The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Summer Bucket List: 30+ Things to Do This Summer

If there's one season Fargo-Moorhead knows how to celebrate, it's summer. From lively festivals and outdoor concerts to community traditions and local markets, something is happening nearly every weekend.

Spend a day at the Red River Valley Fair

No Fargo-Moorhead summer is complete without a trip to the Red River Valley Fair. Ride the Ferris wheel, cheer on the grandstand entertainment, sample every fried food you can find, and enjoy one of the region's biggest summer celebrations. Whether you're there for an afternoon or staying until the fireworks, something is happening around every corner.

Shop North Dakota's Largest Farmers Market at Red River Market

Spend your Saturday morning browsing North Dakota's largest farmers market, where you'll find local produce, handmade goods, fresh flowers, artisan foods, and live music in downtown Fargo. Grab breakfast from a local vendor, sip on freshly brewed coffee, and discover why Red River Market has become a favorite weekend tradition for visitors and locals alike.

Browse the Downtown Fargo Street Fair

Every summer, downtown Fargo transforms into an open-air marketplace filled with artists, makers, food vendors, and live entertainment. Wander Broadway and celebrate the fair turning 50 while shopping for handcrafted goods, enjoying local food, and soaking up one of the metro's most popular community events.

Celebrate Fargo-Moorhead Pride

Celebrate inclusion, community, and love during Fargo-Moorhead Pride. From the colorful parade to live performances, local vendors, and family-friendly activities, Pride Weekend brings people together for one of the most welcoming celebrations of the summer.

Sip Local at Rare Beer Picnic

If you're a craft beer fan, Rare Beer Picnic belongs on your bucket list. This annual tasting event features unique pours from breweries across the region and beyond, giving attendees the chance to sample limited releases, discover new favorites, and enjoy a laid-back summer afternoon with fellow beer lovers.

Experience Live Horse Racing at North Dakota Horse Park

Feel the excitement as thoroughbreds thunder down the track during live racing season at North Dakota Horse Park. Pack a lawn chair, cheer from the grandstand, or relax with friends while enjoying one of the region's most unique summer sporting traditions. Check the schedule for the annual racing of the corgis.

Paddle or Cheer During Race the Red

Whether you're competing or cheering from shore, Race the Red is a fun way to experience the Red River from a different perspective. This annual event celebrates paddling, community, and outdoor adventure while showcasing one of the area's most scenic natural resources from both sides of the river.

Experience Live Entertainment

Summer nights are made for live entertainment, and you'll find it happening all across Fargo-Moorhead. Catch nationally touring artists and local favorites at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights in West Fargo, enjoy free concerts, movies, fitness classes, and community events at Broadway Square in downtown Fargo, or spend an evening at the historic Fargo Theatre, where concerts, comedy shows, classic films, and special events fill the calendar throughout the season. No matter your style, there's always a show worth adding to your summer bucket list.

Listen to Live Blues at Fargo Blues Festival

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy nationally recognized blues musicians during one of the Midwest's longest-running blues festivals. It's the perfect way to spend a warm summer weekend.

Explore a Folkways Night Bazaar

Part night market, part block party, Folkways Night Bazaar celebrates Fargo's creative community with local artists, makers, food vendors, and live entertainment.

Travel Back in Time at the Red River Valley Renaissance Faire

Knights, jesters, artisans, and medieval games come together during the Red River Valley Renaissance Faire. Costumes are encouraged, but not required for this fun summer tradition.

Nothing brings the community together quite like summer sports.

Spend an Evening at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Game

Grab a hot dog, settle into your seat, and cheer on the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. If you can, plan your visit around one of the team's postgame fireworks shows for an unforgettable summer evening.

Tee Off Your Way

Play one of Fargo-Moorhead's beautiful public golf courses or enjoy interactive games and great food at Suite Shots. Whether you're an experienced golfer or just looking for a fun afternoon, there's a course—or a bay—for everyone.

