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Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
  • ABOUT
    • HISTORY OF OWATONNA
    • VISITOR INFORMATION
  • THINGS TO DO
  • OUTDOORS
  • DINING
  • EVENTS
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
  • PLACES TO STAY

ANNUAL EVENTS

TOP ANNUAL EVENTS

Bold & Cold Winter Festival

January 21 – 26, 2025

A week-long winter celebration with events and activities and activities that are designed to highlight the Minnesota psyche of “cold noses and warm heart!”
Website: boldandcoldowatonna

BOOK YOUR STAY
North American Farm & Power Show

March 20 -22, 2025

Held in at the Four Seasons in Owatonna for the past 18 years, this is a great show for farmers and families alike.
Website: www.tradexpos.com

BOOK YOUR STAY
KOWZ & KRUE Home & Recreation Show

March 28 – 30, 2025

Stop by the Four Seasons for all of your home and recreation needs!
Website: www.kowzfm.com

BOOK YOUR STAY
Farmers’ Market in Central Park

Saturdays May – October (7am-12pm)

Stop by Central Park every Saturday during the summer to pick up fresh vegetables, flowers and fun hand-crafted items from more than 80 vendors.
Website: View Facebook 

BOOK YOUR STAY
Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament

May 2 – 4, 2025

This slow-pitch softball tournament is one of the largest and most competitive men’s softball tournaments in the country. Held at the Steele County Fairgrounds Softball Complex and various fields throughout Owatonna & Faribault.
View Corky’s official Facebook Page.

Go to Corky’s Welcome Website

BOOK YOUR STAY
Rustic Mama’s Spring Craft Show

May 3, 2025

Colorful and full of life, the Rustic Mama’s spring market at Four Seasons Centre has vendors inside and out; with food, music and more!
Website: View Facebook

BOOK YOUR STAY
Minnesota Cutting Horse Competitions- Owatonna Motor Company Summer Series

May 16-18; 23-25
June 6-8; 13-15; 27-29
July 4-6

Enjoy 5 shows summer of 2025!
Enjoy this modern equestrian competition, where a horse and rider is required to seperate a single cow from a herd of cattle. The cutting horse has its roots in the historic cattle ranching industry, where horses with specialized cattle-handling skills were cruicial for the work of the cowboy.

Follow Minnesota Cutting Horse Association Facebook Page

BOOK YOUR STAY
Memorial Day Parade & Program

May 26, 2025, 9:30 am

The parade route starts at the corner of Elm and School Street, ending at the Four Seasons Centre. The program at the Four Seasons Centre at 10:30 am

Follow Facebook Page for Event Updates

BOOK YOUR STAY
11@7 Concert in the Park Series

Every Thursday evening May 29-August 7

Enjoy the wide variety of musical groups that perform throughout the summer on Thursdays at 7pm in Central Park.
Website: View Facebook

BOOK YOUR STAY
Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Festival

May 30-31, 2025

A smokin’ good time! Kansas City Sanctioned BBQ Competition and live blues music at this one-of-a-kind event.
Website: www.smokininsteele.com

Check out this weekend’s Special Owatonna package deal!

BOOK YOUR STAY- Special Event Packages Available!
Main Street’s Downtown Thursdays

June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, 2025

*** 2025 Bonus Downtown Thursday, July 24- Model T Style****
Join us in Downtown Owatonna for the ultimate summer evenings!
Grab your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors and join us for entertainment, family activities, food, shopping, and fun!
Website: www.owatonna.org/downtown-thursdays

BOOK YOUR STAY
Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival

June 14, 2025

This festival showcases competitive high school marching bands and pays homage to the vision and work of the founder of Wenger Co., Harry Wenger.
Website: www.owatonnabandfestival.com

BOOK YOUR STAY
Juneteenth Celebration

June 21, 2025

Celebrate African American history, culture and progress at Alliance for Greater Equity’s Juneteenth Celebration with live music, food and games.
Website: https://allianceforgreaterequity.org

BOOK YOUR STAY
4th of July Fireworks

July 4, 2025

Theres no better way to celebrate the fourth than Owatonna’s incredible fireworks display each year at the Steele County Fairgrounds sponsored by the Owatonna Early Edition Rotary Club.

