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Your 2024 guide to the Minneapolis Aquatennial
Since 1940, the Minneapolis Aquatennial has taken place as an annual multi-day festival celebrating the city’s lake streams and rivers.
This year the city-wide festival will run from Wednesday, July 24 through Saturday, July 27. The celebration kicks off with the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade at 7:30 on Wednesday night and concludes with the Target Fireworks at 10:00 on Saturday night.
There are plenty of activities happening all over Minneapolis between these two bookends. Here’s a look at what to do on all the days in between.
WEDNESDAY
Go Outside: Summer Sessions
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza
Enjoy live music, cookie giveaways, a performance from Xibaba and more!
12:10 p.m., Target Field
Stop by Target Field to catch a home game on Wednesday afternoon.
12:00 to 1:00 p.m., The Commons
Make your lunch break a little sweeter with live music.
5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Loring Park
Have you ever played Triples Tennis? Here’s your chance! This fast-moving game is for 6-8 players, with one player taking the net and two handling baseline duties. Players complete a half-court rotation after every point.
The focus is on fun, even though scores will be kept. There are three sessions through the Auqatennial, and you can register for them here:
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Loring Park
This family-focused gathering will have a DJ for kids, food vendors, inflatable jumpers and more, just a few blocks from the Aquatennial Torchlight parade.
6:30 p.m., West Bank of the Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues
This high-flying display of skills and tricks on the water happens just north of downtown Minneapolis. The pre-show starts at 6:30 while the main show steps off at 7 p.m.
There is only street parking available on West River Road. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Concessions will be available.
7:30 p.m., from 12th Street to 4th Street
Floats, displays and bands take to the streets of Minneapolis to march through the heart of downtown. There will also be piano performances, games, Street Show performances and other activities.
Movies in the Park at The Commons
9 to 11:30 p.m., The Commons
A two-block section of green space has been set aside for watching a movie tucked in between the downtown skyline and U.S. Bank Stadium. During the Aquatennial, “Barbie” will be the feature of choice.
THURSDAY
11:30 to 1:30 p.m., Nicollet from Washington Avenue to 10th Street
Food trucks, music, games, giveaways and more are happening downtown on Thursday.
CorePower Outdoor Yoga Class
5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Boom Island Park
Check-in starts at 5:30 for this free 6 p.m. class that explores Fundamental Vinyasa flow. Sign the waiver form in advance, here.
7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Target Field Station
Stop by to catch a free showing of “Wonka” and enjoy a free giveaway in addition to the show.
7:00 to 8:00 p.m., The Commons
Enjoy live music in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
Movies in the Park at Loring Park
9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Loring Park
Watch “Best in Show” while taking in a beautiful view of Minneapolis.
FRIDAY
Alchemy 365 at Aquatennial
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
This free cardio class is taking over the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and all fitness levels are welcome! Check it starts at 5:30 for this free 6:00 class. Preregister at this link.
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Water Works Park
Come down to Water Works Park to enjoy free, live music.
7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., 1st Avenue North from 5th Street to 6th Street
Food trucks, tables and seating, restrooms, free activities and entertainment are set up in this enhanced pedestrian area. It’s a great spot to stop off after a night downtown.
SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Orchestra Hall
Take a backstage tour of Orchestra Hall or take in a performance at the seminal event of the Summer at Orchestra Hall concert series.
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Kenwood Park Tennis Courts
Everyone is welcome to come and give Triples Tennis a try! Get a great workout while having fun with tons of touches on the ball.
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., West River Road between Plymouth Avenue and Broadway Avenue
This Caribbean festival features food, music, arts and crafts, and a traditional carnival parade with colorful costumes and dance alongside the Mississippi River.
Nicollet Island Aquatennial Market
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Nicollet Island
The Minneapolis Park Market moves to Nicollet Island during the Aquatennial, bringing fresh foods, art and other handmade treasures along with it.
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Open House
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
Take a self-guided tour along the lock wall for a closer look at the falls. You can learn about the mechanics of a lock and dam while chatting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and St. Paul District staff, including park rangers and engineers.
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Loring Park
This event features 140 visual artists plus strolling musicians, stage performances, fun for kids, food and a beer garden.
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kenwood Park Tennis Courts
Everyone is welcome to come and give Triples Tennis a try! Get a great workout while having fun with tons of touches on the ball.
Minnesota Sinfonia Concert
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Loring Park
Listen to free music from some of the greats, including Strauss, Puccini and Dvorak in addition to favorites like “Danny Boy”, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and Sousa’s “Minnesota March.”
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., West River Parkway near 3rd Avenue Bridge
Leading up to the Target Fireworks show at 10 p.m., grab a spot on the river to enjoy the view of classic and modern automobiles.
Hear from co-creators, browse memorabilia and watch the iconic movie “Purple Rain” in one of the biggest rooms in Minneapolis.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., West River Parkway near the Stone Arch Bridge
This free event has been part of the Aquatennial since the 1980s! It features local skateboarders trying out obstacles while aiming for the highest air, the longest ollie and the longest slide.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Chicago Hall between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum
This huge marketplace is filled with local makers selling jewelry, clothing, woodwork, home goods, prints and more.
Pre-fireworks Festivities: Live Music
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., West River Parkway near 3rd Avenue Bridge
A jam-packed evening of fun and live music leads up to the Target Fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Pre-fireworks Festivities: Kids Zone
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., West River Parkway near Portland Avenue
Games and activities will keep the kids busy leading up the fireworks on Saturday night.
10:00 p.m., West River Parkway
This fireworks display is considered one of the top five annual fireworks displays in the nation, according to the mpls downtown council. Music and activities start at 6 p.m.
The best spots are between Gold Medal Park and the 3rd Avenue Bridge on West River Parkway but spots fill up fast so make sure to arrive early.
7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., 1st Avenue North from 5th Street to 6th Street
Food trucks, tables and seating, restrooms, free activities and entertainment are set up in this enhanced pedestrian area. It’s a great spot to stop off after the fireworks show.
Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
