What’s Happening For Carlton Daze 2026? Here’s A Look At What’s Planned For The Weekend

Summertime is community festival season, and I am definitely here for it.

This weekend is one of the greater Twin Ports area's annual community celebrations as the whole town of Carlton turns into a party for Carlton Daze.

This year's schedule of activities for the small town along the St. Louis River between Cloquet and Duluth includes a lot of fun for the entire family!

If you've never been to Carlton Daze before, you'll be impressed by the scale of what's going on this weekend in the quaint small town of less than 1,000 people.

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This year's Carlton Daze celebration includes a drone show, parade, car show, lots of live music, an "American Ninja Warrior" style obstacle course, sports tournaments, and much more!

Here's a look at some of the highlights on this year's Carlton Daze schedule:

2026 Carlton Daze Schedule Highlights

Friday, July 24

The majority of Friday's festivities get going late in the afternoon, with kids' races and a 5K, live music at the VFW and Thurd Base Bar through the evening, and a pre-drone show family dance party at DNR Park from 6:30 until 10 pm.

The drone show is arguably the headlining event of Friday's festivities, which will bring a light show to the sky over Carlton starting at 10 pm.

Organizers recommend DNR Park across from the fire hall as a good family viewing location, or Chestnut Avenue between the VFW and Third Base will be more geared toward the adults. Music to accompany the drone show will be played at both locations.

Saturday, July 25

Saturday is a busy day, with a pancake breakfast at Bethesda Lutheran Church among the early-day activities and a car show from 9 am until 3 pm near the VFW.

There will also be a craft and vendor market at the Four Seasons Sports Complex from 9 until 3, the "Ninja Anywhere" obstacle course will be ready to challenge attendees on Chestnut Avenue from 10 am until 2 pm, and there will be volleyball, cornhole, and pickleball tournaments throughout the day.

Live music caps off the evening, with the Carlton VFW hosting Three First Names from 8 pm until midnight and Third Base Bar hosting Aftershock from 9 pm until they close.

Sunday, July 26

One of the biggest parts of Sunday's lineup of festivities is the Carlton Daze Parade, which starts at 1 pm. The parade starts on School Avenue and heads through town. If you're going to be in the parade, the lineup starts at noon, but you need to register ahead of time.

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Other events on Sunday include bounce houses at DNR Park for the kids throughout the day starting at 9:30 am, free root beer floats at the Carlton Fire Hall as part of the fire department open house after the parade, and more live music at the Carlton VFW and Third Base Bar.

There's a lot more going on through the weekend beyond what I mentioned. You can see the entire Carlton Daze 2026 schedule here.