Annual Events
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Be sure to plan ahead and prepare for these annual events in Duluth. They may become your new tradition.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights
November 19th – December 26th, 2022
Experience America’s largest free walkthrough lighting display! This quintessential holiday event has something for everyone. Visitors will be amazed by the 4 million+ lights, the 128’ Christmas tree and all the free treats! Children 10 and under can receive a new knit hat and a bag of cookies from Santa.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 740-3535 | bentleyvilleusa.org
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
January 29th, 2023
Established in 1980, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. Every year, world-class mushers compete in the nearly 400-mile event. The Beargrease is a qualifier for the famed Iditarod race in Alaska.
Location: From Duluth to the Canadian border and back to Duluth
(218) 722-7631 | beargrease.com
COLD FRONT
February 4th, 2023
Come together and celebrate the best of winter fun! This free event offers all day fun including ice skating, dog sled rides, luge sledding and more.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 730-4300 | coldfrontduluth.com
Duluth Homegrown Music Festival
April 30th – May 7th, 2023
An annual community celebration of the original and diverse music of Duluth and its surrounding communities. The festival includes nearly 200 local musical acts at over 30 venues, a children’s music showcase, poetry, visual art, film, fire spinning, and a kickball game. More than 40 percent of the festival’s events are free admission and accessible to all-ages audiences.
Location: Multiple Venues in Duluth and Superior
(218) 349-4540 | duluthhomegrown.org
Grandma’s Marathon
June 17th, 2023
This iconic Duluth tradition highlights the best of the Northland including breathtaking scenery, unparalleled hospitality and passionate community spirit. The 46th annual event offers an experience that runners and their families will cherish forever, including an expo, kids races, 5K, half marathon and the renowned marathon alongside Lake Superior.
Location: Two Harbors to Duluth
(218) 727-0947 | grandmasmarathon.com
CHUM Rhubarb Festival
June 25th, 2023
Chum’s 17th annual Rhubarb Festival promises lots of rhubarb — including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps, as well as rhubarb brats and burritos. There will also be live music, games, crafts, auctions and stage shows. This year the festival is being held at Stella Maris Academy — Holy Rosary Campus from 10AM to 3PM.
Location: Stella Maris Academy – Holy Rosary Campus
(218) 720-6521 | chumduluth.org
Park Point Art Fair
June 24th – 25th, 2023
The Park Point Art Fair (PPAF) is an annual showcase of visual artwork by 120 juried artists working in clay, photography, painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, fiber, jewelry, wood and glass in a stunning outdoor environment on the shores of Lake Superior. Music, demonstrations, hands-on activities and food.
Location: Park Point Recreation Area
(218) 428-1916 | parkpointartfair.org
City of Duluth Fourth Fest
July 4th, 2023
The Midwest’s greatest Fourth of July celebration and fireworks extravaganza! Visit Bayfront Festival Park during the Independence Day Celebration! Duluthians and visitors alike will enjoy this FREE community celebration. Gates open at 4PM with music beginning at 5PM.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 722-4011 | bayfrontfestivalpark.com
DOWNTOWN DULUTH Movies in the Park
July 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th; August 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2023
Free outdoor movies every Friday night at sunset during the summer. Join us this summer as the movies come to life on a giant outdoor screen in Leif Erikson park overlooking the shores of Lake Superior! For a complete listing of movies, visit downtownduluth.com
Location: Leif Erikson Park
(218) 727-8549 | downtownduluth.com
Sidewalk Days Festival
July 12th-14th, 2023
Sidewalk days is an annual 3-day festival in the heart of Downtown Duluth with live entertainment, food, music, and fun for all ages! Grab the sunscreen and come on Downtown! For a complete list of event details visit: downtownduluth.com
Location: Downtown Duluth (Superior Street)
(218) 727-8549 | downtownduluth.com
Duluth Airshow
July 15th-16th, 2023
Minnesota’s largest air show returns to the Duluth International Airport in 2022! The Duluth Airshow, presented by Essentia Health features the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Air Force F-35 Demonstration Team! Minnesota’s only major airshow in 2022 will also feature the YAK 110 presented locally by Cirrus Aircraft, Craig Gifford presented locally by Super One Foods, Kent Pietsch, Mike Wiskus and many more. Also, don’t miss one of the largest displays of military aircraft in the Midwest. Get your premium, upgraded and general admission tickets now at duluthairshow.com
Location: Duluth International Airport
(218) 628-9996 | duluthairshow.com
Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival
July 16th, 2023
Enjoy our 16th annual festival showcasing internationally touring performers while you enjoy ethnic foods, beverages and a variety of artisans displaying their wares. Enjoy Lake Superior views from this beautiful open-air venue. Visit our website for updates on the lineup, tickets, hotel accommodations, directions, and camping information.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 525-8099 | bayfrontworldmusic.com
All Pints North Summer Brew Fest
July 30th, 2023
Visit the beautiful shores of Lake Superior to celebrate craft beer from Minnesota breweries and brewpubs of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, plus select regional craft brands. Meet the brewers and enjoy craft beers, food vendors, live music, craft beer education and much more at Bayfront Festival Park!
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(612) 677-2246 | mncraftbrew.org
Spirit Valley Days
August 3rd-7th, 2023
Spirit Valley Days celebrates West Duluth and features the Northland’s largest classic car show, Duluth’s largest parade of summer, street dance, pet parade, 5K run/walk, canoe and kayak tour of the St. Louis River, garden tour, kids games, pancake breakfast, meatball dinner, food and artisan vendors, and live entertainment.