Get in the Game

Challenge friends to pickleball or tennis at one of the metro's many parks and recreation facilities. It's a fun, active way to spend a summer afternoon while exploring local parks.

Summer days are meant to be spent outdoors.

Explore the Red River

Walk the scenic riverfront trails, rent a canoe or kayak, or find the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the Red River. It's one of the best ways to experience Fargo-Moorhead's natural beauty.

Cool Off at a Local Pool or Splash Pad

When temperatures rise, head to one of the area's public pools or splash pads for a refreshing afternoon with family and friends.

Pack a Picnic in the Park

Grab takeout from a local restaurant and enjoy lunch at one of Fargo-Moorhead's beautiful parks, from Lindenwood Park to M.B. Johnson Park.

Explore the Metro by Bike

Cruise along paved trails connecting Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo while discovering neighborhoods, parks, breweries, and public art along the way.

Creativity is around every corner in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo.

Discover Fargo's Outdoor Art

Explore downtown's colorful murals, public art installations, and painted bison while taking a self-guided walking tour through the city.

Visit the Hjemkomst Center

Explore Viking history, regional heritage, and one of the area's most recognizable landmarks while discovering stories that helped shape the Red River Valley.

Step Back in Time at Bonanzaville

Walk through historic buildings, explore vintage exhibits, and experience what prairie life looked like more than a century ago.

Tour the Fargo Air Museum

See historic aircraft up close while learning about aviation history through interactive exhibits and restored airplanes that still fly today.

Explore Local Galleries & Studios

Spend an afternoon discovering galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces that continue to make Fargo-Moorhead one of the Midwest's most unexpected arts destinations, aka the Arts Capitol of the North.

Summer tasted better on a patio.

Enjoy Ice Cream on a Hot Summer Day

Whether it's the iconic Moorhead Dairy Queen, a locally made scoop, or another frozen favorite, no summer bucket list is complete without ice cream.

Dine on a Patio

Long summer evenings call for outdoor dining. Grab dinner or drinks on one of Fargo-Moorhead's many patios and soak in the season.

Sip Your Way Through Breweries & Wineries

Sample locally crafted beer, cider, or wine while discovering the area's growing craft beverage scene.

Try Something New at a Local Restaurant

Cross a new restaurant off your foodie bucket list and discover why Fargo-Moorhead's dining scene continues to surprise visitors.

Make memories the whole family will love.

Spend the Day at Thunder Road

Race go-karts, play mini golf, battle in laser tag, and cool off with a sweet treat after a day packed with family fun.

Visit the Red River Zoo

Meet red pandas, wolves, and other fascinating cold-climate animals, and don't forget to ride the carousel while exploring a favorite family attraction.

Strike Up Some Fun at Kingpinz

Bowling is just the beginning at Kingpinz. Challenge your crew to axe throwing, laser tag, arcade games, or virtual reality before grabbing a bite to eat. Whether it's a rainy afternoon or a break from the summer heat, there's something for every age.

Looking to experience Fargo-Moorhead like a local? Add these lesser-known adventures to your bucket list.

Go Treasure Hunting

Browse local antique stores, vintage shops, and unique boutiques to find one-of-a-kind treasures and souvenirs.

Relax at a Local Coffee Shop Patio

Slow down with an iced coffee and soak up summer on a local café patio. Follow the Caffeinated Crawl to discover Fargo-Moorhead's unique coffee shops, from house-roasted brews to cozy neighborhood favorites. It's the perfect way to recharge between adventures.

Before summer ends, see how many of these you can check off:

• Visit all three cities in one day
• Find five painted bison
• Take a selfie with the World's Largest Dilly Bar
• Watch a Red River sunset
• Attend three different festivals
• Catch a RedHawks game with fireworks
• Try a new restaurant
• Visit a brewery, winery, and coffee shop in one weekend
• Watch live music in three different venues
• Share your adventures using #NorthOfNormal