Things To Do in Kasson, MN
Your guide to festival season, farmers markets, and end-of-summer evenings around town — August 2026
August in Kasson means golden light over the ball fields at dusk, sweet corn from the farmers market, and the whole town gathering at the park for the biggest weekend of the summer. It’s harvest weather in Dodge County — warm days, cooler nights, and just enough back-to-school energy in the air to remind you that summer is winding down. Whether you’re chasing fireworks at Festival in the Park, grabbing a walleye sandwich downtown, or just looking for a shady bench at Veterans Memorial Park, here’s everything worth putting on your calendar this month.
August 2026 Event Calendar
Mantorville Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market
Local produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts set up in the Riverside Park parking lot just down the road in Mantorville. It runs every Tuesday through October, so you’ve got four more chances this month — the 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th.
Market details →National Night Out
Kasson takes part in this nationwide first-Tuesday-in-August tradition, with neighborhoods across town registering block parties and gatherings to meet local police, fire, and public safety staff.
Register a gathering →Kasson Festival in the Park
The biggest weekend of the Kasson summer. This volunteer-run celebration has filled North Park (Veterans Memorial Park) every second weekend of August since 1991, with an outdoor movie night to kick things off Friday, a full slate of Saturday activities — belly-flop contest, eating contest, obstacle courses, food and craft vendors, and the Kasson Ambassador crowning — and a parade and fireworks to send off the weekend.
Chamber event info →Festival in the Park 5K Run/Walk & Kids Run
A chip-timed 5K through town, plus a free quarter-mile Kids Run for ages 10 and under — no registration needed for the kids. Race-day packet pickup and registration open at 7:30 AM, the Kids Run starts at 8:00 AM, and the 5K goes off at 8:15 AM. All proceeds benefit the Kasson-Mantorville Track and Field program.
Register for the 5K →Kasson Chamber Free Movie Night
The Kasson Chamber of Commerce’s summer free movie series wraps up with its second showing of the season — a laid-back, family-friendly way to spend a late-summer evening in town.
Chamber events →Kasson City Council Meeting
Open to the public. The Council is on its summer meeting schedule this year, with sessions on July 15 and August 19 before returning to the regular 2nd-and-4th-Wednesday schedule in September.
Agendas & minutes →Kasson-Mantorville High School Open House
Students can walk their schedule, find their locker, and get ready for the 2026–27 school year. Families new to the K-M district meet at 4:30 PM in the Forum Room, and 9th grade students and parents have an orientation meeting at 5:30 PM in the PAC.
Important dates →
Parks & Outdoor Rec
Kasson keeps six city parks open dawn to late evening (6 AM–11 PM) all summer long — plenty of green space to burn off the last of August’s daylight.
Veterans Memorial Park & Aquatic Center
Home to the Kasson Aquatic Center, tennis courts, sand volleyball, ball fields, picnic shelters, and a full playground. Pool registration and daily-fee accounts are handled online.
Lions Park
Kasson’s skate park, plus a playground, picnic tables, and open green space — a favorite with skaters from around the area.
Kasson Meadows Park
A neighborhood park with a playground and plenty of open green space for outdoor play.
East Diamond Park
A dedicated baseball and softball diamond serving youth and adult leagues through the last weeks of the summer season.
Dining & Local Flavor
A few Kasson-area spots worth working into your August plans, from casual bar food downtown to a National Register of Historic Places dinner just down the road.
Pete’s Repeat
A neighborhood bar and grill on Main Street with darts, pool, and classic pub fare — a low-key option for a burger after a day at the park.
Saker’s Sports Bar & Grill
Known locally for its walleye sandwich, prime rib, and old-school salad bar, with a dedicated event space for bigger gatherings.
Haku Asian
Sushi rolls, hot entrees, and boba on Main Street — a solid pick for dine-in or takeout after a day out in the summer heat.
The Hubbell House
Minnesota’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, open since 1854 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — worth the short drive for steaks, seafood, and a genuinely one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Faith Community
A handful of the congregations that call Kasson home, for anyone looking for a Sunday service while they’re in town.
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Marking 150 years in the Kasson community throughout 2026, with a milestone anniversary celebration service planned for September.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Kasson’s Catholic parish, serving the community on N. Mantorville Ave.
Kasson First Presbyterian Church
A welcoming Presbyterian congregation on 6th Avenue NW.
Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church
An ELCA congregation just up the street from Veterans Memorial Park.
Library, Schools & City Services
The practical side of an August in Kasson — where to cool off with a book, get school supplies sorted, and reach City Hall.
Kasson Public Library
Cool, quiet, and open Monday through Friday, with the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program still running for preschoolers all summer.
Kasson-Mantorville Schools
School supply lists for 2026–27 are posted now, and Kindergarten registration is open ahead of the new school year.
City of Kasson
Utility payments, permits, and general city business — City Hall keeps shorter Friday hours through the summer.
That’s the lineup for Kasson this August — one last big festival, a whole lot of farmers-market Tuesdays, and the first hints of a new school year on the horizon. Get outside while the evenings are still warm, and we’ll see you at the park.
