🎉Celebrate Family Fun: Top Festivals and Fairs in Washington County🎡

As a busy mom, I’m always on the lookout for fun, family-friendly events that bring our community together — especially festivals and fairs where kids can play, learn, and create lasting memories. Luckily, Washington County, MN, offers an incredible lineup of festivals and fairs from August through October 2025 that are perfect for families looking to enjoy music, food, crafts, and outdoor fun.

If you’re searching for the best things to do with kids in Washington County this fall, I’ve gathered the top events you won’t want to miss. From carnival rides and parades to nature celebrations and art festivals, there’s truly something for everyone.

🎪 Washington County Fair

📅 Dates: July 30 - August 3, 2025
📍 Location: Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 40th Street North, Lake Elmo, MN
🔗 Website: washingtoncountyfair.org
💲Admission: $12 for ages 8 and up, Free for 7 and under

This classic county fair is a favorite for families, offering carnival rides 🎡, livestock shows 🐄, 4-H and FFA exhibits, tasty fair food 🍔, craft beer for the grown-ups 🍺, and nightly entertainment 🎤. It’s a great way for kids to see animals up close and enjoy fair games 🎯.

Unlimited wristband Carnival ride Days:

Thursday, July 31 - 1pm to 9pm $30/person
Friday, August 1 - 1pm to 9pm $30/person
Sunday, August 3 - 12pm to 8pm $30/person

🎉 Woodbury Days

📅 Dates: August 22 - 24, 2025
📍 Location: Ojibway Park, 8525 Ojibway Trail, Woodbury, MN
🔗 Website: woodburydays.org
💲Admission: Free
This lively event has it all: a grand parade🎈, a Taste of Woodbury food tent 🍽️, carnival rides 🎠, fireworks, classic car show, live music 🎷, a business fair, and a fun zone for kids 🛝. Don't forget to get your Stuff-n-Fluff on Friday evening (5pm-7pm) - this is a popular event and has limited availability (included with your button purchase).

BUY YOUR BUTTON & SAVE!
Advance button sales begin in early August. Buttons will also be available for purchase during Woodbury Days.
🎨 Each button features unique artwork created by a local community artist.
🎁 Includes an entry card for Woodbury Days Button Prizes (see official rules for details).
👧👦 Join in on Kids & Adult Activities like Stuff ‘n Fluff, the Coin Hunt, Lego Build, the Woodbury Days Challenge, and more!
🏀 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament – Required for grades 7–12 players (can be purchased with tournament registration).
🍔 Taste of Woodbury Discounts – Save on select menu items (excludes water, soda, and some smaller items).
🎡 Carnival Ride Savings – Get $5 off daily unlimited ride wristbands when purchased at the event.
💸 Enjoy special deals from participating Woodbury Days Button sellers.
❤️ Support the Fun – Button sales help fund Woodbury Days and support the Woodbury Ambassadors program!

New for 2025 - Shuttle Service
Due to limited parking in and around Ojibway Park, visitors attending Woodbury Days are encouraged to park at the satellite lot at Bailey Elementary School and take the free Woodbury Days Shuttle to the event at Ojibway Park.
Shuttle service hours:
Friday: 3:00pm – 10:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
*Two shuttle buses will run on Friday and Saturday evenings to help accommodate higher traffic.

🛍️ Stillwater Flea & Crafters Market

📅 Dates: August 23 - 24, 2025 and September 27–28, 2025
📍 Location: Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 40th Street North, Stillwater, MN
🔗 Website: rsgdevelopment.com
💲Admission: Free
This outdoor market showcases antiques 🕰️, crafts 🎨, artisan vendors, and tasty food trucks 🍦. It’s a fun, low-key way to explore unique finds and support local creators with the kids in tow.

🎻 Lake Elmo Bluegrass Festival

📅 Dates: September 6, 2025
⏰ Hours: 2pm-6pm
📍 Location: Lake Elmo Park Reserve – South Pavilion, 1500 Lake Elmo Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN
🔗 Website: Bluegrass-Festival
💲Admission: Free with Washington County Parks vehicle permit
Enjoy a lively afternoon of bluegrass music 🎸, food trucks 🍔, arts and crafts 🎨, and fun for the whole family! Whether you're a music lover or a nature enthusiast, there’s something for everyone. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, relax, and take it all in. Face painting, on-site camping, and great eats await! Please note: no pets or alcohol are allowed at the festival.

