2023 Summer Festivals and Events in and Near Shakopee
This summer, Shakopee is your destination for concerts, festivals, racing, and more! Here are all the details you need to save the date for a season full of fun in Shakopee.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Weekends August 19-October 1, plus Labor Day, September 4 and Friday, September 29, 2023
Live jousting, stage and street entertainment, a marketplace with 250 artisan vendors, and of course, giant turkey legs—head to the country’s largest Renaissance Festival for an immersive, fantastical trip to a bygone era. Each weekend features a different theme with special entertainment, contests, tastings, and other events, so you can get a unique experience every time you visit.
Check out these special events at Valleyfair, the upper Midwest’s largest amusement park!
Valleyfair Opening Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023—get the first peek at this season’s new entertainment, food, and more.
Grand Carnivale, select dates June 24-July 9, 2023—enjoy international music, food, and games, plus lavish floats and street performers at the nighttime Spectacle of Color Parade.
Latin Days, August 5-6, 2023—celebrate Latin culture with authentic food and performances by local Latin music and dance groups.
Music
Concerts return to Canterbury Park this summer, with national acts in an intimate outdoor setting.
Night Ranger with Them Pesky Kids, Friday, June 2, 2023
The Marshall Tucker Band, Friday, June 23, 2023
Killer Queen, Friday, July 21, 2023
Smash Mouth & Spin Doctors, Friday, August 11, 2023
Randy Houser, Friday, September 8, 2023
Wednesdays June 21-August 9, 2023
The free, seven-week outdoor concert series in downtown Shakopee features regional headliners and local opening acts, plus a free kids zone with family activities and food and drinks from local vendors.
June 21, 2023—Neil! Martin Zellar’s Tribute to Neil Diamond
June 28, 2023—Rocket Club
July 12, 2023—Xpedition
July 19, 2023—Mallrats
July 26, 2023—Songs of the South: A Tribute to Alabama by Shane Martin
August 2, 2023—Fabulous Armadillos Party Band
August 9, 2023—Shakopee Community Spirit Night
Saturday, June 24, 2023
The Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rock band brings their top hits to the Mystic Showroom.
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Hard rock icon Rob Zombie will perform outdoors at the Mystic Amphitheater.
July 14-15, 2023
With one night devoted to country and the other dedicated to classic rock, this outdoor music festival in Prior Lake is one of the largest in the Twin Cities. This year’s event will include headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd and Darius Rucker, plus REO Speedwagon, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, and more.
One Night of Queen at Mystic Lake
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Cover band Gary Mullen & The Works pay homage to Queen with a rock and roll spectacle at the Mystic Showroom.
Daryl Hall and the Daryl’s House Band at Mystic Lake
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates and solo fame performs hits from his five decade-long career at the Mystic Showroom.
Live Racing
Live Hores Racing at Canterbury Park
May 27-September 16, 2023 (select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Canterbury Park is home to the best horse racing in Minnesota—place your bets and cheer on your picks as they race to the finish line!
Dog Race Days at Canterbury Park
Canterbury is going to the dogs on these special race days, featuring dog breeds racing against each other to be crowned best in show. These family-friendly race days also offer pony rides and face painting.
Bulldogs, Sunday, June 11, 2023
Bassets, Sunday, June 25, 2023
Corgis, Sunday, July 30, 2023
Wiener Dogs, Sunday, August 13, 2023
“Best in Show” Dog Days Championship, Sunday, September 3, 2023
July 9, 2023
Watch unicorns and llamas race around the track, and then enjoy family activities including kids crafts, pony rides, face painting, and a chance to meet the llamas.
July 16, 2023
You won’t believe your eyes as you watch ostriches, camels, and zebras race at Canterbury Park, plus you can enjoy family activities and photo opportunities.
Food & Drink
Pair live racing with delicious eats at the Taste of Canterbury Event Series. Tickets include craft cocktail samples, two drink tickets, an appetizer pairing menu, and live music.
BBQ & Bourbon, June 3, 2023
Tacos & Tequila, July 1, 2023
Wings & Whiskey, August 5, 2023
Craft Cocktails & Charcuterie, September 2, 2023
June 10, 2023
Sample hard seltzers from the Twin Cities and across the country at Canterbury Park.
Culture
August 18-20, 2023
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s annual gathering is a contest powwow with dancers and drum groups, as well as Native American foods and arts and crafts vendors.
This summer, plan a getaway to Shakopee! Shakopee is home to Canterbury Park, Valleyfair, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and is conveniently located to area attractions including Mystic Lake Casino, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater.
Book your stay in Shakopee today!
