GREATER Living in St. Cloud

The City of St. Cloud has seen many changes over the last several years, but as the population continues to grow, it remains the kind and welcoming community it has been for decades.

The City has built a wider variety of cultural centers, restaurants, and so much more to accommodate new people from all walks of life. We cultivate a GREATER sense of community.

GREATER Activities

The feeling of community in St. Cloud is fostered primarily by the events and activities that bring people together. Whether it’s music, theater, art, sports, or recreation, you’ll find exactly what your looking for. visit aroundthecould.org for more.



Riverside Park is a hot spot year-round! During the winter months, you’ll find families sledding and playing in the snow or skating on neighborhood rinks. During the warmer months, you’ll see people playing frisbee golf, walking, having picnics, and generally enjoying the outdoors.

Downtown St. Cloud offers a thriving art, music, and theater scene. It hosts spring, summer, and fall art crawls every year – which are not to be missed! Also in the summer, you can take part in one of St. Cloud’s largest and most popular activities; Summertime by George. This is a free summer concert series accompanied by countless local food, drink, and art vendors and takes place each Wednesday night June through August at Lake George.

St. Cloud offers all of these activities and so much more for all age groups and interests.

GREATER Affordability

One of the reasons that St. Cloud is such a vibrant and diverse community is the affordability. The average cost of living here is far below that of the Twin Cities. In fact, the yearly cost of living here is 30% less than in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud was named a “Top 15 Metro Area You Can Afford A Home on $50,000 Income” by Nerdwallet.com.


GREATER living is simple in the St. Cloud community. Our calendar is full of activities, artists exhibitions, shows, and educational events. The affordability of the area makes this city-with-a-small-town-feel a fantastic place to live.

Play GREATER: St. Cloud Area Activities

In St. Cloud, we pride ourselves on being a great place to live, work, and play. One of the best things about St. Cloud is the plethora of activities that are available, making us one of the best areas to play year-round. Let’s take a look at the best activities available in Central Minnesota.

St. Cloud Arts

If you’re looking for a creative outlet in St. Cloud, there is an assortment of options for any art junkie. From galleries, shows, live theater, music, poetry, outdoor concerts, classes, and lessons, there is something available for every artist.


In 2016, St. Cloud was named a “Top 20 Most Vibrant Arts Community in America” by the National Center for Arts Research. This was based on the total number of arts providers and total nonprofit arts dollars in the community, and the level of local, state and federal government support given to the arts.

There is a large call for the Arts in St. Cloud. In 2015 alone, over 77,000 tickets were sold for performances at the Paramount Theatre. Other events in St. Cloud that encourage art, creativity, and an emphasis on community gathering include:

• The Downtown St. Cloud Art Crawl, which takes place multiple times throughout the year
• The Lemonade Fair at St. Cloud State every summer 
• Summertime by Lake George on Wednesday evenings 
• The Paramount Summer Art Classes
• Upcoming Paramount performances throughout the summer 

Area Athletics

St. Cloud is also home to an array of sports and recreation outlets with activities for all ages and interests. A few of the most popular options include:

• St. Cloud Rox baseball at Joe Faber Field 
• St. Cloud Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame at the River’s Edge Convention Center 
• Baseball at the St. Cloud MAC

As much as St. Cloud enjoys the spring and summer activities, we also love winter sports. In 2016, St. Cloud was named the “8th Best Hockey Town in the Country" by SmartAsset.com based on fan intensity, quality of life, and average attendance at hockey games. We are also playing host to the 2018 Hockey Day Minnesota, which will take place on Lake George next January.

St. Cloud YMCA

No matter the time of year, the St. Cloud YMCA is always the perfect place to get active and have some fun. The new building on Stockinger Drive is now open, and if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, schedule some time! Racquetball courts, saunas, two heated pools, group exercise studios, and free wifi is just the beginning of the many amazing features the new facility has available for its members. You can schedule a tour or visit the website for more information.



Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, an indoor athlete, or a lover of the arts, there are tons of great activities to keep you occupied around the cloud!

