Top picks this weekend are AMAZING!! The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre’s 45th annual MayDay parade, ceremony, and festival are happening! Join more than 50,000 people from near and far as they fill the streets both as participants and spectators for this day of celebration and community. Enjoy a spectacular parade, live music, dancing, performances, poetry, canoe rides, a wide array of foods and information tables.
Or, take a trip around the World at the Festival of Nations or the Cinco de Mayo Fest, then fill up at Grillfest 2019-all happening in St Paul.
If Art and Creativity lakeside is appealing, visit The Lake Minnetonka Studio Tour. A large variety of media and styles will be for sale, with some artists offering demonstrations of works in progress.
May 2-5, St. Paul
Festival of Nations
Festival of Nations, the largest multi-cultural event in Minnesota, brings together people from a vast array of backgrounds to celebrate their ethnic heritage. Through world-class entertainment, daily performances, exhibits, food, music, dance and personal connections, this family-friendly festival provides a look into the traditions, history and journey of over 90 ethnic groups, and sheds light on how each one contributes to the American cultural landscape. St. Paul RiverCentre. 651-647-0191
May 4, St. Paul
Cinco de Mayo – West Side Saint Paul
This award-winning, family-friendly experience features over six blocks of food, music, dancing and children’s activities, as well as a lowrider car show, colorful parade and a “People’s Choice” salsa tasting contest. Embrace the colorful history and rich traditions of Hispanic/Latino culture! Cesar Chavez Street – District del Sol. 651-223-7400
May 4-5, St. Paul
Grillfest 2019
Join Minnesota Monthly in celebrating its 8th Annual Grillfest, a two-day summer kickoff event full of food, fun and most importantly, grilling! This year’s event will feature food, beer and wine sampling from many great vendors, special pricing on grills and products, and grilling tips that are guaranteed to make you the envy of your neighbors. CHS Field. 612-371-5834
May 4-5, Excelsior
Lake Minnetonka Studio Tour
The Lake Minnetonka Studio Tour features the artwork of 34 artists in 14 home studios in the lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior and Minnetonka. A large variety of media and styles will be for sale, with some artists offering demonstrations of works in progress. 952-475-1491
May 5, Minneapolis
MayDay Celebration
Join more than 50,000 people from near and far as they fill the streets both as participants and spectators for this day of celebration and community. Enjoy a spectacular parade, live music, dancing, performances, poetry, canoe rides, wide array of foods and information tables. Don’t miss the MayDay Tree of Life Ceremony where children and adult dancers, puppeteers, a live orchestra and four giant serene puppets representing the Prairie, Sky, River and Woods awake the Tree of Life. The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre’s annual MayDay parade, ceremony and festival has been a vibrant example of art’s roles in community building for 45 years. Powderhorn Park. 612-721-2535
Statewide Event highlights this week include:
May 2-5, Winona
100 Mile Garage Sale
May 4, St. Paul
Cinco de Mayo – West Side Saint Paul
May 4, Nisswa
KFAN Golf Opener Tent Party: Live Music by Rock Godz
April 25 – May 18, Moorhead
Theatre B Presents “Cry It Out”
May 3-5, Sandstone
Women’s Wellness & Adventure Weekend & Kettle River Paddle Festival
Event Information provided by Explore MN