Independence Day Explodes Over the Twin Cities
Almost every suburb and city has a Fourth of July celebration of some kind, but a few stand out as having top-notch festivals and fireworks shows. No matter what side of the Mississippi river you’re on, there’s an event in your area that commemorates the holiday in grand style. We’ve got a run-down of a few cool happenings for the hot summer season and some great places to catch fireworks.
Fourth of July Celebration Roseville
Date: July 4, 2015
Party in the park for Roseville’s Rosefest 2015! There will be festivities all day long, including a fireworks display when the sun sets. Come to the Party good and hungry! There will be vendors selling corn on the cob, pulled pork, gyros, Cuban sandwiches, mac & cheese bites, ice cream novelties, shaved ice and of course, mini donuts, corn dogs, cheese curds and fries and more!
Central Park
2540 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN
Red, White and Boom!
Dates: Friday July 3, 2015 Saturday July 4, 2015
Location: Various Minneapolis Locations (Stonearch Bridge)
Celebrate the 4th of July during Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a two-day celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale fireworks!
On July 4, Father Hennepin Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Activities include balloon twisters, caricature artists and face painters. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10 p.m.
Phone: (612) 230-6400
Fourth of July Fireworks from CHS Field
Date: Saturday, July 4 2015
Saint Paul July 4th fireworks spectacular will be launched from CHS Field in Lowertown.
Location: Lowertown
360 N. Broadway Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
Saint Paul’s annual July 4th fireworks display will take place following the Saints game against the Fargo Moorhead Redhawks on Saturday at approximately 10 p.m. The actual time of the fireworks will vary depending upon the time the game ends.
All are encouraged to pack a blanket, travel by light rail, bike or bus and enjoy the free fireworks display from nearby Indian Mounds Regional Park or Lower Landing Park.
Admission: Free (if you watch from outside CHS Field
Independence Day Celebration at Historic Fort Snelling
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2015
Spend the day celebrating our nation’s independence just like during the 1800s!
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
200 Tower Drive, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55111
Hear the roar of cannon salutes, watch military dress parades, listen to fife and drum music, participate in family-friendly activities, and so much more! As part of exploring the history of freedom in America, visitors can learn about slavery in Minnesota and the part Fort Snelling played in the great debate over freedom during the 1800s.
(612) 726-1171
Admission: $11 adults/ $9 seniors and college students w/ID; $9 active military w/ID and their family; $6 children ages 6-17; Free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.
A Prairie Home Companion Live Independence Day Broadcast
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2015
Join Garrison Keillor on the Great Lawn of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota as he returns to host a live Independence Day broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion.
Location: Mac-Groveland
The show will include special guests JD McPherson, Joe Newberry, Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, Butch Thompson, and Tjärnblom.
Doors open at 1 p.m. Live broadcast at 4:45 p.m. Food and refreshments will also be available for purchase around the Great Lawn. After celebrating our 40th Anniversary in St. Paul last year we wanted to come right back who could resist spending the Fourth sitting under the trees on Macalester’s beautiful lawn?
Limit six (6) tickets per customer. Student tickets are available with valid ID at the Fitzgerald Theater Box Office and Common Good Books.
Ticket includes attending Saturday rehearsal for the live broadcast the lawn opens at 1 p.m.
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Next Upcoming Date: Saturday, July 4, 2015
Take a 90-minute tour of the historic Summit Avenue neighborhood.
240 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
Take a tour of Summit Avenue named one of America’s “Great Streets” in 2008. The walking tours highlight the Gilded-Age mansions that line the elite avenue and the people who owned them and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history and current preservation issues of the historic neighborhood.
The tour covers 1.5 miles starting at the James J. Hill House, proceeding west on Summit Avenue, returning via side streets and alleyways and concluding outside the Cathedral of St. Paul.
The popular tours are offered every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call for group tour information. For same-day reservations call the Hill House at 651-297-2555.
(651) 259-3015 for reservations
Admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students; $8 children ages 6-17; $2 discount for MNHS members/ Reservations recommended.
