Things To Do in Winona, MN — August 2026
Golden light on the bluffs, sweet corn at the farmers market, and one last month of river-town summer before the leaves start to turn. Here’s everything worth putting on the calendar.
August in Winona has a particular kind of magic. The Mississippi backwaters are warm enough for one more paddle, the Winona Municipal Band plays its final Wednesday concerts of the season, sunflowers and sweet corn take over the farmers market tables at Levee Park, and downtown hums with the last big festival weekends of summer before Winona State’s campus fills back up with students. It’s the sweet, golden stretch between peak summer and back-to-school — equal parts county-fair nostalgia and end-of-season send-off. Below is a full, chronological rundown of what’s happening around town this August, verified straight from the source calendars of the venues, churches, schools, and city departments hosting them.
Week One August 1 – August 7
Winona Farmers Market
Running since 1973, this downtown riverfront market hits its late-summer stride in August with sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, honey, baked goods, and fresh flowers from growers within 75 miles of Winona, plus live local music most Saturday mornings.
Kids & Family Dance Party w/ Conductor Jack
Musician and conductor Jack Norton leads an afternoon of music, crafts, and dancing built for kids and grown-ups alike — a great way to burn off some end-of-summer energy at the taproom before dinner.
Gate City Jazz Band
The Gate City Jazz Band settles onto the patio at Westfield Golf Course’s bar and grill for an easy Sunday evening of live jazz standards.
Winona City Council Meeting
The City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month to work through budget items, project approvals, and city business. Meetings are open to the public, with time set aside for public comment.
Vacation Bible School
St. Mary’s Parish hosts a full week of Bible stories, songs, crafts, and games for kids — a joyful way to close out the summer before school bells start ringing.
Acoustic Jam Night
Musicians Kyle Gruehlke and Jim Reineke host an open acoustic jam on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bring an instrument or just grab a seat — everyone is welcome to sit in.
Historic Library Tour
A guided 30-to-45-minute walk through the architecture and history of Winona’s beloved public library building, starting outside the original 5th Street entrance.
The Winona Municipal Band
Now in its 111th year, the Winona Municipal Band closes out its summer season with two final Wednesday-evening concerts under director Levi Lundak. Bring a lawn chair for one of Winona’s longest-running summer traditions.
Silent Book Club
The Winona Public Library and No Name Bar team up for a low-key summer reading hour. Bring whatever you’re reading, grab an indoor or outdoor seat, and read quietly alongside fellow book lovers.
Week Two August 8 – August 14
Seasonal Saturday at MMAM
One dollar gets you in the door for a full day of gallery tours, live music, hands-on art-making, and tables from local community partners.
MMAM Summer Public Tours
A relaxed, docent-led 30-minute tour exploring artworks inspired by rivers, lakes, and the water that shapes life along the Mississippi.
Ignite for Christ Youth Group
A regular gathering for area teens built around fellowship, faith, and fun, meeting twice more this month before the new school year begins.
Minnesota State Primary Election
Voters head to the polls to narrow the field ahead of November’s general election, including county, city, and school board races. Early and absentee voting runs through the Monday before at the Winona County Office Building, 202 W. 3rd St.
Improv at the Garten
Theatre du Mississippi takes over the biergarten for a second-Thursday night of unscripted, audience-fueled comedy.
39th Annual Winona Jazz Festival
One of the “Winona Originals,” this long-running festival fills a summer weekend downtown with Dixieland and gate-city jazz across multiple venues — a great send-off to peak summer.
Week Three August 15 – August 21
Big Muddy in the Streets
A one-day downtown street celebration pairing local food and drink with live music in the heart of the city — a classic taste of Winona’s late-summer street-festival season.
Summer Days & River Waves
A prospective-student and family open house pairing a campus visit with the Mississippi River views that make WSU’s campus distinct.
Third Thursdays at MMAM
The museum stays open late with a rotating programming highlight each month and Happier Hour at the museum’s Waterbar Cafe + Provisions.
Bluffs2Backwaters
A weekend gathering on the Mississippi backwaters blending camping, paddling, and live music along the river just outside town.
New Student Welcome Week
Incoming Warriors move onto campus for a week of orientation activities designed to build friendships before classes begin.
Closing Out August August 22 – August 31
Teacher Workshop Days
Teachers and staff return ahead of students for professional development and classroom prep as the district’s 2026–27 school year approaches.
Fall Classes Begin at Winona State
The fall semester officially opens, bringing students, energy, and Warrior purple and gold back to downtown and the WSU campus.
Book Bingo
The Winona Public Library and Peter’s Biergarten team up for a few rounds of bingo, with books as the prizes.
Back-to-School Conferences
Families meet with teachers ahead of the September 1 first day of school, part of the district’s back-to-school conference schedule.
St. Mary’s Parish Picnic
The parish gathers for an end-of-summer picnic — food and fellowship, and a chance to celebrate the season together before fall programming kicks back in.
A quick note: This guide may not include every single event happening in the Winona area this August. Know of something we should add? Let us know at tiv360.com/contact-the-inventors-velocity/.
Event dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice, so please confirm details directly with the organizer before heading out.
Winona-mn-directory.com is not affiliated with any of the organizers, venues, or events listed above and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the details provided.
