Savor the Flavor: 10 Must-Visit Summer Food Festivals in Minnesota
Summer in Minnesota isn’t just about lakes and long weekends, it’s also peak season for delicious, outdoor food festivals that bring communities together through bold flavors, local ingredients, and creative eats. From sizzling food truck rallies in the heart of Minneapolis to cultural night markets and small-town celebrations, the Twin Cities and surrounding areas offer a smorgasbord of can’t-miss events for food lovers of all kinds. Whether you’re craving globally inspired street food, BBQ ribs fresh off the smoker, or locally made ice cream on a hot summer night, there’s a food fest waiting for you. Here’s your ultimate guide to the tastiest food festivals happening this summer across Minnesota.
1. Minnesota State Fair
Dates: August 21–September 1, 2025
Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds (Falcon Heights/St. Paul)
A legendary “Get-Together” featuring traditional fair foods—deep-fried indulgences, cheese curds, giant corn dogs—plus exhilarating new eats each year. With over a million attendees, it’s Minnesota food culture at its most iconic.
2. Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Dates: June 14–15, 2025
Location: West River Parkway near Stone Arch Bridge
Held alongside Father’s Day festivities, this free festival features 200+ vendors with a standout culinary arts section, plus live music and a vintage market. It’s a scenic riverside weekend perfect for strolling, sampling, and enjoying Minneapolis’s artsy side.
3. Hopkins Food Truck Festival
Dates: June 21, 2025
Location: Main Street, Hopkins
A high-energy free event that turns Highway 7 into a food lover’s paradise—with 50+ gourmet food trucks offering everything from wood-fired pizza and pork belly to gluten-free desserts. Family-friendly games, live music on the MN Lottery Stage, local brews, and a charity tie-in supporting Feed My Starving Children make it a full community celebration.
4. Eagan Food Truck Fest
Dates: August 8, 2025
Location: Eagan Community Center Grounds
Held at the heart of Eagan, this festival features a rotating lineup of local food trucks, complemented by live music performances and lawn games, making it perfect for a community-centered summer outing.
5. Rosefest
Dates: June 23–29, 2025
Location: Central Park, Roseville
This week-long summer tradition serves up food, culture, music, and fireworks—with love for local food vendors. The festival culminates in a fireworks show on Saturday evening (June 28), making it the perfect midweek escape for both families and foodies.
6. MarketFest
Dates: Thursdays, June 19-July 31, 2025
Location: Downtown White Bear Lake
A weekly summer street festival boasting more than 130 merchants and food vendors, MarketFest blends casual food-truck fare with upbeat live entertainment in a lakeside towncenter vibe. It’s a reliable, midweek treat for locals and visitors alike.
7. Minnesota Food Truck Festival (Minneapolis Edition)
Dates: August 2, 2025
Location: Father Hennepin Bluff Park Minneapolis
Part of the same MN Food Truck Festival series as Hopkins, this Minneapolis edition unleashes a parade of trucks at LynLake or Uptown. Expect large crowds, multicultural street food, local brews, and live tunes.
Check it out: Minnesota Food Truck Festival (Minneapolis Edition)
8. Food Truck Extravaganza
Dates: June 14, 2025
Location: Washington County Fairgrounds
This perennial event brings together a vast array of local food trucks in a fairground setting. Expect carnivalstyle eats, creative fusion bites, and a laidback atmosphere away from city congestion—ideal for families and food lovers on the east side.
9. Taste of Minnesota
Dates: July 5-6, 2025
Location: Nicollet Mall & Downtown Minneapolis
While technically early July, this major food fest deserves a “coming soon” mention. Featuring headline food vendors, national music acts (Joan Jett, Ludacris) and Minneapolis’s top eateries, it’s one of the largest events on the state’s culinary calendar.
10. Panda Fest
Dates: July 11-13, 2025
Location: Mall of America
Another “midsummer teaser,” Panda Fest is one of the nation’s biggest outdoor Asian food festivals, held just south of the metro at the Mall of America. With authentic dumplings, skewers, and vibrant cultural performances, it’s a must-mention for those excited about summer food explorations.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a fun way to explore Minnesota this summer, these festivals are the perfect excuse to hit the road and treat your taste buds. As you plan your adventure, be sure to book a comfortable stay at one of the many local hotels near the action. From downtown Minneapolis to nearby cities like Eagan, Roseville, and Bloomington, you’ll find great options for hotels here.
Don’t forget to bookmark your favorite events and share your food-filled fun with us—tag @mntravelhub and use #MNFoodFest so we can follow along!