Cities South Magazine

Eagan’s July 4th Funfest
2024-07-03 16:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | Eagan Festival Grounds, 1507 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN, 55121
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest has been occurring annually for over 50 years. Beginning as a small group of children riding around town on decorated bicycles, the event has grown into a three day event at two locations with live bands, rides, lots of food, a parade and a fireworks show that attracts more than 100,000 people.

4 p.m. Bike Parade
4-11 p.m. Carnival
5-11 p.m. Live Music by Arena and Junk FM

Big Rig Rally
2024-05-23 16:00 - 19:00 | Eagan City Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Point, Eagan, MN, 55122
Get an up close and behind the scenes look at many of the big rigs that support the City of Eagan’s parks, trails and roads. Guests will see mowers, plow trucks, police and fire vehicles, the famous garbage truck and more. Activities will include equipment demos, face painting and giveaways while supplies last. Event will be held rain or shine. Help fill The Open Door truck by bringing a canned food donation. Additional parking will be available at Oak Hills Church.

Somethin' 'out a Truck
2024-05-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Prior Lake Maintenance Center, 17073 Adelmann St. SE, Prior Lake, MN, 55372
This is a family-friendly open house event to celebrate National Public Works Week.
Come explore the vehicles that help maintain our city. Kids (and adults) can climb in the equipment and learn more about the day-to-day activities in Public Works. You can even help paint a snowplow and take a turn in a construction-themed bounce house.

Holz Farm Spring Festival
2024-05-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Holz Farm Park, 4665 Manor Dr., Eagan, MN, 55123
Enjoy a spring afternoon of old-fashioned fun at Historic Holz Farm. The Friends of the Farm and the City of Eagan invite you to learn about life on the farm. Guests will be able to enjoy a hayride, tour the house and listen to live music. Snacks and souvenirs will be available for purchased from the General Store. Tickets required for all individuals 12 months and older, tickets available at onsite or ahead of time at discovereagan.com.

Summer Kick Off
2024-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Rahn Park, 4425 Sandstone Drive, Eagan, MN, 55122
Summer will be here before you know it. Stop by the Summer Kick Off to learn about how Eagan Parks & Recreation can keep everyone busy. From sports to art, fitness to preschool, seniors to community events and so much more. Along with summer program information, there will be a variety of fun activities, giveaways and light refreshments. See you there.

Apple Valley Home & Garden Expo 2024
2024-04-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Eastview High School, 6200 140th St W, Apple Valley, MN, 55124
The Apple Valley Home & Garden Expo is the largest home show south-of-the-river. Over 120 Home & Garden related businesses and organizations welcome everyone with free admission, free face-painting by Eastview students, city firetrucks to climb upon and grilled food. TV Gardening host Bobby Jensen from KARE 11 said the Apple Valley Home & Garden Expo “One of the best local home shows in the Twin Cities. They do it right!” There is free fun, food grilled by the local Boy Scouts troop (100% of sales goes to the troop) and you can buy local from people you can get to know face-to-face.

Golden Egg Hunt
2024-03-23 12:00 | Lakeville Parks
Find the golden eggs in our parks and complete the challenges. Beginning March 23, 2024, we will be giving out clues to find four golden eggs in our parks. Submit a picture with the egg cutout, or a picture of your family completing the challenge, to be entered to win a spring surprise pack. Households may enter up to a maximum of four pictures, once per completed challenge. Clues will be sent out via e-mail to those who register.
Golden Eggs will be in the parks through March 30, 2024.

Easter Bunny Breakfast
2024-03-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club, 2920 220th St. E., Prior Lake, MN, 55372
Hop on over and join us for our annual Easter Bunny Breakfast. Enjoy breakfast, a visit with the Easter Bunny, face painting, baby animals and a two bunny approved kid egg hunts.
Face painting, and kids’ egg hunt included with purchase of breakfast.
Egg Hunt Start Times: 10:30 a.m. and noon

Easter Egg Scramble
2024-03-16 09:00 - 23:00 | Lakeville Heritage Center, 20110 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville, MN, 55044
Scrambled eggs, pastries and breakfast treats will be served. Bring your camera—a special bunny has hopped a long way to see you and will be available for photos. We’ll enjoy egg-stra special Easter activities.
Registration deadline: March 12
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration for adults and children is required, space is limited.

Youth Ice Fishing Contest
2024-02-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Casperson Park, 19720 Juno Trail, Lakeville, MN, 55044
Youth ages 2-13 are invited to fish through one of the many holes cut through the ice. Participants need to bring their own fishing equipment and bait. Prizes will be awarded. This year’s contest will take place in it’s new location at Casperson Park.

Sweetheart Dance
2024-02-09 17:30 - 20:00 | Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN, 55121
Gather your family and friends for a magical evening of dancing, dinner, crafts and photo opportunities. Guests are invited to spend the night making memories in their favorite fancy attire—it’s sure to be fun for everyone! A sensory-friendly space will be available in a smaller area with lighting and sound variations that are sensory inclusive. Register each person attending by February 1 at discovereagan.com.

Frosty Festival 2024
2024-01-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Trapp Farm Hill, 841 Wilderness Run Road, Eagan, MN, 55123
Celebrate winter at this outdoor event! Take a ride down the Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill while you enjoy music by a DJ, a bonfire, smores, hot cocoa, snowman building, a lighted trail and more.
Tickets required for all individuals 12 months or older and are available at discovereagan.com or onsite.

