In the Willmar Lakes Area, June blossoms with an array of exciting events and activities that cater to all ages and interests. As the summer sun bathes our scenic landscapes, the community comes alive with community festivals, outdoor music concerts, sporting events, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring our beautiful region for the first time, there’s something special waiting for you in the Willmar Lakes Area this June. Join us as we dive into the must-attend events that promise to make your summer unforgettable!

June 5 – Little Show on the Crow
This summer enjoy food, beverages, music & market every Wednesday at Neer Park in New London from 6:30-8:30pm starting June 5th. This new event will end with a final event on Saturday, September 21 with the Autumn Equinox Puppet Parade. Click the event title to see the music line-up for the summer.

June 5 – Prairie Winds Summer Band Concerts
Prairie Winds Summer Band starts outdoor concerts Wednesday, June 5 at Rice Park. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy free popcorn and water while listening to some great community music! Can’t make the first concert on June 5th? Don’t worry, Prairie Winds Summer band concerts continue on Wednesday nights through July 3rd.

June 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 – The Barn Theatre Presents “The Wizard of Oz”
The Wizard of Oz is on The Barn Theatre stage June 6 – June 23. Don’t miss this delightful, musical adventure. It’s a great family outing! Reserve your seats today!

June 7-8 – Kandi is Dandy Days
Enjoy two days full of family fun activities that everyone is sure to love including a kiddie parade, a Fire Department Waterball Fight, family movie night in the park, pancake breakfast, kiddie karnival, tractor pull, bean bag toss tournament, and a grand day parade! Click the event title to see the full schedule and the event poster.

June 7 – Little Crow Ski Show
Enjoy the first Little Crow Ski show of the 2024 season for FREE (with a food shelf donation) on Friday, June 7th! They’ve been working hard this off-season to put together a great show and they can’t wait for you to see it. Can’t make it to their first show? No worries! They perform most Friday nights June-August. Click the event title to see the full schedule of home shows.

June 8 – Crow River Fishing Tournament
Pack up your fishing gear and stock up on bait as you head to the annual Crow River Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 8th! Registration starts at 6:30am and the tournament starts at 8:00am. Click the event title to see more information.

June 8 – Smokin’ for the Link Rib Fest
Live music, a silent auction, raffle drawings, delicious ribs and pie… what more could you ask for? This family friendly event is a great reason to gather with your friends and family to help support your neighbors in need through The Link’s programs!

June 8 – Sunburg Fire Department Presents Hicktown Mafia
You’ll love watching the 3rd Annual Waterball Brawl in Sunburg as area fire departments compete for a traveling trophy. And afterwards, stay to enjoy the Street Dance featuring Hicktown Mafia!

June 8-9 – West Central Open Pickleball Tournament
New London Spicer Pickleball Club would like to announce the return of the West Central Open… a Pickleball Tournament! Come join us in New London for a fun and competitive tournament! The tournament will be June 8th & 9th and will be held at NLS High School tennis courts. Gendered Doubles will be held on Saturday the 8th. Mixed doubles will be held Sunday the 9th. Click the event title for more details.

June 13 – Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run – Willmar Stingers Invitational
The Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run Series consists of four to five Fun Run events held each summer season in the Willmar area. Children are invited to run with their friends and family on our pre-set courses throughout the city. There is more to our Fun Runs than just running. Each event also offers fun activities, mentoring opportunities, and camaraderie. Runners in grades K-5 will also be provided with a t-shirt, medal, and other great swag depending on the event. This event coincides with a Willmar Stingers Basebal Game. Kids can enjoy a night of baseball, meet Barry, and run the bases at Baker Field. For the full list of Miles 4 Mentors kids fun runs, click the event title.

June 13-16 – Atwater Festival Days
Enjoy the many fun events taking place during this year’s Atwater Festival Days! Events include a Fire Department Fun Night at the Atwater Community Center, City-Wide Garage Sales, Craft Vendors, Food Booths, Kiddie Parade, Kids Pedal Pull, Fire Department Waterball, Turtle Races, Car Show, Bean Bag Tournament, Basketball Tournament, Sand Volleyball, Street Dance, Golf Scramble and much more!!!

