What To Expect From The 2026 'Downtown Duluth Days' On July 8-9

Two days full of fun are coming to Downtown Duluth for the annual 'Downtown Duluth Days' event happening on Wednesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 9, this year.

Once known as 'Sidewalk Days', the annual event was renamed last year. With the name change came a bit of a reimagining of some of the event's structure, but it remains a couple of days of fun with lots of food, shopping, activities, live music, and more along Superior Street in Downtown Duluth.

Those daytime activities on Wednesday and Thursday are capped off by big evening events.

Wednesday and Thursday evening, there are also big events planned, plus a street dance on Saturday night. Wednesday from 5 until 8 is the classic car show, presented by Tanner's Express Car Wash.

Thursday is the block party presented by Fond du Luth Casino from 5 until 9 pm, with music from Jumpsuit and Northern Wax Crew. Saturday's street dance is at Dubh Linn Brew Pub, with live music from Indecent Proposal.

Those are just the endcaps to days full of fun, though!

Starting in the morning on both the 8th and 9th, you'll be able to walk several blocks of Superior Street, which will be filled with more than 20 food trucks and over 175 vendors offering great shopping deals, activities, and entertainment, with each block having a different theme and different highlights.

Here are some of the highlights on each block during Downtown Duluth Days:

2nd Avenue W. to 1st Avenue W - "The Sound & Vision Block"

Live music from artists from the Music Resource Center will be playing throughout the day, with Studio Cafe also hosting live music. Jess Morgan will play Wednesday from noon until 4 pm, and again Thursday from 3 until 4 pm.

Going along with the theme, some of the vendors on this block include the Duluth Art Institute, Music Resource Center, and Lake Superior Zoo. You can see all of the vendors on this block here.

1st Avenue W to Lake Avenue - "The Plaza & Picnic Block"

At the center of the live entertainment of this block will be Indecent Proposal from 10 am until 1 pm on Wednesday, then Russ Sackett plays from 1 pm until 3 pm. Thursday, Breanne Templer plays from 11 am until noon, then Russ Sackett returns to play again from 1 pm until 3 pm.

While there are a variety of vendors that will be on this block, I'll highlight some of the food options, since this is the "picnic block". King of Creams, Valentini's, Saigon Cafe, and Minnesota Marshmallow are among the vendors that will be here. You can see all of the vendors on this block here.

Lake Avenue to 1st Avenue E - "The Family Fun Block"

In terms of live entertainment, on both Wednesday and Thursday, Wendy Grethen will play from 11 am until 1 pm, followed by Mark Blom starting at 1 pm. Mark will play until 3 pm on Wednesday, but will wrap up at 2 pm on Thursday to make room for Galvin Glen to play from 3 until 4 pm on Thursday.

There will be a variety of vendors on this block, but some of the "family fun" on this block includes a Duluth fire truck and police car on display to check out, along with things from 3-D Robotics and Excalibur Con, and classic fair & family food options like Pronto Pups, and Pizza Luce. You can see all of the vendors on this block here.

1st Avenue E to 2nd Avenue E - "Block Party"

While this is the location for Thursday evening's block party with music from Jumpsuit and Northern Wax Crew, other things going on throughout the day include free pickleball and a free photo booth, as well as other live music.

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Some of the vendors on this block include the Brewhouse Beer Truck, ice cream from Crank & Dasher, and Rocket Deli. You can see all of the vendors on this block here.

2nd Avenue E to 3rd Avenue E - "Putt-Putt Block"

As you probably guessed from the name, there will be putt-putt golf available on this block, along with face painting both days. There will also be live music from Deb Rausch from 11 am until 1 pm on Wednesday.

A few of the vendors on this block include the Duluth Playhouse, Blacklist Brewing Co., and Generau & Co. You can see all of the vendors on this block here.