Are you looking for a fun day outside? Check out this big list of festivals around the state for a fun filled day, everything from culture to music and everything in between! Grab your camera and let’s hit the food trucks.
Outdoor Festivals by Month
January
Frostival Fargo This outdoor festival will get you outside to experience everything great about the outdoors in the middle of winter. Music, kickball, dog sledding, kids events, craft beers, it’s all here. Dates yet to be announced for 2020. Schedule here
Beer and Bacon Festival January 18th Grand Forks This festival is the region’s top beer and bacon event and will again bring many delicious brews and bacon creations together. Samples included with admission. Tickets and details Here.
February
Unglued Craft Fest Fargo Feb 22nd-23rd This fun fair is in it’s 9th year with lots of crafts, art, craft beer and much more. Details here
March
Celtic Festival Fargo March 9th A full day of Celtic cultural events, activities and food from many vendors. Details here
Fargo Film Festival 17th to 21st Enjoy movies and shorts from around the world at this famous midwest film festival. See film and schedules here.
May
Sky Fest May 23rd- 25th Memorial Day Weekend
Annual ND kite festival takes place in Ft. Stevenson in Garrison Nd with fun for all including kite making, kids activities, races and more. Enjoy fellow kite enthusiasts and see the sky filled with beautiful works of art.
June
Buffalo Fest June 1st Hettinger
Celebrate all things buffalo with this all day events. There will be vendors in the park, kids activities, fishing tournament, wings and chili contest and much more. There will also speakers and presentations on the majestic buffalo. Details here Hettinger Buffalo Fest
Art on the Red Early June, 2020 dates TBA Grand Forks
One of North Dakota’s best outdoor festivals with high-end artisans and quality crafters, food, music, live entertainment, kids activities and more.
July
ND Country Fest July 11th-13th
Morton County Fairgrounds Big country acts, beer stations and food trucks. Ticket Info
West Fargo Red River Valley Fair this annual fair has a midway, live bands and livestock shows. July 9th to 14th
Fargo Downtown Street Fair Fargo 18th, 19th and 20th 3 full days of free outdoor activities, entertainment and shopping.
Full Details and Schedule here
Watford City Homefest July 12th and 13th 2 full days of outdoor music, art activities and fireworks.
Full Details and Schedule here
Drayton Riverfest July 18th-21st Head over to the Catfish capital of ND for 4 days of fun. Free inflatables, root beer floats and other activities. Bargain hunters rejoice at everything from classic cars to a rodeo, most of it free!
Prairie Pothole Music Fest Anamoose July 18-20th
A wide variety of music acts and genres rock this secluded location.
Badland’s Ukranian Days Belfield July 19th and 20th
Free admission both days for live music and Ukranian dancers. Ethnic food and beer tents also open.
ND State Fair Minot July 19th to July 27th This is the big one, the states largest event. Midway, food, ag buildings, shows, music, entertainment. Full Line Up Here
Vinnie’s 3 day Mud Bog Event July 19th-21st Lidgerwood 3 days of camping, mud bogging and mud events like mud volleyball and live music. You can participate with your truck or ATV or just watch the fun.
Fargo Blues Festival July 26th to July 27th
24th year of big name blues acts outdoors in a beautiful setting. Overnight Camping. Details and tickets here. Details
August
Keplinfest Belcourt August 2nd-3rd The whole family can camp overnight and enjoy Metis culture including high energy fiddle, jigs and country music.
Bismarck State Capital A’Fair August 3rd and 4th Huge free art fair with entertainment and shopping.
Capital A’Fair huge art fair Bismarck Capital Building August 3rd and 4th
Chokecherry Festival Williston August 9th-10th Chokecherries, flying dogs, spitting contest and live music, what more do you need?
RibFest Watford City August 9th This free all day event features a headlining country concert, inflatables, classic car show and much more. Full Day schedule here
Annual Village Fair Dunseith August 11th Fun, food, music, ice cream, activities and more. Camp out and visit the pre party on the 10th for even more fun. This family friendly event is in it’s 34th year.
Minot Dak Jam August 16th and 17th Outdoor Rock festival with activities and big name bands covering several decades.
Pioneer Days Bonanzaville August 17th-18th This pioneer town has plenty planned for this festival including parades, ax throwing and much more. Schedule here
Donut and Beer Fest Bismarck August 24th Craft beers and homemade donuts. What more do you need? Bismarck Larks Donut and Beer Fest August 24th
Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival August 30th to Sept 1st
August 30 through September 1, 2019
Join astronomers, rangers, and historians as they come together for a three-day festival. Star viewing,special presentations, rocket building and launching, children’s activities, and much more as we celebrate Dakota Nights! Most activities are included with your park entry fee except when otherwise noted. Details here
September
Harvestfest Hazen Sept 4th-8th Live music, weiner dog races, car show, street dance and much more.
Sodbuster Days Ft Ranson State Park September 7th-8th Old time live music, vendors, events and lots of activities keep this historical event educational and fun. Details here
BBQ and Farming Fun Fest Wahpeton September 14th Events all day long including classic car show and free dinner downtown.Special events planned this year for Wahpetons 150 year anniversary. Schedule here
Applefest BuckStop Junction Bismarck September 21st-22nd Entertainment for all ages, including live music acts with food and craft vendors, activities for kids and more. Applefest Link
Norsk Hostfest Minot September 25th-28th Norsk Høstfest celebrates Scandinavian culture and heritage of the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden with food, entertainment and art. Full Details and Schedule here
Mandan Oktoberfest September 28th This annual event is fun for the whole family. Music, food, activities and dancing are in plentiful supply along with BEER! Day long festival held in Mandan Dykshoorn Park.
October
Oktoberfest Ashley October 5th enjoy a day full of cultural food tasting, beer tasting, beer mug holding contest, bingo, children’s games and German music and meal. Details here
November
Hollydazzle Festival of Lights Grand Forks November 24th
Celebrate the lights with a full day of merrymaking with a lighted parade, music, sleigh rides and a fireworks show for the grand finale. Schedule of events here
Dickens Village Festival Garrison Starting Thanksgiving Weekend every year, the small town of Garrison turns itself into a Dickens Christmas Village. High teas, street urchins and carolers, parades and a full musical production every night make this a visit to remember.
Full schedule Here.
December
Dickens Village Festival Garrison continuing the first two weekends of December every year, the small town of Garrison turns itself into a Dickens Christmas Village. High teas, street urchins and carolers, parades and a full musical production every night make this a visit to remember.
Full schedule Here.
Old Fashioned Christmas Drayton Dec 9th to 15th.The Catfish capital of ND celebrates the holidays all week long event has live music, santa, and events every day. With a reindeer farm nearby, you can count on plenty of sightings. City of Drayton
Outdoor Festival
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