June 14-15 – Studio Hop
During this annual event, enjoy paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, mixed media, photography and more. Our local artists will open their studios and creative spaces to the public. This free event is an opportunity to tour artists’ workshops, visit with the artists, demonstrations and possibly purchase some of the artwork.

June 15 – Carden Circus
The Carden International Circus has been thrilling audiences across the country, with the very best in live, family entertainment, for over 50 years! Come relive your favorite childhood memories & make new ones with your family and friends! Performances are Saturday, June 15th at 3:00pm & 6:30pm.

June 15 – 6th Annual Redhead Creamery Curd Fest
Come join us on June 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. for the sixth annual Curd Fest! It’s going to be whey fun! Take a leisurely walk, shop around, have a drink, or bust a move. Watch the Hand Milking Competition, see the super cool robotic milkers in action, and snuggle with a fluffy calf at Cow Camp. Don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter for a chance to bottle feed a calf during afternoon chores. And don’t worry, fan-favorite treats like Pan-Fried Curds and Curd Kabobs will be there, fresh and squeaky as always!

June 19 – Cruise Night at the Country Stop
Come see 50 to 100 classic cars and hot rods that are displayed for everyone’s enjoyment. Enjoy an A&W Burger Basket special, live music by Josie Sanken and door prizes. Fun for the whole family!!

June 19-23 – Willmar Fests
This annual festival promotes Willmar Area Attractions, pride in the community and the quality of life through family participation featuring events for citizens of all ages. The purpose of Willmar Fests is to encourage the imagination, talents, interests and creativity of the residents of the Willmar Area. Willmar Fests is the combination of four Festivals rolled into one big summer city wide celebration; International Fest which honors Willmar’s sister city of Frameries, Belgium, Aqua Fest featuring water events, Frameries Fest which is a Fine Arts Celebration and Kaffee Fests honoring the coffee tradition of Willmar’s Scandinavian roots. Check out the full schedule of events by clicking on the event title.

June 20 – Miles for Mentors Fun Run – Willmar Fests Block Party
It’s time to party at the Willmar Fests Downtown Block Party on Thursday, June 20th! This event features live entertainment, kids activities, food vendors, and more. Miles 4 Mentors will be providing t-shirts to Fun Run participants in grades K-5. Bring the whole family, celebrate our community, get healthy, and have some healthy fun.

Jun 22 – Foot Lake 4 Walk/Run
The Foot Lake Four Walk/Run is a fun event for the whole family that takes place each year during Willmar Fests. It is a four-mile, USATF-certified course that starts in downtown Willmar, winds along beautiful Foot Lake and the scenic trails of Robbins Island, then passes over the First Street bridge before returning to the hospital. Gather your family and friends to join the race, people are invited to run or walk, create a group name and be in the runnings to be the largest group. Each group member of the largest group will receive a medal.

June 22 – Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad Car Show
Enjoy a day filled with a variety of cool cars. No limit on year class. All cars are welcome! Show car entry fee is $10. The event is free to all spectators! Come and see who takes home the Custom Rescue’s pick trophy!

June 28-29 – Freedom Fun Days in Prinsburg
Join the town of Prinsburg as they celebrate Independence Day! Events include the Freedom Fun Run and Adams Race, a Pork Dinner, Inflatables, Parade, Pickleball and Bean Bag Tournament, Live Music, Fireworks and more!!!

June 29 – WIG Olympics
The ultimate team competition is coming to Willmar this summer with the WIG OLYMPICS! Test your skills against other teams playing Golf, Cornhole & Darts. Compete in either round to be placed into a skewed payout leaderboard and compete for GOLD (CASH) with a $1,000* CASH prize pool! Click the event title for more details.

And continuing throughout the month of June (and most of the summer) are farmers’ markets, karaoke nights at area bars, trivia nights at area breweries, and live music at a variety of restaurants/bars. Also, Willmar Stingers Home Games, KRA Speedway Racing Nights, The Land Summer Music Series, Little Crow Ski Shows and public cruises on Green Lake Cruises!

For the most udpated listing of events, please see our Events Calendar.

June in the Willmar Lakes Area offers a variety of summer activities like outdoor music concerts, sporting events, car shows, and community festivals. Visitors and residents can enjoy the warm atmosphere and numerous events, creating lasting memories. Gather friends and family to experience the fun and festivities in this charming Minnesota region.