St. Cloud Summer Fun on the Cheap

In a community where the weather can change faster than a road can close for construction, Summer is a cherished season. As we find ourselves halfway through the summer, many are scrambling to fit in some last-minute fun, though don’t want to drain their bank account in the process. As the last few Summertime by George Concerts come closer, check out our list of inexpensive summer activities around St. Cloud:

Outdoor Endeavors at St. Cloud State

The sports facilities and recreation department at St. Cloud State University is a great resource for inexpensive activities in the area. The department is not limited to SCSU students; many of their programs are open to the public:

• Climbing Wall - during the summer, the climbing wall is only open to group reservations. If you are looking for a new group activity, this can be the perfect option.
• Canoeing/Kayaking - SCSU offers rentals, shuttle service, tours, and lessons to the community. Pricing varies by group size and rentals.
• Lake George Boathouse - The SCSU Center for Paddlesports Instruction, Education, and Safety offers canoeing and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) instructional programs on Lake George. An hour rental is only $8!

Music in the Gardens / Release of the Butterflies

If you love music and butterflies, there is one event this summer that is perfect for you: the Music in the Gardens Concert & Memorial Release of Butterflies. This event is sponsored by the Central Minnesota Arts Board and presented by Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society and the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. It takes place at Munsinger Clemens gardens July 24th. Butterflies will be distributed at 2 PM with a short program and the release to follow. At 3 PM, the Music in the Gardens Concert will begin, featuring Dennis Warner. The event is free to the public. Butterflies may be purchased at www.quietoakshospicehouse.org for $25 and root beer floats will be served by the Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society for just $1.

Sizzlin’ Summer Art Crawl

For the eleventh year, the St. Cloud Art Crawl will be presenting it’s Sizzlin’ Summer Crawl on August 12th. As always, this event is free to the public and will feature hoopers, fire breathers, musicians, artist demonstrations, and a ton of local artists. Stop by Saint Germain Street in Downtown St. Cloud to check out this local favorite.

Activities at the Great River Regional Library

Looking to take up a new hobby? Or maybe you want to fine-tune your skills or join a new club. Either way, the Great River Regional Library offers many fantastic activities throughout the summer to keep you and your family busy. Activities are available for all age groups - from toddlers to seniors. Whether you’re looking for gardening advice, a storytime activity for your kids, or somewhere to find fun game night or movie night activities, your local library is all the further you need to look.

Winter Fun in St. Cloud

Whether you enjoy cold weather and snow or not, one thing is for sure – you don’t want to get bored during the winter season. Many people often find it easier to experience boredom during the winter months, but St. Cloud provides plenty of activities to prevent that from happening.

Some St. Cloud old favorites include ice skating on Lake George, sledding at Riverside Park and Calvary Hill, and cross-country skiing on the abundant trails in the area. You’ll never run out of outdoor fun in St. Cloud, but we do run out of pleasant winter days to spend outdoors. Luckily, there is plenty of indoor fun to keep you occupied as well:

Whitney Recreation Center

The Whitney Center offers a variety of recreational courts available for use, including a suspended walking track, 3 basketball courts, 5 volleyball courts, and 6 pickleball courts. They also have an exercise room that won’t be as crowded as a local gym. If you are interested in using one of these offerings from the Whitney Recreation Center, you have the option of paying for a 1-day pass, a punch pass, or a seasonal pass. For information on fees and hours, check them out online.

Open Studio & Teen Night

If you are a teen or young adult that has a passion for art, this may be right up your alley! Meeting every Thursday until May 26th, Open Studio & Teen Night at the Paramount Visual Arts Center offers people the chance to experience a variety of art mediums. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn tips from mentors in a variety of areas, including ceramics, hand building, painting & drawing, woodturning, and fused & stained glass. No registration is required prior to attending. All that is required is you pay a fee, which helps pay for materials. The cost is $10 for ages 21+ and $5 for ages 20 and under.

The Paramount Theatre

Take in a show or concert at the Paramount Theatre this winter. Whether you’d like to see a comedy show,  listen to classical music or tribute groups, or catch some live theatre, you’re sure to find something you like. The variety at the Paramount means opportunities for families, friends, or a fun date night. Check out the full calendar and get your tickets before they sell out.

With this list of activities, we hope we help alleviate some winter boredom. See something you haven’t tried before? Give it a shot - you never know, you might just end up liking something new. We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable winter season!

Upcoming Fall Events in St. Cloud

Autumn is undoubtedly a busy season for many families, professionals, and students, with new schedules, routines, deadlines, and assignments, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some time to kick back and relax with loved ones. Celebrate the season by exploring these upcoming, late fall events in the greater St. Cloud community.

Pumpkinfest

Location and Time: Friday, October 16, at Lake George from 4 to 7 p.m.

