6 days ago
Twin Cities weekend: Uptown Porchfest, Japanese festivities, theater garage sale
Want to take a trip around the world without leaving the Cities? Three international festivals are in town this weekend — here's what we're checking out.
🇮🇳 IndiaFest:"Experience India in a Day" at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds, where the entire upper and lower mall will be transformed into a bazaar with over 100 booths. Also on the lineup: Bollywood songs, dancing and a concert from a renowned singer/dancer from India. Saturday, 11am-9pm. Free
🌎 Minneapolis International Festival: The annual city-hosted celebration of Minneapolis' cultural diversity will be outdoors at Minnehaha Regional Park and includes cultural exhibits, live music, dance and all-ages activities. Saturday, 12-5pm
🇯🇵 Japanese Obon Festival: Como Park's annual celebration of Japanese culture is on the Conservatory grounds and features martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming, authentic cuisine and a paper lantern release at sunset. Sunday, 3-9pm. $8 ages 13 and up, $5 ages 3-12
More things to do ...
🤣 Help crown the Funniest Person in Minneapolis at Sisyphus Brewing's comedy competition at 8pm Friday. The show features 10-12 local comedians performing 5 minutes apiece, plus an end-of-night headliner to entertain while staff tally the votes. Free
Audrey's tip: Sisyphus' comedy shows often fill up fast. Get there by 7:45pm ... unless you want to sit in the front row.
🎉 Bring the family to the Minnesota Children's Museum's summer block party in downtown St. Paul on Saturday. The street in front of the museum will be filled with games, activities, a DJ, dance floor and giant blow-up slide — no museum ticket required to enter. Free, admission is not included
🥒 Compete in a pickle-eating contest at Saturday's Pickle Fest in Fridley. Forgotten Star Brewing will host over 30 vendors, food trucks with various themed eats, a "pickle toss" and a State Fair-style pickling competition (entries must be submitted in advance). Free
Bonus: If you show up in a pickle costume, you get a free pitcher of beer.
🎸 Over 70 bands take over 30+ houses in Lowry Hill East this Saturday at the second annual Uptown Porchfest, an afternoon of free music exclusively performed on front porches and yards. Expect overlapping acts with genres that include "eclectic accordion" and "tasteful lawnmower power metal." Free