BOOK YOUR STAY
Pride in the Park

July 12, 2025

Pride in the Park features musical groups and vendors from our local community and Southern Minnesota. The family-friendly event will also include lots of family friendly activities to include make and take art station, face painting, free books. The event includes food trucks, and will highlight the band “NO COAST” all in Central Park.

https://www.rainbowatonna.org

BOOK YOUR STAY
Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear

July 13, 2025

Check out the Village of Yesteryear for an afternoon of family fun.  Come meet the Rendezvousers at their encampment. There will be live music, demonstrations, crafts, tomahawk throwing, and horse-drawn wagon rides. There will be food, vintage soda, and old-fashioned candy available for purchase.

Website: www.schsmn.org

BOOK YOUR STAY
Owatonna Gem Days

August 8-9, 2025

Owatonna refuses to be defined by just one thing, so we have created GEM DAYS to celebrate all that we are.  We celebrate our natural features, our beautiful buildings, our history and our legends. We celebrate our art and music, our food and drink, our attractions and our entertainment.
Website: www.exploreminnesota.com

BOOK YOUR STAY
Steele County Free Fair

August 12 – 17, 2025

Don’t miss Owatonna’s signature event – the largest county fair in the state of Minnesota! The fair offers a wide variety of events and attractions, and admission is free!
Website: www.scff.org

BOOK YOUR STAY
Minnesota State School Orphanage Museum Fall Celebration
September 13, 2025

Honor the legacy of the 10,635 children who called the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children Home between 1886 and 1945. This annual event lends the opportunity to learn about the history of the school. Explore the Museum, historic Cottage 11, the Children’s Cemetery, and interactive campus to get a glimpse of what life was like for the children who called the orphanage their home.

Website: http://orphanagemuseum.com/

BOOK YOUR STAY
Rustic Mama’s Fall Market

September 13, 2025

Comfy, cozy, spicy, pretty, yummy….all things fall/winter can be found inside. There will be food trucks and, of course, hand-picked talent from area vendors. Grab that flannel, your crew and come say hey!
Website: facebook.com/therusticmamas

BOOK YOUR STAY
Oktoberfest

September 19 -20, 2025

Celebrate with Mineral Springs Brewery as they kick off the season  at their new location under the big-top tent with games competitions, music and entertainment, food and specialty brews highlighting the traditions of the German Heritage. Dig out your lederhosen and dirndls, grab your steins and get ready for Oktoberfest!

BOOK YOUR STAY
Downtown Trick or Treat

October 25, 2025

Owatonna goes big for Halloween with the biggest trick or treat street in town! Check out this fun family event in Downtown Owatonna. Dressing in costume is not just for the kids!
Website: visitowatonna.org

BOOK YOUR STAY
Christmas in the Village

December 2-6, 2025

The Steele County Historical Society’s Christmas in the Village is an annual event designed to bring out the child in all of us. This event includes cookie sales, Village tours, carolers, Christmas music, and of course Santa Claus! This multi-day event occurs in early December and is one of our most beloved annual traditions. Make sure to check in to see what is in store for the year during the fall months, as Christmas in the Village changes every year.

Website: https://www.schsmn.org/annual-events

BOOK YOUR STAY
Main Street’s Holiday Lighted Parade

December 5, 2025

Bundle up and head to downtown Owatonna for the Lighted Holiday Parade starting at 6pm. Parade vehicles will be decked out in their finest holiday lights. The parade ends with carolers and cider in Central Park.
Website: www.visitowatonna.org

BOOK YOUR STAY

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OWATONNA MAPS
Check out our maps for places to dine and shop. View maps »

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    ABOUT

    Let Owatonna’s charm draw you in as you stroll our historic downtown, catch a concert in Central Park, play a game of pickleball, and snack on artisan chocolates. Step back in time at our museums and historic buildings and enjoy the outdoors by hiking, biking or skiing our trails.
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    CONTACT US

    Address
    Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

    120 South Oak Ave.
    Owatonna, MN 55060

    Email
    oacct@owatonna.org

    Phone
    800-423-6466
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    • ABOUT
      • HISTORY OF OWATONNA
      • VISITOR INFORMATION
      • PHOTO GALLERY
    • THINGS TO DO
    • OUTDOORS
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    • PLAN YOUR VISIT
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    • REUNIONS
    • TOURNAMENTS
    Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism