In the words of Millenials, Minneapolis is definitely in their “Glow Up” phase. With hosting the Super Bowl last year, the Final Four this year, and not to mention the new soccer stadium opening this month, Minneapolis is definitely catching on people’s radar. As it should be!
With excitement near and far for the Final Four this coming weekend, I rounded up all the information on official events and other happenings in the Minneapolis area to make sure you savor all the basketball goodness (and beyond!) that is happening this coming weekend.
Some highlights include the Music Series featuring the Chainsmokers, Katy Perry, & the Jonas Brothers (if you were lucky enough to get tickets), Reese’s Final Four Friday- where you can watch the teams practice and wrap up the afternoon with the Reese’s College All-Star game, and of course all of the interactive entertainment coming from the Fan Fest and the Tip-Off Tailgate.
See below for the official NCAA schedule, parking, top restaurants, and other valuable information. Oh, and don’t forget your CLEAR BAG for all the stadium events. (They are available (for free!) at all official Final Four merch locations)
Official NCAA Event Schedule
Thursday, April 4
8 p.m. – College slam dunk and 3-point contests at Target Center
Friday, April 5
10 a.m. – Final Four Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Final Four FanFest at Minneapolis Convention Center
2 p.m. – Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship at Mall of America
4 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Tip-Off Tailgate at Nicollet Mall
7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – The Chainsmokers at The Armory
Saturday, April 6
8:30 a.m. – Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship at Mall of America
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Final Four FanFest at Minneapolis Convention Center
2 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Tip-Off Tailgate at Nicollet Mall
5 p.m. – Final Four game No. 1
8 p.m. – Final Four game No. 2
7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Jonas Brothers at The Armory
Sunday, April 7
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Final Four FanFest at Minneapolis Convention Center
2 p.m. – NCAA Final Four Dribble at Minneapolis Convention Center
2 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Tip-Off Tailgate at Nicollet Mall
2 p.m. 2 p.m. Dos Equis 3X3U Semifinals and Championship at Mall of America
6:30 p.m. – College hoops awards show at Minneapolis Convention Center
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Katy Perry and Zedd at The Armory
Monday, April 8
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Final Four FanFest at Minneapolis Convention Center
4 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Tip-Off Tailgate at Nicollet Mall
8 p.m. – NCAA National Championship Game
Click here to visit the official Final Four Website.
Events around the Area
See what else Minneapolis has to offer during this weekend!
Thursday, April 4
- Kick off the weekend with some brewskis and basketball trivia at East End MPLS with friends and locals. Enjoy free beer, bourbon tasting, and BBQ chicken pizza.
Friday, April 5
- If you’re new to the area or just want to play tourist for the day, hop on the Twin Cities Trolley Tours! Easy pickups from Minneapolis Visit Center, Convention Center, and Mall of America. (Tours go all weekend)
- Make your dream come true of being on a Wheaties Box! Take a picture with the massive Wheaties Wall at Mall of America.
- DJ’s will be spinning all weekend, with drink specials and more at multiple locations downtown Minneapolis including the Local & Monarch Minneapolis.
Saturday, April 6
- Want to get your sweat on before the games? Check out the Beer Run from Utepils Brewing which included a free beer and collectors glass.
- Relive the 90s with an ALL 90s Dance Party at honey mpls.
- Join the watch party sponsored by UV Vodka + theCHIVE at Basement Bar in North Loop. Free event with drink specials and giveaways.
- Didn’t get tickets to the Music Series? Head to Loring Bar for a Depeche Mode Tribute Night hosted by Dark Energy. Tickets start at $5.
Sunday, April 7
- Like to explore a new city by running? Check out Goldy’s Run at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday Morning.
- If you love to support local while shopping your heart out with a cider in hand, check out the spring market at Number 12 Cider.
Top Restaurants in the Area
- Spoon and Stable – French-inspired, trendy
- Bar La Grassa – highly renowned Italian eatery
- Butcher & The Boar – sausages, bourbon & beer
- Zelo – contemporary Italian
- Black Sheep – coal Fired Pizza
- Parlour – best burger around
- The Freehouse – known for their brunch
- Bachelor Farmer – Nordic-inspired fresh and simple food
- Marvel Bar – speakeasy below Bachelor Farmer with trendy cocktails
- Borough – stylish craft cocktails and bar bites.
- Young Joni – Korean inspired grill and wood-fired pizza
- Zen Box Izakaya – ramen + stir fry
- Hai Hai – Vietnamese street food, trendy spot in Northeast.
- Runyons – go for the wings
- Mercy – global small plates & extensive wine list, inside Le Meridian
- Manny’s – top steakhouse in the country.. enough said. Ask for Bob, the bartender.
- Cargo Authority – modern Food court style in a space made from old shipping containers.
- Union – Three levels of goodness, but check out the rooftop, with the retractable roof.
Getting Around
All events happening Downtown are conveniently all within a mile of each other. With the spring weather approaching it’ll be easy to walk to and from. Click here to see the official NCAA map.
If you’re coming from outside of the city there are several ways to get around too:
- Metro Transit
- RideShare (Uber, Lyft): Note there will be specific drop off locations downtown during the weekend so plan accordingly.
- Buick Ride Share: Head to a Buick tent downtown for a free ride to an from various Final Four events. Available Friday-Monday.
Parking
If you plan on driving, below are all the parking ramps (categorized by event/location) in Minneapolis. Most can be found when inputted in Google Maps.
US Bank Stadium: Mills Fleet Farm Parking Ramp, Denison Parking, Riverfront Municipal Parking Ramp, Mill Quarter Parking Ramp and open lots along 3rd Street.
The March Madness Music Series at Armory: parking is available at the venue by entering off 5th Avenue South, an open lot across the street from the venue and the Government Center Parking Ramp.
The Final Four Fest at Minneapolis Convention Center: Loring Garage, the Plaza Municipal Parking Ramp, and Central Lutheran Ramp on 3rd Avenue.
The Tipoff Tailgate on Nicollet Mall: RSM Plaza, RBC Plaza, Marq 9 Lot, the Metro Ramp, City Center Parking Ramp, and SP+ Parking.
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If you’re heading to any of the games or activities this weekend- let me know! You may catch me around or look for me at the Championship game on Monday!
