August 2025 Summer Events Calendar

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. 

And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May events, June events and our July calendar as well. Happy planning! 

Emo Night Fargo

August 1, The Aquarium, Fargo

Cassandre 3000 brings emo and pop punk classics to the stage. Free and 21+.

aquariumfargo.com

Fargo Blues Festival

August 1-2, Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo

National acts like Shemekia Copeland and Anthony Gomes bring soul to the open air festival.

https://fargoblues.com/

Deuce of August

August 1-3, Mountain

Experience Icelandic culture with music, food, and a pickup and tractor pull for the 126th year.

https://www.thedeuce.org/

Ray Grain Palace Days

August 1-3, Ray

Two big community concerts, food and shenanigans bring folks to town from all over the region.

https://www.facebook.com/RayGPDays/

Sheyenne RiverFest

August 2, Valley City

Paddle or float to Chautauqua Park for food, games, crafts, vendors and raffles.

https://www.vcparks.com/specialevents

Maah Daah Hey 100 Mountain Bike Race

August 2, outside of Medora and Watford City

Tackle North Dakota’s most famous single-track trail on 13-mile to 100-mile routes.

https://www.experienceland.org/maah-daah-hey-100-copy

Capital A’Fair

August 2-3, North Dakota State Capitol Grounds, Bismarck

See more than 100 artists, crafters and food vendors, plus art demos and live entertainment.

https://www.bismarck-art.org/

Jazz Concert

August 3, Gooseberry Park, Moorhead

Hear live jazz from six local bands at this open air event. Admission is free.

https://fmkicksband.com/concerts/

FM Pride

August 3-10, Fargo Moorhead

Save the date for a week of community-building activities and entertainment.

https://fmpride.com/

She Keeps Bees

August 5, North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks

Stripped down, soulful and raw, this Brooklyn band’s blend of blues rock…well, rocks.

https://ndmoa.com/

Be My Neighbor Day

August 5, Fargo Civic Center Plaza

Prairie Public brings special guest Daniel Tiger to this free outdoor event for kiddos.

https://news.prairiepublic.org/

Disney’s High School Musical Jr.

August 5-6, Fargo North High School

Totally Trollwood Musical performers treat audiences to shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

https://trollwood.org/

RiverArts

August 6, Viking Ship Park, Moorhead

Don’t miss from Front Fenders the Scottish stylings of Heather and Thistle Pipe and Drums.

https://tinyurl.com/47ywnhsd

WEFest

August 6-9, Soo Pass Ranch, Detroit Lakes

Cody Johnson, Hardy, Jon Pardi and more headline this popular country music bash.

https://wefest.com/

Njáls Saga Tapestry Exhibit

August 6-13, Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead

View an intricate tapestry depicting the medieval Njáls Saga made by Icelandic volunteers.

https://www.hcscconline.org/

Exhibition Tour: Murray Lemley

August 7, Plains Art Museum, Fargo

A free tour spotlights Murray Lemley’s photos, which capture the beauty of everyday life.

https://plainsart.org/

Fargo Area Farm Tour

August 7, depart Scheels Arena Parking Lot, Fargo

The multi-stop bus tour includes lunch, a grazing table dinner and a concert to follow.

https://www.farrms.org/event-list

Deuces Wild

August 8, MDJ Saloon, Walker

Fan favorite dueling pianos return to Walker for an open air show.

https://www.moondancejam.com/

North Dakota Chokecherry Festival

August 8-9, Williston

This signature festival boasts games, crafts, entertainment (and the ND State Fruit).

https://visitwilliston.com/signature-events/north-dakota-chokecherry-festival/

River Cinema Grand Forks Comic Con

August 9-10, Alerus Center, Grand ForksNerd out over comics, pop culture and so many more passions and pastimes.

https://www.aleruscenter.com/

Prayers for Peace and Unity

August 10, Lindenwood Park, Fargo

Join with the community at Kost Shelter for food, drinks and prayer from 4 to 6 p.m.

