Events in Mankato today

This free, family-friendly meet up welcomes walkers, stroller pushers, and runners at any pace. Routes are planned at about three miles, and everyone can choose to cover a shorter or longer distance. Formerly known as the 'Saturday Group Run', it encourages active living and includes people of all abilities, even those who do not think of themselves as runners. Leashed dogs are welcome. Expect a friendly, social atmosphere with snacks and coffee provided, plus hot chocolate and tea available in colder weather. The gathering takes place in all weather conditions unless otherwise noted.

Explore a marketplace of area vendors at Fleet Farm Mankato in Mankato, Minnesota. Find one-of-a-kind items, support nearby businesses, and enjoy an easygoing shopping experience while you browse a wide mix of goods to suit many interests.

Take a gentle-paced plant walk in North Mankato, MN that focuses on the edible and medicinal plants growing all around. Participants learn to identify local species and explore ways they can be used for nourishment and wellness. Early August brings a burst of flowers, some fruits, and plenty of greens, so late summer offers many chances to find remedies and a bit of food. The format of these monthly walks stays consistent, while the plants highlighted shift with the season. Children 12 years and younger may attend at no cost when accompanied by a parent or other adult. Registration is available through the provided link.

Unique Classic Cars marks its sixth season of summer roll-ins with a relaxed showcase outside the showroom, welcoming classics, muscle cars, trucks, and any vehicle owners are proud to display. This monthly gathering unfolds in the dealership’s front lot, offering time to admire a wide range of rides, meet fellow enthusiasts, and see what is available in the showroom. Food will be offered for purchase on site, and this edition features live music by Johnny Frost & the Heatseekers along with eats from IDC Food Wagon.

Small Business Saturday: Shop Small at the Mall brings a monthly marketplace to the Common Area of River Hills Mall in Mankato, Minnesota. Presented with Midwest Makers Mercantile and Kato Promotions, this curated gathering highlights local entrepreneurs through a changing selection of makers, artisans, and small businesses offering handmade and specialty goods. Admission is free for shoppers. Interested vendors can contact Midwest Makers Mercantile for participation details.

BENCHS brings its monthly bake sale to Pet Expo Mankato, offering a wide spread of homemade cookies, bars, breads, cupcakes, dog treats, and more created by about 20 to 30 or more volunteer bakers. Every purchase helps provide medical care, food, enrichment, and everyday support for animals in the community. Non food items are available for those who want to contribute without picking up sweets. Terri, the Shelter Manager, will be on hand to share ways to get involved, volunteer, foster, or support BENCHS. Payments are accepted by cash, check, or Venmo. Supplies are limited and favorites often sell out quickly.

Swing by BENCHS’s August Bake Sale for a tasty fundraiser supporting animals in the community. You’ll find a wide variety of homemade treats like cookies, bars, breads, cupcakes, and even dog treats, plus some non-food items. The money raised goes toward medical care, food, enrichment, and daily operations for the animals in their care. Cash, check, and Venmo are accepted.

LEC and Master Gardener Mary Walker present an educational session on native plant gardening. Participants will learn about the value of native species and practical ways to help them flourish in home yards and gardens. This class follows a tiered pricing model. Benefactor admission is $45 and includes sponsorship of two scholarship tickets. Sustainer admission is $22 and includes sponsorship of a reduced or student ticket. General Admission is $15 as the base class price. Reduced or Student Admission is $7 for students and attendees who need a reduced rate. Scholarship tickets are available upon request.

This weekly Lorcana 1v1 Core Constructed event features a $10 entry fee. Participants receive two booster packs for playing, along with weekly play kit promos and other extras.

Come enjoy live music outside in the Biergarten with Colby Straka at Schell's Brewery. The event is free and runs in the early evening hours.

This weekly Star Wars Unlimited organized play session features three rounds of head to head matches for constructed decks. The entry fee is $10. Every participant receives two booster packs for playing, and items from the weekly play kit are distributed at each session.

An event featuring Jack Backbone & The Vertebrae.

This recurring group ride rolls out on the first Sunday of each month, departing from the shop for about 25 miles on a mix of gravel and pavement at a B pace. It is led by service manager Aaron and includes a planned breakfast stop at the St. Peter Food Co-Op, so bring money for food.

A monthly bake sale at Pet Expo supports Mending Spirits Animal Rescue. Visitors can pick up baked treats and show support for the rescue at each installment of this ongoing series.

The monthly MSAR bake sale from Mending Spirits Animal Rescue takes place at Pet Expo Mankato and features a wide selection of homemade treats that support animals in the community. Typically 20 to 30 plus volunteer bakers contribute cookies, bars, breads, cupcakes, dog treats, and more, and there are also non-food items available. Funds raised help cover medical care, food, and enrichment for animals who need it most. Terri, the Small Animal Coordinator and a board member, will be available to talk about ways to get involved, volunteer, foster, or support the organization. Payments are accepted by cash, check, and Venmo. Items are first come, first served, and popular choices tend to sell quickly. For those unable to attend, support can also include sharing the event or visiting during another month.

Enjoy weekly Yu-Gi-Oh duels with three rounds of play. Entry is $10 and includes two OTS booster packs, and you will earn an additional booster pack for each match you win.

This weekly Digimon Card Game event features a three round format. Entry is $10, and players receive a booster pack for each match win. A free learn to play session is available before the event.

An unstructured play session created for children five and under offers a safe space to explore, move, and have fun at their own pace. Admission is $5 per child.

This open gym is for ages 5 and up. Participants can choose free play or focus independently on skills. Admission is $5 per child.

Experience multiplayer Commander matches for Magic: The Gathering with a $5 entry that includes a booster pack for participating. The winner of the pod also earns a promo card.

Cribbage players gather for a recurring tournament held every other Monday all year. Sign up to be placed in a single-elimination bracket, then team up with a partner and play through the rounds. The winner receives a $25 gift card to the Wine Cafe. If you are eliminated early, you can start a new cribbage game with others or try pfeffer. A limited number of boards and cards are provided, and you are welcome to bring your own.

Caring for an aging loved one can be both meaningful and demanding. This support group creates a welcoming place for family members, friends, and caregivers of older adults to connect with peers who understand the realities of caregiving, exchange insights, receive encouragement, and pick up practical strategies. It serves newcomers and long-time caregivers alike. Participation is free and open to the public, and no RSVP is required.

Meet other Magic: The Gathering fans for conversation and gameplay. The focus is on community, discussion, and enjoying the game together.

Enjoy a relaxed group gravel ride with MAMB that heads out after the A and B groups. Expect a blend of gravel and pavement with a short stretch of trail for variety. This is a no drop outing, so riders are not left behind. The pace is about 12 to 14 miles per hour over roughly 20 miles. The route is chosen at the start to reflect the weather and the group’s abilities. Gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and other bike types are welcome.

Adults who love modern board games can connect with fellow players in a relaxed setting. Bring a favorite title to share, or simply come ready to play. The emphasis is on friendly conversation and enjoying modern tabletop games with other adults.

This event features Lorcana played in four-player pods using a free-for-all format, with the goal of reaching 20 lore first. Entry is $10. Participants receive two booster packs for taking part, along with weekly play kit promos and additional goodies.

The Nicollet County Fair in St. Peter is a family-friendly, community celebration packed with classic fair food, fun rides, games, live entertainment, and exhibits. Spend the day browsing vendor booths, checking out local attractions, and enjoying multiple days of nonstop fair excitement for visitors of all ages.

A weekly, hands-on camp series invites children in kindergarten through third grade to learn through play in a setting designed to inspire curiosity. Each session pairs guided activities on a focused theme with time to discover the museum’s exhibits. Themes include Messy Masterpieces, Plant, Play and Grow with the Living Earth Center, Stitching with the Okies, Slime Time Science, Stars, Stripes and Rockets with 3M, STEAMagination, Mud Masters: Clay Adventure, Crack the Case detective challenges, Pulp to Paper, Mission: Rocket Camp with 3M, Super Science focused on germ busters, Scrap Studio with recycled art and building with MNDot, and Cooking Up Curiosity with the Living Earth Center. The fee is $45.

Free weekly Pokemon League play featuring casual matches and trading. Participants can sign up to receive a League ID, and attendees receive a complimentary Pokemon prize pack.

Weekly Gundam card game play happens on Wednesdays. The entry fee is $10. Participants receive promo packs, and a booster pack is awarded for every match they win.

This open gym welcomes children ages five and older. The cost is $5 for each child. Participants can enjoy open-ended play or spend the session practicing skills independently.

The Mankato SCHEELS Bike Club offers friendly group rides that start in the SCHEELS parking lot and finish at WOW! Zone, where participants can enjoy food and drink specials. Cyclists of all ability levels are welcome, with options suited to different experiences. Helmets are required for all riders, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

This event features Magic: The Gathering gameplay in Commander and 0athbreaker formats with pod-based matches. The entry fee is $5. Participants receive a booster pack for playing, and the winning pod is awarded a promo card.

A weekly One Piece Card Game event presented in three rounds. The entry fee is $10. Players receive a booster pack for each match win, and weekly promo packs are available.

Join a friendly, in-person pop-up line dance lesson at Tremendous Brewing Company. This 1-hour class is designed to get you comfortable with a couple of popular line dances, whether you’re brand new or just looking to polish your moves. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and there’s free parking.