Community Events
Events in Chaska, Minnesota
This year is filled with fun for everyone! Enjoy events with a more chill vibe? Attend a summer concert in the parks, or community bike ride. Want to bring your pets out to the park with you? Attend Bark in the Park and Pet Parade! Most events are free to attend and open to the public. This is possible due to generous sponsorships from our community partners.
Chaska Parks and Recreation offers sensory-friendly zones at events as well. These areas are usually adjacent to the action and offer fidget toys, headphones, and coloring or crafts.
Latin Music and Food Festival
Friday, September 22 | 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Firemen's Park
Fireworks, food, and fun! This event will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Latin culture. Enjoy food and drinks from local vendors including La Hermosa Mexican Restaurant and Patrons Mexican Restaurant. Enjoy Latin rhythms from the band Alma Andina and others.
Chaska Cares Music Festival
October 7, 2023 | 1:00-10:00 PM
Chaska Athletic Park
Join Us at Chaska Cares Music Festival & Fundraiser!
Get ready for an incredible day of music, unity, and community support! Join us at the Chaska Cares Music Festival where you'll enjoy live performances by seven amazing bands from Minnesota, Texas, and Nashville.
But it's not just about the music – it's about making a difference. By attending, you're helping us raise funds for a Miracle League Field and universal playground right here in Chaska! Let's come together to create an inclusive space for everyone to play and connect.
- Date: Oct. 7, 2023
- Time: Gates open at noon – Close at 10pm
- Location: Athletic Park, Chaska, MN
- Cost: $50/ticket – all proceeds to the park
Don't miss out on this opportunity to have a blast and contribute to a wonderful cause. Grab your tickets now at www.chaskacaresmusicfest.com and let's make a positive impact together!
See you at the festival!
#ChaskaCaresMusicFestival #CommunityUnity #MakeADifference
Visit www.chaskacaresmusicfest.com for tickets and more information!
Halloween Jamboree
October 28, 2023 | 4:00-6:00 PM
Chaska Community Center
An annual event that always impresses! Tricks and treats at the Chaska Community Center! Enjoy kid-friendly, Halloween-themed crafts, ghostly games, a haunted house (small fee), and a DJ dance booth.
Santa Visits
December 1, 2023 | 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM
Chaska Community Center
Celebrate the season with a visit from Santa! There will be crafts, music, and plenty of holiday photo opportunities.
Online ticket sales coming soon!
- Admission - $10 per family (up to 6 people).
- Register online by clicking the link above or call 952-448-5633.
Tree Lighting Celebration
December 3, 2023 | 5:30-7:30 PM
Chaska Firemen's Park
Tis the season for family fun! Visit with Santa, sip on hot cocoa, savor a s’more, and create a holiday craft! Also, enjoy caroling from the Chaska High School Chamber Singers.
The tree lighting ceremony will take place from 6:00-6:15 PM. The 50-foot tree is sponsored by the Chaska 100 Club.
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 2023 | 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
McKnight Park
Updated Location: Brick City Banquet Room at the Chaska Community Center
A variety of outdoor and environmental exhibitors will help us appreciate our wonderful natural world. This FREE event. All participants receive a goodie bag.
UPDATE: There will be environmental-themed activity stations, snacks, and craft. Carver County Parks will provide a disc golf toss station, and Master Gardeners will be present with information about spring and summer gardening.
National Bike Month in May
May 1-31
May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities around the United States. National Bike Month provides communities the chance to highlight the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more residents to give biking a try.
Bike Month Activities
| Bike and Roll to School Day | May 3 (Clover Ridge Elementary) |
| Chaska Bike Rodeo and Ride | May 7 |
| Bike to Work Week | May 15-21 |
| Bike to Work day | May 19 |
| Carver Bike Rodeo | May 20 |
| Bike BINGO | May 1-31 |
Chaska Bike Rodeo
Sunday, May 7 | 3:00 -5:00 PM* | Carver County Courthouse Parking Lot
Prepare yourself and your bike for summer! Attend for the chance to win a helmet! New in 2023! Enjoy yard games, music, snacks, and a community bike ride! More event details on the next tab.
*Community Bike Ride | 5:00-6:00 PM | Start and End at Courthouse Lake Parking Lot
Sign up for the Community Bike Ride!
This free, family-friendly ride will include an 4-mile loop, starting and ending at the Courthouse parking lot.
