1. Hudson Hot Air Affair
The theme for this year’s hot air balloon rally and festival is “Sky Walkers Return to Rock.” Throughout the weekend, view balloon launches, eat your way through the Battle of the Beverages & Bites and checkout the craft fair, parade and more. (Various times and locations Feb. 6-8, throughout Hudson, Wis., see website for details, hudsonhotairaffair.com)
2. Ely Winter Festival
The 10-day festival features snow sculpting, music performances, demonstrations, crafting, trivia night and more. (Feb. 5-15, various times and locations throughout Ely, Minn., see website for details, elywinterfestival.com)
3. Roseville Valentine’s Craft & Vendor Market
Shop from small businesses to find a thoughtful gift for your sweetie. Vendors will have an array of jewelry, fashion, art and more. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 6-7; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 8, free, Rosedale Center, 1595 MN-36, Roseville, hometownvendormarket.com)
4. Caribbean Night
A rhythmic celebration of reggae, Afrobeat and hip-hop in celebration of Bob Marley Day featuring Jamaican food and DJ’s Buntin, Chinho, Clearheart and Rozay. (9 p.m. Feb. 6, free, Casa Afrik Lounge, 8515 Edinburgh Centre Drive, Brooklyn Park, facebook.com)
5. Decades Dance Party
The High Flying Heads provide music for Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z as they play chart-toppers from the ’70s to ’00s. (7 p.m. Feb. 7, free, HeadFlyer Brewing, 861 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., headflyerbrewing.com)
6. Excelsior Art Crawl
It’s a self-guided tour of art spaces and boutiques. Also an NPR Tiny Desk-style concert, family fun and wellness zones. (11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 7-8, free, Water Street, downtown Excelsior, excelsiorartcrawl.com)
7. Souper Bowl Chili Cook-off
Home cooks will compete and present their best pots of chili before the Super Bowl watch party begins. (Chili cook-off, 1-5 p.m. Feb. 8, followed by watch party at 5:30 p.m., free, Insight Brewing, 2821 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., insightbrewing.com)
8. Galentines Collage Night
Leave the bros behind and gather the besties to let your creativity guide you through cutting, crafting and gluing collages. (6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 10, $13.56, Getaway Motor Cafe, 120 Broadway St., Carver, getawaymotorcafe.com)
