Parks and Recreation Links

Contact Information

Parks and Recreation Department

952-563-8877

Email staff

Title

Parks and Recreation Special Events

Sections

Winter Fete (January - February)

Step To It Challenge (May)

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.

How do I get started?

If you work or live in Bloomington, join our team online.
Registration begins April 1 at www.steptoit.org
Log your steps and other activities daily at the Step To It Challenge website beginning May 1, 2022. Use the online conversion chart to track other activities such as biking, zumba, skateboarding, working around the house or even washing your car!
Get moving and stay active!
Check back for community rankings and status updates and help your city earn bragging rights as the most active!

Public Works Open House (May)

Kites and Bites (June)

Kites and Bites is back in 2022!

Enjoy food trucks, music and kites, all of which will take over Valley View Playfields at East 90th Street and Portland Avenue South on June 11, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

KITES

FREE kites will be available for youth age 18 and younger while supplies last. Of course, you can always bring your own kites to fly as well!

BITES

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Have a blast dancing and moving to the high energy KidsDance DJ performance. 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

PARKING

On-street parking allowed for surrounding streets except East 90th Street. Parking allowed along 3rd Avenue South, east of Valley View Middle School. There is also plenty of on-street parking in the neighborhoods to the north.

Arts in the Parks (June - August)

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, Tuesday Performance Series, Midweek Music and Market, Thursday Blockbusters and Friday Night Live. All programs are free of charge and open to the public.

Learn more and discover the exciting lineup in store for 2022 on the Arts in the Parks web page.

Farmers Market (June - March)

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

Summer Fete (July)

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.

Safety and Service Boot Camp (July)

Have you ever wondered how a fire truck works? Want to learn what EMTs and Police officers do? Curious about the equipment and work it takes to keep our streets and sidewalks clean and safe? Those questions and more will be answered during a morning of fun to help you understand the safety and service activities that go on all around our community.

Participate and learn with the help of Bloomington’s Police, Fire, Environmental Health, Public Health, Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff.

Date: Friday, June 23
Time: 10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Site: Bloomington Civic Plaza Outdoor Amphitheater (east side of Civic Plaza)
Ages: All ages welcome.
Fee: Free!
Registration: None required.

For more information or questions, contact Parks and Recreation:
parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov | 952-563-8877 | MN Relay 711

River Rendezvous (September)

River Rendezvous 2022

This wonderful festival is a chance to experience living history at 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!

River Rendezvous 2022 takes place September 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For all the details, visit the River Rendezvous page!

Spinning at River Rendezvous 2019

Halloween Event (October)

October 30, 2022
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Normandale Lake Park
West 84th Street & Chalet Road

Join us for the Second Annual Halloween Trick or Treat Trail 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.

The Trail begins near the boat launch on the west side of the lake opposite the Chalet Road parking lot and includes entertainment, candy, and more surprises!

New in 2022, to keep things moving smoothly, preschoolers through 2nd graders are encouraged to hit the trail 2 - 3:30 p.m. and 3rd through 5th graders are encouraged to hit the trail 3:30 - 5 p.m. Also new this year, a food truck will be part of the event.

Costumes not 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.
For full details, including map, coloring contest information and more, visit b lm.mn/halloween
- Coloring contest deadline has been extended to Monday, October 24.