MINNEAPOLIS, MN (May 15, 2026) The Twin Cities are entering one of the busiest entertainment weekends of the spring season as major arts festivals, cultural celebrations, Broadway productions, professional sports, orchestral performances, and community events unfold across Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hopkins, Apple Valley, and surrounding suburbs.
Leading the weekend calendar is Art-A-Whirl, the nationally recognized open studio tour that transforms Northeast Minneapolis into one of the largest concentrated arts districts in the country for three days of exhibitions, performances, music, and public engagement.
Elsewhere throughout the metro, audiences will find Thai cultural celebrations, family programming, farmers markets, comedy festivals, orchestral film concerts, playoff basketball, and theater productions ranging from Broadway touring shows to youth-focused musicals.
Here is MinneapoliMedia’s expanded guide to some of the major entertainment and community events happening across the Twin Cities this weekend.
Festivals and Community Events
Art-A-Whirl
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
Address: Multiple locations throughout Northeast Minneapolis
Hours: the standard open studio hours for the weekend are-
- Friday, May 15: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday, May 16: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday, May 17: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
More than 1,600 artists across over 100 locations are expected to participate in this year’s Art-A-Whirl festival, which continues to hold distinction as the largest open studio tour in the United States.
The event spans warehouses, galleries, breweries, artist cooperatives, outdoor installations, and studio buildings throughout Northeast Minneapolis. Visitors can expect live music, visual arts exhibitions, interactive demonstrations, public installations, food vendors, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
The festival routinely draws tens of thousands of attendees and remains one of the Twin Cities’ most visible spring arts events.
Website: Art-A-Whirl Official Site
Songkran Festival
Wat Promwachirayan
Date: Saturday, May 16
Admission: Free
The annual Songkran Festival returns this weekend with a full day of Thai cultural programming, traditional dance performances, authentic cuisine, music, artisan vendors, and community celebrations.
The event celebrates the traditional Thai New Year and has become one of the region’s most recognized Southeast Asian cultural festivals.
Organizers say visitors can expect street food vendors, traditional ceremonies, souvenir booths, and performances throughout the day.
Website: Wat Promwachirayan
Mainstreet Day
Downtown Hopkins
Address: Mainstreet between 7th Avenue and 14th Avenue South, Hopkins, MN
Date: Saturday, May 16
Admission: Free
Mainstreet Day returns to Hopkins this weekend with one of the larger suburban arts-and-crafts fairs in the Twin Cities metro.
Festival features include:
More than 200 vendors
Arts and crafts booths
Food trucks
Family activities
Community exhibits
Live entertainment
The event transforms the downtown Hopkins corridor into a pedestrian-centered festival zone throughout Saturday.
Website: Hopkins Mainstreet Day Information
Mill City Farmers Market
Mill City Museum
Hours: Saturday and Sunday morning market hours
Admission: Free
The Mill City Farmers Market continues its outdoor season this weekend with regional vendors offering produce, flowers, prepared foods, artisan products, coffee, baked goods, and locally sourced items.
Website: Mill City Farmers Market
St. Paul Farmers Market
St. Paul Farmers’ Market
Admission: Free
The historic Lowertown farmers market remains one of the busiest weekend gathering points in downtown St. Paul, featuring produce growers, flower vendors, specialty foods, meats, baked goods, and regional farm products.
Website: St. Paul Farmers Market
Theater and Performing Arts
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Orpheum Theatre
Address: 910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Performances:
Friday evening
Saturday matinee and evening performances
Sunday matinee
Tickets: Starting approximately around $62+
The Broadway touring production continues its Minneapolis engagement this weekend, bringing one of the most technically ambitious stage productions currently touring North America to downtown Minneapolis.
The production incorporates large-scale illusions, cinematic transitions, moving stagecraft, and visual effects adapted from the original London and Broadway productions.
