Open Streets Returns to Minneapolis with Four Car-Free Festivals

Minneapolis is set to host the 2025 Open Streets festival series, transforming key commercial corridors into pedestrian-only areas for community celebration and local business promotion. The series begins on August 2 with Open Streets Northeast on Central Avenue NE, organized by the Audubon Neighborhood Association and the Coalition of Northeast Minneapolis Neighborhoods, closing the street from 14th Street to Lowry Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy live music on multiple stages, Lucha Libre wrestling matches, interactive art experiences, food vendors, a pet hub, and a beer garden, emphasizing cultural engagement and neighborhood connection. This year marks the second consecutive year the city has shifted away from the previous partnership with the nonprofit Our Streets, instead funding neighborhood associations directly to host and manage each event. City officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Council President Elliott Payne, highlight Open Streets as a vital platform for celebrating Minneapolis' vibrant culture, arts, and small business communities, particularly in designated Cultural Districts like Central Avenue. Additional events are planned throughout August and September, continuing the tradition of free, family-friendly block parties across the city.