′Tis the Season for Events in Detroit Lakes

The warm days of summer are here! We are ready to celebrate here at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, with a season full of events and festivals! We invite you to join the fun.

DL Cruise Night

We are revved up for a big summer. Just check out the 200-plus buffed and shiny vintage automobiles parked along West Lake Drive by the Detroit Lakes City Beach. Five blocks of these beauties are a reminder of yesteryear. Don’t zoom past the cars—the lake breeze is a pleasure unto itself. When your stomach roars louder than a muffler, it’s time to head to the many bars and grills serving up pizza, burgers and more. DL Cruise Night is held from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month June through September.

Tunes and Chow in City Park

The outdoors are certainly in these days, making the Detroit Lakes City Park a must-visit. From June through August, the Detroit Lakes City Park bandshell attracts a lawn chair-toting crowd each Tuesday at 7 pm to appreciate an evening of free outdoor music. Return on Fridays June through August for Trucks & Tunes in the City Park. Live music and your favorite food truck grub will get your weekend in the right groove.

Northwest Water Carnival

For 89 years, the Detroit Lakes Jaycees have rolled up their sleeves each July to host 10 days of Water Carnival events. Family-friendly activities include everything from sandcastle building on the Detroit Lakes City Beach, bike tours, and airport fly-in to tug of war, water fights and beanbag tournaments. The two-night Bash on the Beach will be a chance to dance away all of our anxieties. The festivities wouldn’t be complete without the grand-finale parade along Washington Avenue on the final Sunday of the event.

Outdoor Craft Shopping

The arts scene is certainly not going to be left out of the fun. Two annual summer events celebrate the art of the matter. Street Faire at the Lakes kicks off the crafty season on Friday and Saturday May 30 and 31. Set up on six blocks of Washington Avenue and side streets, more than 100 vendors display handmade crafts. Try a new dish in the food court and relish the flavor at a picnic table while a live band entertains you. There’s a beer garden for adults and activities for the kiddos.

Slip on your sundress or shorts with flip-flops and head to the shady Detroit Lakes City Park Sunday, July 27, for Art in the Park, where crafters set up 100 booths for you to find handmade treasures. The City Park is located next to the City Beach. While you stroll through the park, your kids will be entertained on the playground and find festival foods to munch on.

It’s Fair Time

Cotton candy. Animal exhibitor buildings. Tilt-A-Whirl. Tractor parade. For decades, families have flocked to the fairgrounds in Detroit Lakes for the annual Becker County Fair. This year’s event, which runs July 23-26, will be no different. In its 131st year, the fair is pulling rabbits out of its many hats with magic shows, a fashion revue and all sorts of other entertainment under the big tent. But wait, there’s more—with animal attractions (including real bunnies!) and livestock exhibitions. This is sure to be a barnyard of fun!

42 Years in ‘25

Are you ready to dance the nights away? The WE Fest Country Music and Camping Festival is back Aug. 7-9. Come celebrate 42 years of the best in outdoor country entertainment! The event features the star-studded lineup of Hardy, Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Kip Moore, Gretchen Wilson plus more. Take the convenient ride out to Soo Pass Ranch just south of Detroit Lakes by riding the shuttle when you park at the Fairgrounds. It will be days of camping, music, food, vendors, friends and fun. 

Drums and Dancers

Celebrate local culture and heritage with dancers in colorful regalia and spirited drummers at the White Earth Pow Wow June 14 and 15 at White Earth. Before the summer wanes, the Pine Point Pow Wow is held at Ponsford August 2 and 3. Pow Wow grand entries are held on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to check out the Rez Car Parade Sunday morning at the Pine Point Pow Wow!

Swinging the Summer Away

The Pine to Palm Golf Tournament is held annually at the Detroit Country Club since 1931. One of the largest and most prestigious golf tournaments in the Upper Midwest, the public is invited to watch the competition August 11-17. Golfers come from across the country to compete in the premier golf tournament in the lakes area of Northwestern Minnesota.

Tri With All Your Might!

The annual Young Life Triathlon launches into the waters of Little Detroit Lake at the City Beach Saturday, Aug. 16. Hundreds of participants spend the morning swimming, running and biking to the finish line. If you’re looking to get your feet wet, try the sprint course with a 500-meter swim, 20K bike ride and 2.92 mile run. Or look into the stand-up paddleboard and kayak division if you feel swimming-challenged. Make it fun with friends by entering the relay team challenge. Feeling confident? The long course is for you. The 1.5K swim is followed by a 40K bike ride and 10K run. Tired just by reading all of that? Feel free to just cheer on the participants!

Vrrooom!

Fans will be back to cheer on the 2025 Ojibwe Forests Rally August 21-23. Teams speed through free flowing stage roads in the forest. Headquartered at the Soo Pass Ranch (home of WE Fest), this fast rally is fun to drive and to watch!

No matter what your tastes for food or fun, Detroit Lakes is the place to be this summer!