Twin Cities Southeast Metro: Things To Do This Summer – Covering the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount & Woodbury.
School’s out and your family is just itching to explore beyond the backyard. We have trekked to the far corners of the Twin Cities metro to get the scoop on things to do right in your community – 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.
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TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO SUMMER EVENTS 2020
Please note that many of these venues will be closed for the 2020 season or are postponing their openings. Please makes sure to call ahead and check the schedule.
Not the Twin Cities community you’re searching for? We’re also covering the following:
Twin Cities Northwest Metro: Things To Do This Summer
Twin Cities Northeast Metro: Things To Do This Summer
Twin Cities Southwest Metro: Things To Do This Summer
APPLE VALLEY
Apple Valley parks – summer events
Music in Kelley Park: Music, food available for purchase, prizes and a splash pad (opening June 17th) for the kids to cool off in. Starts July 10, 2020. Ongoing Fridays, 6-9pm.
Apple Valley community parks:
- Apple Valley Puppet Wagon – Mon-Fri followed by a traveling puppet wagon show craft. See PDF for schedule. June 15 – August 7, 2020.
- Summer Parks Playground Program – just $5/week for supervised programming 4 days per week.
Apple Valley summer festivals
Apple Valley Freedom Days: Carnival, Music in the Park, Family Fun Night. June 29-July 4, 2020. CANCELLED
Apple Valley swimming
Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center: Open June 6 – August 16, 2020. The outdoor swimming facility includes multiple waterslides, a diving well and a lazy river for soaking up the sun. A new “spray ground” is opening summer 2020! $10/until 5pm and just $6/after. CLOSED FOR 2020
Redwood Outdoor Pool: Open June 11 – August 30, 2020, 12:30-4pm. Just $5/pp. CLOSED FOR 2020
Apple Valley splash pads
- Kelley Park Splash Pad
Apple Valley summer library events
The Galaxie Library is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. We recommend this library for its creative Play and Learn Space. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: Read, write, draw and play during Summer Discovery.
BURNSVILLE
Burnsville parks – summer events
Want to get out and play in Burnsville parks this summer? Try starting with our list of the best: Burnsville Family Fun – 9 Close-To-Home Parks To Explore This Summer.
Burnsville community parks:
Nicollet Commons Park: The public space is part of the area Burnsville calls the “Heart of the City“. Families will love the park’s amphitheater where the city hosts summer concerts, movies and story times. There is also room to picnic and a beautiful water feature.
- Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour concerts – bring a picnic lunch and swimsuits to enjoy the landscaped splash pad!
- Thursday Rockin’ Readers
- Friday Night Flicks on the Bricks, 7:30pm seating, show at dusk.
Burnsville nature playgrounds
Terrace Oaks East Park Nature Play Area: Burnsville’s first official nature play area offers features that include painted animal tracks to follow, tree cookies and sticks for building, logs and rocks for climbing and jumping and log trails.
Burnsville summer festivals
Party on the Plaza – A day-long community event with live music, craft vendors, kids’ activities and more. Nicollet Commons Park. June 11 CANCELLED, July 23 & Aug 20, 2020.
International Festival of Burnsville features free balloon twisting, family crafts and origami plus cultural entertainment. July 18, 2020. CANCELLED
Burnsville swimming & beaches
Crystal Beach Park: Crystal Beach Park is located on an isthmus between Crystal & Keller Lakes in Burnsville. Its highlight is a swimming beach open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The park has a concession stand where visitors can rent canoes or paddle boards. Other family-friendly amenities include a large playground, space to picnic, and a hard-surface trail.
Find more of the best Twin Cities beaches and playgrounds.
Burnsville splash pads
- Burnsville Lions Playground Splash Pad (located in Cliff Fen Park)
- Nicollet Commons Park operates a gorgeous, landscaped water feature (weather dependent). Pick a Thursday for Rockin’ Readers and Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hours in Nicollet Commons Park beginning in June.
Burnsville summer library events
The Burnhaven Library is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: Read, write, draw and play to keep up your skills during Summer Discovery.
COTTAGE GROVE
Cottage Grove parks – summer events
Highlands Park: Splash Pad Special Events, Fridays, 11am-noon.
Hamlet Park: Pop-Up Splash Pad includes water games w/ the fire dept & treats. 6pm.
Cottage Grove community entertainment
Summer Concert Series: Performed at Cottage Grove City Hall Amphitheater. 6:30pm.
