Summertime on the North Shore is filled with activities, events, festivals, and more to enjoy. Here are your June 2024 Activities and Events to help you better plan your Northwoods vacation.
This list is not a complete list of all activities and events. Check out Visit Cook County, Perfect Duluth Day, and Lovin’ Lake County for more. Also, check out the Bayfront Festival Park schedule for all events happening on their stage in June.
Events in Grand Marais
Cook County Market, Every Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm: The Cook County Market is a small weekly crafters market held in downtown Grand Marais (weather permitting). The market runs from Memorial Day weekend to Moose Madness weekend in October. At this market you can find locally made pottery, jewelry, woodwork, glass art, face and skin products, clothing, leather work, fresh baked breads, and more! Plus, there is live music every week. This year in the month of June you can enjoy the following lineup: June 1- Zahir Orest, June 8- Tom vanCleve & Erik Hahn, June 15- Briand Morrison, June 22- Tom vanCleve & Erik Hahn, June 29- Pat Eliasen.
Northern Landscapes Festival, May 31-June 2, All Day: Spring is an explosion of life in the North! Discovering the birds, wildflowers, insects and more of this dynamic and rich northern landscape is the focus of this festival. Participation in this North House Folk School festival is open to anyone interested in hands-on learning and curious about the dynamics of the northern landscape. This year’s course offerings allow nature-lovers the chance to explore the North Shore and learn more about the local ecology and geology. Discover the language of birds, forage for spring wild edibles, and learn the identifications and uses of many local plants.
Cook County Pride, June 15, All Day: The annual pride celebration in Cook County features several activities throughout the day. These include free yoga in the park, Drag Queen story hour, free Oula dance classes and live music, rally and march in Harbor Park, a free community dinner and social hour, author talk, and a DJ dance party in the evening.
Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Show, June 21-22, All Day: The Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the best of summer on Lake Superior. Join the North House Folk School for a joy-filled weekend that weaves together craft, community, and the beauty of long days by the lake. Discover, dance, paddle, create, and welcome the brightest season at this festival! The beloved Solstice Pageant by the Good Harbor Hill Players will take place on June 22 at 8 pm.
Taste of the Trail Picnic Adventure, June 23, 11 am – 4 pm: Navigate the beautiful Gunflint Trail on a scenic and tasty adventure, collecting multiple courses from iconic Trail venues. Complete your passport and enjoy live music to raise funds for the North Shore Health Care Foundation. This fun, flexible adventure benefits a variety of health care, emergency services and community programs in Cook County. Make it take out, picnic along the way or join others at the the Gunflint Lodge (the final destination) to enjoy your meal. Prize draws and live music from musician and Sheriff Pat Eliasen round out the evening.
Events in Lutsen
Lutsen 99er, June 28-29, All Day: Join Life Time Lutsen 99er for an off-road adventure on Minnesota’s North Shore, Friday and Saturday, June 28 & 29, 2024. Four distances, one incredible weekend. The Lutsen 99er is an ultra-marathon mountain biking event in Lutsen, MN. There are 4 distances, including 29er, 45er, 69er, and 99er, catering to all riding levels and abilities. The course consists of snowmobile and ski trails, Forest Service roads, and a bit of pavement and single track. Starting and ending at Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course. The race is full but there are plenty of volunteer and spectator opportunities!
Events in Duluth and Superior
Earth Rider Makers Market (Superior, WI), June 2, 12 pm – 3 pm: Unique, sustainable, handcrafted, locally-grown and freshly-brewed goods are sold at the Earth Rider festival grounds on the first Sunday of each month, May to September. The market features a variety of what Twin Ports makers have to offer. Consult Earth Rider’s social media for updates regarding weather, music, food trucks and vendors.
Food Truck Fridays, Every Friday, 8 am to 5 pm: A weekly event all summer long where local food trucks will be stationed at Volkswagen of Duluth. In June, enjoy the following food trucks: June 7- Tom’s Taste of Chicago. June 14- Community Appreciation Day (Ballpark Food from the Huskies), June 21- Johnny B’s.
Duluth-stämman 2024: Nordic Music and Dance Festival, Sat, June 8-9, 9 am – 5 pm: The Nordic Center presents the second annual Duluth-stämman: Nordic Music and Dance Festival. This year’s festival offers dances, workshops, jam circles, performances, youth activities and an experience that is inclusive to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. This year’s musical performers will include many of the finest Nordic musicians from around North America.
Summer Solstice Block Party, June 20, 4 pm – 8 pm: The parking lot between Zenith Bookstore and Wussow’s Concert Cafe is the primary location of this Summer Solstice Block Party, but some activities are spread out along the 300 block of Central Avenue in West Duluth. Acclaimed Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea will be performing, along with other local bands. There will be food, a free movie at the West Theatre, and family fun activities including Animal Story Time, Henna tattoos, tarot deck readings, face painting, and kids’ crafts.
Grandma’s Marathon and Other Races, June 21-22, All Day: Partake in the largest, most anticipated series of races on the North Shore! All of the races are fill, but there is still plenty of opportunity to cheer on the racers and even volunteer for the event. The full Grandma’s Marathon runs from Two Harbors to Duluth, so visitors to Lake County can also enjoy participating in events surrounding the race weekend.
Rock the Bayfront 2024, June 21-22, Evening on Friday, All Day Saturday: Local and regional bands will perform Friday night and all day Saturday as part of the Grandma’s Marathon weekend festivities. Click the link to see the full lineup of bands and set times. Admission is free!
Chum Super Rhubarb Fest 2024, June 29, 9 am – 3 pm: Chum’s 19th annual Rhubarb Festival promises lots of rhubarb — including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps, as well as rhubarb brats and burritos. There will also be live music, games, crafts, auctions and stage shows. This year marks Chum’s 50th anniversary, and the organization is promising a Super Rhubarb Festival, with more pie, more food and more everything. Rhubarb Fest and the work of Chum in general benefits people experiencing homelessness in Duluth.
Park Point Art Fair 2024 June 29, 10 am to 5 pm: The 52nd annual Park Point Art Fair is an outdoor visual arts showcase featuring more than 100 juried artists working in clay, photography, painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, fiber, jewelry, wood and glass. Held at the Park Point Recreation Area, rain or shine, the event offers the chance to meet the juried artists showing and selling fine art and craft, while enjoying live music, food venders and more.
Thirsty Pagan Summer Solstice Celebration and Market (Superior, WI), June 29, 11 am – 6 pm: Celebrate the summer solstice at Thirsty Pagan with many talented makers and creators that call the Twin Ports home. The celebration includes live music, vendors, food, and, of course, beer.
Events in Lake County (Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Beaver Bay)
Two Harbors Farmers Market, Every Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm: Each weekly Farmer’s Market includes: Locally Grown Food, Handmade Goods, Food Trucks, Live Music.
Free Park Day and Scavenger Hunt (Silver Bay), June 8, 9 am – 3 pm: Let’s celebrate Free Park Day with a Scavenger Hunt at Tettegouche State Park! All ages welcome to explore the park and partake in the scavenger hunt. Pick up a scavenger hunt list at the Friends table inside the visitor center. Find all the items on the list and bring it back to the table to collect a prize!
Moonlight Music and Market, June 21, Starting at 6 pm: The first Moonlight of 2024, is proud to announce Indecent Proposal performing live in downtown Two Harbors, on Friday June 21st starting at 6:30pm! Come for family-friendly fun, games, food & beverages & shop local businesses and pop-up vendors.