What to do in Minnesota when school’s out
With summer fast approaching, you need to make plans with your friends. But what’s there to do in Minnesota? Something for every type of friend? Well, here’s a guide of fun things to do for all kinds of groups, locations, and budgets for summer ‘25.
Sports
Summer is when sports flourish in MN, whether it be professional sports teams like the Twins, recreational sports like the Da Beauty League, or even major events like the 3M Open. Sporting events can be found all over MN in the summer months, many of which are affordable or provide student discounts.
The MN Twins offer a student discount to students 18 and over for select games. Other specialty games can include discounted food, giveaways, theme nights, and post-game concerts.
The MN Saints are the Twins’ AAA affiliate and an affordable option for watching great baseball. Many games are themed or have fun giveaways.
DaBeauty League makes hockey accessible to all by bringing in NHL, PWHL, and NCAA players to play summer hockey at only $15 a ticket. After games, players are available to fans for photos and autographs.
Soccer is a growing sport in MN, with MNUFC starting play in 2017 and women’s soccer starting in MN in 2022. The MN Vikings share their practice field with the Aurora, as they play all their home games at TCO Stadium in Eagan, while the MNUFC Loons play at Allianz Field in St. Paul.
The 3M Open is a stop on the PGA tour at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, July 24-27, with commitments from Max Homa
and Wyndham Clark, both of whom made the cut for the 2025 Masters.
As the popularity of women’s basketball continues to rise, the Lynx are getting better and better. After making the WNBA Finals last year, the Lynx look to win the championship this season. The Lynx play games in the summer and often have affordable tickets or student discount deals.
A new addition to the growing sports scene in MN, TC Gemini has entered the latest trend of women’s rugby. They
have games to catch in May and June. They play at the TCO stadium and the MN Vikings’
practice facilities and provide student and teacher discounts on tickets.
Concerts
Summertime is also an excellent time for concerts, especially ones held outdoors. MN is home to many concert venues, both indoor and outdoor, which can all vary in affordability. However, you can often get great deals on tickets.
The Lumineers’ stop at Xcel Energy Center on July 25th on their Automatic World Tour.
Yacht Club Music Fest is back for its second summer, bringing in some big names in the music industry. Hosted at Lake Harriet, the lineup for
summer 2025 includes the likes of Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Hozier, Sublime, and Weezer.
MN and neighboring Wisconsin are home to many country music festivals, including Lakefront Music Fest, which is held in Prior Lake. This year’s lineup includes Miranda Lambert, Foreigner, Randy Houser, and more. Others include Country Jam in Wisconsin, Moondance in Walker, MN, Winstock in Winstead MN, and Lakes Jam in Brainerd
Other notable music festivals include MN Jazz Fest, a completely free event in Mears
Park in St Paul.
The grandstand at the MN State Fair has a wide variety of shows to fit everyone’s music
tastes. It also makes for a great venue as the summer nights dwindle and it begins to cool
down. But many don’t know about the free music hosted within the fairgrounds. The Leinie Lodge often hosts smaller or older artists who play free shows daily.
Explore the outdoors
If concerts or sports aren’t your thing, there’s still lots to do. Many include being outdoors and exploring the beauty of MN’s nature.
Exploring Minnehaha Falls can be fun, as can spending time with friends and family. The falls can provide an excellent backdrop for Instagram pictures or a lunch date with friends and is a free activity suitable for everyone!
The Andover Sunflower Fields are a free attraction with over 3 acres of sunflowers and photography areas. The fields are pet—and family-friendly, and like Minnehaha Falls, can provide backdrops for Instagram photos or picnic dates.
Farmers markets and other local markets can be found all over MN. Venders sell things like fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Some major ones are the St. Paul farmers market, and Minneapolis farmers market. Many cities also have their own individual markets.
Fairs
Summer is also a great time for street fairs. Many major cities like Edina, Eagan, Minneapolis and others hold their own street/art fairs with local vendors and artists. Make sure to also check out the MN State Fair!
As 2025 springs into summer, it’s time to get out into the world and take advantage of all MN has to offer — to reconnect with favorite places and to try something new.