A spooktacular fall festival for kids under 12, this exciting, fun, and free event is the perfect place for your family to begin celebrating Halloween over MEA weekend. It’s also the perfect opportunity for your kids to test out their costumes for Halloween night. Come for arts and crafts, a petting zoo, hayrides, pumpkin painting, food vendors, and treats. Stay for the outdoor movie, Monsters University, at dusk.

Women’s Showcase

Location and Time: Saturday, October 17, at the River’s Edge Convention Center, All Day

As part of Small Business Saturday, the 18th Annual Saint Cloud Women’s Showcase will feature nationally-recognized speakers, entertainers, and hundreds of exhibits focusing on resources, companies, and products that enhance the lives of women. The event will focus on themes of health, education, and entertainment for women.

Downtown Art Crawl

Location and Time: Friday, November 6, downtown St. Cloud, along West St. Germain Street between 5th Avenue North and 9th Avenue North, 5 to 9 p.m.

Looking to add more culture to your life? Visit the St. Cloud Art Crawl to celebrate and discover local and regional artists, and engage in St. Cloud’s diverse and vibrant growing arts community as artists present their works on the streets of downtown and in participating local shops and boutiques. Engage with friends, maybe do some early Christmas shopping, and explore historic downtown while taking in new and beautiful creations in our local community.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Location and Time: October 16 through October 25, at the Paramount Theater, various times

Recommended for all ages and presented by the Great River Educational Arts Theater, this Stephen Duckham-adaptation will be a non-musical and comedic version of the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale. Escape into the fun and enchanting fairy tale for one magical night. For more information on show times and ticket purchases, visit the Paramount website.

For more information on these and more events in the Greater St. Cloud Community, visit Around the Cloud.

Welcome Back St. Cloud Students!

As summer draws to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to welcome back the students of St. Cloud State University to campus for another year of academic excellence and excitement. There’s no better way to have a fantastic college career than to get involved on campus and in the community, and to try new experiences with new friends. Take advantage of all that St. Cloud has to offer.

Whether you are interested in exploring the numerous parks, trails, and Mississippi river points or taking in a bit of culture at the Paramount Theater, Parkwood Cinema, and Great River Regional Library, there’s something for everyone in the Greater St. Cloud area. Visit with friends at one of the many delicious and diverse dining spots and bars all over town. Use the moments of exploration and experience to enhance your studies on campus.

To really make the most of your time, get involved in a campus organization and volunteer through the many community programs. The Greater St. Cloud area has incredible networking opportunities; from internship levels to career prospects with local and national companies. This means equal opportunities to learn, work, and play- and who knows where your adventures will take you?

Visit these sites for more information community happenings, events and employment opportunities in the Greater St. Cloud area:

• Around the Cloud
• Greater St. Cloud JobSpot
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
• St. Cloud Greater
• St. Cloud State University
• St. Cloud Technical & Community College

In addition to these sites, check out the St. Cloud Times2Go app. The app gives you information on everything from “Things to Do” to “Need to Know” to opportunities for recreation, shopping, dining, rental opportunities, and more. A great portion of the app is designed specifically for the 35,000 college students in the area, making the St. Cloud Times2Go app an excellent option for newcomers and residents alike.

Get connected and get involved with the Greater St. Cloud community, and don’t miss out on any opportunities! Explore and Be Great!

Spice Up Your Summer with the Sizzlin' Summer Art Crawl

Summertime is a busy time for folks of all ages- full of weddings, festivals, fairs and trips to the beach- but if you haven’t yet made time to go to one of the Downtown St. Cloud Art Crawls this year, The Sizzling Summer Art Crawl on August 14th is sure to be an experience unlike anything else you will do this summer.

10 years ago, a group of small business owners collaborated to create an event that would promote small businesses and the arts of St. Cloud. Now the St. Cloud Art Crawl is a collaboration of volunteers, sponsors, local businesses (big and small), musicians and artists. 

Ellen Nelson (who runs the Paramount Gallery) and Julie Mische (owner of Jules’ Bistro) have been running the Art Crawl for the past few years. Their mission is to promote the work of local and regional artists, engage our community and visitors with a quality arts, encourage visitation to downtown shops and restaurants, and increase the recognition of downtown St. Cloud as a place to go for quality regional art experiences and performances. There are usually a few art crawls that run throughout the year, but for the Sizzlin' Summer Art Crawl, local business and performers up their game, increase their efforts and throw one heck of an all ages event!