Cottage Grove summer festivals
Strawberry Fest: Cottage Grove celebrates in Kingston Park with a free kids tractor pedal pull, free petting farm, self-guided StoryWalk through the festival, and Water Wars water balloon station. June 18-21, 2020.
Cottage Grove splash pads
- Highlands Park Splash Pad
Cottage Grove bike trails
Cottage Grove Bike Park: Currently recruiting all mountain biking enthusiasts – including young ones, the bike park is 2.4-acres of fun: a pump track, dirt jumps, skills area and a four-cross track. Admission is free.
Cottage Grove summer library events
The Park Grove Library is a branch of the Washington County Library system. We recommend this library for its preschool-friendly Play and Learn Space. They also offer preschool story times and preschool drop-in play times. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: Summer Adventures at Your Libary.
EAGAN
Eagan parks – summer events
Want to get out and play in Eagan parks this summer? Try starting with our list of the best: Eagan Family Fun: 10 Close-To-Home Parks to Explore This Summer.
Eagan Market Fest: The Eagan Central Park grounds buzz with weekly concerts and themed nights including one devoted solely to families. Get some fresh produce and let the kids enjoy the new splash pad. Ongoing Wednesdays, 4-8pm starting June 3, 2020.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park: Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the largest park in the Dakota County park system. Bring your family for miles of trails, lakes, swimming, camping and free nature programs.
- Forever Wild Family Friday: Pollinators – Free family program June 5, July 3 & Aug 7, 2020. 6-7:30pm.
Eagan community parks
- Spark! Mobile Puppet Wagon – Bring a blanket for the shows, then stay for art projects and activities. Mon-Fri starting June 15, 2020.
- Improv in the Park select evenings at various Eagan parks. A family friendly, interactive experience of laughter, exploration and creation for all ages.
Eagan summer festivals
Eagan LakeFest: Activity booths centered around fishing and live reptiles, nature coloring pages, kids plays about protecting lakes, and a visit from the Fire Department’s rescue boats. Fishing equipment provided. Trapp Farm Park. June 13, 2020. CANCELLED
Eagan Art Festival: Art vendors, live entertainment, and food vendors in Central Park. June 27-28, 2020. CANCELLED
July 4th Funfest: Parade, carnival, music and fireworks. Eagan Community Center festival grounds. July 3-4, 10am-midnight. CANCELLED FOR 2020
Eagan swimming & beaches
Schulze Lake Beach: The beach is just one of the gems in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. We’ve included in on our list of the top picks for beaches in the Twin Cities.
Cascade Bay Water Park: The outdoor destination water park in Eagan includes zero depth entry and a splashy play area for little ones, large leisure pool, the lazy river tube ride, Sandpiper Beach, seven waterslides and a miniature golf course. Little Mates Preschool Swim offers exclusive water time to children 0-6 years old between 9:45 and 10:45 a.m., every day except Wednesdays, $4/child.
Eagan splash pads
- Eagan Central Park Splash Pad
Eagan historic sites
Holz Farm Park: At historic Holz Farm, visitors can experience what life was like on the farm between the Great Depression of the 1930s through the 1940s World War II era. A number of special events are held at the park throughout the year. Expect down-on-the farm fun with a little bit of history mixed in.
- Old Fashioned Picnic – Bring a picnic out to the farm and learn how ice cream was made in the 1940’s. June 23, 2020, 5-8pm. FREE.
- Visiting at the Farm: Cookies & Quilts – Special cookies in the farmhouse and beautiful quilts on display. July 12, 2-40m, FREE.
Eagan summer library events
The Wescott Library is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. The library is large, bright with murals and packed with interactive materials for kids. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: Read, write, draw and play to keep up your skills during Summer Discovery.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
Inver Grove Heights parks – summer events
Need inspiration to get out and play in Inver Grove Heights parks this summer? Begin with our list of the 10 Best Parks in Inver Grove Heights & South St Paul.
South Valley Park: Terrific Tuesdays run select Tuesdays June 16-August 11, 2020, 10:30am. Come to the park for kids entertainment – storytellers, live music & Zoomobile.
Simley Island Park: Huck Finn Fishing Derby with contests and prizes. June 6, 2020. Just $5/person.
Inver Grove Heights community entertainment
Food Truck Events: The trucks roll up to Veterans Memorial Community Center for food and family fun.
