Excelsior Art on the Lake

Each June, the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce transforms Water Street in downtown Excelsior into one of the Twin Cities metro’s most distinguished free outdoor art events. The 2026 edition of Excelsior Art on the Lake runs Saturday, June 13, from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, June 14, from 10 AM to 4 PM, along Water Street from 3rd Street to Lake Street on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. More than 130 juried artists display and sell original works across painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, photography, and mixed media. The jury process is competitive and selective, and the caliber of work on display reflects that standard. This is a genuine fine art exhibition, not a craft market.

The Debbie Hart Award, named for the festival’s founder, is given each year to four artists who exemplify Hart’s spirit and values across any medium. Winners receive a cash prize and an invitation to return the following year with jury and single booth fees waived. It’s one of the few artist recognition programs woven directly into the fabric of a community art festival, and it gives the weekend a quality of intention that distinguishes it from larger, more commercial events.

## The Sound, Taste, and Look of the Weekend

Live music accompanies both days from a stage within the event footprint, and local food vendors handle lakeside dining through the full festival run. The Chamber HQ Tent near Dock Cinema on Water Street serves as general first aid and lost and found. Portable restrooms are placed near Dock Cinema and across from Red Bench Bakery. A silent auction runs from June 8 through the festival weekend with proceeds supporting local artists and community programming.

The layout follows Water Street’s natural arc along the lakeshore, which means most vendor positions have sightlines to Excelsior Bay. On a clear June morning, the combination of original art, the smell of food trucks at work, and the open water behind the row of tents creates a specific kind of summer pleasure that is hard to replicate indoors or out of season.

> Quick Tips
> – Admission is free both days.
> – Water Street is closed to vehicle traffic during the festival. Use the West Public Parking Ramp, the East Public Parking Lot, or surrounding neighborhood streets. Allow extra time on Saturday, when crowds peak before noon.
> – Bring your own shopping bags for purchases. Vendors appreciate it.
> – Wear comfortable shoes. The festival spans several blocks and the best strategy is to walk it twice: once to orient, once to buy.
> – General first aid and lost and found are at the Chamber HQ Tent near Dock Cinema.

## For Families: Two Things Worth Adding to the Day

The restored 1925 Excelsior Carousel, rescued from the former Excelsior Amusement Park and maintained in its original operating condition, sits within walking distance of the festival grounds. It’s one of the only vintage wooden carousels still operating in Minnesota and is genuinely thrilling for children who have never seen one turn. The ride is short, inexpensive, and entirely memorable.

Paradise Charter Cruises operates lake excursion tours from the Excelsior dock. For kids who want to see the full scale of Lake Minnetonka’s 14,000 acres beyond what the shoreline shows, a boat tour gives them an entirely different perspective on the water they’re standing next to. Plan it for Sunday afternoon after the art show winds down.

> If You’re Bringing a Dog
> The festival is outdoors and dogs on leash are generally welcome along Water Street. Confirm with the Chamber before arrival, as rules can change year to year.

## Eat Well Before and After

Maynard’s Restaurant at 685 Excelsior Blvd. has operated since 1947 and faces directly onto Excelsior Bay. The walleye and the Minnesota wild rice soup are the anchors of a kitchen that does North Woods comfort food better than most. Lolas on Lake Minnetonka at 294 Water St. is the more casual festival-adjacent option, with fish tacos and a lakeside patio that makes it the most practical lunch stop during the event. Sunsets Restaurant at 700 Excelsior Blvd. is the right call for a Saturday dinner reservation, with the pan-seared trout and the house charcuterie board representing the kitchen at its best.

## Build a Lake Minnetonka Weekend

The art show is a natural anchor for a full Lake Minnetonka weekend. June conditions on the lake are among the best of the year for boating and swimming, and a rental with dock access lets the festival serve as one element of a broader lake experience rather than a standalone day trip. Browse waterfront properties on Lake Minnetonka on Lake.com to find the right fit for your group size and budget.