Things to Do in Fillmore County, Minnesota
August in Fillmore County is summer’s warm, unhurried finale. The corn is tall, the bluffs of the Driftless Area glow gold in the late-day light, and the Root River is still perfect for a lazy float or a long ride on the paved state trail. With the county fair behind us, the calendar fills up with one last burst of festivals, riverside concerts, live theatre and small-town parades before the school buses roll after Labor Day.
Here is your guide to the best real, verified things to do across Fillmore County this month — organized so the standing summer favorites come first, followed by a day-by-day rundown of events in calendar order. Grab a lawn chair, a slice of pie, and make the most of it.
Summer Staples & Open Daily
These run throughout August, so you can build a whole day around them any time you visit.
Commonweal Theatre — Summer Repertory
Southeast Minnesota’s premier professional theatre runs two shows in rotating repertory all August. Catch the folk musical The Spitfire Grill (on stage through Oct. 24) and the retro 1973 comedy Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (through Sept. 5) — see one on Saturday night and the other Sunday afternoon.
See the schedule & tickets →Lanesboro Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning (Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29), the shady lawn of Sylvan Park fills with fresh, “2,000-miles-fresher” local produce, baked goods, meat, canned goods, and handmade crafts from Fillmore County growers and makers. Come hungry.
Market details →Mystery Cave & Historic Forestville
Explore Minnesota’s longest cave on a naturalist-led tour — a constant, refreshing 48°F underground world of stalactites and turquoise pools, with tours running daily through Sept. 7 (the one-hour Scenic Tour is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible; reservations recommended). Then step into 1899 at Historic Forestville, a living-history village staffed by costumed interpreters, open weekends. A state park vehicle permit is required.
Plan your park visit →Niagara Cave
One of the top-rated caves in the country sits just south of Harmony. The one-hour, one-mile guided tour winds past a 60-foot underground waterfall, 400-million-year-old fossils, and an underground wedding chapel. Above ground there’s gem panning, mini-golf and shaded picnic grounds. Wear layers (it’s 48°F below) and good shoes — there are 500-plus stairs.
Tour times & reservations →National Trout Center
Preston is “Minnesota’s Trout Capital,” and this seasonal center celebrates the Driftless region’s 600-plus cold-water, spring-fed limestone streams. Exhibits, workshops and hands-on programs make it a great stop for anglers and families before or after a day on the water.
Preston attractions →August, Day by Day
Dated events across Fillmore County, listed in chronological order.
Buffalo Bill Days
Lanesboro’s beloved city-wide festival wraps up the first weekend of August. Expect a marketplace and food booths, live music and a street dance, free kids’ activities, volleyball and softball tournaments, a grand parade on Sunday, and fireworks to cap it all off.
Festival info →National Night Out — Preston
National Night Out — the nationwide neighbors-and-first-responders community night held the first Tuesday of August — comes to Preston, hosted this year by Christ Lutheran Church. Watch the Preston Area Chamber for the confirmed time and full lineup of family activities.
Details & updates →American Red Cross Blood Drive
Roll up a sleeve and give back close to home. Sign up to donate blood at F&M Community Bank in Preston — an easy, meaningful way to help your neighbors during the busy summer season.
Sign up to donate →Stringwood Chamber Music Festival
This premier summer festival connects gifted young musicians (ages 12–22) with the art of chamber music in a supportive, immersive setting — culminating in intimate public concerts around Lanesboro. A lovely, world-class way to spend a late-summer evening in Bluff Country.
Concert details →Rhythm by the River — Maya Holmoran
Preston’s free riverside concert series returns for its August date with singer-songwriter Maya Holmoran. Bring the family, a blanket or lawn chair, and soak up live music set against the flowing water as the community gathers to close out the day.
Event page →Canton Day Off
One of Fillmore County’s most charming traditions takes over Canton for a full weekend: a grand parade, a softball tournament, the Kerns Korner car show, kids’ inflatables and games, a beer garden, historical society depot tours, and community church dinners. For 2026, Canton goes all-in on red, white and blue for America’s 250th birthday.
Full schedule →Back Alley Jam — Orchid Jane
Harmony’s summer Back Alley Jam concert series brings Orchid Jane to town for a relaxed evening of live music in the heart of “the Biggest Little Town in Southeast Minnesota.” Pair it with an afternoon Amish-country drive or a Niagara Cave tour just down the road.
Harmony calendar →Lanesboro Area Art Trail — Opening Weekend
Regional artists throw open their studio doors for this self-guided tour, letting you meet the makers and see their work spaces up close. This is the first of three weekends (also Sept. 18–19 and Oct. 16–17) — a perfect late-summer excuse to wander the back roads of Bluff Country.
Art Trail details →
Where to Grab a Bite This Summer
Make an evening of it — a few local spots worth a stop between events.
Sylvan Brewing
Lanesboro’s first brewery in over a century, tucked into a restored granary on the north edge of downtown. Cozy taproom and a patio that’s open year-round.
Karst Brewing
A friendly craft taproom named for the Driftless region’s sinkhole-and-cave “karst” landscape — a great pit stop in downtown Chatfield.
Harmony Spirits
A small-batch craft distillery in Harmony offering tastings and tours — the perfect nightcap after a day in Amish country and the caves.
Back-to-School Season Is Almost Here
Late August means fall-sports practices and back-to-school prep ramping up across Fillmore Central (Preston & Harmony), Kingsland (Spring Valley & Wykoff), Chatfield, Lanesboro, Rushford-Peterson and Mabel-Canton. In Minnesota, most public districts begin classes the week after Labor Day — so squeeze in those last river days while you can. Check your district’s website for the exact first-day and activities calendar.
A quick note on this list: We do our best to keep this guide accurate, but we may not have every event in Fillmore County listed here. Have an event you’d like us to add? Submit it at tiv360.com/contact-the-inventors-velocity. Dates, times and details are set by the individual event organizers and are subject to change or cancellation — please confirm with the host before making plans. Fillmore County Directory is not affiliated with these organizers and cannot guarantee event details.
