Parks and Recreation Special Events

January 9 - February 27, 2022

Join Bloomington Parks and Recreation and community partners in welcoming winter during the 18th annual Winter Fete Celebration. Most activities are free and all activities are fun for the whole family!

Visit the Winter Fete page for all of the exciting details. 

May 1-28, 2022

Step-to-It

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. 

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 11 - October 15, 2022 (outdoor markets)
Wednesdays, July 13 - August 24, 2022 (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, 2022
5 - 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! 

In June you'll find information on performers, food, parking, weather and other details on the Summer Fete page.

2022 event information coming this summer. 

River Rendezvous 2021

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

2022 Halloween Event information coming late summer. 

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 entry deadline has passed. But you can still download the coloring sheets above just for fun!  
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded for each age/grade category.

View and Vote

Voting has now concluded in the 2021 Citywide Halloween Coloring Contest. View the top three in each grade here. 

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.