From budget-friendly family activities to hidden waterfalls to recommendations from locals, check out our blog for trip ideas and to learn more about what makes Duluth so special.
Happy Homegrown! Each year from April 26 to May 3, the Zenith City transforms into an eight-day, 172-band musical marathon. Join local musician and Steering Committee member Famous Kaylee for an insider’s guide to navigating Duluth’s favorite local holiday — from snagging your weeklong wristband and mastering Western Wednesday to catching sets at Amsoil Arena and finding your new favorite band in a Lincoln Park taproom.
Kick off summer in the Zenith City! From the opening of Spirit Mountain and the North Shore Scenic Railroad to the iconic West Duluth Memorial Day Parade, discover the 10 best ways to spend your Memorial Day weekend in Duluth. Plan your perfect lakeside getaway today.
Join the Duluth East Student Government at the Swing into Spring Festival on April 19th. This community centered event will offer family-friendly activities such as live music, dancing, face painting, bracelet making, yard games, rock painting, and free lemonade and cookies. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on baskets donated by local businesses. All proceeds will go directly to non-profits present at this event, such as The Depot Foundation, The League of Women Voters Duluth, The Damiano Center, and more. We will also be collecting canned food and gently used clothing items to be distributed in our community. All are welcome!
Presented by Duluth Public Libraries and Every Child Ready coalition as part of Family Fest. In this live performance, Dagsi Turtle & his sidekick Jisdu Wabbit race through time and space in a musical adventure into Cherokee Futurism. Hop aboard the Turtleship and join Dagsi and Jisdu’s quest to help Grandmother Turtle raise the Gadugi (spirit of cooperation) throughout the universe. Tales, a 2025 Jim Henson Foundation Family Theater Grant Awardee, features catchy original tunes and out-of-this-world puppet characters. The show is created and performed by Cherokee Nation citizen Chris Griffith and Shari Aronson, directed by Julie Boada (Anishinabe). Recommended for ages 4+. This activity made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival (ZMFF) returns April 22–26, 2026, in Duluth, MN, with in-person screenings at Zeitgeist and surrounding venues. The festival showcases local, national, and international films, filmmaker Q&As, industry events, educational workshops, and a Pitch Competition with cash prizes. The festival focuses especially on Midwest and community-rooted filmmakers, innovative storytelling, and creative expression. Early Bird Passes are on sale NOW! Join us this spring – where local and global stories come together at Zeitgeist.
Join the Duluth East Student Government at the Woodland Ice Rinks for a Minnesota Hockey Day celebration taking place on January 24th from 9am to 3:30 pm! There will be free hot chocolate and s’more roasting, as well as various other winter activities. Build a snowman, do some crafts, decorate a cookie, and even compete in trivia! If that’s not enough, bring some skates and celebrate our strong hockey community here in Duluth by making use of some free skate time or support our Duluth Northern Stars girls hockey team in their traditional Minnesota Hockey Day scrimmage against the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage team! Finally, make a bid for a chance to win a basket full of goodies including some from your favorite local businesses in our silent auction. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to support several nonprofits in the area such as the Damiano Center, Animal Allies, and Ruby’s…