Things To Do In Twin Cities: From Indie film Milestones to feline Culutre and Street Beats: The 3 Twin Cities Happenings You Cannot Miss

Overview: Looking for the top things to do in the Twin Cities this late September? Minneapolis and Saint Paul are serving up three standout events: Mizna’s 20th Twin Cities Arab Film Festival (Sept. 23–27 at The Main Cinema and Walker Art Center), POP Cats Twin Cities (Sept. 26 at Union Depot), and the ArtScraps Block Party (Sept. 26 at ArtStart & ArtScraps ReUse Center). Together, they deliver a premier showcase of international cinema, creative pop-culture fandom, and grassroots community art.

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Three high-energy Minneapolis and Saint Paul gatherings spotlighting Arab cinema, cat lifestyle art, and neighborhood music.

Twin Cities Events You Cannot Miss This September

If you think late September in the Twin Cities means quietly settling in for fall, think again. The local creative economy is firing on all cylinders next week, offering an electric mix of world-class storytelling, vibrant neighborhood energy, and some delightfully weird pop culture.

Whether you want to build community connections, soak up fresh perspectives, or just get inspired by grassroots momentum, here are the top three events worth your time and energy across Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

1. Mizna’s 20th Twin Cities Arab Film Festival

When: September 23–27, 2026
Where: The Main Cinema (Minneapolis) and Walker Art Center
Why It Matters: Landmark cultural leadership and world-class perspective

Mizna hits a monumental milestone this year: two decades of premier cultural programming. Under the banner “Looking Forward, Looking Back,” the 20th edition brings an extraordinary lineup of contemporary Arab cinema right to the heart of our urban core.

Screening across two heavyweight cultural venues, this festival offers far more than great films. It is a gathering place for critical dialogue, creative visionaries, and community partners from across the region. If you care about the power of independent storytelling to bridge perspectives and build shared culture, reserve your seats early.

2. POP Cats Twin Cities

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Where: Union Depot (Saint Paul)
Why It Matters: High-energy niche marketing, fandom, and social impact

Part pop-art gallery, part lifestyle playground, and part animal-advocacy rally, POP Cats takes over Saint Paul’s historic transit hall for an absolute blast of a weekend.

Beyond the feline obsession, this event is a masterclass in how to bring modern consumer passion to life. You get independent vendors, immersive visual art, live music, and real community action supporting local animal welfare groups. It is bold, cheerful, family-ready, and a brilliant snapshot of how subcultures create massive regional buzz.

3. ArtScraps Block Party: An ArtStart Community Celebration

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM to 5:45 PM
Where: ArtStart & ArtScraps ReUse Center (Saint Paul)
Why It Matters: Hyper-local creative placemaking and pure neighborhood joy

Few things demonstrate local vitality quite like a vibrant street party centered around sustainability and the arts. ArtStart’s annual block party is packing an astonishing amount of rhythm and creative fire into an afternoon celebration.

Show up ready to move. The lineup features the unmistakable, driving power of Brass Solidarity alongside the heavy percussion grooves of Batucada do Norte. Throw in live dance showcases, hands-on upcycled art stations, and top-tier local food trucks, and you have the definitive blueprint for authentic, hyper-local community celebration.