Location: West Duluth
(218) 391-3696 | SpiritValleyDays.com
CITY ON THE HILL MUSIC FEST
August 4th-5th, 2023
City On The Hill Music Fest will bring together people of faith for 2 days of fellowship and music at beautiful Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, MN.
Established in 2015 on the shores of the greatest of lakes, City On the Hill Music Festival brings together thousands of Christians from across the country for two days of worship, music and praise.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 591-5268 | cityonthehillmusicfest.com
Bayfront Blues Festival
August 11th-13th, 2023
The 33rd Annual Bayfront Blues Festival is one of the oldest and largest annual outdoor music events held in the upper Midwest. Each year nearly 20,000 fans are treated to 30 different acts on two full-size concert stages featuring the nation’s top names in the blues and blues/rock world.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(715) 817-6933 | bayfrontblues.com
Art in Bayfront Park Art Fair
August 19th-20th, 2023
Art in Bayfront Park is a two-day art fair offering an opportunity to purchase works from more than 100 regional artists, including jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass and more.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(952) 473-6422 | artinbayfrontpark.com
The Tribute Fest
August 26th-27th, 2023
The Tribute Fest is a 3 day fun musical experience featuring many tribute concerts of Country & Rock. We bring together some of the best tribute bands to raise funds for homeless Veterans. Family-friendly and free for all Veterans, Active Duty & their families.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 940-3513 | thetributefest.com
Duluth Superior Pride
August 31st – September 3rd, 2023
Celebrate Pride in the Twin Ports. Labor Day weekend. Duluth-Superior Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Allied, Queer, Intersex (GLBTAQI) Pride serves the Duluth-Superior area’s GLBTAQI community by celebrating diversity, promoting understanding, education, acceptance, respect, healthy living, self-esteem, and equality. We seek to promote a positive image of the GLBTAQI community and end discrimination based upon sexual identity.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(866) 865-0652 | duluthsuperiorpride.com
Duluth Oktoberfestival
September 16th-18th, 2023
Duluth’s largest Oktoberfestival celebration returns to Bayfront Festival Park on September 16-17-18. Come experience all things German as we bring the best of Munich to Duluth! Don’t miss the largest bier hall tent ever erected at Bayfront along with live music, youth activities and so much more. Grab your lederhosen and dirndl and visit www.duluthoktoberfestival.com for more information.
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
(218) 628-9996 | duluthoktoberfestival.com
Northshore Inline Marathon
September 15th-17th, 2023
Participate in the nation’s largest inline skating event with 2,500 inline skaters along the shores of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Duluth. Event includes Friday – Expo and free kids inline sprints, Saturday – inline half/full marathons, rollerski marathon, “Wheels Off” half marathon run and the MN Power “Tunnel 10K” run.
Location: Two Harbors to Duluth
(218) 723-1503 | northshoreinline.com
Bienvenue coffee fest
September 23rd, 2023
Bienvenue Where Coffee and Culture Meet. The mission of our coffee fest is – Connecting community with coffee culture in an extraordinary building. We are working with industry experts to bring speakers/seminars, latte art competition, demonstrations, vendors, music, children’s activities, and don’t forget the Coffee.
Location: The St. Louis County Depot
(218) 733-7571 | experiencethedepot.org
Duluth Superior Film Festival
September 22nd-25th, 2023
An incredible annual event, Duluth Superior Film Festival screens numerous independent films, produces music performances and hosts parties in an extravaganza of film, music and art. DSFF brings film directors and industry professionals to the Twin Ports for receptions hosted by the festival, Q & A sessions after screenings and panel discussions.
Location: Zinema 2 and Multiple Additional Venues
(612) 227-8015 | ds-ff.com
Catalyst Content Festival
September 27th-30th, 2023
Catalyst is a worldwide community of actors, writers, directors, producers, executives, agents and fans discovering the best new programming created on independent (aka, non-network) budgets. We come together each fall to showcase new shows and discover new talent. Join us for the fun!
Location: Historic Arts District
(218) 208-0140 | catalystcontent.org
William A Irvin Haunted Ship Tours
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, October 5th-29th and Tuesday, October 31st, 2023
Submerge yourself in the horrors aboard the historic Lake Superior steamer, the SS William A. Irvin. Tickets and full tour schedule available online soon. Guests under 12 will not be admitted without a parent. What are you afraid of?
Location: S.S. William A. Irvin Museum
(218) 722-7876; (218) 623-1236 | duluthhauntedship.com
Christmas City of the North Parade
November 18th, 2023
The Christmas City of the North Parade has been a Northland holiday tradition since 1958. Today, it is the most attended public event in the Northland — bringing together residents from all walks of life and uniting generations of family with memories of its Christmas spirit and fun traditions.
Location: Downtown Duluth (Superior Street)
(218) 481-6183 | northlandsnewscenter.com/parade
DULUTH WINTER VILLAGE
December 2nd-3rd, 2023
The festive greens, your favorite shops, hot drinks, and fire pits. Stroll through the same outdoor Winter Village you love at its new home with Lake Superior and the Lift Bridge as your backdrop. Our new location is steps away from Canal Park and Bentleyville, with plenty of parking and additional festivities, dining and shopping nearby.
Location: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
(218) 722-5573 | decc.org
Events for All
In Duluth, we don’t believe in boredom. With twelve months of festivals and fun-filled events, our calendar offers many options for go-getters to get together 365 days a year.