January Late January:  St. Paul Winter Carnival. A gala winter festival—the nation's oldest and largest—that encompasses ice-carving and snow-sculpting contests, a chili cook-off, snow volleyball, parades and the coronation of a carnival king and queen. For more information, call 651-223-4700, 763-566-5108, or toll-free 800-488-4023. February Early February:  St. Paul Winter Carnival. A gala winter festival—the nation's oldest and largest—that encompasses ice-carving and snow-sculpting contests, a chili cook-off, snow volleyball, parades and the coronation of a carnival king and queen. For more information, call 651-223-4700, 763-566-5108, or toll-free 800-488-4023.  

March Mid March:  Winter Jazz Fest. Twelve hours of jazz on five stages from more than 100 regional and national guitarists, singers and performers of bop, blues, big band, salsa, swing, chanteuses, and funk. Millennium Hotel, 1313 Nicollet Ave. For information and tickets, call 612-288-2060.   Mid-Late March:  Cities Festival of Jewish Film. Screenings of contemporary international films with Jewish themes, including documentaries, shorts and feature-length films. Dolly Fiterman Theater, Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, Oak Street Cinema, 309 S.E. Oak St., Minneapolis, and other venues. For information, call 952-381-3554 or 952-381-3400.  

April  Early-Mid April:  Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. The largest festival of its kind in the Upper Midwest attracts at least 120 entries from more than 50 countries. Screenings at various cinemas. For information, call 612-627-4430 or 612-627-4431. Late April:   Festival of Nations. Minnesota's largest ethnic event showcases approximately 100 different groups with international food, dance performances by more than 75 groups, cultural exhibits, folk-art demonstrations and an international bazaar with gifts from 50 regions around the world. RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. For information, call 651-647-0191. Continues through early May  

July Early-Mid July:  Taste of Minnesota. The state's largest outdoor festival features several stages with top national musicians performing, food from across the state, fireworks, children's activities, the Bridging the Arts festival and more. Harriet Island and along the Mississippi River in St. Paul. For information, call 651-772-9980. Mid-Late July: Aquatennial. The "Official Civic Celebration of Minneapolis" draws more than 800,000 visitors with numerous concerts, a torchlight parade, block party, water-ski show, dancing, sporting events (including regattas, a triathalon and tennis and beach volleyball tournaments), culminating in one of the largest fireworks shows in the country. Various venues throughout the city. For information, call 612-331-8371.  

Mid- August:  Twin Cities Black Film Festival. In the Twin Cities' busy film-festival schedule, this annual festival focuses on films of African-American interest, screening feature-length and short narratives, documentaries, experimentals and animations. Various cinemas.

August Early-Mid August—Minnesota Fringe Festival. Cutting-edge and innovative performing and visual arts, theater and comedy take center stage with at least 750 performances at 20 venues throughout downtown Minneapolis. For information, call 612-872-1212. For tickets, call 612-604-4466. Early August:  Metris Uptown Art Fair. Ranked among the top 50 art shows in the country, this annual event showcases works by more than 385 artists, nighttime entertainment, 20 food vendors and other activities. Uptown neighborhood, Minneapolis. For information, call 612-823-4581.

Late August:  Minnesota State Fair. One of the largest fairs in the country, complete with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, a lumberjack competition, horse show and simulated NASCAR racing. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. For information, call 651-642-2200. For tickets, call 651-288-4467. Continues through early September.  

October Mid- October:Central Standard Film Festival. This film festival presents independent films that reflect the geographical diversity of American regional filmmaking. Screenings of more than 50 features and shorts at various cinemas in Minneapolis and St. Paul. For information, call 612-338-0871.  

November, Mid-Late November:  Minneapolis/St. Paul LGBT Film Festival. Screenings of features, shorts and documentaries about life and issues surrounding the gay and lesbian community. Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St., Minneapolis, and other venues. For information, call 612-627-4430 or 612-627-4431. For tickets, call 612-331-3134. Mid-Late November:   Broadway in Minneapolis brings popular Broadway musicals to the Twin Cities. Historic Orpheum Theater, 910 Hennepin Ave. For information and tickets, call 612-673-0404, or toll-free 800-859-7469. Continues through early August  

December, Early-Late December:  Hill House Holidays. The James J. Hill House is dressed for the season, with dramatizations of family and servant life during circa-1900 holiday preparations. Weekends throughout December. 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul. For information, call 651-297-2555.  

Spectator Sports Twin Cities' sports fans are rewarded with pro teams in baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Tickets to Vikings games are usually sold out in advance, and Wild tickets are somewhat harder to get. Seats for the Timberwolves and the Twins are often easier to come by.

Baseball Minnesota Twins Major League baseball April-early October in the Metrodome. 501 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis. Phone 612-375-1116 or 612-338-9467 for tickets. Toll-free 800-328-9467.

Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves The T-Wolves play November-April in the Target Center.  600 First Ave. N, Minneapolis. Phone 612-337-3865 or 612-339-4695.

Football Minnesota Vikings The NFL's Vikings play October-December in the Metrodome.  Most games are sold out. 501 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis. Phone 612-338-4537.