Uniquely Forks: Your Must-See Summer Lineup

ArtFest

• June 6 & 7 at University Park
• Website
• ArtFest is the unofficial kickoff to summer. It’s two days filled with artists, makers, musicians, food vendors and thousands of people wandering through University Park. Expect everything from handcrafted jewelry to large‑scale paintings, plus live performances and kids’ activities. It’s the kind of event where you go “just to look” and somehow leave with a bag full of treasures.

Town Square Farmers Market

• Saturdays through September at Town Square
• Website
• Every Saturday, from 9 AM to 1 PM, Town Square transforms into a bustling open‑air market filled with just-picked produce and flowers, fresh baked goods and various handmade items, plus live local music and tantalizing food truck fare. It’s the perfect place to grab breakfast, chat with growers and soak up the sunshine. The market runs all summer long, making it a weekly ritual for many.

Shakespeare in the Park

• June 11-20 at University Park
• Website
• The North Dakota Shakespeare Company brings one of the Bard’s most gripping tragedies to life this summer with an outdoor production of Macbeth. The lush green backdrop of University Park transforms into a world of ambition, prophecy and unraveling power as the company delivers its signature blend of classic storytelling and modern accessibility. Audiences can spread out blankets or settle into lawn chairs and enjoy a professional theater experience under the Grand Forks sky. The event is free and family‑friendly, with a pay‑what‑you‑can model that keeps Shakespeare accessible to the entire community.
• 2026 Performances:
  • June 11-13 at 7 PM
  • June 14 at 2 PM
  • June 17 at 2 PM *special performance at Grand Forks Public Library*
  • June 18-20 at 7 PM

Greater Grand Forks Fair

• June 17-21 at Grand Forks County Fairgrounds
• Website
• Rides, games, grandstand shows, livestock exhibits, fair food – it’s everything you want from a classic summer fair and then some! The midway lights up the night, the concerts draw big crowds and the smell of corndogs, frybread tacos and mini donuts is impossible to resist.

Smoke 'N Shine

• June 27 & 28 at Alerus Center
• Website
• Smoke ’N Shine brings together the region’s most impressive car and bike show, complete with gleaming chrome, custom builds and engines that demand attention. The excitement ramps up with a high‑energy burnout competition that always draws a huge crowd. Add in a great lineup of food trucks and plenty of kids’ activities and you’ve got a full‑throttle community event that appeals to all ages.

Sertoma 4th of July Festival & Fireworks

• July 4 at Sertoma Park & South Middle School
• Website
• Celebrate the 4th with a full day of patriotic fun and one of the area’s biggest fireworks shows. From 11 AM to 6 PM at Sertoma Park, families can dive into a full lineup of crafts, kids’ games, live musical entertainment and plenty of summertime treats including free watermelon. The festival buzzes with that perfect blend of community pride and small‑town charm, drawing visitors of all ages. Then at 10:30 PM, the sky above South Middle School erupts in color, delivering a fireworks finale as grand as the day itself.

North Dakota Museum of Art Summer Concerts in the Garden

• Website
• The Concerts in the Garden series transforms the Museum’s sculpture garden into one of Grand Forks’ most beloved summer hangouts. Tuesday evenings fill with warm air, great music and a relaxed outdoor vibe perfect for lawn chairs, blanket, and lingering sunsets. Gates open at 5:30 PM, opening acts start at 6 PM and headliners take the stage at 7 PM. Expect food hot off the grill, beer and wine for purchase and a welcoming, all‑ages atmosphere.
• 2025 Summer Schedule:
  • Brett Newski & The Bad Inventions on July 7: Indie rock with alt‑country and ’90s alternative influences
  • Cousin Curtiss on July 14: High‑energy blend of bluegrass and rock
  • Sean Hayes on July 21: Soulful mix of folk, soul and country
  • TAE & The Neighborly on August 11: Soul‑pop‑R&B with a warm, modern groove
  • Bad Bad Hats on August 18: Indie rock with catchy hooks and bright, melodic energy

Johnny Holm Band in Town Square

• July 30 at Town Square
• Facebook
• A regional legend, the Johnny Holm Band brings high‑energy rock, crowd interaction and a party atmosphere that fills Town Square every summer. From 7 to 11 PM, the music is loud, the dancing spills into the street and concert‑goers somehow know every chorus. This all‑ages night out also features food for purchase and a 21+ beer garden, making it a summer staple for the whole community.

Goo Goo Dolls Live

• August 3 at Alerus Center
• Website
• Yes, that Goo Goo Dolls! Expect a night of nostalgia, big radio hits and a packed crowd singing along to “Iris” and “Slide.” Adding even more energy to the night, Neon Trees will open the show with their signature alt‑pop sound, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Heritage Days

• August 8 & 9 at Heritage Village
• Facebook
• Hosted at East Grand Forks’ Heritage Village, this event celebrates pioneer history with demonstrations, old‑fashioned games, live music, food and tours of historic buildings. It’s a charming, educational and surprisingly lively weekend.

River Cinema Grand Forks Comic Con

• August 8 & 9 at Alerus Center
• Website
• The Grand Forks Comic Con brings a burst of color, creativity and pure fandom energy to the summer lineup. It’s a weekend where superheroes, sci‑fi icons, anime characters and pop‑culture favorites take over the Alerus Center thanks to an enthusiastic mix of cosplayers, collectors, artists and fans of all ages.

The Red Clay Strays

• August 18 at Alerus Center
• Website
• The Red Clay Strays are bringing their explosive blend of Southern rock, country soul and gritty Americana to Forks and it’s already shaping up to be one of the summer’s most talked‑about shows. With powerhouse vocals, raw storytelling and a live presence that feels both vintage and electric, the band’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. If you want a concert packed with heart, grit and swagger, this one deserves a spot at the top of your must‑see list.

Downtown Grand Forks Street Fair

• August 21 & 22 at various Downtown locations
• Website
• A true signature event for the region, the Downtown Grand Forks Street Fair transforms the heart of the city into a buzzing festival of vendors, artists, food stands and nonstop live entertainment. Thousands of visitors fill the streets, creating an atmosphere that feels electric – the kind of place where you can shop for something handmade, grab a snack and lose track of time just people‑watching.

Riley Green: Cowboy As it Gets Tour

• August 22 at Ralph Engelstad Arena
• Website
• Country Superstar Riley Green is bringing his Cowboy As It Gets Tour 2026 to Ralph Engelstad Arena with special guests Justin Moore, Mackenzie Carpenter and Adam Hood. CMA and ACM award winner Riley Green has been making Country music fans raise a drink, shed a tear, and, above all, celebrate where they are from, since first releasing his self-titled EP in 2018 with Big Machine Label Group. His songs like the No. 1 PLATINUM hit “There Was This Girl,” the 3X-PLATINUM-certified heart-tugger “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” (which he performed live at the 55th ACM Awards), and his chart-topping collab with Thomas Rhett, “Half of Me,” have made Riley synonymous with what Country music does best: making listeners feel something with his no-gimmick, relatable writing and classic feel.

Weird Al Yankovic

• August 29 at Alerus Center
• Website
• The king of parody brings his accordion, his humor and his cult‑favorite stage presence to Grand Forks. Fans can expect laugh‑out‑loud takes on classics like “Amish Paradise” and “Eat It,” along with plenty of deep‑cut surprises. No matter if you’re a lifelong fan or just love a good laugh, Weird Al’s shows are famously unforgettable.