Events & Festivals in Duluth
Good Times on the Great Lake
We don’t believe in boredom in Duluth! With 12 months of festivals and fun-filled events, our calendar is packed with great times all year long and all across the city. Whether it’s a large-scale festival in Bayfront Festival Park, a sporting event in AMSOIL Arena, or a community gathering in one of our many parks, you’ll find endless opportunities to make memories. Explore our event calendar to see what’s happening in Duluth and plan your perfect visit.
Duluth’s Annual Events
Duluth is home to a fantastic lineup of annual events that draw visitors from across the region and beyond. These are the traditions that define our city’s seasons and bring the community together in celebration. Look out for favorites like Grandma’s Marathon in the summer, the Bayfront Blues Festival in August, and the festive Bentleyville Tour of Lights during the holidays.
Find Upcoming Duluth Events
Ready to find your next adventure? Our event calendar is packed with happenings, big and small, from today and into the future. Browse by date, category, or name to discover a wide variety of activities, including music, sports, theater, recreation, and more!
Glensheen in Plein Air
Join us during your visit to view our special art exhibit, featuring pieces painted live at Glensheen by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota. Glensheen in Plein Air invites travelers to experience the beauty, history, and artistic spirit of Minnesota through a collection of plein air paintings created on the grounds of Glensheen Mansion. Produced by members of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, each work was painted live on-site, capturing the estate’s landscapes and architecture in real time and natural light. From quiet woodland creeks and vibrant formal gardens to the intricate details of the mansion and boathouse, this exhibit showcases the diverse perspectives of artists immersed in Glensheen’s setting. The spontaneity of plein air painting brings an immediacy and authenticity to each piece, reflecting not only the environment but the moment in which it was experienced. This gallery is available for viewing at the end of our regular tour route...
Murder Mystery Express
August 13-30, Thursday – Sunday, 5:30pm-8:00pm We need your help to find out "who dunnit" on this one-of-a-kind elegant dinner train & show. Tickets available at www.DuluthTrains.com
Whoopsa Daisy Farm
Come and explore the farm with your family. Jump in the corn pit, dig in the sandbox, or explore Dinoland and Fairyland. There are two playgrounds, yard games, a wagon ride through the Whimsical Woods and so much more. Feed the donkeys, goats, and chickens and walk through the berries. We are off highway 53 in Duluth at 5399 Samuelson Road.
Duluth River Train Excursion
Ride the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad. A historic 2-hour rail journey through the majestic St. Louis River Estuary. Family-friendly, volunteer-run, and purely Duluth. Our narrated tour takes you along the original Lake Superior & Mississippi line in vintage coaches. Go where cars and hiking boots can’t reach. The St. Louis River Estuary is a hidden sanctuary for bald eagles, osprey, and Northland wildlife. Bring your camera for unparalleled views of the Duluth riverfront. Best to arrive about a half-hour before departure. Our ticket office is located just off of Grand Avenue.
Great North Tattoo Fest
GET A TATTOO! Get ready for the ultimate weekend celebration of skin and art at the Great North Tattoo Fest! Step into an immersive world where the needle is the paintbrush and the body is the canvas. This is your exclusive chance to witness the best in the industry, with 150 of the world’s most talented tattoo artists gathered under one roof in Duluth. Whether you’re planning your next major piece or looking for spontaneous new ink, the floor will be buzzing with unparalleled creativity. Forget months-long waiting lists—this festival is your golden ticket to spontaneous self-expression. Artists will be making tattoos all weekend long, and many of them will be accepting walk-ups! It’s the perfect opportunity to get inked by an award-winning professional you might not otherwise have access to. Beyond the tattooing, this festival is a celebration of expressing your individuality. It’s a space where every style is...
Carlton County Animal Rescue Adoption Event
Stop by PetSmart in Duluth on Sunday, Aug. 23rd from 11 am – 2 pm to meet adoptable cats and dogs through Carlton County Animal Rescue.
Similar Dogs at Ritual Marketplace
Join Us for Similar Sundays from 1pm – 3:30pm at Ritual Marketplace with the Similar Dogs (@similardoggy). Joe Lindzius and Sarah Jane Hale perform their diverse acoustic repertoire. Food and drink specials. Great company. It doesn’t get more magical than this!
Hadestown: Teen Edition
Called “achingly beautiful, thought-provoking, powerful and prophetic” by Newsday, Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting, jazz-inflected folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.
Get the Planning Resources You Need
Looking to host an event yourself? Duluth is an incredible destination for gatherings of all sizes. Find the resources you need to plan a truly unforgettable meeting, convention, wedding, and more events in our city.
Events in a Superior Setting
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Dream Weddings by the Big Lake
From breathtaking waterfront ceremonies to elegant receptions, Duluth offers a truly romantic and unique setting for your wedding. Find venues, vendors, and inspiration to bring your dream day to life.
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