Website: Hennepin Arts – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Presented by Minnesota Orchestra
Orchestra Hall
Tickets: Prices vary by availability
The Minnesota Orchestra performs the film score live while the movie is screened inside Orchestra Hall as part of the orchestra’s continuing “film with live orchestra” concert series.
The event combines symphonic performance with cinematic presentation and is expected to draw large family and film audiences throughout the weekend.
Website: Minnesota Orchestra
The Wizard of Oz
Presented by Children’s Theatre Company
Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Tickets: Prices vary by seating section
The Children’s Theatre Company continues performances of The Wizard of Oz this weekend for family audiences.
The production combines live music, theatrical staging, choreography, and visual effects adapted from the classic story.
Website: Children’s Theatre Company
A Chorus Line
Park Square Theatre
Address: 20 W 7th Place, St. Paul, MN 55102
Tickets: Prices vary by performance
Park Square Theatre continues its staging of A Chorus Line, the long-running musical centered on dancers auditioning for a Broadway production.
Website: Park Square Theatre
Live Music and Comedy
Loons on the Lake Comedy Festival
Dunsmore Jazz Room
Tickets: Prices vary by show
The multi-day comedy festival continues through the weekend with stand-up showcases, competitions, featured performers, and evening comedy events.
Website: Loons on the Lake Comedy Festival
Family Activities
Farm Babies
Minnesota Zoo
Admission: Included with zoo admission
The Minnesota Zoo’s seasonal Farm Babies event continues this weekend, featuring newborn farm animals, educational exhibits, rides, and family-focused spring programming.
The event remains one of the zoo’s most popular annual spring attractions for younger children and families.
Website: Minnesota Zoo Farm Babies
Sports
Minnesota Twins vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Target Field
Games:
Friday evening
Saturday evening
Tickets: Prices vary by seating section and resale demand
The Twins continue their interleague home series against Milwaukee this weekend in downtown Minneapolis.
Large crowds are expected around the North Loop and warehouse district areas near Target Field throughout the series.
Website: Minnesota Twins Schedule
St. Paul Saints vs. Columbus Clippers
CHS Field
Games:
Friday evening
Weekend home games continue
Tickets: Starting approximately around $20+
The Saints continue their home stand at CHS Field with promotional events, family entertainment, and Lowertown game-day activities.
Website: St. Paul Saints Schedule
Minnesota Timberwolves Playoff Basketball
Target Center
Tickets: High-demand market pricing
The Timberwolves continue Western Conference playoff action this weekend at Target Center, with downtown Minneapolis expected to experience elevated traffic, increased parking demand, and major pregame activity surrounding the arena district.
Website: Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule
The Weekend Takeaway
The May 15–17 weekend calendar reflects the full breadth of the Twin Cities entertainment landscape, combining major arts programming, multicultural celebrations, family activities, live performances, farmers markets, playoff sports, and nationally touring theater productions into one of the busiest spring weekends of the year.
From Northeast Minneapolis art studios and downtown concert halls to St. Paul cultural gatherings and suburban community festivals, the weekend offers residents multiple ways to engage with the region’s arts, entertainment, and civic life.
Event Links and Tickets
Art-A-Whirl: Art-A-Whirl Official Site
Songkran Festival: Wat Promwachirayan
Mainstreet Day Hopkins: Hopkins Mainstreet Day Information
Mill City Farmers Market: Mill City Farmers Market
St. Paul Farmers Market: St. Paul Farmers Market
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Hennepin Arts – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Minnesota Orchestra: Minnesota Orchestra
Children’s Theatre Company: Children’s Theatre Company
Park Square Theatre: Park Square Theatre
Loons on the Lake Comedy Festival: Loons on the Lake Comedy Festival
Minnesota Zoo Farm Babies: Minnesota Zoo Farm Babies
Minnesota Twins Tickets: Minnesota Twins Schedule
St. Paul Saints Tickets: St. Paul Saints Schedule
Minnesota Timberwolves Tickets: Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule
MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source minneapolimedia.town.news ’