2015 National Senior Games
Next Upcoming Date: Friday, July 3, 2015
The National Senior Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world for adults 50 and over.
Location: Sports Venues throughout the Twin Cities
University of St. Thomas – 2115 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105
The 2015 National Senior Games will be held in the Twin Cities with an expected 12,000 athletes competing and 30,000 guests attending.
Competitions will take place July 3 – 16 at various venues throughout Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Bloomington. The 2015 event theme is “Stay Golden.”
(952) 278-8513
35th Annual Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Festival
Next Upcoming Date: Saturday, July 4, 2015
Known simply as J4, no other annual event in the global Hmong community carries as much prestige and economic significance as the Lao Family Community of Minnesota’s Hmong Freedom Celebration.
Location: Como Park
1225 Eastbrook Drive, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103
Held in Saint Paul’s Como Park during the Fourth of July weekend, J4 holds many distinctions which makes it one of the premier events in the state of Minnesota. A family friendly event, “J4” offers exciting sports action, musical performances and lots of delicious food! Everyone is invited!
Admission: $5 (Children under 3 years old and seniors over 65 years old -ID required- are FREE)
Fourth of July Celebration Stillwater
Date: July 4, 2015
Celebrate Independence Day in an All-American historic river town! The City of Stillwater puts on a huge fireworks display (typically by 10 p.m. once dark) over the St. Croix River offering views from anywhere downtown. New this year will also be daytime entertainment of live bands in the downtown park. During the day…shop Main Street, take a cruise on the river, ride the historic Trolley, eat ice cream or relax in one of our many parks. Stillwater has great viewing sites for the fireworks. Try Pioneer Park, or settle in while enjoying food and beverages on one of our many outdoor dining decks. Enjoy fireworks choreographed to music in downtown Stillwater in Lowell Park over the beautiful St. Croix River. Show beings at dusk. Get there early.
Lowell Park
100 S. Main Street
Stillwater, MN
Fourth of July Celebration Excelsior
Date: July 4, 2015
If you’re in the west metro, one of the best celebrations you’ll find is the 4th of July Celebration in Excelsior, on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. The evening includes a salute to veterans at 8:15 p.m. and a performance by the Minnesota Orchestra at 8:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 10 p.m. There will be family-friendly fun throughout the evening as well. For a list of activities, or if you want to contribute to the celebration fund, check the South Lake Excelsior Chamber of Commerce website.
Excelsior Commons Park
21 Water St
Excelsior, MN 55331
Manitou Days
Date: June 16 to July 4, 2015
Each summer, White Bear Lake does a multi-day celebration called Manitou Days. This year, it started June 16th, and culminates with the big 4th of July Celebration, which includes a lighted boat parade. Enjoy free food and entertainment at a community picnic. Dance under the stars. Ride on a pickle bucket boat. It’s fun and friendly family entertainment for all.
Manitou Days
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Fourth of July Celebration Powderhorn Park
Date: July 4, 2015
Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Come early for music food, and fun.
Powderhorn Park
3400 15th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 370-4960
Fourth of July Celebration Coon Rapids
Date: July 4, 2015
Live DJ and fireworks in Sand Creek Park. Fun starts at 10 p.m.
Sand Creek Park
1008 Northdale Blvd N.W.
Coon Rapids, MN
Fourth of July Celebration Eagan
Date: July 4, 2015
The Eagan July 4th Funfest ends with a spectacular fireworks show over Central Park. Enjoy games and activities for the little ones, a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, a concert by The Dweebs, then fireworks at 10 p.m. Fun starts at noon on Monday July 4th.
Central Park
1501 Central Parkway
Eagan, MN
Fourth of July Celebration St. Louis Park
Date: July 4, 2015
Stevie and the Table Rockers perform live alongside a variety of concessions and vendors, as you celebrate the fourth of July in Aquila Park. The spectacular fireworks show gets underway around 10 p.m.
Aquila Park
3110 Xylon Ave. S.
St. Louis Park, MN
Sources: 365TwinCities.com, VisitSaintPaul.com
