September is when the Willmar Lakes Area really starts to show off its best side. The crowds of summer begin to thin, the air gets a little more crisp, and the first hints of fall start to appear—but that doesn’t mean the fun is slowing down!

In fact, September is packed with reasons to get out and explore. From roaring engines and vintage cars to live music, theater, Oktoberfest celebrations, shopping, outdoor adventures, and festivals that celebrate the cultures that make our communities special, there’s something happening nearly every weekend.

Whether you’re looking for a reason to plan a weekend getaway, a fun day trip with the family, or simply something different to do close to home, September is a great time to visit the Willmar Lakes Area. Here are some of the bigger and more unique events to put on your calendar.

September 5 – KRA Speedway & Chaos Motorsports Demo Derby
Get ready for a night of roaring engines, crashing cars and plenty of excitement! KRA Speedway and Chaos Motorsports LLC are teaming up to bring a September demolition derby to the Willmar Lakes Area. If watching drivers battle it out until only one car is left moving sounds like your kind of entertainment, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

September 7 – 17th Annual Trolls Classic Car Show
Start your Labor Day with a stroll down memory lane at the annual Trolls Classic Car Show. Admire beautifully restored vintage vehicles, browse craft vendors, pick up some homemade goodies and stick around for door prize drawings. It’s a fun way to spend the day whether you’re a serious car enthusiast or simply enjoy a little nostalgia.

September 11 – Raymond Fire Department Night Golf
Golf takes on a whole new look after dark! Grab your friends and take part in this glowing 18-hole scramble. Enjoy dinner after the first nine holes, then get ready to light up the course with glowing golf balls and accessories for the second half. Spots are limited, so this is one event where you’ll want to register early!

September 11-12 – Monson Lake Opry Festival
Turn up the country music and make a weekend of it at the Monson Lake Opry Festival! This 21+ festival brings a huge lineup of country music to Central Minnesota, including Blonde and the Bohunk, Whey Jennings, Creed Fisher, Blackhawk, Kentucky Thunder, David Graham, Aaron Watson and Lorrie Morgan. Add food vendors, cornhole tournaments, bingo and more to the mix, and you have everything you need for a weekend of music and fun. Make the most of it by camping on-site and staying for the whole festival!

September 12 – Prairie Pothole Day
Head outdoors for a day filled with action, learning and plenty of hands-on fun at Prairie Pothole Day. Try shooting sports, watch the Dock Dogs in action, explore educational exhibits and activities. Kids can enjoy free archery, BB gun shooting and a climbing wall, while more than 20 vendors, seminars and competitions keep the whole family entertained.

September 12-13 – Atwater Threshing Days
Step back in time at Atwater Threshing Days and experience what life was like on the farm generations ago. Watch historical farming demonstrations, see grain threshing and sawmills in action, check out quilting and food demonstrations, and enjoy live music and activities for the kids. It’s a weekend of old-fashioned fun for the whole family.

September 12-13 – Willmar Gun Show
The Willmar Gun Show returns to the Willmar Civic Center for a weekend featuring a variety of exhibitors and displays. Hosted by the Willmar Rifle & Pistol Club, the event follows all applicable federal and local firearm laws and ordinances.

September 12 – Welcoming Week in Willmar
Celebrate the people, cultures and stories that make Willmar such a welcoming community during Welcoming Week. This free event offers a chance to connect with neighbors while enjoying food samples from around the world, kids’ and family activities, and cultural performances. Come curious, come hungry and come ready to celebrate what makes a community stronger when everyone has a place in it.

September 12 – Next Stop Comedy at Intuition Brewing
Looking for a night out with plenty of laughs? Next Stop Comedy brings comedians from across the country to Intuition Brewing for an intimate evening of stand-up comedy. With a new lineup each time, you never quite know what you’re going to get—but you can count on big laughs, good vibes and a fun night out. Pair the show with a local brew and you’ve got yourself a pretty great Saturday night.

September 13 – West Central Bassmasters Green Lake Fall Classic
Green Lake is the place to be for anglers when the West Central Bassmasters host their annual Fall Classic. Head to Zorbaz on Green Lake to watch the competition, enjoy some great food and take in the action as anglers hit the lake in search of the winning catch. Fishing, food and a little friendly competition? Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a September Sunday.

September 17-20, 24-27 – The Barn Theatre Presents: The Cemetery Club
Add a little theater to your September plans with The Cemetery Club at The Barn Theatre. Follow three very different widows—sweet-tempered Ida, fun-loving Lucille and judgmental Doris—as their monthly cemetery visits take an unexpected turn when Sam the butcher enters the picture. With friendship, laughter and just the right amount of drama, it’s a great choice for a night out with your besties.

September 19 – New London Fall Arts, Crafts & Gift Show
Start your fall shopping with a girls’ day out at the New London Fall Arts, Crafts & Gift Show. Browse a variety of vendors offering everything from handmade creations to home-based business finds. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover something unique, get a jump on your holiday shopping or simply treat yourself to something special.

September 19 – Foxtoberfest
Fall festival season officially gets a little more festive at Foxtoberfest! Settle in for live music from VaLaine Carlson, Charlie Roth and the Concorde Singers while enjoying award-winning beer and good German food. It’s a fun way to ease into the season with friends, music and plenty of local flavor.

September 21 – 7th Annual Harvest Fest at Rustic Designs Flower Farm
If you love all things fall, make your way to Rustic Designs Flower Farm for Harvest Fest. Pick your own flowers, shop for pumpkins and fall décor, and wander through colorful fields that practically beg to be photographed. Bring the family, bring your camera and enjoy one of those quintessential fall afternoons in the Willmar Lakes Area.

September 24-26 – 530 Farm Girls Fall Sale
Calling all treasure hunters! The 530 Farm Girls Fall Sale is filled with vintage finds, repurposed decorative pieces and plenty of unique treasures you won’t find just anywhere. With local partners adding even more variety to the sale, you never know what one-of-a-kind item you might discover. Come ready to browse—you just might leave with a new favorite piece.

September 26 – Oktoberfest at Goat Ridge Brewing Co.
Grab your stein and get ready to say Prost! at Goat Ridge Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration. Enjoy live polka and folk music, a stein-holding contest, German-inspired food and a limited-release FestBier created especially for the celebration. With the Lowertown Market happening next door, you can shop local, sip local and celebrate the arrival of fall all in one stop.

September 26 – Willmar’s Hispanic Heritage Festival
Celebrate the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of the Hispanic community at Willmar’s Hispanic Heritage Festival. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon filled with music, entertainment, food and fun for all ages. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience new traditions, enjoy delicious food and celebrate the diversity that makes the Willmar Lakes Area such a special place to visit.

And That’s Just the Beginning!

These events are only a taste of what you’ll find happening around the Willmar Lakes Area in September. Public cruises on Green Lake, trivia nights at local breweries, karaoke, live music and plenty of other community events round out the calendar—and more events will continue to be added throughout the month.

So don’t put the travel plans away just yet. September is a great time to make one more getaway to the Willmar Lakes Area before fall settles in. Come for an event, stay for the weekend, explore our lakes and trails, grab a bite at a local restaurant, browse our shops and discover a few new favorites along the way.

For the most up-to-date information and the latest additions to the calendar, check the full Willmar Lakes Area Events Calendar and start planning your September adventure!