Dakota County New Year's Eve Party
2023-12-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN, 55123, United States
Celebrate all things winter with candlelight ice skating, walking, hiking and snowshoeing. Hang out at the A-frame, sled on the lit sledding hill, sip cocoa and warm up with crackling bonfires. Stay for the ball drop at 7:59 p.m.
Bring your own sled and ice skates. Snowshoe rental is available. S’mores and hot cocoa provided.
Dogs not permitted. Service animals are welcome.
Admission:
Cost is $8 per person. Ages 5 and under are free, no ticket required. Pre-purchasing tickets is highly recommended. To maintain a high quality event, we limit the amount of tickets we sell. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at 9 a.m.
​Food ​​available

Brick Oven Bus
Unbakeable ​
Youniverse Foodie
KCM Egg R​olls

Events plan​​ned

Wooded lake loop for hiking or snowshoeing (about a half mile).
Wooded spur trail to the A-Frame shelter for hiking or snowshoeing (1 mile one way).
Paved, snow-free ADA accessible lake wooded loop for walking (3/4 mile).
Snow-free ADA accessible sidewalk loop around the Visitor Center campus (1/2 mile).
Lit bay of Schulze Lake for skating and kicksledding (bring your own ice skates, free kicksleds provided). Weather permitting.
Lit sledding hill for sledding. Bring your own sled.
Ski pole and snowshoe rental available. (First-come, first-served, no reservations).
Bonfires.
Free cocoa available at Visitor Center and A-Frame Shelter.
S’more stations at Schulze Beach bonfire.
Holiday light recycling (we’re collecting old, working and non-working holiday lights for recycling).
7:59 p.m. ball drop.

Santa's Wonderland
2023-11-25 08:30 - 13:30 | St. Michael’s Catholic School, 16280 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN, 55372
Kick off the holiday season with a visit to Santa or Sprinkle’s, Santa’s head elf, hosted by Little Saints Photography. Festivities feature a scheduled 5-minute visit with Santa, treats, crafts, games and more. Visit includes photos taken by Little Saints Photography and an online gallery of imagines to download with print release.
This is not your typical first come first serve, wait in line type of Santa photo session. All sessions will be pre booked so you know when you will get to see Santa or Sprinkles.

Halloween Trail Walk
2023-10-28 11:00 - 14:00 | Viking Lakes, 26009 Vikings Circle, Eagan, MN, 55121
Save the Date for the Halloween Trail Walk! Dress in your Halloween best and explore “Legends Crossings” at Viking Lakes. Attendees will visit trick or treat stations, enjoy music and play Halloween themed games throughout the Plaza. This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine.
$5 per child, adults free with food donation to The Open Door

Apple Valley Trunk or Treat
2023-10-28 11:00 - 13:00 | Family Aquatic Center and Pool, 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN, 55124
Join us for Apple Valley’s second annual Trunk or Treat event. This free event allows a safe environment for children to dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat by going from vehicle to vehicle collecting candy. City vehicles and staff from multiple departments will be in attendance.

Prior Lake Days
2023-08-12 14:00 - 22:00 | Downtown Prior Lake
Free kid activities 2-6 p.m.

Inflatables & Putt Putt
Vendor Village
Face painting
Balloon Sculptures

XL Outdoor Living Corn Hole Tournament
Check in begins at 2 p.m., with bag throwing starting at 2:30 p.m.
Winning team $500
2nd place $200
3rd place $100

Morgan Family Dental Music Stage
2-5 p.m. KidsDance
5:30-6:30 p.m. Mini Pow Wow with Regalia
7-10 p.m. MidBros Brothers
2-10 p.m. Beer Tent

Eagan Big Rig Rally
2023-06-01 16:00 - 19:00 | Eagan City Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Point, Eagan, MN, 55122
Go behind the scenes and get an up-close look at tons of big rigs. Guests will see fire trucks, police cars, mowers, plow trucks and the ever-famous garbage truck! Activities will include face painting, photo opportunities, refreshments and giveaways while supplies last. Event will be held rain or shine. Additional parking will be available at Oak Hills Church (1570 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan, MN 55121).

Kid's Easter Egg Decorating Party
2023-03-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Brackett’s Crossing Country Club, 17976 Judicial Rd., Lakeville, MN, 55044
We’re going to have a hopping good time at our Easter Egg Decorating Party.
We’ll start the night with dinner, then we’ll decorate some Eggs for Easter all while watching the movie, Hop!
Open to Social and Golf members, kids ages 5 and up. $25/child includes dinner (chicken nuggets, fries & fruit), egg decorating and sweet treats.
Mom and Dad, make it a date night with corresponding restaurant reservations.

Mid-Winter Fest
2023-02-04 15:00 - 19:30 | Johhny Cake Ridge Park West, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, 55124
Apple Valley’s Mid-Winter Fest is a winter celebration that brings together our community to enjoy food, fun, and activities for all ages. This annual festival began in 1978 and has been an Apple Valley tradition ever since. We invite you to join us for this special community celebration.
Event Information
This year’s 2023 celebration will take place at Johnny Cake Ridge Park-West, located at 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Remember to dress warm!
Parking
Parking will be available in the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center Parking Lot, Upper Parking Lot along Johnny Cake Ridge Park-West, and Parking Lots in Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East.
