Summer isn’t quite over yet, and September boasts plenty of events that provide a reason to get out of the house. From open-studio painting sessions to home tours and, of course, “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” these events celebrate community, art, and fine home design.
Minnesota State Fair
There’s still time to head over to “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” which ends on Labor Day, Sept. 7. Explore new foods, plenty of shopping, and special events and performances. For home and design inspiration, stop by the Grandstand, Home Improvement Building, and Merchandise Mart. You’ll also find local and handcrafted goods at the West End Market and International Bazaar. Tickets required for entry. Aug. 27-Sept. 7, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Labor Day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) @ State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights near St. Paul, mnstatefair.org
Art Club: Open Studio–Acrylic Paint at Walker Art Center
Kameron Herndon for Walker Art Center
Part of the Walker Art Center’s “Free Thursday Nights” programming, the Art Club: Open Studio session on Sept. 3 offers a night of free acrylic painting, during which guests can either bring a piece in progress or start a new one at the studio, perhaps to adorn a bedroom or office space. There will be a stock of paints, brushes, and canvases available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there also will be trained educators in attendance for ideas and guidance. No tickets required. Sept. 3, 5–8 p.m. @ Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, walkerart.org
2026 Fall Parade of Homes
Parade of Homes
The Parade of Homes tour is back this fall with hundreds of newly built residences across the Twin Cities and Rochester areas open for free self-guided tours. Organized by Housing First Minnesota, an association comprising more than 900 members across builders, remodelers, developers, and industry suppliers, the tour features a mix of budget-friendly models and high-end custom designs for homeowners and industry professionals to find inspiration for their next projects. No tickets required. Sept. 11-Oct. 4, Fridays through Sundays, 12–6 p.m., paradeofhomes.org
Twin Cities Maker Fest
Tom Wildgen
The Twin Cities Maker Fest enters its third year in South Minneapolis, showcasing a lineup of arts and crafts activities, demonstrations, food trucks, performances, and a makers’ market with 150 local artists and craftspeople. The day-long festival will be at the corner of 31st Avenue South and East 26th Street between the Seward and Longfellow neighborhoods, and admission is free. Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tcmaker.org
FinnFest USA 2026
Finlandia Foundation National
Celebrate all things Finnish and Nordic culture, music, art, design, and food at FinnFest USA 2026, held at Hilton Minneapolis Downtown and the American Swedish Institute. Attendees will find live performances, speakers, hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, shopping, and more, and presentations like “Finnish Architecture in America” will showcase design insights, inspiration, and history. Tickets are required for entry, with four-day and single-day festival passes available, along with discounted pricing for students and children. Some programming is limited capacity and requires additional, separate tickets. Sept. 17–20, times vary each day, finnfest.us
Homes by Architects Tour
AIA Minnesota’s Homes by Architects Tour returns with 12 homes for the 2026 event—nine will be available to tour in person Sept. 19 and 20, and three will be viewable exclusively online from Sept. 19 through Oct. 4. The annual self-guided home tour showcases a diverse range of residential design from the area’s talented architecture community, with a mix of project types and sizes, design styles, budget scopes, and neighborhoods. New this year, two of the homes available for in-person tours will be located in Rochester. Tickets required. Sept. 19 and 20 (virtual access available Sept. 19 through Oct. 4), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., homesbyarchitects.org
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