Minnesota Fireworks Show Ranks Top 10 in U.S.

This weekend marks what many consider the unofficial kickoff to summer. Across Minnesota, cities come alive with festivals, celebrations, and, of course, fireworks. Among all these events, one show stands out above the rest.

USA Today recently released its Reader's Choice Awards list of the "10 Best Places to See Fireworks in 2025." One Minnesota town landed at number six on the list for its breathtaking fireworks display.

USA Today Names Top Fireworks Shows

While most top-ranking fireworks displays happen on the 4th of July, Minnesota's recognized celebration spans three days. The Minneapolis Aquatennial, which began in 1940, concludes with a massive fireworks show that continues to grow in prestige.

Originally created to bring people into Minneapolis during the summer, the Aquatennial now draws national attention thanks to its fireworks. The show is held annually on the third weekend of July.

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The Aquatennial's Star Attraction: Fireworks

Launched from near the Mississippi Riverfront and sponsored by Target, the "Target Fireworks" display is produced by Zambelli Fireworks. It features more than 10,000 pounds of fireworks, making it one of the five largest shows in the country.

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Drawing crowds of around 250,000 people each year, the show is a fully choreographed pyro-musical. Synchronized to music with precision down to 1/100th of a second, each minute of the show can take up to four hours to design.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial fireworks show has earned its place among the best in the nation, thanks to the effort and creativity behind the event. Here is the entire top 10 list.

2025 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Performers

Here is the schedule of all of the performing acts that will take the Grandstand stage at the Minnesota State Fair in 2025. As more acts are announced, we'll update this schedule.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

9 Unlikely New Names for Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center

After 25 years, Xcel Energy is stepping away from its naming rights deal with the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. A new sponsor is expected to sign a long-term, high-dollar agreement to rename the arena with the Minnesota Wild.

While several major brands are rumored to be in the running, we couldn’t help but think of some uniquely Minnesota companies that would make amazing (and hilarious) naming rights partners—if only they had the budget or interest.

Gallery Credit: Tony Hart