For the Sizzling Summer Art Crawl, hours will be extended from normal hours to 3-9 pm. For the first time, St. Germain Street will be blocked off to allow for larger performances and the increase in patrons this special event brings every year. This event is one for all ages- family day or date night, no one will be disappointed. There will be children's activities and wonderful opportunities for kids to be exposed to a wide variety of mediums.

With 2015 being the 10 year anniversary of the St. Cloud Art Crawl, there are some new attractions (as well as some old favorites) added to the lineup. Thanks to a portion of St. Germain being blocked off for the event, students of Jeff Ringer, owner of  StudioJeff, will perform in the street. Carnivale Revolver Burlesque Troupe will be there with their talented hula hoopers, mimes, and performances that have become a staple to the Art Crawls. The Marine Corps is representing its presence in St. Cloud by setting up a rock climbing wall near Falcon Bank for the event.

There will be demonstration artists, including the Mid Minnesota Association of Woodturners and a weaver with her loom by the Metro Transit Station.  Paddy’s Game Shop is even putting on a special Magic tournament on friday night. There is no way to put into words all that this event will entail, you just have to experience it for yourself. Imagine the possibilities of painters, sculptors, potters and live music. Even if you have been to an art crawl before, this one will be different- larger art, bigger performances, more space and more hours to enjoy. 

As with any positive impact on the community, it takes people stepping up to make it happen; Art Crawl St. Cloud is always looking for volunteers, artists, venues and sponsors. If you are interested please visit the  Art Crawl website. You can also contribute just by showing up and being a patron of the local businesses, we hope to see you there!

New Additions to Summertime by George 2015

It’s that time of year again- Summertime By George is finally back in St. Cloud!

Since 2011, each Wednesday night of the summer is filled with music, art and entertainment around Lake George, and this year the tradition continues- with some new additions.

This year, SBG began a new activity for the little St. Cloudians in the area- Little Georgetown. Each week, there are different sports and arts and crafts activities to keep the little ones in your life busy. Sports include soccer, baseball, dodgeball, kickball, and other physical activities. Crafts include face painting, mini canvas painting, clay sculpting, ceramics and much more. Summertime by George, after all, is not just for bringing out the children in the adults of St. Cloud, but for entertaining the actual children as well!

Another new addition this year is the Bike Corral. Though the trolley is a great addition to the parking problems, it still can be pretty difficult to try and find a parking spot around the lake each Wednesday night. This summer, ride your bike instead! You don’t have to worry about leaving it unattended- the corral is a secure area, attended by volunteers from St. John’s Prep School. It’s like a coat check for your bike, and best of all, it’s free!

After you’ve got your bike-check ticket, head over to the tavern area and take advantage of another new addition to the 2015 Summertime By George amenities: the food runners! For a small service charge (donated the rotary club), you can sit in your seat, sip on your beverage, and have food from a weekly menu brought directly to you! No more trying to finish your beverage to leave the tavern area because you want to get cheese curds, or trying to convince a friend to fetch you a Gyro from Middletown Market. Keep your seat safe and enjoy the music as your food is brought directly to you!

Summer is in full swing again and so is St. Cloud’s favorite music festival. With the new additions to Summertime by George this year, you have plenty of reasons to stop by once, twice, or every week!

Downtown St. Cloud: Winter Nights & Lights

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” - Buddy, The Elf.

Get into the holiday spirit this Christmas season with the GREAT activities held right here in St. Cloud, MN. This weekend kicks off the 14th annual Winter Nights & Lights celebration, brought to you by The Downtown Council.

Friday, December 12: St. Cloud Weihnachtsmarkt

The festivities begin on Friday, December 12th with the St. Cloud Weihnachtsmarkt from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. This event will feature holiday gifts from the Paramount Gallery, German food & drinks, including the seasonal treat Gluhwein (a.k.a hot mulled wine), a brass brand, and more! Enjoy German novelties, a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider & join in on the 2014 Weihnachtsmarkt celebration. A heated holiday tent will be located at the World Heritage Corner, 525 St. Germain Street, next to St. Cloud Floral in downtown St. Cloud.

German Christmas Market in downtown St. Cloud

Saturday, December 13: Winter Wonderland
Don’t let the fun come to an end, continue your holiday celebrations on Saturday, December 13. Kick start the afternoon with family and friends at Winter Wonderful from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the beautiful Lake George. Santa and Mrs. Claus have taken time out of their busy schedules to come and see YOU! With a variety of activities, there will be fun for everyone. Enjoy photos with Santa, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, sleigh rides, and more!


Winter Wonderland: $3.00/child OR $5.00/family
*Receive $1.00 off admission if you bring an item for the food shelf. 

For more information, visit www.ci.stcloud.mn.us or call (320) 257-5959. 

Winter activities for the entire family.

Saturday, December 13: Holiday Shopping & Dining

Don’t fret, the holidays aren’t quite here… you still have plenty of time to get all of your holiday shopping taken care of. From 10am - 6pm, enjoy the downtown shopping and dining scene. Great deals, specials, and holiday discounts, all in downtown St. Cloud. Fill up on delicious food, shop ‘til you drop… or until the Nights & Lights parade begins!


Saturday, December 13: Winter Nights & Lights Parade

Celebrating the 14th annual Winter Nights & Lights Parade, brought to you by Capitol One 360. West St. Germain Street in downtown St. Cloud will be illuminated with holiday floats and festive holiday music. Bundle up, and join the community as they experience the old-fashioned holiday spirit of a winter parade.

The parade will begin at 5:00pm, so cozy up, bring some hot chocolate & spread holiday cheer this Saturday evening! It's going to be a GREAT time, we hope to see you there! 

Pumpkinfest: Lake George Spooktacular!

It’s that time of the year once again… The ghosts, goblins, princesses, and super heroes alike are ready to celebrate the holiday where obtaining ample amounts of candy is acceptable - Halloween!

To celebrate, St. Cloud welcomed back Pumpkinfest - the fifth annual, spooktacular event held at Lake George last Friday evening. Thousands of kids and their parents flooded the park and enjoyed a GREAT night of  family-friendly fun!

These children were all smiles eating their popcorn at Pumpkinfest

The park was transformed into a very festive, fun Halloweentown! Local businesses and organizations in the St. Cloud area participated by setting up their very own trick-or-treat stations to hand out candy. From suckers, tootsie rolls, chocolate and fruit candies, each child most definitely returned home with plenty of sweets!


Aside from candy, Pumpkinfest also had arts & crafts, face-painting, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, and a hayride… a little bit of fun for everyone!

The Petting Zoo was a fan-favorite!

Pumpkinfest featured a Pumpkin Patch and activities where kids were able to paint & decorate their pumpkins.

After a night of tricks and treats, what better way to end the night than with an outdoor showing of Monsters, Inc.? As the sun was setting, families gathered with their blankets and chairs to enjoy a movie to end yet another successful Pumpkinfest!

Monsters, Inc. capped off the fifth annual Pumpkinfest

Did you bring your children down to Pumpkinfest? If so, what was their favorite part?

Welcome Back Students!

Welcome back to St. Cloud students!

The time has come yet once again - school is back in session! We hope you all had great summers and we’re excited for you all to be back on the campuses and kick off the year in St. Cloud.

As you’re getting settled and attending your first weeks of classes, we want you to remember that one of the keys to success for all students is to get involved as quickly as possible! We encourage you to take advantage of all opportunities on your campuses, as well as throughout the community.

Take yourself, or grab a group of friends, and get involved in a campus organization, or volunteer through community programs. Staying active, networking, and getting involved will assist you in creating lasting relationships, and landing great internships and job opportunities.

If you’re new to the city, (or even if you’re not) we invite you to partake in the great activities and opportunities St. Cloud has to offer. Numerous parks and trails fill the city and are waiting for you to explore. The surrounding restaurants are waiting for you to come on in and enjoy a delicious bite to eat. Entertainment and events? No problem - visit AroundTheCloud.org for community updates & info!

And, as any student knows, life isn’t just about play. So, if you’re searching for a solid part-time job, check out the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation’s JobSpot, St. Cloud Workforce Center, The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, and The Crossroads Mall. All of these sites feature a wide range of job opportunities around town.

More interested in on-campus/work study positions? Take a look at the job board postings on the St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College websites.

Again, we welcome you to the great St. Cloud community and hope you have the chance to embark on experiences that will create lasting memories.

Join us and be a part of something GREATER. As students, we want you to discover why St. Cloud is a great place to work, live, and play now and in the future! Of course, there are many ways to get connected with all the latest news & updates.

Study hard and be GREAT,

The City of St. Cloud

#StCloudGREATER