Mark Your Calendars

Throughout the year, Lanesboro and nearby Whalan host a vibrant calendar of festivals, arts events, markets, and seasonal celebrations. These annual traditions highlight the town’s creative spirit, outdoor culture, and welcoming Bluff Country community. Whether you're planning a spring getaway, a summer bike trip, or a cozy winter weekend, these signature events offer memorable reasons to visit.

Visiting soon? Check the full events calendar to see everything happening while you're in the Lanesboro area.

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LOVEBIRDS IN LANESBORO

Couple holding hands while walking along a snowy downtown Lanesboro sidewalk lined with historic storefronts and American flags during winter.

Lanesboro | Reconnect with your sweetheart during a weekend away--lighted luminaries, special activities and discounts.

FEB 13-15, 2026

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF OWLS

Houston | Enjoy a weekend in Lanesboro and take a day trip to the Owl Festival in Houston, the only North American, full-weekend, all-owl event.

MAR 6-8, 2026

CABIN FEVER FEST

Outdoor patio scene at a stone building with string lights overhead, where a family gathers around a square metal fire pit on a chilly day. Two girls in black winter coats warm their hands by the flames while a woman in a fur-trimmed parka sits facing them. In the background, a man in a red-and-black plaid jacket and knit hat stands near the steps, and a woman in a red jacket walks two black-and-white dogs across the paved courtyard. Wooden chairs circle the fire, with stacked firewood and patio heaters visible behind them.

Lanesboro | Fight the winter blues and get out of the house by visiting Lanesboro for shopping, dining and entertainment. Donʼt forget to embrace the outdoor adventures and snow challenges!

MAR 13-14, 2026

GET SQUIRRELY WITH SURLY

Several people's hands holding plastic cups of Surly beer and holding them up

Lanesboro | Join your friends for Lanesboro's annual Spring Pub Crawl. Participating bars are serving Surly. Enjoy great beer and time with friends, and crawl on!

APRIL 17-18, 2026

BLUFF COUNTRY STUDIO ART TOUR

An artist paints a landscape on canvas inside a studio, using a brush to add detail while autumn-colored artwork hangs on the wall behind them.

Lanesboro Area | Begin at the Juried Sales Gallery at Lanesboro Arts, then travel scenic back roads to the studios of the areaʼs artists.

APRIL 24-26, 2026

LANESBORO FARMERS’ MARKET

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Saturdays 9am-noon. Fresh local produce, and goods for sale weekly. Regular off erings include canned goods, baked items, meat, produce and other edible items. Others sell art, craft s and other hand-made items.

SATURDAYS MAY-OCT

SPRING BOUTIQUE & BUSINESS CRAWL

Red flowers in a downtown planter bloom along Lanesboro’s main street, with storefronts, parked cars, and small-town activity visible in the background on a sunny spring day.

Lanesboro, downtown | Savor a day of local shopping where you will find deals, prizes, and more!

MAY 9, 2026

BLUFF COUNTRY GATHERING

Lanesboro | Old-time music festival/camp with workshops, concert and square dance. Many musicians provide pop-up performances in the park and around the community.

MAY 14-17, 2026

MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

Color guard marching with American flags during the Lanesboro Memorial Day parade, passing a veterans memorial with white crosses and patriotic displays in the background.

Lanesboro | Honoring our fallen comrades with a parade, program of patriotic music, speakers and gun salute with taps.

MAY 25, 2026

WHALAN'S MUSIC IN THE BLUFFS

People gather under trees and tents during an outdoor community music event in Whalan, Minnesota.

Whalan | A free,laid-back summer concert series. Bring a lawn chair, gather with friends and neighbors, and enjoy live music in a relaxed, small-town setting.

JUN, JUL, AUG (2026 DATES TBD)

RHUBARB FESTIVAL

Man standing on a grassy field holding an oversized rhubarb leaf during an outdoor festival in Lanesboro, with tents, spectators, and wooded bluffs in the background.

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Celebrate Minnesotaʼs sweet-tart favorite. Free tastings of rhubarb delights, games, music and fun.

JUNE 6, 2026

ART IN THE PARK

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | In its 44th year, experience annual fine arts festival with over 90 exhibitors, live music and family art activities. 10am-5pm.

JUNE 20, 2026

FILLMORE COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S STEAK FRY

Multiple steaks grilling over open flames on a large outdoor barbecue grill during a community steak fry in Lanesboro, with a spatula resting on the grate and a person standing nearby.

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | $20/person, 4:30 - 7:30pm. Drive through, walk-up or dine in the park. If inclement weather, meal will be served in the community center.

