Signature EVENTS

No matter when you decide to visit, you’ll find events happening. We host signature events like the Pequot Lakes Stars & Stripes Days in July. Have you been to the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Minnesota?! You’ll find the parade in Crosslake. How about kickin’ your boots up at Lakes Jam—the Lakes Area’s biggest country and rock fest. Plan your vacation around these popular events and make them an annual family tradition!

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza

February 3, 2024, Hole in the Day Bay, Gull Lake, Brainerd

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is the world’s largest ice fishing contest, and something you should experience first-hand. 20,000 holes are drilled in anticipation of this monster event. This event raises $150,000 for local charities, so the contest is for a good cause. You can win fish houses, four-wheelers, vacation packages, and more. Whether you win or not, you’ll have a Minnesota experience like no other! Visit www.icefishing.org for all the details on this incredible event.

The first Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza was held in January of 1991. The founders never expected the event would become the world’s largest ice fishing contest and put Brainerd, MN on the map. The winter event generates over $1 million in revenue for area businesses and over $150,000 for area charities annually. Over $3 million has been donated since its inception.

Lakes Jam

June 22–24, 2023, Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), Brainerd Lakes Jam gives festival goers the ultimate experience in rock and country music and adds other spectator events like watercross (snowmobile racing on an open water oval course), drift car demos, poker and bean bag tourneys, costume contest, and meet and greets. But what really sets Lakes Jam apart from other music festivals are the amenities at BIR, camping, and allowing ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts to get around the property.

2023 HEADLINERS: SKILLET, HARDY, & DUSTIN LYNCH.

Buy tickets and learn more at: www.LakesJam.com.

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

August 17–20, 2023, Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), Brainerd

The NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals is a heartthumping good time. You’ll see the world’s best drivers, the fastest cars on the fastest track, with the most insane race fans! Everyone has heard stories about BIR during the NHRA Nationals, but you need to experience it for yourself because nothing compares. Every ticket comes with a pit pass, so fans can watch their favorite teams tear down their cars and rebuild them in between races. On Nitro Alley, you’ll find interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, and food. Camping is available on-site at the infamous The Zoo campground. Camping in The Zoo brings live music Thursday through Saturday, 24hour food, and shenanigans. For those who have children or want quieter evenings, the reserved and restricted family camping have early noise and traffic rules that are strictly enforced. Daytime parking is also available. Visit www.birmn.com for more information.

Stars & Stripes Days

July 3–4, 2023, Pequot Lakes

Celebrate our nation’s independence at the Pequot Lakes Stars and Stripes Days in Trailside Park honoring our heritage with food vendors, music, games, parade, and fireworks.

On July 3, try your hand at the bean bag toss or listen to live music. Once the sun sets, the spectacular fireworks burst into the night sky. On July 4, come for the all-you-can-eat Pequot Lakes fireman pancakes, kids’ games, craft fair, and the Stars & Stripes Parade!

Bean Hole Days

July 19, 2023, Pequot Lakes

Join in the historic event Bean Hole Days, which dates back to 1938. Business owners asked local farmers to come into town for the day, and they served the farmers beans that baked overnight in the ground as part of a community event. Today, Bean Hole Days is a reminder and celebration of Pequot Lakes’ history serving over 3,000 hungry visitors. Lines form early for free beans. Purchase a 2023 Bean Hole Days mug and head to the front of the “Fast Pass for Gas” line or go through the drive thru for some rootin’ tootin’ good beans!

Trailside Park in the center of town is teaming with people visiting craft vendors, playing games, and enjoying free beans.

Bobber Bocce on ice

Feburary 10, 2024, Pequot Lakes

This event will have you embracing winter like a seasoned Minnesotan. Bobber Bocce on Ice is a hybrid of bocce ball and curling played on plowed lanes on the ice. Co-ed teams of 4 will work together to see if they get bragging rights as the top team. Events and activities on the ice all day for players and spectators. This will be the ‘coolest’ event you’ll ever attend! Check www.pequotlakes.com as the event gets closer for more event information, including registering.

Celebrate America Crosslake

July 1, 2023, Crosslake

For more than 50 years, Crosslake has celebrated America with fireworks. The fireworks display is staged from floating barges near Sand Island. Thousands of families and friends pack into boats or sit along the shores to enjoy the beautiful overhead explosions. Add this event to your bucket list and it will become an annual tradition not to be missed.

Crosslake Days

September 28–30, 2023, Crosslake

Visit in September and attend the annual Crosslake Days celebration. Crosslake is beautiful in the fall as the trees burst into hues of auburn and amber. The crisp air is the perfect backdrop to cool the heat of the chili cook-off contest. Taste the free samples and vote for your favorite. Local businesses compete for the coveted trophies and for bragging rights!

A missing chili pepper hunt, kids’ games, shopping deals, hand-crafted arts and crafts, bazaar and flea market, a Corn Hole Tournament and live entertainment, and street dance make this a great event for all ages.

WinterFest

February 1–3, 2024, Crosslake

Have cabin fever? Crosslake has the cure. Celebrate Winterfest, a three-day festival for old-fashioned winter fun. Beginning Thursday, daily clues are released for the Lost Medallion Hunt with more than $2,500 in prizes. Friday, there’s a kick-off party at the Crosslake Community Center with fun for everyone: sledding, skating, horsedrawn wagon rides, s’mores, bonfire, and fireworks! Saturday is a full day of activities including snowmobile radar runs, art & vendor show, games, deals and discounts at businesses, and fun activities for the kids. Participating businesses are serving up hot soup in the annual SoupFest contest where YOU get to determine who wins the coveted Golden Ladles.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 16, 2024, Crosslake (50th Anniversary!)

If you haven’t experienced Crosslake’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, you’re missing out on the best parade in the state (WCCOTV’s Viewers’ Choice for Best Parade in Minnesota)! One visit and you’ll come back year-after-year. The Crosslake community rallies around this family friendly event. Float after float is buzzing with activity, music, and candy. While the parade is the highlight of the weekend, you can also take in the Clover Dash 5K and if you chase the clues to find the Lost Pot O Gold, you could find yourself donning a basket FULL of gifts courtesy of Crosslake Chamber member businesses! Local shops and restaurants offer deals on green beer and corned beef, sweatshirts and décor! End the night dancing away at one of the area establishments with live music and more! Make the Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade your next tradition.

If you’re curious about what’s happening in our communities while you’re here, you’ve come to the right place. Hover your phone's camera over this QR code to check out our local events calendar.