St. Paul’s Summer tradition returns June 7

In this guide

For more than five decades, Grand Old Day has marked the unofficial start of summer in Saint Paul, transforming Grand Avenue into a sprawling neighborhood celebration filled with music, food, art, community groups and thousands of visitors.

First launched in 1973 by the Grand Avenue Business Association, the festival has grown from a local business promotion into what organizers describe as the largest free street festival in the Midwest. Stretching roughly two miles from Dale Street to Snelling Avenue, Grand Old Day blends the feel of a neighborhood block party with the scale of a major summer festival.

This year’s event takes place Sunday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live music stages and beverage gardens opening at 11 a.m. The festival again features six music stages, a parade, family activities, food and art vendors, the return of the popular wiener dog races and a morning 5K fun run.

What has long made Grand Old Day distinctive is its mix of community traditions and changing attractions. Visitors can spend the morning watching marching bands and floats in the parade, browse local artists and nonprofit booths in the afternoon and end the day listening to Twin Cities musicians outdoors along Grand Avenue.

The 2026 festival also leans heavily into neighborhood-focused experiences and interactive activities. Organizers are introducing several new features this year, including a Future Innovators Zone with STEM activities and a Kids Market designed for young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17. The market will allow children to sell handmade items, games, treats and services while gaining real-world business experience in front of thousands of attendees.

Another new addition is the Glow Zone, presented by FACE FOUNDRIÉ, offering free skin consultations, giveaways and wellness-focused activities near Red Balloon Bookshop.

Pet lovers will also see an expanded footprint this year. After the popularity of last year’s dachshund races, organizers are launching a new Pet Pavilion area near Snelling Avenue featuring pet-focused vendors and activities in addition to the returning races.

Festival organizers are also emphasizing accessibility and transportation. Attendees can download free Metro Transit passes through a festival survey, use shuttle service from the Anderson Parking Facility near Cretin Avenue or bike to the event using designated bicycle parking near Ayd Mill Road.

Live music remains one of the festival’s biggest draws. This year’s lineup includes indie rock, Americana, reggae, cover bands and youth performers spread across six stages. Organizers say all stages remain free to attend, though wristbands are required for 21-and-older beverage garden purchases. Pit passes offering front-row access at several stages are also available.

Among this year’s featured performers are Minneapolis indie rock veterans The Plastic Constellations, Twin Cities trio Gully Boys and reggae group International Reggae All Stars.

Despite rising event production costs, organizers say maintaining free admission remains central to the festival’s identity. Wristband and sponsorship sales help fund music stages, security and festival operations while supporting local businesses and organizations along Grand Avenue.

For many St. Paul residents, Grand Old Day has become as much a seasonal ritual as a festival — one that combines neighborhood pride, local music and a distinctly Twin Cities sense of community.

Find all their year’s information at grandave.com/events/grandoldday.

Grand Old Day Map

GrandOldDay_Map_2026_FINAL Download

Fun Run

Begins and ends at Snelling

Pre-registration required

The day begins with the Grand Old Day 5K Fun Run and Kids Half-Mile at 8 a.m., giving participants a chance to kick off the festival before parade crowds arrive.

The family-friendly run and walk starts and ends near Snelling and Grand avenues and is open to participants of all ages and experience levels. Organizers describe the race as an all-ages event designed for runners, walkers and families alike.

Participants can register online in advance and purchase commemorative race T-shirts while supplies last.

Food and Art Vendors

Throughout between Dale and Snelling

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Grand Avenue will fill with food vendors, artists, nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

Festivalgoers can expect everything from classic fair food and local restaurant offerings to handmade crafts, artwork and community booths lining the avenue between Dale Street and Snelling Avenue.

The Arts and Nonprofit Zone returns this year alongside expanded vendor areas. Organizers are also introducing the new Pet Pavilion near Snelling Avenue, featuring pet-related vendors and activities aimed at animal lovers attending the festival.

Car Show

Grand and Hamline

Classic cars and vintage vehicles return to the Grand Old Day Car Show near Grand and Hamline.

Presented by White Bear Mitsubishi and Volkswagen of Inver Grove, the car show offers visitors a chance to browse restored vehicles, muscle cars and collector favorites throughout the day.

The display will be centered near the Sinclair gas station area and is expected to attract enthusiasts of all ages.

Family-Friendly Activities

Grand and Dunlap and throughout the festival

Grand Old Day continues to emphasize family programming throughout the festival footprint.

