Parks and Recreation Special Events

January 18 - 26, 2020

Join Bloomington Parks and Recreation and area sponsors in welcoming winter during the 16th annual Winter Fete Celebration. Most activities are free and all activities are fun for the whole family!

Visit the Winter Fete page for all the exciting details. 

Saturday, April 3, 2021
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Marsh Lake Playfields West Parking Lot
West 94th Street & France Avenue South
Cost: FREE!

The Spring Eggstravaganza is this year’s version of the annual Spring Egg hunt—minus the hunting! Participants will drive-thru the Marsh Lake Playfields West Parking Lot and make stops over an approximately 5-minute time period to enjoy a variety of giveaways and activities at booths presented by Bloomington Optimist Club, Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, Bloomington Athletic Association, American Legion Baseball, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington Police Department, and Bloomington Fire Department (including a fire truck!)

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT in order to limit traffic congestion and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. Visit blm.mn/webtrac to register for a 15-minute time block. Registration opens Tuesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. 

• One registration required per family. Covers all occupants of one vehicle.
• You may arrive anytime during your 15 minute registration period. 
• If you have an account, visit the Webtrac link above BEFORE you attempt to register for Eggstravaganza to ensure that you know your login information.
• If you do not have an account, visit the Webtrac link above and create one BEFORE you attempt to register for Eggstravaganza.  
• For a tutorial on the registration process, including how to set up a household if you do not already have one in the system, view the Online Registration Instructions.

May 2021

What is the Step To It Challenge?

The Step To It Challenge is a FREE four-week physical activity challenge that motivates people of all ages and abilities to become more physically active. Family members, coworkers, schoolmates, neighbors, and friends come together to participate in this friendly competition among communities. Participants have opportunities to win prizes such as Twins tickets, T-shirts and more!

Benefits of Step To It

• All individuals who log their steps have a chance to win prizes through random drawings.
• The individual with the highest step total will win a pair of Twins tickets and be recognized on the field during a game this summer.
• The City with the most steps will win the "Most Steps Walked" Award.
• The City with the most active walkers will win the "Highest Average Number of Steps per Resident" Award.

Various days June - August

Grab the kids and invite the neighbors to see the best music groups and entertainers in the Twin Cities. Arts in the Parks includes Monday Morning Kids Series, Evening Performances, Thursday Blockbusters and Friday Night Live. All programs are free of charge and open to the public.

Discover more about all the excitement on our Arts in the Parks web page.

Saturdays, June 12 - October 23, 2021 (outdoor markets)
Wednesdays, July 7 - August 18, 2021 (Midweek Music & Market)

The Bloomington Farmers Market is a weekly gathering in which farmers, growers and producers sell their own products directly to the public. At the market you will find a great variety of fresh locally grown produce as well as flowers, meat, cheese, honey, maple syrup, berries, fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, coffee, smoothies, art and more! The market also features music and special activities.

To learn more or become a vendor, check out our Farmers Market page

July 3, 2021
6 - 10:30 p.m.
Normandale Lake Park
84th Street between Normandale Blvd and Chalet Road

Bloomington's Independence Day celebration is held each year on July 3 at Normandale Lake Park. The fun includes music, food, fireworks and more! 

On the Summer Fete page you can find detailed information on performers, parking, schedule, and weather. 

September 25 & 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This wonderful festival is a chance to experience living history at the Pond-Dakota Mission Park in Bloomington, Minnesota. The goal is to demonstrate the lifestyles of people living in Minnesota between 1830 and 1870 through story-telling and interactive, hands-on demonstrations! 

For more information check out the River Rendezvous page!

Spinning at River Rendezvous 2019

October 31, 2021
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Normandale Lake Park
West 84th Street  & Chalet Road

Join us for the first-ever Trick or Treat Trail at the 2021 Citywide Halloween event.  

This FREE outdoor event takes place at Normandale Lake Park, 84th Street and Chalet Road and is designed for children preschool age through 5th grade.

Event Details: 

• Park in the lots along Chalet Road.
• Begin your journey along the trail at the boat launch on the west side of the lake (see map below).
• Trail includes music, candy and more surprises! 
• Costumes not required.
• Free event. No registration required.
• Donation of a non-perishable food item for the VEAP food shelf is appreciated but not required.
• Event takes place weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted here and on the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Facebook page. 

Musical Entertainment

Wiggle, Jiggle and Jam: 4 - 4:45 p.m. on the Bandshell Stage! 

• Wendy's Wiggle, Jiggle and Jam features music and fun for the entire family. Jump, dance, move and grove to the music in this engaging concert where every child gets to be a star!

Event and Parking Map

2021 Coloring Contest

Download and print the linked flyer to participate in the coloring contest. See rules and details below.  

• 2021 Trick or Treat Trail Flyer and Coloring Contest (English)
• 2021 Trick or Treat Trail Flyer and Coloring Contest - Español
• 2021 Trick or Treat Trail Flyer and Coloring Contest - Soomaali

Contest Rules

• Age groups: Preschool (3 - 4 years), Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.
• Color the drawing on a printout of page 2 of the PDF linked above using markers, crayons or colored pencils.
• Contest entries are due to Bloomington Parks and Recreation by Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.  See flyer for delivery options and details. 
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded for each age/grade category.

View and Vote

Voting will take place online to determine the winners of each age/grade category.  Voting site link will appear here after the entry deadline. 

The Citywide Halloween Event is presented by the Recreation Division of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and is co-sponsored by the Bloomington Optimist Club.