The Minneapolis Aquatennial is billed as the “10 BEST Days of Summer.” An estimated 800,000 visitors attend the Aquatennial summer festival, which features more than 70 events.

Signature events include the Aquatennial fireworks show, one of the largest fireworks displays in the U.S., an evening Aquatennial parade, a triathlon, a sandcastle competition and a milk carton boat race. The lineup of Minneapolis Aquatennial events also includes sailing regattas, ChampBoat Grand Prix racing, a water ski show on the Mississippi River, food and wine tasting, an iron metal sculpture contest and the Queen of the Lakes coronation.  Another of the 2007 Aquatennial’s events, The MOST Amazing Race, is a combination scavenger hunt and fundraiser for the Salvation Army.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial was first held in 1940 and has since become the largest festival in Minneapolis. In 1993, the Aquatennial milk carton boat race saw its largest competitor ever — a boat made up of 25,000 milk cartons and stretching more than 100 feet.

The annual Aquatennial summer festival is scheduled during the third full week of July.

Minneapolis Aquatennial Dates & Times

July 12-21 2008

Events include: