5 Can’t-Miss Outdoor Events In Minnesota As Summer Winds Down

TWIN CITIES, MN — Summer is winding down in Minnesota, but there are still some good opportunities to make the most of warm days and long nights before cooler weather sets in and the calendar fills up with fall activities.

The “end-of-the-summer scaries” is a real term for the anxiety and dread that people may feel as the season comes to a close, and they realize they didn’t pack in as much fun as they intended.

As a prescription for end-of-summer malaise, we’ve rounded up 10 things to do outside to enjoy the last bits of summer sunshine.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Stillwater Flea & Crafter Market — Aug. 23-24

It is Stillwater Flea Market weekend! Come on out and shop, eat, shop eat - repeat! Find us in the North Lot this month at the Washington County Fairgrounds - 9am - 3pm both Sat and Sun, August 23-24.

Minneapolis Water Lantern Festival — Aug. 30

The Minneapolis Water Lantern Festival is bringing people together for a celebration of light and community! This unforgettable evening will be filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope, and happiness. The event is taking place on August 30th at Town Green Park! Tickets are selling fast!

Grape Stomp at Schram Vineyards — Sept. 7

Let's get JUICY! Schram Vineyards is pleased to host our 4th annual Grape Stomp event on Sunday, September 7th! Teams of 2 can register to compete in the stomping of the grapes and general attendees are encouraged to attend and cheer them on while enjoying the beautiful wine country, food, shopping and music! We'll have opportunities to try grape harvesting right off the vines and casual grape stomping bins for both little and big feet!

Toddler Tuesday: Damselflies and Dragonflies — Sept. 9

Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center, Entry Road, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042

Do you know what critters are known for their incredible aerial skills and can catch 96% of its prey it chases? If you guessed dragonflies and damselflies, you were correct! Come join us to learn about these amazing flyers. At the end of the camp, you can even try your hand at catching a few.

Toddler Tuesdays are a fun way to expose the little ones to outdoor and environmentally based experiences. The first hour will be exploring the theme of the day and the last 30 minutes will be a social hour, chatting with old and new friends and investigating all that the nature center has to share!

2025 Twin Cities Walk for Water — Sept. 20

Millions of women and children continue to walk more than three miles to collect their family's daily water needs. But there is hope.

The annual Twin Cities Walk for Water will take place on September 20, 2025 to raise awareness about the global water crisis and the work of Water Mission. Today, this crisis leaves more than 2 billion people around the world without access to clean, safe water. This incredible event is open to the community and we will join together to bring clean, safe water to more than 4,000 people in need around the world.

We walk, so others don’t have to.