Bike Bingo
Download the Bike Bingo Card (PDF) to get started!
Share a picture of you and your completed card on social media and tag our Facebook or Instagram to win a prize.
Celebrate on Social Media
Follow the city on Facebook and @chaskaparksandrec on Instagram and use the hashtags #BikeThere and #ChaskaBikeMonth to let us know how you’re celebrating. Tag us @chaskaparksandrec in a photo of your favorite trail and tell us why you love to bike.
Sidewalk, Trail, and Driveway Chalk Art
Add color to places you love biking by creating your own chalk art on the sidewalks, trails, or your driveway. Post photos on social media and tag us @chaskaparksandrec to share inspiration with your community. Remember to use the #ChaskaBikeMonth too!
Chaska Bike Rodeo and Community Bike Ride
May 7, 2023 | 3:00-5:00 PM*
Courthouse Lake
Prepare yourself and your bike for summer with this Bike Month event!
New in 2023! Enjoy yard games, music, snacks, and a community bike ride! Other activities will include:
- Bike riding practice stations
- Newspaper toss
- Watermelon drop
- Bike helmet checks
- Bike inspections
- Archery
- Helmet raffle
*Community Bike Ride (5:00-6:00 PM)
Enjoy a 4-mile ride from Courthouse Lake to Athletic Park and back. There will be one water stop, along with a pit stop at Lions Park. Riders can turn around at any point if they do not wish to ride the entire route. Helmets required for all riders. Snacks, waters, and recreational activities provided after the ride. Register online or contact the event supervisor at 952-227-7742 or atrumbower@chaskamn.gov.
Parking
Options for parking include street parking in surrounding neighborhoods. There are no shuttle services.
Registration
This event is a free event, but registration is required. Limited same-day registration spots available.
Don't have a bike?
Eastern Carver County School Community Education has sponsored a rentable bike fleet for this event. Medium to large bikes will be available at the event. Please sign up online for the event to use one of the bikes for the ride.
Interested in volunteering for this event? Please reach out to Alyssa Trumbower at 952-227-7742 or by email at atrumbower@chaskamn.com.
Movie Mondays
June 19, July 17, July 31, August 7, August 14 | 10:00 AM
Chaska Community Center Theater
Cool off from the summer heat during Movie Mondays! These are free movie showings for all ages. Children under 11 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact Sandy Jansen at 952-227-7791 to find out what movies are showing.
Pride Picnic
June 17, 2023 | 3:00-6:00 PM
McKnight Park
Save the date! This event is hosted by the Chaska Human Rights Commission in partnership with Chaska Parks and Recreation and the ISD 112 Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club. More information will be available soon.
Summer Concert Series
June 13 - August 18 | Various Times
Chaska Firemen's Park, Carver Gazebo Park, and Chaska Veteran's Park
Feel the beat with summer concerts in Chaska and Carver! New for 2023! Auntie Dallas and Uncle Siama, Zachary Scot Johnson, Kashimana (Kash), and Skarlett Woods.
Carver Vehicle Fair
June 22, 2023 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Carver Station | 1607 Hartwell Drive, Carver, MN 55315
The Carver Vehicle Fair is back for 2023! Climb aboard heavy equipment vehicles, fire trucks, police cars, and more! There will be photo opportunities, a bounce house, yard games, and food trucks, including:
- Wonders Ice Cream
- Sumo Egg Rolls
- Pizza Karma
- Cane and Cotton
Math-in-the-Park
June 21 | 6-8 pm | Firemen's Park
July 27 | 6-8 pm | New Location! Chaska Community Center
Get your kids moving and thinking this summer! Each standalone event will include a fun featured activity that can be modified for any age and ability level. Activities are geared towards kids ages 5-14, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activities
- Games - printable game list (PDF)
- Snacks (while supplies last)
- Music
Free to attend and open to all. This event is in partnership with Mathnasium of Chanhassen West.
Fire and Ice Festival and Bonspiel
July 14-15, 2023 | 6:00-11:00 PM (Fri.) | 12:00-11:00 PM (Sat.)
Firemen's Park
Eat, drink, and play the day away! Fire and Ice Festival and Bonspiel is open to the public and free to attend. Enjoy two days of live music, food and beverages (for purchase), family-friendly activities, and fireworks. The event is hosted by Chaska's Parks and Recreation Department at Firemen's Park and Chaska Curling and Event Center each summer. Visit the event page for more details about the festival schedule, bonspiel, and sponsor information.
