ANNUAL EVENTS
ALL YEAR-ROUND
Owatonna is known for fun events year-round. The Steele County Free Fair is the largest county fair in Minnesota, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the fairgrounds each August. Smokin’ in Steele BBQ and Blues Festival offers the perfect combination of barbeque tastings and blues music. The Extravaganza at Village of Yesteryear will take you back in time with reenactments and demonstrations. Check out our calendar of events for the most up-to-date information.
TOP ANNUAL EVENTS
Bold & Cold Winter Festival
January 27 – 29, 2023
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!”
Facebook: boldcoldowatonna
North American Farm and Power Show
March 16 -18, 2023
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
KOWZ & KRUE Home & Recreation Show
March 24 – 26, 2023
Stop by the Four Seasons for all of your home and recreation needs!
Website: www.kowzfm.com
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
Tuesday Summer Market
Tuesday’s during the summer, 4-7pm
The North Market, Owatonna’s newest Farmers Market, meets at the Grace Baptist parking lot offering locally grown produces, food and farm products.
Website: View Facebook
Rustic Mama’s Spring Craft Show
May 6, 2023
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
11@7 Concert Series
Every Thursday evening June 1 – Aug 10th
Enjoy the wide variety of musical groups that perform throughout the summer on Thursdays at 7pm in Central Park.
Website: View Facebook
Downtown Thursdays
June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd, 2023
The night market is returning to historic Downtown Owatonna with music, food, shopping and art.
Website: www.owatonna.org/downtown-thursdays
Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Festival
June 2-3, 2023
A smokin’ good time! Kansas City Sanctioned BBQ Competition and live blues music at this one-of-a-kind event.
Website: www.smokininsteele.com
Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament
May 5 – 7, 2023
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 & Waseca.
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Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival
June 17, 2023
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
Rustic Mamas’ Market
Fall 2023
One weekends of new local makers, artisans, and craft vendors outside the Foundation Building at Fairgrounds.
Website: facebook.com/therusticmamas
Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear
2nd Sunday in July | 12:00-4:00PM
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon of music, food, historic demonstrations, antique tractor show and more during this family day of historically related fun! All Village of Yesteryear buildings are open to enjoy.
Website: www.schsmn.org
Owatonna Gem Days
July 20 – 23, 2023
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
Steele County Free Fair
August 15 – 20, 2023
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
Spooktacular Festivities
October 28 – 29, 2023
Owatonna goes big for Halloween with several large events geared towards families this week.
Website: visitowatonna.org
Lighted Holiday Parade
First Thursday in December
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
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