Address: 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN, 55343
Upcoming Events: Jump to Hopkins Center for the Arts Events
Website: Hopkins Center for the Arts
Phone: 952-979-1104
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.
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).
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.
Find More Information:
- HCA events – Throughout the year, HCA organizes WOAH (Walk of Arts Hopkins) events. These evening gallery crawls are FREE and open to everyone.
- HCA concerts – Concerts tend to be geared toward and priced for more of a date night, but in the summer, HCA hosts outdoor free concerts that are good options with children.
- See the HCA calendar for a listing of upcoming events, concerts and classes.
- Hopkins Art Center classes are also mainly geared toward adults.
- Following HCA’s Facebook page is a good way to keep current with exhibits and events.
- Learn more about the City Of Hopkins on the city’s official website.
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
Events TBA
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
- Glorious Taiwan by Formosa Melody Music Center (FREE) - 05/19/2026 - 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
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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