Twin Cities Northwest Metro Things to Do This Summer – Covering the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Andover, Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Maple Grove, New Brighton, Otsego & Plymouth
School’s out and your family is just itching to explore beyond the backyard. We have the scoop on your community entertainment – live music in the parks, family festivals, swimming and splash pads, the puppet wagon and lots more to keep you busy this summer.
Get started planning your best summer!
Everything under the sun you need to know about family fun this summer in the Twin Cities. Beat boredom and fill your long school break days exploring the best the Twin Cities has to offer in the way of parks, swim spots, community entertainment and local festivals with our Ultimate Summer Events Guide.
TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO SUMMER EVENTS 2021
Not the Twin Cities community you’re searching for? We’re also covering the following:
Twin Cities Northeast Metro: Things To Do This Summer
Twin Cities Southwest Metro: Things To Do This Summer
Twin Cities Southeast Metro: Things To Do This Summer
Andover
Andover summer festivals
Andover Family Fun Fest
Look for the Zoomobile, Kidzart, magic & juggling shows, and donkey-pulled wagon rides. July 9-10, 2021.
Andover swimming & beaches
BUNKER HILLS REGIONAL PARK
Much of the sprawling Bunker Hills Park lies in Andover; the BUNKER BEACH WATER PARK is located within the park though its address is technically Coon Rapids. The waterpark is Minnesota’s largest outdoor venue. Open June 5-Sept 6, 2021.
Blaine
Blaine parks – summer events
Performance in the Park at Town Square
Live summer entertainment in TOWN SQUARE PARK. Tuesdays (kids night) & Thursdays, 6pm starting June 15, 2021.
Blaine festivals
Blaine Festival
The includes family beach party, carnival, petting zoo, dance party. Aquatore Park. June 25-27, 2021.
Blaine Family Fun Night
FREE kids carnival games, safety vehicles on display, and inflatables. AQUATORE PARK, 2021 TBA.
Blaine swimming & beaches
Lakeside Commons Park
Public beach, splash pad, playground, and water rentals. $5/non-res, residents FREE. – The beach opens June 1, 2021. Blaine anticipates opening all amenities but will comply with health and safety guidelines.
Lakeside Commons Park (image courtesy Twin Cities Northwest Metro City of Blaine)
brooklyn center
Brooklyn Center summer festivals
Brooklyn Center Days
Celebrates with a parade; CENTENNIAL PARK offers entertainment, food trucks, youth activities, community market, fireworks and more. Brooklyn Center’s website is in the process of a re-haul. Stay tuned for more details on the city’s annual summer festival.
brooklyn park
Brooklyn Park parks – summer events
Brooklyn Park Rec on the Go
A free program at rotating parks for kids ages 5–18 (or younger with parents), offerings to include art, science, water days, sports, group games and slime. June 21-Autust 12, 2021. Registration for a specific location is required in 2021. Free summer meals & snacks served to kids and families. Learn more about Rec on the Go in Brooklyn Park and register for your location.
Brooklyn Park community entertainment
Music on the Lawn
Concerts at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center. Tuesdays at 7pm, July 6-Aug 17, 2021.
Brooklyn Park summer festivals
Juneteenth Celebration
A free family event at Zanewood Recreation Center with games, a history scavenger hunt, a DJ, and a cookout. June 15, 2021, 3-6pm.
Family Summer Splash
At Zanewood Recreation Center with free family activities, games, prizes and music. July 9, 2021.
Tater Daze Festival
Community Parade, live music and fireworks. August 13-14, 2021.
Brooklyn Park historic sites
Historic Eidem Farm
Travel back and experience the historic farm through farm tours, hayrides, old-time demos. and special events during the summer.
- Concerts at the Farm – July 8-Aug 19, 2021.
- Brooklyn Park History Days – August 13, 2pm-7pm
Read all about our trip with the kids to the HISTORIC EIDEM FARM with kids.
Coon Rapids
Coon Rapids parks – summer events
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
- Summer Concert Series at the park pavilion. Ongoing Thursdays, June 3-Aug 5, 2021.
Coon Rapids summer festivals
Coon Rapids 4th of July
Held at Boulevard Plaza with a parade, carnival, live music & fireworks. July 3-4, 2021.
Coon Rapids swimming & beaches
Bunker Beach Water Park
Can brag of its title as Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park. The fun features include a wave pool, lazy loop river, twisted towers and an adventure pool. Admission is $9-$15/pp taking into account a twilight special rate.
Fridley
Fridley nature playground
Springbrook Nature Center
The centerpiece of the new nature playground is a sandy play space kids can pump their own water into. Dress for a mess. Plan to spend time in the nature center exploring the exhibits.
Fridley community entertainment
Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts
In 2021, in place of the usual Family Art Day drop-in programs, Banfill offers monthly Family Art Day Kits. Reserve your kit monthly.
2021 Fridley Summer Community Concert Series
Concerts rotate between Springbrook Nature Center and Civic Campus – with on kids concert featuring The Jolly Pops on July 20th at COMMONS PARK.
Fridley summer festivals
Fridley ’49er Days
The annual summer event celebrates with a festival and parade. Unfortunately it has been CANCELLED FOR 2021. Look for it again in 2022.
maple grove
Maple Grove parks – summer events
Want to get out and play in Maple Grove parks this summer? Try starting with our list of the best: Maple Grove Family Fun: 10 Close-To-Home Parks to Explore This Summer.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Elm Creek has it all. The largest in the Three Rivers Parks system, it contains a nature center, miles of hiking and smooth biking trails, a sand-bottomed swimming pond (Opens June 26, 2020), a huge playground, disc golf, archery and a variety of wildlife.
- EASTMAN NATURE CENTER – Hands-on exhibits for kids, a puppet theater and costumes.
- ELM CREEK PLAY AREA – One of two largest playgrounds in the state!
Elm Creek Play Area
Maple Grove community entertainment
MAPLE GROVE TOWN GREEN PARK
- Sounds of Summer 2021 concerts include kids shows on Thursdays.
- Movies at Sunset – Fridays at Dusk July 16-Sept 24, 2021.
Central Park, Maple Grove
Maple Grove summer festivals
Arbor Lakes Chalkfest
Family Zone is set aside for families to create together, plus games, music, food and sidewalk chalk art. Sept. 4-6, 2021.
Maple Grove swimming & beaches
Elm Creek Swim Pond
Located within the sprawling ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE, the pond is chlorinated, guarded and has a sandy bottom and beach. No charge to enter the park, but $5/pp to swim. Opens Memorial Day Weekend in 2021.
GROVE COVE AQUATIC CENTER
The outdoor pool is open during the summer months. Water park features include a lazy river, tumble buckets, log walk, tot slide and water sprays outside and an indoor pool as well. Check here for reservation requirements.
new brighton
New Brighton parks – summer events
Long Lake Regional Park
- Home to the NEW BRIGHTON HISTORY CENTER MUSEUM – visit the restored train depot and let your kids climb aboard the caboose. June thru September the museum exhibits are open weekends from 1-4pm and are free.
- New Brighton History Museum
New Brighton summer festivals
National Parks & Rec Month in New Brighton
Celebrate all that Parks & Recreation has to offer with a weekend full of fun events showcasing parks, trails, and programs. July 23-25, 2021.
New Brighton Stockyard Days
Aug 13-15, 2021.
Rhubarb Fest
A whole spread of rhubarb treats available for purchase at the historic New Brighton History Center. CANCELLED FOR 2021.
New Brighton swimming & beaches
LONG LAKE REGIONAL PARK
The large beach makes our list of the Top 20 Beaches in the Twin Cities. Guarded daily between June 12 and August 15, 2021 from noon until 8 p.m.
Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton
otsego
Otsego parks
PRAIRIE PARK Splash Pad is open Memorial Day through Labor Day – sunrise to sunset. Find more Twin Cities splash pads to cool off in this summer.
Plymouth
Plymouth community entertainment
- Summer Beach Series: Kites Over The Beach. June 11, 2021, 6pm-7:30pm at EAST MEDICINE LAKE PARK & BEACH.
- Music in Plymouth – July 7, 2021
- Water Ski Show – July 13, 2021, 7pm-9pm at PARKERS LAKE PARK & BEACH.
- Summer Beach Series: Beaches, Burgers & Bands – August 13, 2021, 7pm-9pm at EAST MEDICINE LAKE PARK.
Plymouth summer festivals
Happy Birthday America Parade
Join in the bike parade! July 1, 2021, 10 am–12 pm.
Plymouth Kids Fest
Activities include inflatables, games, face painting and other entertainment. Hilde Performance Center. Aug 5, 2021, 12am-9pm.
Plymouth swimming & beaches
French Regional Park
Along the north shore of Medicine Lake, the park offers an award-winning play area, a swimming beach, fishing and lighted trails. Entrance to the park and beach are free.
The newly upgraded playground. Image courtesy of Three Rivers Park District.
150+ things to do this summer in the twin cities with kids!
Drop us a comment if you are aware of something else in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro that we missed. We will share it with the community.