Find the Best Spring Events on the Range

These Spring Events are the Best

1. Slush Cup and Spring Carnival at Giants Ridge

The Giants Ridge Spring Carnival and Slush Cup is an annual themed event with food, music, drinks, games and more that celebrates the end of the ski/snowboard season.

With 34 alpine runs, three terrain parks and a brand new chalet, Giants Ridge has the Midwest’s best snow during season, and one of the most fun Spring Carnivals to close it all out.

The fun includes a costume contest – 2024 theme is Wild West – a rail jam with prizes from Damage Board, and a fun day of skiing and snowboarding.

For the Slush Cup, 100 skiers and boarders have a chance to make it across the pool for prizes and bragging rights. This is an annual tradition at ski resorts around the country but you don’t have to be a ski bum to join the fun.

2. Iron Range EarthFest

A long-standing Iron Range Tradition, EarthFest celebrates Earth Day with demonstrations, booths, vendors, presentations and entertainment . This is the largest Earth Day celebration in northern Minnesota and is hosted by Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability.

Find out how Iron Range businesses and nonprofits are doing their part to preserve the planet, and ways you can help! There’s also opportunities to learn about local makers and growers and connect with innovators from around the region.

3. Mesabi Symphony Orchestra Presents

There’s something extra delightful about arts and music organizations in rural America. Like fish swimming upstream, they sometimes struggle to make budget, recruit new members, and find their audience. But the Iron Range’s Mesabi Symphony Orchestra defies the current with exceptional offerings every season.

Photo from Facebook

Offering four concerts each season, plus occasional special appearances, MSO is a gift and treasure for northern Minnesota. With the season finale in April, the MSO performance is a great way to celebrate the dawn of a new season.

Assorted Shows Round out Spring Events

In 2024 – and most other years – the Iron Range events scene is full of music, craft fairs and plenty of other ways to get you out and moving during these longer, warmer days! Here are just a few of our favorites to put on your calendar:

Hairball – the Midwest’s favorite rockers return to Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia on April 13th. Get tickets here.

Hillfest at Giants Ridge – the Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge brings Levi LeVallee back to northern Minnesota for snowmobile drag racing, hill climbing and cross racing. Spectators will love the speed and talent of these riders!

Craft Fairs Galore – see what area makers were up to all winter with the most cheerful craft fairs around, including Junkaroo and Mocha Too, the Northern Minnesota Craft and Vendor Expo, and a Tropical Market with homegrown and homemade goods.

Find your own favorite event by perusing our Event Calendar.

Happy Spring!