St Paul Winter Carnival, late Jan-early Feb, parades, ice carvings, winter activities, Downtown St Paul (website: www.winter-carnival.com)
St Patrick's Day, 17 Mar, parades and festivities, throughout Minneapolis and St Paul (website: www.stpatsassoc.org)
Minneapolis-St Paul International Film Festival, Apr, Bell Auditorium and other venues (website: www.mspfilmfest.org)
Festival of Nations, late Apr/early May, multicultural celebration with food, dance and folk art demonstrations, RiverCentre, St Paul (website: www.festivalofnations.com)
Heart of the Beast May Day Parade, first Sun of May, giant puppets parade through the streets to Powderhorn Park, Downtown Minneapolis (website: www.hobt.org)
Juneteenth Celebration, mid-Jun, celebration of black American culture, Theodore Wirth Park (website: www.juneteenth.com)
Minneapolis Aquatennial, Jul, water-themed summer festival, Downtown Minneapolis and other venues (website: www.aquatennial.org)
A Taste of Minnesota, 4 Jul weekend, food and music festival, State Capitol, St Paul (website: www.tasteofmn.org)
Uptown Art Fair, early Aug, nationally recognized arts festival attracting over 300,000 people, Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue (website: www.uptownminneapolis.com)
Minnesota State Fair, Aug/Sep, entertainment, music, dancing, competitions, food and drink, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St Paul (website: www.mnstatefair.org)
Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Aug-Sep, re-created 15th-century village, crafts, food, entertainment, Shakopee (website: www.renaissancefest.com)
European Oktoberfest, Sep-Oct, celebration of Minneapolis' European roots with traditional foods, beer, music and dance, St Anthony Historic District, Minneapolis (website: www.minneapolisoktoberfest.com)
Twin Cities Marathon, early Oct, from the HHH Metrodome in Downtown, Minneapolis, to the State Capitol, St Paul (website: www.mtcmarathon.org)
Holidazzle parades, Nov-Dec, pre-Christmas festivities include choirs, marching bands and floats, Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis (website: www.holidazzle.com)