To many, the start of June means the start of summer in Minnesota. The kids get out of school, local pools and splash pads open up, community festivals kick into gear and summer baseball returns! So whether Mother Nature decides to go along with it or not, summer has arrived! The Willmar Lakes Area is full of family friendly events, outdoor activities and music festivals, and plenty of splish-splashing FUN!!!

Here are the top events you won’t want to miss this June in Kandiyohi County:
June 1 – The Land Summer Music Series
The Land by Model Citizen will kick-off their Summer Music Series with Custom Made on Thursday, June 1st at 6:30pm. Please note that after the first week, they will have a week off for a special event and then hit the ground running for the rest of the summer season. Live music, food, beverages and fun! Starting June 15th, this event will continue every Thursday through September 28th. Click the event title to see the full schedule of musicians.

June 2 – Little Crow Ski Show
Enjoy the first Little Crow Ski show of the 2023 season for FREE on Friday, June 2nd! They’ve been working hard this off-season to put together a great show and they can’t wait for you to see it. Can’t make it to their first show? No worries! They perform most Friday nights June-August. Click the event title to see the full schedule of home shows.

June 3 – Porchfest
In celebration of Bill Gossman Day the New London Arts & Culture Alliance invites you to come enjoy Porchfest ’23 on Main Street & Central Ave, New London! Enjoy dozens of musicians in New London as there will be Main Street Music and front porch concerts all day long starting at 11am! Click the event title to see the map with locations for each musician along with the times.

June 4 – GLLM Summer Kick Off
Join the fun and help Green Lake Lutheran Ministries kick off a great summer of ministry at Green Lake Bible Camp! Come for a time of fellowship, fun and get a delicious french toast breakfast! Summer staff will be ready with activities for the whole family to enjoy by the lake!

June 7 – Prairie Winds Summer Band Concerts
Prairie Winds Summer Band starts outdoor concerts Wednesday, June 7 at Rice Park. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy free popcorn and water while listening to some great community music! Can’t make the first concert on June 7th? Don’t worry, Prairie Winds Summer band concerts continue on Wednesday nights through July 5th.

June 8-11, 15-18, 22-25 – Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is on The Barn Theatre stage June 8 – June 25. Don’t miss this delightful, musical adventure. It’s a great family outing! Reserve your seats today!

June 9-10 – Kandi is Dandy Days
Enjoy two days full of family fun activities that everyone is sure to love including a medallion hunt, a kiddie parade, a Fire Department Waterball Fight, family movie night in the park, pancake breakfast, kiddie karnival, tractor pull, bean bag toss tournament, and a grand day parade! Click the event title to see the full schedule and the event poster.

June 10 – Crow River Fishing Tournament
Pack up your fishing gear and stock up on bait as you head to the annual Crow River Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 10th! Registration starts at 6:30am and the tournament starts at 8:00am. Click the event title to see more information.

June 10 – Smokin’ for the Link Rib Fest
Live music by Jukebox Live, a silent auction, raffle drawings, delicious ribs and pie…what more could you ask for? This family friendly event is a great reason to gather with your friends and family to help support your neighbors in need through The Link’s programs!

June 10 – Sunburg Fire Department WaterBall Brawl & Summer Concert
You’ll love watching the 2nd Annual Waterball Brawl in Sunburg as area fire departments compete for a traveling trophy. And afterwards, stay to enjoy the Street Dance featuring Hicktown Mafia!

June 13-18 – Atwater Festival Days
Enjoy the many fun events taking place during this year’s Atwater Festival Days! Events include a Fire Department Fun Night at the Atwater Community Center, Dodecahedra Events at Centennial Park, City-Wide Garage Sales, Craft Vendors, Food Booths, Kiddie Parade, Kids Pedal Pull, Fire Department Waterball, Turtle Races, Car & Motorcycle Show, Bean Bag Tournament, Basketball Tournament, Sand Volleyball, Disc Golf Tournament, Street Dance, Golf Scramble and much more!!!

June 15 – Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run – Willmar Stingers Invitational
The Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run Series consists of four to five Fun Run events held each summer season in the Willmar area. Children are invited to run with their friends and family on our pre-set courses throughout the city. There is more to our Fun Runs than just running. Each event also offers fun activities, mentoring opportunities, and camaraderie. Runners in grades K-5 will also be provided with a t-shirt, medal, and other great swag depending on the event. This event coincides with a Willmar Stingers Basebal Game. Kids can enjoy a night of baseball, meet Barry, and run the bases at Baker Field. For the full list of Miles 4 Mentors kids fun runs, click the event title.

June 16-17 – Studio Hop
During this annual event, enjoy paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, mixed media, photography and more. Our local artists will open their studios and creative spaces to the public. This free event is an opportunity to tour artists’ workshops, visit with the artists, demonstrations and possibly purchase some of the artwork.

June 17-18 – Carden Circus
The Carden International Circus has been thrilling audiences across the country, with the very best in live, family entertainment, for over 50 years! Come relive your favorite childhood memories & make new ones with your family and friends! Performances are Saturday, June 17th at 2:00pm & 6:00pm and Sunday, June 18th at 12:00pm & 4:00pm.

June 21-24 – Willmar Fests
This annual festival promotes Willmar Area Attractions, pride in the community and the quality of life through family participation featuring events for citizens of all ages. The purpose of Willmar Fests is to encourage the imagination, talents, interests and creativity of the residents of the Willmar Area. Willmar Fests is the combination of four Festivals rolled into one big summer city wide celebration; International Fest which honors Willmar’s sister city of Frameries, Belgium, Aqua Fest featuring water events, Frameries Fest which is a Fine Arts Celebration and Kaffee Fests honoring the coffee tradition of Willmar’s Scandinavian roots. Check out the full schedule of events by clicking on the event title.

June 21 – Cruise Night at the Country Stop
Come see 50 to 100 classic cars and hot rods that are displayed for everyone’s enjoyment. Enjoy an A&W Burger Basket special, live music by CJ Dafoe and door prizes. Fun for the whole family!!

June 22 – Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run – Willmar Fests Block Party
It’s time to party at the Willmar Fests Downtown Block Party on Thursday, June 22nd! This event features live entertainment, a kiddie parade, activities, food vendors, and more. Miles 4 Mentors will be providing t-shirts to Fun Run participants in grades K-5. Bring the whole family, celebrate our community, get healthy, and have some healthy fun.

June 24 – Foot Lake 4 Walk/Run
The Foot Lake Four Walk/Run is a fun event for the whole family that takes place each year during Willmar Fests. It is a four-mile, USATF-certified course that starts in downtown Willmar, winds along beautiful Foot Lake and the scenic trails of Robbins Island, then passes over the First Street bridge before returning to the hospital. Gather your family and friends to join the race, people are invited to run or walk, create a group name and be in the runnings to be the largest group. Each group member of the largest group will receive a medal.

June 24 – Paddle the Crow River
The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center are teaming up to “Paddle the Crow.” Participants will be picked up at the MN DNR boat launch on the Mill Pond in New London at 9:00am. They will ride the bus north of New London to “Dilly Bridge” to start the paddle. Participants will paddle canoes and play all the way back to your vehicle. After the paddle the Middle Fork Crow Watershed District will provide lunch. Pre-registration is required for this event.

June 30 – Dive-In Movie at the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center
Enjoy FREE admission to the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center and a FREE movie on Friday, June 30th at 8:30pm!

And continuing throughout the month of June (and most of the summer) is Willmar Stingers Home Games, KRA Speedway Racing Nights, and public cruises on Green Lake Cruises!

For the most udpated listing of events, please see our Events Calendar.