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St. Croix Valley & East Central Events

9 events and attractions in the St. Croix Valley & East Central region are confirmed on the organizers’ own pages, from Oct 23, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027. Prices, hours and rules below are quoted from those pages and dated; anything an organizer has not published says “not published” rather than a guess. Towns covered include Stillwater, Taylors Falls, Chisago Lakes and Hinckley. Next up: Free live music at Rival House, Grand Casino Hinckley (Sota Pop, Drive), Oct 23, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026.

St. Croix Valley & East Central events by date

Event Where Dates Hours Price (as published) Notes
Free live music at Rival House, Grand Casino Hinckley (Sota Pop, Drive) Hinckley Oct 23, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 Fridays and Saturdays 9 PM to 1 AM. Oct 23-24 Sota Pop; Oct 30-31 Drive. Later dates not yet published. Free (listed as free live music) Not published
Thunder From Down Under at Grand Casino Hinckley Hinckley Nov 14, 2026 7:00 PM Not published Not published
Wild Mountain ski and snowboard season opening, Taylors Falls Taylors Falls Nov 20, 2026 Projected opening Fri Nov 20, 2026 (weather dependent). Weekend and holiday lifts open 10am; midweek lift schedule 10am/12pm/4pm by lift. 37200 Wild Mtn Rd. Not published Military discount $10 off a full-priced lift ticket; free lift ticket on birthday with proof
Wild Mountain snow tubing and Starlight Tubing, Taylors Falls Taylors Falls Dec 19, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027 Reopening December 2026. Holiday hours: Sat Dec 19 12-8pm; Sun Dec 20 12-4pm; closed Dec 21-25; Dec 26-Jan 2 12-8pm daily; Sun Jan 3 12-4pm; Mon Jan 18 and Mon Feb 15 12-4pm. Two-hour sessions. Starlight Tubing at dusk (about 4pm) on Fridays, Saturdays and holiday dates. Not published Recommended minimum 42 in tall; one person per tube; no outside food; helmets rent for $10; bags stay in vehicles; military discount $3 per session
Vasaloppet USA ski race weekend, Mora Mora Feb 13, 2027 to Feb 14, 2027 Sat Feb 13 (freestyle): Vasa 51 km, Dala 34 km, Bellringer 12 km, Team 12 km. Sun Feb 14 (classic): Classic 42 km, Half Classic 21 km, Miniloppet children's race. 2027 start times not published (organizer's 2026 schedule only). Starts on Union Street in downtown Mora; the 12 km freestyle races start at Mora Lake. Registration (RunSignUp): Vasa 51 km $133.50; Dala 34 km $133.50; Classic 42 km $133.50; Half Classic 21 km $133.50; Bellringer 12 km and Team 12 km $85.80 ($38.10 for ages 18 and under); Miniloppet $22.20. Fees include service fee; non-refundable. Spectator admission not published. No skiers under 18 in the Vasa or Classic; under-18s in the Dala, Team or Bellringer need a parent or guardian waiver; Miniloppet is for children toddler to 13. Spectators park on downtown Mora streets; St. Mary's lot (201 E Forest Ave) open Saturday and Sunday after 11:15 a.m.

Each event name links to the organizer’s page. Last checked 2026-10-19. Confirm the date and ticket price there before you go, because organizers change both.

Open daily, weekly or all season

Event Where Dates Hours Price (as published) Notes
Banning State Park, Sandstone (Kettle River, Wolf Creek Falls; open all season) Sandstone Oct 20, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 Park open daily 8 AM to 10 PM. Office Thursday-Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM, intermittent Nov-Apr as staff are available (call 320-216-3910 ahead). Not published (vehicle permit required; see the organizer page for venue rules Not published
Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer (open all season, free) Shafer Oct 20, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 Grounds open 365 days a year, 8 AM to 8 PM. Franconia Commons (gallery, gift shop, restrooms) open Fri-Sun 10 AM to 4 PM from Nov 15 through the winter; closed national holidays. The page gives both Apr 14 and May 3 as the end of winter hours. No admission fee; donations encouraged Dogs on leash welcome on the grounds, not allowed inside Franconia Commons.
Interstate State Park glacial potholes, Taylors Falls (open all season) Taylors Falls Oct 20, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 Park open daily 8 AM to 10 PM. Ranger station Sat-Sun 11 AM to 2 PM. Visitor center closes for the season after Oct 18. 307 Milltown Road. Not published (vehicle permit required; see the organizer page for venue rules Not published
Wild River State Park, Center City (open all season, cross-country skiing) Center City Oct 20, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 Park open daily 8 AM to 10 PM. Ranger station daily 9 AM to 4 PM (extended Friday and Saturday evenings through Oct 24, 2026). Park highlights include cross-country skiing and hiking trails. 39797 Park Trail. Not published (vehicle permit required; see the organizer page for venue rules Not published

Frequently asked questions

How were these events checked?

Each row was read on the organizer’s or venue’s own page, not copied from a listings site. The link in the first column is that page and the check date is in the source list below. See our editorial standards and verification log.

What if a price says “not published”?

It means the organizer’s page did not show a price when we looked, often because tickets sit behind a booking widget. We leave it blank instead of guessing; use the event link to see current prices.

What is the next event in the St. Croix Valley & East Central region?

Free live music at Rival House, Grand Casino Hinckley (Sota Pop, Drive), Oct 23, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026, in Hinckley. Dates shift, so use the link in the table.

Where do I report a wrong date or price?

Use the contact page. Corrections are logged on our corrections page.

More Minnesota events

Sources

Cite this page: It's Minnesota, “St. Croix Valley & East Central Events”, itsminnesota.com/st-croix-valley-east-central-events/ (updated ). By the It's Minnesota editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.