MINNEAPOLIS (June 4, 2018) — The mpls downtown council (mdc) and its partners announced today a full schedule of free events for all ages and abilities to enjoy outside this summer through several key initiatives taking place throughout downtown Minneapolis.

The mpls downtown council’s summer lineup of activities are headlined by Go Outside with Hennepin County, Pianos on Parade and The Minneapolis Aquatennial. The majority of these events will take place during June through August.

“Keeping downtown active is an important part of ensuring our city’s core is thriving, safe and vibrant,” said mpls downtown council vice president of external relations Leah Wong. “We invite you downtown this summer to enjoy fun, free programming and events for all ages and abilities in the heart of our city.”

Go Outside with Hennepin County is a collection of free activities taking place at Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street) and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street). A partnership between Hennepin County and mdc and now in its fourth year, Go Outside features a variety of events for all ages to enjoy. At South Plaza from June through August, enjoy the Downtown Farmers Market on Tuesdays (open through the end of October), yard games, meditation areas, an art cart and other special activities on Wednesdays, and piano performances on Thursdays. For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.

Go Outside with Hennepin County South Plaza events schedule

Tuesdays, 6/1-10/31: downtown farmers market | 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesdays, 6/1-8/31: yard games and fun activities | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Thursdays, 6/1-8/31: piano performances | 12 pm – 1 pm


Target Field Station’s activities include free outdoor movie nights (June 13 & 27, July 2, 16 & 23, August 8 & 22), trivia nights (June 12 & 26, July 17 & 24), The Most Epic Family Day (August 12) and outdoor fitness (August 6, 13 & 20). Trivia nights will include prizes to winning teams, and The Most Epic Family Day will include games and activities with a Minnesota lake theme.



Go Outside with Hennepin County Target Field Station schedule


Outdoor Trivia Nights
Tuesday, June 12: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, June 26: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, July 17: 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, July 24: 7 pm – 8 pm


Outdoor Movie Nights
Wednesday, June 13: “A League of Their Own” | 7 pm
Wednesday, June 27: “Space Jam” | 7 pm
Monday, July 2: “The Lion King” | 7 pm
Monday, July 16: “The Princes Bride” | 7 pm
Monday, July 23: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 8: “Coco” | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 22: “Mary Poppins” | 7 pm


Family events & fitness
Sunday, August 12: The Most Epic Family Day | 12 pm – 4 pm
Monday, August 6: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm
Monday, August 13: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm
Monday, August 20: Monday Fitness Night with Alchemy | 5-6 pm



Pianos on Parade returns for its third year and will offer pianos painted by local artists with a “Sounds of the City of Minneapolis” theme at 25 different locations in our downtown core. The pianos are free for public use daily from June 1 through June 30, and each piano will have a free outdoor performance on Thursdays in June from 12 pm – 1 pm. More information on Pianos on Parade, produced by the mpls downtown council, Mpls Downtown Improvement District and The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids, can be found at www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos.

Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the city of Minneapolis, and it returns from July 18-21. Approximately two dozen free events are located along the Mississippi Riverfront, where our city was born, and throughout the downtown community headlined by flagship events like the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade (Wednesday, July 18) and Target Fireworks (Saturday, July 21). For more information on the Aquatennial lineup, visit www.aquatennial.com.

For more information on the mpls downtown council, follow @mplsdowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #mplsdowntown and #2025plan.


About the mpls downtown council
Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit mplsdowntown.com.


About Go Outside with Hennepin County
Go Outside with Hennepin County is a series of free outdoor activities and events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy throughout the summer in downtown Minneapolis. A partnership between Hennepin County and the mpls downtown council, Go Outside began in 2015 and has since provided programming including music, trivia, movies, food trucks, lawn games, and the Downtown Farmers Market. Go Outside with Hennepin County programming takes place at Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street) and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street). For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.


About Pianos on Parade
Pianos On Parade is an initiative produced by the mpls downtown council, Mpls Downtown Improvement District and The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids. The program includes 25 pianos painted by local artists depicting “Sounds of the City of Minneapolis”. The initiative runs from June 1-June 30. The public is welcome to play these pianos seven days a week during designated hours and to share their experience through photos or videos on social media using the hashtags #pianosonparade and #mymplsdt. For more information, visit http://www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos or follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



About the Minneapolis Aquatennial
The Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis offers outstanding entertainment and activities in the City of Lakes for all ages. It is managed and produced by the mpls downtown council. The 2017 Aquatennial was sponsored by Target, CenterPoint Energy, U.S. Bank, Love Your Melon, Hennepin County Medical Center, Metro Transit, Fulton Beer, Familia Skateshop, Minneapolis Recycles, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Minnesota Twins, K102 FM, WCCO-TV, BUZN 102.9 FM, 104.1 JACK FM, 830 WCCO-AM, Go 96.3 and K102. For more information, please visit aquatennial.com or call (612) 376-7669.