Schedule
2:30pm - 6pm: A Touch of Magic Face Painting
Music schedule
2pm - 2:50pm.: Barley Jacks
3pm - 3:50pm: Triple Fiddle
4pm - 4:50pm: Brotherhoods of Birds Band
5pm - 6pm: Monroe Crossing

🕊️ Guardian Angels Fall Festival

📅 Dates: September 12 - 13, 2025
⏰ Hours: Friday - 5pm to 8:30pm, Saturday - 10am to 10pm
📍 Location: Guardian Angels Catholic Community, Oakdale
🔗 Website: guardian-angels.org/fallfestival
💲Admission: Free
Fun-filled weekend with food trucks, bingo, live music, inflatables, silent auction, beer & margaritas, and fireworks!
Tickets available for food, drinks & activities

🎡 Saint Ambrose FALLFEST

📅 Dates: September 19 - 20, 2025
⏰ Hours: Friday 5:30pm-10pm, Saturday 11am-10pm
📍 Location: Saint Ambrose Catholic Community, 6600 15th St N, Woodbury, MN
🔗 Website: saintambrosecatholic.org/fallfest
💲Admission: Free
This festival has something for all ages — carnival rides 🎠, food booths 🍔, a beer and wine tent 🍷 for adults, bingo 🎲, a talent show 🎤, a 5K + fun run 🏃‍♂️, trivia, and live bands 🎶. It’s a wonderful community celebration with plenty of family fun.
Unlimited Rides Wristband: $25 each, available Friday 6pm-10pm and Saturday 12pm-4pm
Games & Activities (separate from carnival rides) - $1 per ticket.

🦅 Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival

📅 Dates: September 20, 2025
📍 Location: Browns Creek Park, 3165 Oakgreen Ave, Stillwater, MN
⏰ Hours: 10am-1pm
🔗 Website: Bird Festival 2025
💲Admission: Free
Kids will love the live birds of prey (including the Bald Eagle)🦅, bird-themed crafts ✂️, and nature games 🌿 at this family-friendly outdoor festival. It’s hosted by Sustainable Stillwater MN and is a great educational outing.

New This Year: Bird Costume Contest!
Show off your feathers in their first-ever Bird Costume Contest for kids and adults! All costumes get a treat, and prizes go to the best entries. Bonus points for creative or STEAM-inspired designs!

🎨 Rivertown Fall Art Festival

📅 Dates: October 4-5, 2025
📍 Location: Lowell Park, 316 3rd St N, Downtown Stillwater, MN
🔗 Website: greaterstillwaterchamber.com/rivertownfallartfestival.com
💲Admission: Free
Experience over 150 juried artists 👩‍🎨, food vendors 🍴, a beer & wine garden 🍻, and live music 🎷 in a beautiful riverfront setting. Perfect for a weekend stroll with the family.

🥧Stillwater Harvest Fest

📅 Dates: October 11-12, 2025
📍 Location: Downtown Stillwater, MN
🔗 Website: harvestfeststillwater.com
💲Admission: Free
Stillwater Harvest Fest a must-visit for anyone who loves fall. The weekend is packed with fun — from the giant pumpkin weigh-off and the one-of-a-kind pumpkin regatta on the St. Croix River to live music, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. Add in the gorgeous fall colors and scenic river views, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season in downtown Stillwater.

Festivals and fairs are more than just fun — they’re opportunities for kids to experience culture, nature, art, and community spirit in a hands-on way. As a mom, I love how these events bring us outdoors, allow the kids to meet new friends, and create family traditions we look forward to year after year.

Mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy a vibrant lineup of festivals and fairs across Washington County this fall. These events are budget-friendly, full of kid-friendly activities, and perfect for creating those cherished family memories.

I’m a local mom and the publisher of Macaroni KID Woodbury–Oakdale–Cottage Grove–Stillwater, your go-to guide for family fun in the South East Metro! Each week, I curate a FREE weekly e-newsletter, update our family-friendly website, and share the latest local events, kid-friendly activities, and small business spotlights on social media to help families like yours stay in the know. Whether you live here, work nearby, or are just visiting, I’m here to make it easy for you to find fun things to do with your kids in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and beyond. Join our community of moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers—SUBSCRIBE TODAY and never miss out on local family fun!