Bark in the Park
July 26, 2023 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Firemen's Park
Event Update 7-23-23: The event will still be held outside at Firemen's Park. Temperatures will be above 90 degrees. There will be water stations available. Attend at your own risk.
The dog days of summer have arrived! Browse through pet-supply vendors and rescue resources, lead your pup through an obstacle course, or grab a bite to eat. Traveled Ground will perform, so bring your lawn chair and stay for the show.
Pet Parade (5:45-6:15 PM) - Canceled as of July 25th
The parade will start at 5:45 p.m. with the City of Chaska Parks and Recreation staff leading the way. The parade route will travel along the sidewalks from Veteran's Park to Firemen’s Park.
Parade participants may come as a “Unit, (up to 6 people)” create a float or come dressed in a favorite costume, play an instrument, decorate their bikes, or bring the family pet (on a leash or in a cage). $5 per unit (up to 6 people).
Awards and prizes will be given for the Largest Pet, the Smallest Pet, Best Costume, Best Decorated Bike and Best Overall Decoration/Unit.
Register online or call 952-227-7742. Check-in starts at 5:00 PM. Parade line-up will be at 5:30 PM with the parade starting at 5:45 PM.
Touch-a-Truck
August 17, 2023 | 5:00-7:30 PM
Chaska Community Center (Parking Lot)
Our largest carnival of the year! Enjoy games and prizes, a bouncy house, complimentary popcorn and ice cream, and a Kids Dance DJ performance. Climb aboard the Chaska Public Works, Public Safety, and Parks and Recreation vehicles for a photo opportunity.
- 5:00-6:30 pm - Vehicle Fair
- 5:00-7:30 pm - Carnival games
- 6:30-7:30 pm - Kids Dance DJ performance
Note: The Chaska Community Center parking lot (west side) will be closed all day. Please plan to carpool, use public transportation, and park in the middle school parking lots.
Art in the Park
August 27, 2023 | 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Firemen's Park
Music, art, and sun! Visit Firemen's Park in Chaska to celebrate visual and performing arts from over 50 artists. The CD release from The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County will be featured, too.
Enjoy live music from Exodus, shop local art vendors, and create kids art projects.
Food will be available for purchase from Mamas Taco and Sumo Egg Rolls. Alcoholic beverages for purchase from Crooked Pint Chaska.
Event Schedule and Activities (PDF)
- 11:00 AM-6:00 PM - Art and Food Vendors
- 11:00 AM-1:00 PM - Exodus (live music)
- 1:30-2:30 PM - Todd n' Tina (children's entertainment)
- 12:00-3:00 PM - Children's Crafts
- 3:00-6:00 PM - Singers and Songwriters of Carver County CD Release Party
Back to School Bash
August 29, 2023 | 5:00-7:00 PM
Carver Community Park
Join your friends for a party in the park! 3rd Lair skate shop will be providing skateboarding demonstrations, free equipment rentals, contests and more.
- Live music from the Chaska Middle School Garage Bands
- Lawn games
- Tie-dye - Bring your own white clothing to dye.
- Food trucks (food and drinks for purchase)
- Butcher Salt
- Pretty Great Cheesecake
- Pizza Karma
Steamboat Days 5K and Kids Fun Run
September 9, 2023 | 9:00*-11:00 AM
Carver Transit Station, Carver, MN
The 5K is back for Steamboat Days! Join us for our 5K run/walk and Fun Run for Kids. Want to loosen up before your workout? Join Chaska Parks and Recreation staff to hop, skip, and jump into a higher heart rate!
*Warm-up will start at 8:45 am for the 5K as well as 9:45 am for the Fun Run.
Proceeds will help fund online youth safety programs for the local non-profit A.C.T. United. Questions? Contact Toni at toni@actunited.org.
Parking
Construction is happening on Highway 41 through downtown Chaska. Please check the project website for the most up-to-date information.
Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors!
Chaska Parks and Recreation enjoys working alongside local businesses, organizations, and individuals to create a volunteer or sponsorship experience that is valuable to your business and the community. Learn more about becoming a volunteer or sponsor on our webpages, or contact Alyssa Trumbower at 952-227-7742 or email atrumbower@chaskamn.gov.