Festival Season- 2025 Summer Events You Won’t Want To Miss In Central MN

Summer is almost here, and it's fair and festival season. We love to make the best of our outdoor fun in Minnesota, so I thought I'd put together a list of all the upcoming fairs and festivals that are happening beginning in June right here in Central Minnesota. You can have something to do just about every weekend throughout your summer. So buckle up, and let's plan to go on wild rides, eat some cheese curds, watch a tractor pull, listen to some great music, drink some lemonade, and visit the barn animals.

RUM RIVER FESTIVAL JUNE 5-8

Princeton's Rum River Festivals 'Duck Days of Summer' is fast approaching. The event will be taking place Thursday, June 5th, through Sunday, June 8th. Come see the world's largest rubber duck on display and take part in what will hopefully be the record-breaking game of "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck." A Medallion Hunt, city-wide garage sale, the Princeton Ambassador Coronation, and more. Click HERE to learn all about the events at this year's festival.

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VIKINGLAND BAND FESTIVAL JUNE 29TH

The 41st annual Vikingland Band Festival Parade Marching Championship will be taking place on Sunday, June 29th, in Alexandria. This year's marching band line-up is the largest it's been in five years. The parade will begin at 1:30 pm on Sunday, June 29th. Last year, the 728 Cadets claimed their 6th Grand Championship win with a score of 86.7 and a race-car themed production. Find out all the amazing marching bands that are participating in this incredible musical event of the summer.  Alexandria is the only band to appear in every single Vikingland Band Festival, but many of the bands that are performing this year have been coming for a long time. Who will be our next champion?

SHERBURNE COUNTY FAIR  JULY 17- 20TH

The Sherburne County Fair will be taking place from Thursday, July 17th, through Sunday, July 20th. There is a $5 entry fee for ages 6 and up. There is some great Grandstand entertainment planned for you, and you can purchase your tickets by clicking HERE. Friday will be the Rice rodeo company with bulls, mini bulls, barrels, and mutton busting at 7 pm. Enjoy all the excitement and action at the Demo Derby planned for Saturday at 6 pm, and don't miss the Redneck Races happening Sunday at Noon.

BENTON  COUNTY FAIR  JULY 29TH -AUGUST 3RD

Get ready for live music, beer gardens, 4H Exhibitors, wild rides, tasty foods, and free admission to the Benton County Fair. Enjoy Monster Trucks and Beater Cross Racing on Tuesday, July 29th, the Demo Derby on Wednesday, July 30th, and Saturday, August 2nd. Truck Pull on Thursday, July 31st, and the Tractor & Semi Pull on Friday, August 1st.  Don't miss the Bulls, Broncs, and Barrels Rodeo wrapping it all up on Sunday, August 3rd.

MILLE LACS COUNTY FAIR AUGUST 6TH - AUGUST 10TH

The very first Mille Lacs County Fair was way back in September of 1892.  Horse races were the big draw back in the olden days. Car racing became the draw back in 1956, and still takes place all summer long  at the Princeton Speedway, which is known as being 'The Fastest Quarter Mile on Dirt."  This years grandstand events will feature a Lawn and Garden Tractor Pull, Princeton Speedway Races, Redneck Races, Demo Derby and Truck and Tractor Pull. Enjoy the carnival,  great local music artists, Dazzling Dave, National Yo-Yo Master, a talent show, and so much more.