Minneapolis / St. Paul

Memorial Day is Monday May 28. Events remembering fallen soldiers are taking place in many cities around the Metro area. The largest events are held at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, which is the site of Minnesota's war memorials. On Memorial Day, many veterans organizations gathering and commemorating lost soldiers, and paying tribute to veterans and current military members.  Organized events and ceremonies begin at 9.30 a.m. and continue through the day.

If you can't get to the State Capitol, then many cities around the Metro area also hold their own Memorial Day events.

Here's a list of events at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, in Minneapolis, and in other cities around the Metro area.

It's the first long weekend of the summer.  Memorial Day kicks off the summer traveling season, and many people will be planning to leave town. are getting out of town, and there's plenty to do in town as well. Music festivals, baseball games, barbequing, farmer's markets, and more - here's a selection of Memorial Day weekend events, and things to do.

Barely 30 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities, the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings is owned and maintained by the Dakota County Historical Society, and the DCHS is doing a fine job of using the historic home as a site for community events, as well as regular tours and educational events.

One of the upcoming events at the LeDuc Historic Estate - built in 1865 - is a Heritage Harvest Garden Celebration, on June 2. Meet gardeners, beekeepers, get information and ideas for rain gardens and native plants, and visit with the LeDuc chickens too. It's a free event, and suitable for all the family. More details at the Dakota County Historical Society's LeDuc Estate website.

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13. Hopefully it will be a fine day, and you can take Mom, and family to brunch, or for a day out. Does your mom like shopping, or would she prefer to go hiking or fishing? What about a museum, a garden, or one of Minnesota's historical attractions? Here's a list of ideas and things to do on Mother's Day in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and here's a list of special events for Mother's Day in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

May is a packed month - we have a short summer, and lots of events to pack into those summer months. Art events, outside music, car shows, parades, baseball, festivals, and more - here's a list of May events in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association is the force behind the annual Art-A-Whirl open studio tour in Northeast Minneapolis - NEMAA claim that the event is the largest open studio tour in the country. Visiting Northeast's galleries and studios is a must-do for all Minneapolis residents, and with hundreds of artists working in almost every media you can think of, there is something to appeal to everyone.

Art-a-whirl runs from May 18 until May 20 at 50 locations across Northeast Minneapolis.

The schedule, maps and more information can be found at the Art-a-Whirl website.

Plenty of spring showers and sunshine makes for happy plants, and the Minneapolis and St. Paul farmer's markets are opening for the season this week. Look out for early spring produce like strawberries and asparagus, as well as bread, cheese, eggs, honey, art and crafts, food trucks with tempting wares, and expect much more selection to arrive in the next couple of weeks, and through the summer.

This weekend, many markets will have an opening celebration. The Mill City Market in Minneapolis will celebrate the start of the farmer's market season on Mother's Day, May 13, with plenty of vendors, live music, and family activities.

Mother's Day is next Sunday. What are your plans with your Mom? Here's some ideas for Mother's Day events, brunch, gifts, days out, and more.

• Mother's Day Special Events. Many places have special offers for mom, or special Mother's Day events.
• Mother's Day Brunch. Where will you take Mom for brunch? Options for outside and inside dining, new and classic restaurants.
• Mother's Day Gifts and Flowers: Ideas for where to get Mom a gift
• Mother's Day Chocolates. Most if not all Moms like chocolate, right?
• More Places to Visit on Mother's Day. A Mother's Day day out? Here's some more ideas of places to visit.

Due to bad weather, In the Heart of the Beast's 2012 MayDay Parade is postponed until Sunday 13 May.

The parade time, and all other details will be the same on the new date.

The latest details at In the Heart of the Beast's website.

The new date, May 13, is also Mother's Day - perhaps your Mom would enjoy the MayDay parade for a Mother's Day out? Here's hoping for better weather conditions for the parade next week.

Cinco de Mayo, May 5 2012, falls on a weekend this year, so expect plenty of celebrating. The two biggest celebrations in the Twin Cities are on Minneapolis' Lake Street, and in Westside St. Paul.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration in Westside St. Paul is one of the 10 largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the USA. On Saturday 5 May, there will be street food, children's entertainment, music, performers, a parade and the awesome low rider car show.

And El Nuevo Rodeo in Minneapolis is celebrating all weekend long, with a party on Saturday with music, entertainers, and dancing. On Sunday, there will be a street party with more music, children's entertainment, and street food.

Mexican restaurants and other organizations are also celebrating - here's a list of Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.