2/1/2024 -- Weekend Events Preview

TWIN CITIES WEEKEND PREVIEW — KEEPING YOU BUSY ✔

Happy First Day of February!

Here is what’s going on in the Twin Cities this weekend.

Enjoy The Beautiful Weather With These Outdoor Events

🎿 City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

With or without snow, the show must go on. The Loppet Winter Festival is taking over the Twin Cities lakes and includes a variety of events throughout the weekend. 

-Snow Shoe and Ski races (man-made snow, of course)

-Fat Tire Bike Race

-Kubb Tournament

-Luminary Loppet

Check out the full festival schedule here: 

🕯 Afton Candle-lit Walk: Experience Afton State Park with a candle-lit 3-mile loop trail, featuring bonfires at the visitor center and midway point and food trucks – dogs are welcome. More info.

❄ The Great Northern Festival and St. Paul Winter Carnival are both still going on this weekend. The former features a 100-foot ice bar in downtown Minneapolis.

🎈 Head over to Hudson for the Hot Air Affair where you’ll get to see over 30 hot air balloons get launched into the air.

Food/Drink 🍻

🍻 Brewsology Beer Fest: Sample beers from 50+ breweries at the 2nd annual Brewsology Beer Fest being held at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Tickets cost $50 and get you access to 150 beers, unlimited samplings, and exclusive after-hours access to the museum's exhibits. More info here. Date: February 3rd, 7-11pm.

🍔 Check out two new restaurants, Bina's in Northeast by Centro owner Jami Olson, and Smorgie's in downtown St. Paul – both are prioritizing affordability in their business models. Bina's draws inspiration from country bars and Smorgie's features late-night comfort food. Read reviews of each here. 

🍴 Luce Line Brewery Hot Dish Competition: Does it get any more Minnesota than this? A $15 entry ticket gets you entry in the competition, tasting of all the hot dishes, and one free beverage ticket. More info here.

🏖 2nd Annual Beach Party! | O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. | Feb 2 | FREE | More Info

🐲 Year of the Dragon Celebration at Arbeiter Brewing | Arbeiter Brewing | Feb 3-4 | Free | More Info 

Music 🎤

❯ Jovonta Patton | First Avenue | Feb 2 | $18+ | More Info

❯ Flatland Cavalry | The Fillmore | Feb 3 | $50+ | More Info

❯ Jay Young & Lyric Factory | Crooners | Feb 2 | $25+ | More Info

❯ Jake LaBotz Residency | Icehouse | Fridays in February | $20+ | More Info

❯ Lisa Fischer | Dakota | Feb 3 | $35+ | More Info

❯ Dylan LeBlanc | Turf Club | Feb 3 | $20+ | More Info

❯ Becky Kapell and the Fat 6 | Schooner Tavern | Feb 3 | FREE | More Info

❯ Haters Club & Whiskey Rock 'n' Roll Club MPLS | Palmer's Bar | Feb 3 | $10 | More Info

❯ Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro | Pantages Theatre | Feb 4 | $65+ | More Info

❯ VocalEssence | American Swedish Institute | Feb 4 | $20+ | More Info

❯ Mayer Hawthorne | Fine Line | Feb 4 | $35+ | More Info

❯ Tribute to R.E.M.'s "Murmur" | First Avenue | Feb 4 | $25 | More Info

Shows 🎤

❯ Freedom Riders | History Theatre | Feb 2 (and future dates) | Price Varies | More Info 

❯ Til Death | Art House North | Feb 2 (and future dates) | $30 | More Info 

❯ Toil and Trouble | Yellow Tree Theatre | Feb 2 (and future dates) | $40 | More Info  

Sports

🏀 Timberwolves vs Magic | Target Center | 2/2 | $29+ | More Info

🏀 Timberwolves vs Rockets | Target Center | 2/4 | $23+ | More Info

🏀 Gopher Basketball vs Northwestern | Williams Arena | 2/3 | $27+ | More Info

🏒 Gopher Women’s Hockey vs St. Thomas | Ridder Arena | 2/3 & 2/4 | $6+ | More Info

Miscellaneous…Something For Everyone

Doggie Depot: On Saturday from 10-3, Doggie Depot will be taking place at the Union Depot during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Enjoy pet-friendly vendors, adoptable rescues, and the crowning of the Canine King Boreas and Canine Queen of Snows. More info here. Event is FREE.

❯ Totally Rad Vintage Fest | Saint Paul RiverCentre | Feb 3 - Feb 4 | $8 | More Info

❯ Como Blizzard Breakfast | Dale Rec Center | Feb 3 | FREE | More Info  

❯ Forgotten Star Curling Competition | Forgotten Star Brewery | Feb 2-4 | $100/team | More Info  

❯ Ultimate RV Show | Minneapolis Convention Center | Feb 1 - Feb 4 | FREE | More Info 

❯ Sauna Village | Malcolm Yards | Feb 2-3 | $40+ | More Info 

❯ Walker Art Center Free First Saturday | The Walker | Feb 2 | FREE | More Info 

❯ Totally Rad Dance Party | Fine Line | Feb 3 | $12 | More Info 

❯ Pints and Pokes | Headflyer Brewing | Feb 3 | FREE | More Info