Grand Old Day

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalSaint Paul
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsGrand Old Day's history gives it a
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Grand Old Day in Saint Paul

Grand Old Day is a free, single-day street festival held on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul each June, billed locally as the unofficial kickoff to summer. Founded in 1973, it closes roughly two miles of the avenue to traffic for a morning parade, a 5K run, live music on multiple stages, a classic car show, wiener dog races, and food and arts vendors run by the Grand Avenue Business Association.

Grand Old Day began in 1973 as an initiative to draw people to Grand Avenue, a commercial strip of shops and restaurants in Saint Paul, by closing it to traffic for a single day each June and filling it with music, food, and a parade.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Grand Old Day's history gives it a resilience that shapes how locals talk about it: after decades as a fixture of the Twin Cities summer calendar, the event went through a period of disruption and scaled-back editions before returning in force in 2025 under the organization of the Grand Avenue Business Association, and it has continued each June since

02

The mystery stays covered

Its footprint along Grand Avenue turns an entire commercial corridor, rather than a single park, into the festival grounds, splitting the day into themed zones for entertainment, sports and wellness, arts and nonprofits, and family fun

03

The city starts moving

Signature quirks like wiener dog races and a garlic-clove-tossing parade tradition give it a distinctly local, unpretentious character that separates it from larger ticketed music festivals in the region

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Long-standing traditions include the Grand Old Day Parade tossing treats

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including by local legend garlic cloves

The sacred route

Living ritual

to the crowd

The local code

Living ritual

the midday wiener dog races

Tradition 5

Living ritual

an early-morning 5K and kids' fun run

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and a classic car show along the avenue

Tradition 7

Living ritual

The event is organized around distinct themed zones

Tradition 8

Living ritual

a structure that has carried through the festival's various changes in organizer and format over the decades

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Use Saint Paul transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Casual June-appropriate clothing works well: shorts, a light shirt, and comfortable walking or running shoes, especially if joining the morning 5K. Sun protection matters since most of the...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Saint Paul, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.94 N, 93.09 WOpen in Google Maps

Saint Paul, MN

Nearest airportMSP — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field
TransportUse Saint Paul transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Saint Paul, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Saint Paul via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Saint Paul, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual June-appropriate clothing works well: shorts, a light shirt, and comfortable walking or running shoes, especially if joining the morning 5K. Sun protection matters since most of the day happens on open pavement with limited shade; a light layer helps for cooler mornings before the day warms up.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Grand Old Day?

Grand Old Day is listed for Past edition: 7 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Grand Old Day take place?

The festival is listed in Saint Paul, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Saint Paul, MN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgrandave.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Calgary Stampede

Past edition: 3–12 July 2026

Calgary, Canada
Photo pending

Mawazine - Rhythms of the World

Past edition: 19–27 June 2026

Rabat/Sale, Morocco
Photo pending

Seville April Fair

Past edition: 21–26 April 2026

Seville, Spain
Photo pending

Minnesota State Fair

August · Summer

Falcon Heights, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →