Events Up North May 25-31: Kick it with KAXE and more

By Jennifer Barr

Published May 22, 2026 at 2:25 PM CDT

Events this week include "The Sound of Music" in Mountain Iron, the grand opening of a Deer River dog park and a mural unveiling in Bemidji.

It's another busy week in Northern Minnesota. Here are some events to check out:

Warbler Walk - 7 a.m. at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids (every Wednesday and Saturday in May)
Guided bird hike - 8 a.m. at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd. Register.
Eagle mural open house - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Hope House in Bemidji
Concert for veterans - 1 p.m. at Bemidji Senior Center. Antonio Arce will perform and Headwaters Quilt Guild will distribute Quilts of Valor. Free and open to all.
Paper in Fire: Community Writing Circle - 6-8 p.m. at Fire in the Village in Grand Rapids. Bring a notebook and an open heart. Village artists will suggest a prompt, with quiet time to write, followed by a soup supper.

Kick It With KAXE - 5 p.m. at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. Annual meeting, volunteer awards and live music by Cactus Blossoms and Rangers. Free, with sign-in at 5 p.m.
Poetry Slam - 6 p.m. at Fozzie's Smokin' BBQ in Bemidji. Hosted by Watermark Art Center.
Genealogy "How-To" Presentation - 6-8 p.m. at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm
The Sound of Music - 7 p.m. at Merritt Auditorium in Mountain Iron. Presented by CHAIR, Mountain Iron-Buhl Speech and Drama, and Marquette Catholic School. Featuring Iron Range youths in grades 3-12. Tickets

Warbler Walk - 7 a.m. at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids (every Wednesday and Saturday in May)
All Things Vintage Flea Market at Beltrami County Fairgrounds - 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
A grand opening of Great Tails Animal Rescue features a Pet Prom Walk at 11 a.m. featuring a pet costume contest, food trucks and more.
Guided bird hike - 8 a.m. at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd. Register.
Elks Soccer Shoot - 10 a.m.-noon for ages 5-9, noon-2 p.m. for ages 10-15 at Don Adamson Field at Brainerd High School
The Sound of Music - 7 p.m. at Merritt Auditorium in Mountain Iron. Presented by CHAIR, Mountain Iron-Buhl Speech and Drama, and Marquette Catholic School. Featuring Iron Range youth in grades 3-12. Tickets
The Hibbing Tourist Center and Senior Center hosts a Climb the Mine hike that starts at the Greyhound Bus Museum and winds through historic old Hibbing at 8 a.m.
Iron Range Radiance, Buckanaga Social Club and Fire in the Village present a mashup of fashion and drag. Includes printmaking and open runway for public participation. Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m.

Informal MS Walk - 11 a.m. starting/ending at Yanmar Arena in Grand Rapids. Donations support Minnesota's Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Deer River Dog Park grand opening and "leash cutting" - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Deer River Dog Park
Plant sale - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids
The Sound of Music - 2 p.m. at Merritt Auditorium in Mountain Iron. Presented by CHAIR, Mountain Iron-Buhl Speech and Drama, and Marquette Catholic School. Featuring Iron Range youth in grades 3-12. Tickets
Once in a Blue Moon Market - 4-7 p.m. at Old Central School in Grand Rapids

What's going on in your community? Let us know!

Events Up North is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.