Big Events and Adventures

Go Lake Pepin strives to maintain a calendar that is 4-6 weeks out at all times.  Each week, new events are added and updates are made to current listings. 

Did you know?  In addition to our website event calendar, each season we create a printable guide to local events.  Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, our area residents, businesses, organizations, retail shops, airbnb owners and tourists love knowing what big festivals and events are coming up around the lake!   Interested in getting a hold of our latest copy?  Sign up for our newsletter in the footer and the latest edition will come straight to your email!

Alot!  Go Lake Pepin’s region includes the 12 shoreline communities of the entire Mississippi River Pool 4 area (dam to dam) plus communities within 30 minutes of the shoreline on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river.  More specifically, we post events from these following communities:  

Minnesota Side

• Red Wing, MN

• Welch, MN

• Frontenac, MN

• Lake City, MN

• Reads Landing, MN

• Wabasha, MN

• Kellogg, MN

• Millville, MN

• Zumbro Falls, MN

• Bellechester, MN

• Goodhue, MN

• Mazeppa, MN

Wisconsin Side

• Hager City, WI

• Bay City, WI

• Maiden Rock, WI

• Stockholm, WI

• Pepin, WI

• Nelson, WI

• Alma, WI

• Buffalo City, WI

• Durand, WI

• Plum City, WI

• Mondovi, WI

• Elmwood, WI

• Ellsworth, WI

  ….and more!

As a rule of thumb, Go Lake Pepin strives to post "Open to the Public” related events on our event calendar that both locals and visitors or tourists would enjoy.  To best serve our audience, we created the following category filters for area events and adventures – check it out! 

• Live Music: Discover popular local bands and musicians performing at a variety of live music venues around Lake Pepin. From the grand stage at Treasure Island Resort & Casino to casual dive bars, lakeview restaurants, wineries, and theaters, there’s something for every music lover.  Whether you're enjoying big-name performances, reggae-themed summer music festivals, free concerts like  Music in the Park, or supporting emerging talent at open mic nights in Stockholm, Wisconsin, the region offers a diverse array of musical experiences!

• Entertainment: Explore Go Lake Pepin’s largest event calendar  category–jam-packed with endless fun! Easily locate trivia nights, bar bingo, gun raffles, community fundraisers, and comedy shows. Enjoy annual community festivals, county fairs, parades, and carnivals. Discover the many seasonal events that include Lake City Fall Fest, SeptOberfest, Trunk or Treats, adult Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts, German parades, Santa Claus sightings, and New Year’s Eve parties. And, of course, don’t miss the ever-popular Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Border Battles!

• Dining: This category is dedicated to all things food, featuring unique dining experiences and specials, food trucks, German cuisine, ice cream socials, and exciting events like the Taste of Durand.

• Golf:  Love golf?  You’re in luck–there’s a variety of public golf courses to choose from! This category of our Event Calendar is dedicated to the many Lake Pepin golf tournaments, themed golfing nights, and other golf-related events in the area!

• Fish Fry Dinners:  Looking for a traditional Minnesota or Wisconsin fish fry experience? You know, the kind where you can savor delicious fried cod, coleslaw, and enjoy community camaraderie. We’ve got you covered! While many restaurants, eateries, and dive bars offer fish fry meals, this category highlights the Lent related fish fry events hosted by churches, communities, and organizations like Sportsmen’s clubs in the Lake Pepin area. Wait– do you want a fish fry in the off season?  Check out our complete list of Lake Pepin fish fry locations here!  (You won’t be disappointed!)

• Fitness & Wellness:  Do you bike? Enjoy community saunas? This category encompasses everything from Saturday morning yoga classes at the pizza farm to a triathlon, the Tour de Pepin bike ride, essential mental health events, and 5K walks and runs—all focused on wellness! Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, just beginning your wellness journey, or in need of a respite or wellness retreat, there are plenty of health related events to help you feel great while visiting Lake Pepin.

• Fishing Contests:  Fishermen! Get ready to cast your line in these border waters – Lake Pepin is known for its walleye fishing!  Whether it's ice fishing or shoreline fishing, this category of our Event Calendar features all types of fishing tournaments on Lake Pepin, Mississippi River Pool 4 and other nearby bodies of water within a 30 minute drive in Minnesota and Wisconsin!  So, get your boat or fish shack ready, it's time to hit the lake!  

• Crafts, Vendors & Markets: This category focuses on seasonal shopping events that support local artisans, crafters of handmade goods and vendor related shows in the area.  From festive holiday markets at Lake Pepin wineries to creative craft fairs at public schools and makers markets at a restaurant in Wabasha, MN, you’re sure to discover that perfect one-of-a-kind home decor, personalized holiday gifts, or seasonal treats!

• Arts: Are you an art collector or an enthusiast? This category showcases a variety of Lake Pepin art events, including engaging annual art gallery tours, captivating theater performances at the Sheldon Theatre, building murals and art dedication ceremonies, exciting meet-and-greets with local artists and authors and other art-related events! 

• Farmers Market:  Discover the taste and charm of local food and flavors at our many Farmers Markets! This category highlights both weekly and weekend farm fresh harvest markets, where you can find seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baked treats and flowers. It’s the perfect way to support small businesses, local agriculture and enjoy the tasteful bounty of the Lake Pepin region!

• Local History: Are you a history buff?  Or simply curious about Lake Pepin’s past?  This category features engaging historical classes and exhibits that offer insights into the unique stories, traditions, and heritage that has shaped the driftless region.

• Shopping Sales & More!:  Looking for a deal? Shop small!  Help area small businesses celebrate their anniversaries, birthdays or the season, by shopping at one of their themed retail sales events!  This category helps identify unique sales along the Mississippi River Pool 4 area that include the popular 100 Mile Garage Sale, the annual Red Wing boots sales and other holiday deals!

• Weddings:  Planning a wedding?  This category focuses on local wedding conferences, event venue open houses and other wedding events related to planning!  Looking for more information about planning a Lake Pepin wedding? Check out our Lake Pepin Wedding Guide! Easily discover the perfect Lake Pepin wedding venue, raving catering vendors, exceptional florists and more at the click of a button!

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram!  Each Thursday evening we reliably post the Top 5 Weekend Events for the Lake Pepin region. Just click the links in the footer!