Culture | May 12th, 2025
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+.
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.
Deuce of August
August 1-3, Mountain
Experience Icelandic culture with music, food, and a pickup and tractor pull for the 126th year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RiverArts
August 6, Viking Ship Park, Moorhead
Don’t miss from Front Fenders the Scottish stylings of Heather and Thistle Pipe and Drums.
WEFest
August 6-9, Soo Pass Ranch, Detroit Lakes
Cody Johnson, Hardy, Jon Pardi and more headline this popular country music bash.
Njáls Saga Tapestry Exhibit
August 6-13, Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead
View an intricate tapestry depicting the medieval Njáls Saga made by Icelandic volunteers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Billy Strings
August 12, Scheels Arena, Fargo
This Grammy Award-winning bluegrass star is one of the hottest tickets in the country.
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.
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.
August 14, Bluestem Amphitheater, Moorhead
The FM Symphony plays rock tunes at this popular annual event. Tickets go on sale June 3.
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.
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.
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.
Tacos and Two-Wheels
August 23, Up District Field, Fargo
Custom motorcycles, tequila and the region’s best tacos?! Count us in.
Arrowfest
August 23, Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Detroit Lakes
Test your skills with a new 3D archery experience. Two courses available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pile
August 31, The Aquarium, Fargo
Experimental, haunting, nihilistic Midwest emo with NNAMDI and Disappear Forever. 21+
July 29th 2025
July 15th 2025
July 3rd 2025
May 19th 2025
May 12th 2025
__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comFM Pride Week returns to the Fargo-Moorhead metro August 3-10. A snapshot of events are listed below. Discover event descriptions and locations as well as volunteer opportunities online at…
Monday, August 11Fargo Theatre, 314 N. Broadway, Fargo “Saw The Musical” premiered Off-Broadway in the Fall of 2023, parodying the events of the first “Saw” film. It has been described as “a love story with fluidity (and…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…
By Ed Raymondfargogadly@gmail.comNotes about terror, tyranny, torture, freedom, laws, lies, and truthWhen Vice President Mike Pence needed an answer to a question about the 2020 presidential election that might end American…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Cinephiles and fans of classic midcentury Hollywood biography will find much to appreciate in Mariska Hargitay’s insightful documentary “My Mom Jayne.” As protagonist Olivia Benson on…
Press ReleaseTouchmark at Harwood Groves will host a special artist reception featuring renowned glass artist Jon Offutt on Tuesday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the community’s auditorium. The event celebrates Offutt’s temporary…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comCaregivers for school-aged children and teenagers are encouraged to bring them to back-to-school immunization clinics scheduled for every Tuesday in August. Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH)…
By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…
By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…