Country Inn By Carlson, Northfield, MN

For jazz lovers, June is a special time in the Twin Cities because that's when venues on both sides of the Mississippi...

For jazz lovers, June is a special time in the Twin Cities because that's when venues on both sides of the Mississippi participate in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Spanning several days at the end of the month, this festival is a great time to get acquainted with some of the country's top jazz musicians. Indeed, folks like Chic Corea, Percy Strother and the Duke Ellington Orchestra have performed in the festival over the years, and many of the shows are free.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Jun 27, 2013 Fri, Jun 28, 2013 Sat, Jun 29, 2013

Held near the end of July, Highland Fest gives the Highland Park section of St. Paul a chance to strut its stuff. With a...

Held near the end of July, Highland Fest gives the Highland Park section of St. Paul a chance to strut its stuff. With a 5-K run, an expansive art fair, and a wide range of musical entertainment, Highland Fest certainly appeals to folks from all walks of life. Come with an appetite, too, as local restaurants and food vendors are on-hand to serve up everything from kettle corn to fresh fruit smoothies.

Hours: July 2013

Held in the middle of July, the Rondo Days Festival celebrates the values and heritage of St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood....

Held in the middle of July, the Rondo Days Festival celebrates the values and heritage of St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood. Long considered the heart and soul of the city's African-American community, Rondo suffered a hard below when the I-94 was constructed through the center of town in the 1960s. Today, though, the family spirit of Rondo Avenue shines through thanks to this annual "family" reunion, which includes great food, music, art, family fun, a golf tournament and even a 5-K run.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sat, Jul 20, 2013

Pints o' stout, great music, and Celtic music compose the core activities of this fun, family-friendly festival held at...

Pints o' stout, great music, and Celtic music compose the core activities of this fun, family-friendly festival held at the end of the summer in Harriet Island Regional Park. Three days of craic bring in folks from all over the Twin Cities, and best of all, admission is free! Associated events include a great live music and an Irish Idol contest.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Aug 9, 2013 Sat, Aug 10, 2013 Sun, Aug 11, 2013

Bring the kids and your lawn chairs to this "down home" summer festival, which pays tribute to the days when...

Bring the kids and your lawn chairs to this "down home" summer festival, which pays tribute to the days when Minnesota was part of the Wild West. Good, old-fashioned folk songs, Western games, costumed entertainers, and even riverboat rides provide plenty of fun alternatives for the whole family.

Hours: October 2013

If you've got an eye, ear and mind for things equine, don't miss the well-attended Minnesota Horse Expo, held annually...

If you've got an eye, ear and mind for things equine, don't miss the well-attended Minnesota Horse Expo, held annually at the State Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council, this event features rodeo competitions, riding demonstrations, lectures, horse shoe pitching competitions, a children's area, and plenty of things to buy, eat and drink. Bring the whole fam, and make sure you're wearing your "play clothes"!

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Apr 26, 2013 Sat, Apr 27, 2013 Sun, Apr 28, 2013

St. Paul's Latino community enjoys the spotlight each year during the city's Cinco de Mayo festivities, which include a...

St. Paul's Latino community enjoys the spotlight each year during the city's Cinco de Mayo festivities, which include a parade, street vendors, and loads of great music. Fittingly enough, these events are celebrated in St. Paul's District del Sol, one of the city's most vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods.

Hours: Sat, May 4, 2013 Sun, May 5, 2013

St. Paul welcomes summer with the warm embrace of this all-day affair, which includes "districts" dedicated to...

St. Paul welcomes summer with the warm embrace of this all-day affair, which includes "districts" dedicated to art, international culture, live music and entertainers, sports, and family fun. There's also sure to be plenty of food and drink for sale, so plan to make a day of it.

Hours: Sun, Jun 2, 2013: 7:45am - 6pm

Put on by the University of Minnesota Showboat Players, this fun theatrical event runs all summer long and offers...

Put on by the University of Minnesota Showboat Players, this fun theatrical event runs all summer long and offers patrons a creative brush with the tradition of showboat productions. Started in 1958 to celebrate Minnesota's 100 years of statehood, the showboat season is now one of the Twin Cities most beloved annual events. Past shows have included Count of Monte Cristo, Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway, and Importance of Being Earnest.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Jun 13, 2013 Fri, Jun 14, 2013 Sat, Jun 15, 2013 Sun, Jun 16, 2013 Mon, Jun 17, 2013 Tue, Jun 18, 2013 Wed, Jun 19, 2013 Thu, Jun 20, 2013 Fri, Jun 21, 2013 Sat, Jun 22, 2013 Sun, Jun 23, 2013 Mon, Jun 24, 2013 Tue, Jun 25, 2013 Wed, Jun 26, 2013 Thu, Jun 27, 2013 Fri, Jun 28, 2013 Sat, Jun 29, 2013 Sun, Jun 30, 2013 Mon, Jul 1, 2013 Tue, Jul 2, 2013 Wed, Jul 3, 2013 Thu, Jul 4, 2013 Fri, Jul 5, 2013 Sat, Jul 6, 2013 Sun, Jul 7, 2013 Mon, Jul 8, 2013 Tue, Jul 9, 2013 Wed, Jul 10, 2013 Thu, Jul 11, 2013 Fri, Jul 12, 2013 Sat, Jul 13, 2013 Sun, Jul 14, 2013 Mon, Jul 15, 2013 Tue, Jul 16, 2013 Wed, Jul 17, 2013 Thu, Jul 18, 2013 Fri, Jul 19, 2013 Sat, Jul 20, 2013 Sun, Jul 21, 2013 Mon, Jul 22, 2013 Tue, Jul 23, 2013 Wed, Jul 24, 2013 Thu, Jul 25, 2013 Fri, Jul 26, 2013 Sat, Jul 27, 2013 Sun, Jul 28, 2013 Mon, Jul 29, 2013 Tue, Jul 30, 2013 Wed, Jul 31, 2013 Thu, Aug 1, 2013 Fri, Aug 2, 2013 Sat, Aug 3, 2013 Sun, Aug 4, 2013 Mon, Aug 5, 2013 Tue, Aug 6, 2013 Wed, Aug 7, 2013 Thu, Aug 8, 2013 Fri, Aug 9, 2013 Sat, Aug 10, 2013 Sun, Aug 11, 2013 Mon, Aug 12, 2013 Tue, Aug 13, 2013 Wed, Aug 14, 2013 Thu, Aug 15, 2013 Fri, Aug 16, 2013 Sat, Aug 17, 2013 Sun, Aug 18, 2013 Mon, Aug 19, 2013 Tue, Aug 20, 2013 Wed, Aug 21, 2013 Thu, Aug 22, 2013 Fri, Aug 23, 2013 Sat, Aug 24, 2013

Twin City jazz aficionados love the intimate, backyard vibe of this one-day fall festival, held at the intersection of...

Twin City jazz aficionados love the intimate, backyard vibe of this one-day fall festival, held at the intersection of Selby Ave and Milton St. Founded by Golden Thyme Coffee Café owner Mychael Wright in 2001, the festival brings jazz performers whose styles range from Caribbean to traditional. In addition to the great lineups, the event also features food and drink stands, booths selling merchandise of all types, and even games for the kiddies.

Hours: September 2013