https://www.fargobahais.org/

Billy Strings

August 12, Scheels Arena, Fargo

This Grammy Award-winning bluegrass star is one of the hottest tickets in the country.

https://www.scheelsarena.com/

Disney’s The Aristocats Kids

August 12, Discovery Middle School, Fargo

Trollwood Children’s Theatre brings a classic cartoon to life on stage. Shows at 2 and 7 p.m.

https://trollwood.org/

Fargo Spelemannslag Hardanger Fiddlers

August 14, Moorhead Public Library

Enjoy a free, all-ages outdoor concert in the summer air. Bring a lawn chair. Food for sale.

https://larl.org/

Symphony Rocks

August 14, Bluestem Amphitheater, Moorhead

The FM Symphony plays rock tunes at this popular annual event. Tickets go on sale June 3.

https://www.fmsymphony.org/

Gear Grinder Mountain Bike Race

August 16, Pipestem Creek Trail, Jamestown

Test your biking skills in beginner, recreational, sport, expert and kids’ rides.

https://discoverjamestownnd.com/yearly_events/gear-grinder/

Lamaar

August 19, North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks

Folk, soul, R&B and country combine in songs that long for justice and human connection.

https://ndmoa.com/

West Fargo Cruise Night

August 21, Downtown Yards on Sheyenne, West Fargo

See hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles. Live music and food trucks make it extra festive.

https://www.westfargoevents.com/event/

Downtown Street Fair

August 22-23, Grand Forks

This is the place for local art, crafts, activities, live music, food trucks and kid-run businesses.

https://downtownforks.com/downtown-street-fair

Buckaroo, Country Nights at The Lights

August 22-23, The Lights, West Fargo

The two-day country musical features Justin Moore, Charlie Crockett and friends.

https://thelightswf.com/

Barnesville Potato Days

August 22-23, Barnesville

Don’t miss potato wrestling, a car show, sweet tunes, food, a golf tourney and spud-themed fun.

https://potatodays.com/

Tacos and Two-Wheels

August 23, Up District Field, Fargo

Custom motorcycles, tequila and the region’s best tacos?! Count us in.

https://jadepresents.com/

Arrowfest

August 23, Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Detroit Lakes

Test your skills with a new 3D archery experience. Two courses available.

www.sandhillsarchers.org

Island Park Show

August 23-24, Island Park, Fargo

The juried art show attracts over 100 vendors. There’s music, food and kids’ activities, too.

https://www.fargoparks.com/events-and-deadlines/island-park-show

Overtime

August 24, TAK Music Venue, Dilworth

Take rock, rap and country, add grit and guitars and you’ve got Overtime.

https://www.takmusicvenue.com/

Minot Food Truck Festival

August 24, Oak Park, Minot

Eat your way through 20 food trucks. Look for crafts, axe throwing and inflatables also.

https://minotfoodtruckfestival.com/

Pioneer Days

August 24-25, Bonanzaville, West Fargo

Costumed guides reenact history, horse drawn wagons pass and kids squeal for the parade.

https://www.bonanzaville.org/

Jazz on the Patio

August 26, Wild Terra Cider, Fargo

Ice cold cider, cool tunes and a make-your-own cheese plate bar make this a stellar patio party.

https://www.wildterra.co/

Ashtyn Barbaree with Emmy Woods

August 30 The Aquarium, Fargo

Ethereal melodies weave in strands of folk, pop, rock, country and wells of deep emotion.

https://aquariumfargo.com/

The Avett Brothers and Milk Carton Kids

August 30, Bluestem Amphitheater, Moorhead

A gorgeous riverside venue is the perfect spot to hear an indie folk rock line-up.

https://jadepresents.com/

Pile

August 31, The Aquarium, Fargo

Experimental, haunting, nihilistic Midwest emo with NNAMDI and Disappear Forever. 21+

aquariumfargo.com