Overview

• The Minneapolis Downtown Council will no longer produce Holidazzle or the Aquatennial and is seeking other groups to take them on or reimagine them.
• Holidazzle is being folded into Winterapolis, a November–February campaign developed with the Minneapolis Foundation, Meet Minneapolis, and downtown attractions.
• The council cited inconsistent corporate sponsorships and reduced city contributions, and it recently laid off three event operations staffers.
• City officials say they will not manage the festivals but will work with stakeholders to support a handoff to new leaders.
• The Aquatennial’s future remains undecided as discussions continue for 2026, following a 2024 Holidazzle that drew about 65,000 visitors versus 100,000 projected.