- Food Trucks & Penny Carnival – July 23, 2020. 4:30-6:30pm.
- End of Summer Celebration – Located at Rich Valley Athletic Complex with food trucks, a DJ and family games. Aug 20, 2020. 5:30-8pm.
Inver Grove Heights bike trails
Harmon Park Reserve: It’s the best in the Heights – the family will love the 4.3 mile mountain biking course that winds through Harmon Park.
Mississippi River Greenway: The paved bike trail makes its way south into Inver Grove Heights from South St Paul. Jump on at the Kaposia Landing trailhead and coast along the Mississippi to the historic Rock Island Swing Bridge in Swing Bridge Park, Inver Grove Heights. A one-way trip is 7 miles.
Inver Grove Heights summer library events
The Inver Glen Library is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: 2020’s program is Summer Discovery.
ROSEMOUNT
Rosemount parks – summer events
- Music in the Parks Series – Kids entertainment Thursdays, June 11 – July 16, 10am.
- Movies in the Park – June 13, July 11 & Aug 8, 2020. Dusk.
- Splash Pad Summer Celebration, July 16, 2020.
Rosemount community parks
- Kids Corner Park Program: Free supervised programming for kids ages 6-12 in Rosemount parks. No pre-registration necessary. Mon-Thurs, June 15-July 16, 2020. See the PDF more information.
- Puppets in the Park: Fridays, June 26 – Aug 7, 2020. Please see the PDF for locations and times.
Rosemount summer festivals
Leprechaun Days: Celebrate with Midsummer Faire in Central Park, the Grand Day Parade and Family Fun Night. July 17-26, 2020.
Rosemount splash pad
- Rosemount Central Park Splash Pad
Rosemount summer library events
The Robert Trail Library is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: 2020’s program is Summer Discovery.
WOODBURY
Woodbury parks – summer events
Woodbury parks have much to explore – get started with our list of 19 of the best Woodbury has to offer this summer.
Woodbury community parks
- Woodbury Puppet Wagon – Plus Puppet Wagon Preview Party at Kinderberry Hill June 8 with shows, crafts and popsicles. Ongoing Mon-Thurs.
- Performances in the Park – Ojibway Park, July 10 & Aug 7, 11am.
- Splash Pad Story Time – HealthEast Center, June 12, July 10 & Aug. 14, 10am.
- Pop-up park events – Select Fridays, please see park & rec page for locations.
Starlight Cinema Outdoor Movie Series: The free movie series is hosted at Ojibway Park. Select Thursdays, June 11 – Aug 6, 2020. Activities start at 7pm.
Skoolie Bus Education & Fun: District 833’s Community Education has transformed a school bus for community learning to offer convenient, affordable activities for kids to do on weeknights, non-school days, summer, and even weekends. Learn more about the Skoolie Bus Education & Fun.
Woodbury summer festivals
Woodbury Days: Buttons required for many events ($5/pp or $15/4-pack – children’s coin hunts, workshops and art activities), petting zoo, magic shows and Grande Parade. Learn more at the page. Ojibway Park. Aug 21-23, 2020.
4th of July Hometown Celebration: Fireworks at HealthEast Sports Center, 10pm.
Woodbury swimming & beaches
Carver Lake Park: Offers a family-friendly swimming beach along with a volleyball court, a picnic area, an accessible playground, and a 5 1/2 mile bike trail. This park hosts an annual family campout each year.
Woodbury splash pads
HealthEast Sports Center Splash Pad: A splash pad and Madison’s Place Playground combine to create one of the most popular playgrounds in the metro. Madison’s Place is an all-inclusive playground with sun-shaded play decks, swings, sensory play equipment and ramps for wheelchair access.
Woodbury summer library events
The RH Stafford Library is a branch of the Washington County Library system and is located in lovely indoor Central Park. (Tip: if you need some AC this summer, combine a trip to the library with a run around Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground, also calling Central Park home.) The library’s summer events can be found online here.
Summer reading program: Summer Adventures at Your Libary.
Sticking close to home this summer? We’ve modified our usual summer bucket list to reflect what’s going on in our community. Many of these activities you can go about right in your backyard – or spend time getting and exploring your parks (safely, of course.) Summer fun does NOT have to be cancelled!
Drop us a comment if you are aware of something else in the Twin Cities Southeast Metro that we missed. We will share it with the community.