Best time to visit · Minneapolis · United States
The best time to visit Minneapolis
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve Lyon, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Minneapolis is June to September, when temperatures sit around 20–28°C, the lakes are open for swimming and paddling, and festivals fill the calendar. May and October are pleasant shoulder months. Winter is very cold, but it is cheap and the city is set up for it with skyways, theatres and free museums.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September
- Shoulder season
- May and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -6°C (21°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Minneapolis has a humid continental climate with some of the coldest winters of any major US city: long, snowy and often below −15°C at night. Summers are warm to hot and humid with thunderstorms, and spring and autumn are short but pleasant.
March–May
Spring
A slow, muddy thaw in March gives way to green, mild May days; weather is changeable and late snow is possible in April.
June–August
Summer
Warm, sometimes humid days, long evenings and the lakes at their best, with the State Fair in late August and frequent thunderstorms.
September–November
Autumn
Crisp, colourful September and October days with fewer crowds, turning cold and grey in November.
December–February
Winter
Long and very cold, with snow cover, frozen lakes and wind chills below −20°C; the skyway and indoor culture make it manageable.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -6°C | -15°C | 9 | 9.1 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | -3°C | -13°C | 7 | 10.3 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 4°C | -6°C | 9 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 1°C | 10 | 13.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 20°C | 8°C | 12 | 14.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 26°C | 14°C | 12 | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 28°C | 17°C | 10 | 15.3 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 27°C | 16°C | 10 | 14.1 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 22°C | 11°C | 9 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C | 4°C | 9 | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 5°C | -3°C | 8 | 9.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | -3°C | -11°C | 9 | 8.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Saint Paul Winter Carnival — ice sculptures and parades in Saint Paul (usually late January to early February) |
| February | Saint Paul Winter Carnival (usually ends in early February) |
| March | St. Patrick's Day parades in Minneapolis and Saint Paul (around 17 March) |
| April | Twins baseball season opens at Target Field (usually early April) |
| May | Art-A-Whirl — open studios across Northeast (usually mid-May) |
| June | Stone Arch Bridge Festival on the riverfront (usually Father's Day weekend); Twin Cities Pride in Loring Park (usually late June) |
| July | Minneapolis Aquatennial — summer celebration with fireworks over the river (usually July); Fourth of July fireworks |
| August | Uptown Art Fair (usually early August); Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights (usually the 12 days ending on Labor Day) |
| September | Minnesota State Fair ends on Labor Day |
| October | Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to Saint Paul (usually early October) |
| December | Holiday markets and Nordic Christmas events at the American Swedish Institute (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Minneapolis?
The best time to visit Minneapolis is June to September, when temperatures sit around 20–28°C, the lakes are open for swimming and paddling, and festivals fill the calendar. May and October are pleasant shoulder months. Winter is very cold, but it is cheap and the city is set up for it with skyways, theatres and free museums.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Minneapolis?
Usually in January–February. The coldest month, with snow on the ground and wind chills well below −20°C on some days; use the skyways and indoor attractions.
+What is the rainiest month in Minneapolis?
May, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Minneapolis get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F).