This year’s new Future Innovators Zone will occupy the Willwerscheid Funeral Home parking lot near Grand and Dunlap. The area will feature interactive engineering and building activities from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, heavy-equipment simulators from IUOE Local 49 and the new Kids Market for young entrepreneurs.

Families can also explore sports and wellness activities, including outdoor yoga sessions and interactive exhibits.

The new Glow Zone presented by FACE FOUNDRIÉ will provide a wellness-themed rest stop with free consultations, masks and giveaways.

Community-building activities also return through the Neighborly Notes booths at Red Balloon Bookshop and Catzen Coffee, where visitors can write and exchange encouraging messages.

Wiener Dog Races

Grand and Snelling

One of the festival’s most popular recent additions returns with even more fanfare in 2026.

The Grand Old Day Wiener Dog Races will take place at noon and 1 p.m. near Grand and Snelling avenues. Check-in begins at 11 a.m., and organizers are encouraging early registration for participating dachshunds.

This year’s races expand into a broader Pet Pavilion experience featuring vendors, pet activities and additional seating for spectators.

Organizers are billing the event as “the cutest showdown of the year,” with bleachers added this year to accommodate larger crowds.

Live Music

Live music once again anchors much of the afternoon programming, with six stages operating from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grand Stage

Grand and Avon

Located at Grand and Avon, the Grand Stage serves as the festival’s headline venue. Sponsored by The Current, the stage features indie rock and alternative acts including Gully Boys, The Plastic Constellations, Thomas Sticha and Bunny Blood.

Americana Stage

Grand and Milton

The Americana Stage at Grand and Milton focuses on folk, roots and bluegrass music with performances from Molly Maher, Clover and The Bee and Haley E Rydell.

Live and Local Street Stage

Grand and St. Albans

Emerging Twin Cities performers will take over the Live and Local Street Stage between Dale Street and St. Albans. Featured acts include LASALLE and Obi Original & The Black Atlantics.

Nothing But Canna Stage

Grand and Grotto

The reggae-focused Nothing But Canna Stage at Grand and Grotto will feature International Reggae All Stars and additional world music acts.

Decades Stage

Grand and Snelling

The Decades Stage at Snelling Avenue highlights cover bands and retro favorites, including The Cellar Dwellers and DJ Matt Kotefka’s Rewind retro set.

School of Rock Stage

Grand and Lexington

Youth performers from regional School of Rock programs will perform throughout the day near Grand and Lexington Parkway.

For showtimes and more, visit grandave.com/grand-old-day-entertainment.

Parade

Begins at Dale

The Grand Old Day Parade, presented by Flint Hills Resources, steps off at 9:30 a.m. and remains one of the festival’s signature traditions.

The parade travels west along Grand Avenue from Dale Street to Snelling Avenue and features marching bands, dance groups, floats, community organizations, businesses, pets and neighborhood performers.

Festival organizers encourage visitors to arrive early and bring lawn chairs to secure viewing spots along the route.

The parade serves as the ceremonial centerpiece of the day, officially launching a full afternoon of activities stretching across Grand Avenue.

Grand Old Day Schedule

8 a.m. — Grand Old Day 5K Fun Run and Kids Half-Mile
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Food and arts vendors
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Arts and nonprofit zone
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Family Fun and Sports & Wellness zones
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Future Innovators Zone
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Car show
9:30 a.m. — Grand Old Day Parade
11 a.m. — Wiener dog race check-in
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Live music stages and beverage gardens
Noon and 1 p.m. — Wiener dog races

Music Schedule Highlights

Grand Stage

Gully Boys
The Plastic Constellations
Thomas Sticha
Bunny Blood

Americana Stage

Molly Maher
Stringdingers
Haley E Rydell

Nothing But Canna Stage

International Reggae All Stars

Live and Local Stage

LASALLE
Love Band
Obi Original & The Black Atlantics

More information and showtimes can be found at grandave.com/grand-old-day-entertainment.

Wristband and Pit Pass Information

Festival admission and stage access are free.

A 21-and-older wristband is required for beverage purchases in entertainment gardens.

21+ Wristband

$10 in advance
$15 day of festival

Music Pit Pass

$25 in advance
$30 day of festival
Includes front-row pit access at select stages and a 21+ wristband

Advance purchases are available through Showpass at showpass.com/grand-old-day.

Official App and Transportation Info

Festival organizers encourage attendees to download the official Grand Old Day app to access maps, schedules, vendor lists and real-time updates. Find the Grand Old Day App at grandoldday.app.