ARTS & CULTURE

Bring the entire family

and enjoy a weekend of entertainment in Downtown Owatonna at Gem Days.

Enjoy a Minnesota summer evening while you listen to live music at the 11@7 Concert Series on Thursdays in Central Park. Downtown Thursdays has music, food, art and shopping. The Music Space of Owatonna also hosts artists between tour stops in larger cities and venues. See their Facebook page for dates and times. Enjoy a fun family weekend downtown during Gem Days (past musicians include Charlie Parr and Dave Simonett!). Have a smokin’ good time sampling award-winning barbecue and listening to live blues bands at Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Festival. Watch the downtown come alive with music from competitive high school marching bands during the Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival. Warm up with hot beverages and Christmas carols by the carolers in Central Park after the Lighted Holiday Parade.

Downtown murals

On your stroll through historic downtown, you’ll come across several street murals painted by local artists, depicting Owatonna’s history and heritage. There are five murals to find: the Little Red Schoolhouse Mural and Main Street Mural at Pocket Park, the Owatonna Gateway Mural on the side of Straight River Sports & Fitness, the Fire Hall Mural on historic Fireman’s Hall and Princess Owatonna Mural on the side of Owatonna Shoe. Also look for 11 “mini murals” of owls hidden throughout the 75 historic buildings in downtown.

Little Theatre of Owatonna

507-451-0764 | 5608 Dunnell Drive littletheatreofowatonna.org The Little Theatre of Owatonna has been bringing culture and entertainment to the community for more than 50 years. Catch one of the 2021 performances The Gin Game and Frumpled Fairy Tales.

Extravaganza

507-451-1420 1448 Austin Road SCHSMN.org History comes to life in Owatonna during Steele County Historical Society’s Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear. You will experience what life was truly like in Minnesota during the late 19th century. Celebrate more than 30 years of historical reenactments and demonstrations, hands-on activities, food, music and more historically related family fun!

Owatonna Arts Center

507-451-0533 435 Garden View Lane oacarts.org Since 1974, the Owatonna Arts Center has been a place to discover surprising insights on the world around you and new talents within you. Located in the historic West Hills Campus, the Center’s vitality is experienced in art classes that offered for children and adults, exhibitions by regional artists and musical performances. View their calendar events for upcoming shows, classes, and more!