Chilly Dips and Cinematic Marathons: What’s On in Minneapolis Today

The Big Chill: Minneapolis Polar Plunge

Minneapolis residents are braving the icy waters of Lake Nokomis today for the annual Polar Plunge, a beloved winter tradition supporting Special Olympics Minnesota. The Plunge Village, located at 4955 West Lake Nokomis Parkway, opens at 10:00 AM and will remain active until 4:00 PM. Participants and spectators can enjoy a festive atmosphere featuring food trucks, s'mores stations, and live music. The band Flashmob! takes the stage at 10:00 AM, followed by SSCB at 11:30 AM. Plunging officially begins at 10:30 AM. For those who prefer a land-based challenge, the Frozen 5K and Dash & Splash events also take place this morning around the lake.

Fresh Finds at Indoor Winter Markets

Saturday morning is the perfect time to stock up on local goods at the city's seasonal markets. The Mill City Indoor Winter Market is being held inside the Mill City Museum from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This market is a trusted local source for sustainable groceries, featuring over 100 farmers and food makers. Simultaneously, the Minneapolis Farmers Market at 312 East Lyndale Avenue North is open from 9:00 AM until noon, offering a variety of winter produce, meats, and handmade crafts for early risers looking to connect with the regional agricultural community.

Awards Season Cinema and Stage

With awards season in full swing, local theaters are highlighting the best of the year's cinema. The historic Riverview Theater is hosting a series of screenings for the 2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts. The schedule includes Live Action Shorts at 10:00 AM, Documentary Shorts at 12:15 PM, and Animated Shorts at 3:10 PM. For theater enthusiasts, the Open Eye Theatre presents "Strange Heart: The Dream Songs of John Berryman" at 7:30 PM. This lyrical portrait of the renowned poet features a jazz-infused score and emotional puppetry. Meanwhile, at the Orpheum Theater, the Tony-nominated musical "Water for Elephants" continues its spectacular run, bringing a full circus experience to the stage with aerialists and jugglers.

Family Art and Community Meetups

The Walker Art Center is hosting its Free First Saturday event from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring the Kids’ Film Fair 2026. Families can enjoy relaxed screenings of short films in the Walker Cinema and participate in film-inspired art activities. For those looking to sharpen their creative skills, the Midtown Writers Group meets at the Midtown Global Market from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a generative writing session. Additionally, the Minneapolis Institute of Art invites visitors to "Art Play!" between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, where guests of all ages can experiment with different artistic mediums through scavenger hunts and studio work.