The Yelp Summer Event Series Is Here
There’s something exciting about discovering a new favorite place before everyone else does. A tucked-away taco spot. A pop-up patio with the perfect vibe. A summer event that feels more like a secret party than something you found online.
But then there are the events that hit differently. Where the vibe is just right. The food’s incredible. People are laughing, talking, actually connecting. The kind of event where you look around and think, How did I not know about this sooner?
That’s exactly what the Yelp Summer Event Series feels like.
Every summer, Yelp pulls together a mix of community events across the Twin Cities. These aren’t giant festivals or cookie-cutter street fairs. They’re smaller, more intentional. Each one is built around real local businesses, with real people showing up to support, discover, and celebrate what makes this city special.
You might end up sipping a craft cocktail on a sunny patio one night and tasting homemade dumplings in a tucked-away corner of Northeast the next. Or maybe you’ll walk into a candle-making workshop that turns into your new favorite friend group. The point is, you never really know until you go.
And that’s what keeps it interesting.
It’s More Than an Event.
There’s this balance they’ve found,part community, part curiosity. These events are full of people who genuinely want to be there. You’ll meet small business owners proud to share their craft. Yelp Elite members who’ve RSVP’d early because they know these fill up fast. New faces who showed up solo and left with three new food recs and an invitation to next weekend’s pop-up.
That’s what makes it work. It’s not about being exclusive. It’s about being intentional. The events are open, free to attend, and always local-first. But they also feel curated, because they are. Yelp works behind the scenes to connect with standout businesses and create events that feel fresh.
What You Can Expect This Year
While every event is a little different, there’s a common thread. You’ll get to try something new. You’ll meet people who love this city as much as you do. And you’ll likely leave with a story to tell, whether it’s about a mind-blowing dish, a hidden venue, or just that random Tuesday night you ended up dancing under string lights next to a food truck.
Some events focus on food. Others spotlight makers, artists, or new businesses just getting off the ground. There might be music, a workshop, or just an excuse to hang out somewhere cool. It’s not about scale, it’s about quality.
And it’s all happening now.
We’re Featuring Yelp in The Local: Summer Edition
When we first started putting together this season’s issue of The Local, we knew right away that we wanted to include the Yelp Summer Event Series. It’s the kind of story that captures everything we love about the Twin Cities in the summer, local energy, good people, great food, and moments that don’t need to go viral to matter.
In our full feature, we’re pulling back the curtain a bit. You’ll hear directly from the folks at Yelp who help make this series happen. You’ll get to know a few local businesses that are part of it this year. And you’ll learn what it really takes to build community through events that aren’t just “for the 'gram”, but for us.
We’re not giving away too much just yet. Some stories deserve more than a paragraph. And this one’s worth waiting for.
Until Then, RSVP While You Can
Here’s the link to the Summer Series lineup, RSVP to any event that catches your eye
👉 When you RSVP, add “Asst” in the notes for preferred access. Yep, we’ve got you.
Whether you’re going solo or bringing your whole crew, this is the kind of series where you show up once and suddenly want to hit every event on the list. It’s casual, it’s fun, it’s totally free, and it’s a way to support the city while soaking up everything summer should feel like.
This is the kind of summer we all need, laid back, local, and just a little bit unexpected.
The Local: Summer Edition is now out! Catch the vibe and read the full issue HERE.
This summer’s just getting started and Yelp’s got something waiting for you!
