Tuesday - 05/26/2026 - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
Events TBA
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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