JUNE (2026 DATE TBD)

GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Girls fastpitch softball game in progress at a Whalan ballpark, with players fielding a hit on the infield while spectators watch from the bleachers and dugout area in the background.

Whalan | Exciting action by some of the most talented female athletes from the area. Age groups of 12 and under through 18 and under will be competing in this two-day event. Refreshments available onsite.

JULY 3-5, 2026

FILLMORE COUNTY FAIR

Preston | Hosted by the Fillmore County Agricultural Society since 1865. This multi-generational event is a reflection of the values, culture, history, heritage and dreams of all that call Fillmore County their home.

JULY 20-26

BUFFALO BILL DAYS

Actors dressed in period frontier clothing portray Buffalo Bill–era figures during a community event, walking along a street in Lanesboro with spectators watching in the background.

Lanesboro | Lanesboroʼs city-wide festival: marketplace, food booths, entertainment, dance, volleyball and soft ball tournaments, grand parade and fireworks.

JULY 30-AUG 2, 2026

STRINGWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL

String quartet performing in an intimate indoor venue in Lanesboro, with two violinists, a violist, and a cellist seated on a wooden floor stage and audience members watching from nearby chairs.

Lanesboro | This premiere summer music festival specializes in connecting young musicians (ages 12-22) to chamber music as an art form, and developing expression in a supportive and nurturing environment.

AUG 8-23, 2026

LANESBORO AREA ART TRAIL

Lanesboro Area | Artists open the doors to their studios, from 10 am to 5 pm. This self-guided tour through town and the region allows visitors to talk with artists and see their work spaces.

AUG 21-22, SEP 18-19, OCT 16-17, 2026

60-MILE GARAGE SALE

Railroad crossing sign along the Root River Trail with directional markers listing distances to Preston, Fountain, Harmony, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford, and Houston, surrounded by lush green vegetation.

Trail Towns | Shop garage sales and local business specials throughout the ten towns in the Root River Trail Towns organization and everywhere in between.

SEPT 11-12, 2026

FALL BOUTIQUE & BUSINESS CRAWL

People stroll along downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, with shops, fall decorations, and bluffs in the background.

Lanesboro, downtown | Savor a day of local shopping where you will find a fashion show, local vendors, deals, prizes, and more!

SEPT 19, 2026

FALL BEER AND WINE FEST

People gather around a fire pit outside Sylvan Brewing in downtown Lanesboro, Minnesota, on a fall evening.

Lanesboro | Enjoy Oktoberfest and seasonal fall drinks from Midwestern craft breweries at Lanesboro bars and restaurants.

SEPT 19, 2026

FALL INTO LANESBORO

Horse-drawn wagon ride traveling through downtown Lanesboro during a fall event, with colorful historic storefronts lining the street and families gathered along the sidewalk.

Lanesboro | Family-friendly, fun-fi lled fall event with a scavenger hunt, wagon ride, pumpkins and more.

OCT 3, 2026

FILTHY 50 GRAVEL BICYCLE EVENT

Hundreds of cyclists line up at the starting line of the Filthy 50 gravel race on downtown Lanesboro’s main street, surrounded by historic storefronts and fall hillsides.

Lanesboro | The Filthy 50 is a beautiful, unsupported, gravel road bicycle riding event that begins and ends in downtown Lanesboro.

OCT 10, 2026

DOWNTOWN TRICK-OR-TREATING

Families and children in Halloween costumes walking along a decorated downtown Lanesboro sidewalk during a business trick-or-treat event, with storefronts adorned in fall décor and pumpkins.

Lanesboro | Celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating at local businesses and display your creative costumes!

OCT 31, 2026

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF LANESBORO

Lanesboro | Holiday fun for the whole family! Cookie decorating, bonfi res, shopping, wagon rides, games and Santa! Support your neighborhood businesses on Small Business Saturday.

NOV 28, 2026

LEGION LIGHTS HOLIDAY DISPLAY

A family poses together beneath a tunnel of colorful holiday lights at Legion Lights in Lanesboro during a winter evening.

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Experience a magical holiday lights display in Sylvan Park all month long! Brought to you by the Lanesboro American Legion. Free and open to the public.

THANKSGIVING THROUGH NEW YEARS

HOLIDAY DINNER DANCE

Three people smiling and laughing together at the Lanesboro Annual Dinner & Dance, seated in front of festive winter décor with snowflake decorations and string lights in the background.

Lanesboro | Gather with friends and family and dance the night away! Gather for wine and a social hour prior to a delicious meal. Dancing begins aft er dinner and continues through the evening.

DEC 5, 2026

Annual Festivals & Signature Events in Lanesboro & Whalan