St. Anthony Park Arts Festival 2025: Your Complete Visitor Guide

Plan your art attack at St. Anthony Park Arts Festival 2025! Lock in dates at St. Anthony Park Branch Library Association, grab tickets, target must-see galleries/artists, and strategize hotels, dining & cultural side quests.

The St. Anthony Park Arts Festival is a beloved community-driven event that has showcased Minnesota’s vibrant local art scene since its founding in 1995. Held annually in the historic St. Anthony Park neighborhood, this free, family-friendly festival celebrates grassroots creativity, sustainability, and neighborhood pride. The 2025 edition, themed “Rooted in Creativity,” honors the region’s artistic legacy while embracing innovative, eco-conscious practices.

Free! Open to all ages.
🕒 Hours:

• Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM
• Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM

♻️ Green Festival Pledge:

• Solar-powered stages.
• Reusable art installation materials donated to local schools post-event.
• Partnership with Tree Trust to plant 100 trees in the neighborhood.

St. Anthony Park Arts Festival 2025: Where Community and Creativity Grow Together.
“A small festival with a big heart.” – Star Tribune

Founded in 1995 by a coalition of local artists and community leaders, the St. Anthony Park Arts Festival began as a grassroots initiative to celebrate the vibrant creativity of Saint Paul’s historic neighborhood. Over three decades, it has grown into one of Minnesota’s most cherished community arts events.

Key Milestones

• 1995–2000: Humble Beginnings
• Launched as a single-day event with 20 local artists in a park pavilion.
• Focused on fostering neighborhood connections through art, music, and shared meals.
• 2001–2010: Steady Growth
• Expanded to a two-day format (2005) with 50+ artists and live performances.
• Introduced the Emerging Artist Scholarship (2008), funding student creators from St. Paul schools.
• 2011–2020: Sustainability & Community Impact
• Partnered with Upcycle MN (2015) to promote eco-friendly art, using recycled materials.
• Survived the COVID-19 pandemic with a hybrid virtual-physical edition (2020), streaming workshops and hosting outdoor pop-ups.
• 2021–2024: Innovation & Inclusivity
• Launched the Zero-Waste Initiative (2022), eliminating single-use plastics and composting 90% of festival waste.
• Added ASL interpreters and sensory-friendly zones (2023) to enhance accessibility.
• Introduced Augmented Reality Art Trails (2024), blending tech with traditional crafts.

2025: 30th Anniversary Edition
The 2025 festival, themed “Rooted in Creativity,” marks three decades of community-driven art. Highlights include:

• A retrospective exhibit showcasing archival photos and works from past featured artists.
• Solar-powered stages and partnerships with Tree Trust to plant 30 trees in honor of 30 years.
• A Youth Curatorial Program, empowering local teens to co-design installations.

The St. Anthony Park Arts Festival 2025 is guided by a mission to cultivate creativity, equity, and sustainability while honoring its legacy as a neighborhood cornerstone. Core principles include:
1. Empower Local Artists & Makers

• Prioritize Minnesota-based creators, with 70% of exhibitors from the Twin Cities.
• Provide low-cost booth fees and mentorship for emerging talent.

2. Foster Inclusive Community Connections

• Ensure free, family-friendly access to all events.
• Offer multilingual resources, ASL interpretation, and ADA-compliant facilities.

3. Champion Environmental Stewardship

• Achieve zero-waste operations through composting, recycling, and reusable materials.
• Spotlight eco-conscious art, including sculptures from reclaimed materials and workshops on sustainable practices.

4. Innovate for the Future

• Integrate technology like AR art trails and virtual galleries to engage global audiences.
• Partner with schools to inspire youth through hands-on art education programs.

5. Celebrate Heritage & Progress

• Honor the festival’s 30-year legacy with archival exhibits and intergenerational storytelling.
• Amplify diverse voices, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant artists.

Why This Mission Matters in 2025

• Community Resilience: Strengthens neighborhood bonds in a post-pandemic world.
• Cultural Equity: Addresses systemic barriers in the arts by uplifting underrepresented creators.
• Environmental Action: Models how small-scale events can drive meaningful ecological change.