Chanhassen, Minnesota, is a lovely town on the outskirts of Minneapolis. Families living in this charming town and visitors alike appreciate the natural beauty surrounding the area. One extra benefit is that everyone enjoys attending Chanhassen’s numerous festivals and events, held year-round. So here’s a list of some of our favorites.

February Festival

Ice fishing by Dushan Hanuska is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

Every year, Chanhassen holds the February Festival, a winter event at Lake Ann Park that kicks off with an ice fishing contest. Competitors can win fabulous prizes, such as fishing equipment or a certificate for dinners at local restaurants. Other fun activities include a kick-sled demonstration, hay rides, and ice skating on the lake. The family won’t go hungry at Chanhassen’s February Festival, as plenty of vendors sell food and hot beverages. Remember that the organizers may cancel the event if ice conditions aren’t safe.

Easter Egg Candy Hunt

Kids of all ages will get a kick out of Chanhassen’s annual Easter Egg Candy Hunt. In the past, this event has drawn over 800 kids aged 12 and under to search for brightly colored eggs and sweet candy treats. The organizers of this event create three age categories, and children who find special eggs will get awesome prizes. The Easter Bunny’s appearance is one of this event’s highlights. Your kids can also participate in a coloring contest, with prizes for the winners. Chanhassen holds the Easter Egg Candy Hunt in March or April, depending on when Easter falls on the calendar.

Memorial Day

You can celebrate and honor those who’ve served in the Armed Forces by attending City Park’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony. They’ll be keynote speakers and services at Leach, Chanhassen’s Pioneer, and St. Hubert’s cemeteries.

Summer Concert Series

Listening to music outdoors is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening. From June through August, the City of Chanhassen hosts the Summer Concert Series at City Center Park Plaza from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The shows featured include the likes of the Salsa del Soul Quintet or Fawn and the Flame, and you’re welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch these free concerts. You can also enjoy delicious fare from the food trucks and quench your thirst with Chanhassen Brewing Company beers.

4th of July Celebration

Share your patriotism with the community by attending the Fourth of July celebration at the City Center and Lake Ann parks in Chanhassen. There’ll be live music, local food vendors, and a beer garden serving refreshments. You’ll also find many kid’s activities at this event, including a parade, adult and kid’s fishing contests, a classic car show, exciting lawn games, and more. Of course, the finale of this wonderful Fourth of July weekend celebration ends with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. at Lake Ann Park.

Barnyard Boogie

Put your dancing shoes on and get ready for a knee-slapping good time at the Barnyard Boogie Festival. Held annually in September, this event is for preschoolers and their families. Your little ones will have a blast at the petting zoo and the bounce house and can even bring out their inner artists by doing supervised crafts. When it comes time to dance, everyone can kick up their heels to Cotton-Eyed Joe, the Chicken Dance, the Barnyard Roll Call, and other zany songs.

Halloween Party

If you want to get spooky at the end of October, be sure to attend the city’s annual Halloween party at the Chanhassen Recreation Center. Kids can go trick-or-treating, participate in Halloween-inspired activities, and play carnival games. There’ll also be live music and entertainment, and your kids will get special Halloween treats.

Artisan Fair

Each year on Nov. 1st, you can shop for handmade gifts at the Artisan Fair in the Chanhassen Recreation Center. Vendors and craftspeople sell wares ranging from handmade jewelry to striking wood-crafted items. The Artisan Fair is a great way to jump-start your holiday shopping, where you can find sterling silver jewelry, kitchen items, pottery, and lovely fashion accessories. And while admission to this event is free, the organizers ask that you bring nonperishable food items that the People Reaching Out to People  nonprofit organization will distribute to those in need.

Holiday Boutique

If you miss the Artisan Fair or want to pick up more gifts, you can visit the Chanhassen Recreation Center in early December for the Holiday Boutique. You’ll find lots of handcrafted items perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list, including toys and trinkets, fine jewelry, and home decor items. And like the Artisan Fair, the Holiday Boutique is free, but please bring nonperishable food items for the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf organization. The team at this food shelf will distribute your donations to hungry families throughout Carver County.

Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Events

You and your loved ones will surely get into the Christmas holiday spirit when you take the Chanhassen Tour of Lights and watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Tour of Lights starts in early December and runs until the last day of the year. Walk or drive through residential neighborhoods registered for the Tour of Lights to see colorful and creative lights and decorations. You can even download an interactive map to help guide you through the participating Chanhassen neighborhoods.

When you attend the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony held in early December, everyone’s face will light up in wonder at the beautiful display. You can pick up holiday treats and warm beverages during this event.

Do you want to learn more about Chanhassen’s festivals and events? If you do, you can check the City of Chanhassen’s website  or contact them at 952-227-1100.

Which Festival or Event Is Your Favorite?

We’re so lucky that our area has something fun and interesting happening every season. Which festival or event is your favorite? With so many events going on, we couldn’t list them all here. But if there’s a special festival or event that we may have missed and that you can recommend, be sure to let us know. Our Crème de la Crème of Chanhassen team will gladly check it out.