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

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.