Festivals

  • The coolest days of winter

    Ditch the indoors for one of these great festivals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.

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  • Toasting Oktoberfest

    These festive tributes to Bavarian tradition put the oompah into fall.

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  • Bacon bashes

    If you fry it, they will come. Here's where to pig out around the Upper Midwest.

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  • Party in Milwaukee

    Summer is one long festival in this easygoing city on Lake Michigan.

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  • Powwow primer

    Yes, you're invited. Here's what to expect and why you should go.

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  • Big apples

    In Bayfield, a fall festival has grown to jumbo proportions.

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  • Great grape stomps

    At winery harvest festivals, compete with your feet.

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  • A feast of festivals

    Here's an eater's guide to small-town fests, from strawberries to sauerkraut and kolacky to sweet corn.

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  • Polish for a day

    At Milwaukee's lakefront festivals, visitors get a big helping of another culture.

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  • A German Mardi Gras

    At New Ulm's Bock Fest, the good times roll in on a tide of beer.

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  • Celebrating Syttende Mai

    On their special day in May, Norwegians wave the red, white and blue.

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  • Waking the dragon

    A sport inspired by ancient Chinese legend takes off on local waters.

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  • Throwing a party

    At these festivals, all kinds of things fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

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  • Nordic nirvana

    Every July, Decorah puts on one of the best fests in the Midwest.

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  • Great winter festivals

    Enjoy the chilly season with snow sculptures, ice castles, sleigh rides and lots of hot chocolate.

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  • Great summer festivals

    Here are the best of this summer's fests in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, northern Illinois and western Michigan.

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  • Great spring festivals

    Here's where you can celebrate spring with brews, birding and beautiful blooms.

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  • 5 festivals that are out of this world

    You'll have a cosmic good time celebrating things that came from outer space.

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  • Floating on air

    Looking for a hot-air balloon festival? Keep your eyes on the skies.

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  • Home of the eelpout

    In February, a Minnesota fishing town lets loose during a wild and crazy celebration.

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