Minnesota's Largest Somali Celebration

MIDNIMO

Somali Week 2026  ·  June 27 – July 5, 2026

Unity is our theme. Join over 45,000 people celebrating Somali Independence Day, culture, music, food, and community across Minnesota.

Explore Events View Full Schedule
📅 June 27 – July 5, 2026
📍 Minneapolis & Greater MN
🎟️ Mostly Free Admission
⚽ Global Soccer Tournament
Somali Week Logo
1960
Year of Independence
Our Story

66 Years of Somali Independence

On July 1, 1960, the northern and southern regions of Somalia united to establish the Republic of Somalia — breaking free from British and Italian colonial rule. Sixty-six years later, Minnesotans gather to honor that moment.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population outside of East Africa. Somali Week is the community's largest annual celebration, welcoming every neighbor to share in food, music, dance, and heritage.

Midnimo — مِدْنِمو

"The theme for this event is to bring people together to celebrate our differences, but to also celebrate our similarities as one community." — Daud Mohamed, People in Action

2026 Events

What's Happening

From Lake Street to the Ordway, Rochester to St. Cloud — celebrate Somali culture all summer.

Street Festival

Somali Day Festival on Lake Street

Four blocks of Lake Street transform into Minnesota's biggest Somali cultural celebration — food stalls, live music, henna, vendors, face-painting, and tens of thousands of neighbors united under Midnimo.

View Schedule
📅 Saturday, July 4
🕛 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 30 W. Lake St., Minneapolis
🎟️ FREE — All Welcome
👥 45,000+ expected
Concert
From $29

Star of Unity: Somali Dance & Live Music

A dazzling evening at the Ordway featuring traditional kaban and durbaan instruments with headliner Suldaan Seeraar and local performers.

📅 Saturday, July 4, 2026
🕖 7–9 PM (Doors 6 PM)
📍 Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul
Soccer
Free / $15 Final

Somali Week Global Soccer Tournament

International teams from Somalia, Sweden, Canada, UK, Australia, and the U.S. compete over 9 days with food and live music at every match.

📅 June 22 – July 5, 2026
🕖 7 PM nightly
📍 Griffin Stadium, St. Paul
Town Hall
Free

Somali Leaders Town Hall

Leaders from the U.S. and Somalia discuss unity, community, and the future — ahead of the Lake Street festival.

📅 Friday, July 3, 2026
🕖 Morning session
📍 Minneapolis (TBD)
Festival
Free

Rochester Independence & Cultural Day

Food, music, vendors, and cultural activities hosted by the Somali American Social Service Association and Hiddo Soor.

📅 Sunday, July 5, 2026
🕔 5–8 PM
📍 Math & Science Academy, Rochester
Festival
Free

Owatonna Somali Cultural Festival

Live Somali pop stars, dance, poetry, and activities at Owatonna's Central Park for a vibrant outdoor celebration.

📅 Sunday, July 5, 2026
🕔 5–8 PM
📍 Central Park, Owatonna
Festival
Free

Plymouth Somali Cultural Festival

Featuring Nimcaan Hilaac and Hodan Abdirahman, plus community speakers on housing, finance, and public safety.

📅 Saturday, July 18, 2026
🕔 5–9 PM
📍 Hilde Performance Center, Plymouth
Festival
Free

St. Cloud Somali Cultural Festival

St. Cloud streets close for a vibrant block party with food, live music, and family activities for all ages.

📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
🕔 5–9 PM
📍 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud
Culture Exchange
Free

Somali-Swedish Culture Exchange

The American Swedish Institute and the Somali Museum of Minnesota co-host a day of music, crafts, dance, and food from both cultures.

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Lecture
$20

Somali Culture 101 — Somali Museum of Minnesota

A deep-dive lecture on the history, culture, and contributions of Somali Minnesotans, presented by Somali Museum staff.

📅 Sunday, September 13, 2026
🕐 1–3 PM
📍 American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Full Calendar

2026 Schedule at a Glance

Every event from June through September — mark your calendar.

Jun
22

Global Soccer Tournament Begins

7 PM kickoff — runs through July 5, 2026

Griffin Stadium, Central High School, St. Paul
Jul
1

Somali Independence Day 🎉

66th anniversary of the Republic of Somalia

Celebrated across Minnesota
Jul
3

Somali Leaders Town Hall

International leaders discuss unity and the community's future

Minneapolis (location TBD)
Jul
4

Somali Day Street Festival + Star of Unity Concert

12–8 PM Lake Street Festival  ·  7–9 PM Concert at Ordway

Minneapolis & St. Paul
Jul
5

Rochester & Owatonna Cultural Festivals — Events End

5–8 PM — food, music, and community at both locations

Rochester & Owatonna, Minnesota
Jul
18

Plymouth Somali Cultural Festival

5–9 PM featuring Nimcaan Hilaac and Hodan Abdirahman

Hilde Performance Center, Plymouth
Aug
1

St. Cloud Somali Cultural Festival

5–9 PM block party on W. St. Germain Street

14th–12th Ave & W. St. Germain, St. Cloud
Aug
2

Somali-Swedish Culture Exchange

10 AM – 4 PM — music, crafts, and food from both cultures

American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Sep
13

Somali Culture 101 Lecture ($20)

1–3 PM — history and culture of Somali Minnesotans

American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Global Soccer Tournament

The World's Game,
Our Community

Teams travel from across the globe to compete at Griffin Stadium over nine thrilling days of matches, food, and live music.

🇸🇴 Somalia
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇦🇺 Australia
🇺🇸 United States
🌟 Minnesota

June 22 – July 5

Tournament dates

Griffin Stadium

Central High School, St. Paul

7 PM Nightly

Kickoff time

Free / $10–15

Regular / Championship final

State Recognition

Proclaimed by Minnesota

"
SOMALI-AMERICAN FESTIVAL WEEK
"Minnesota is now home to the largest Somali population outside of East Africa. Minnesota's vibrant and energetic Somali-American community has contributed greatly to the cultural fabric and demographic landscape of our state through art, business, education, social services, and economic advancements. The Somali-American community will host a week of commemorative and thoughtful programming inviting all Minnesota residents to come together in celebration of Minnesota's Somali-American community."

— Governor's Proclamation, State of Minnesota

Partners

Organizers & Partners

Made possible by nonprofits and community partners who believe in the power of unity.

Get Involved

Volunteer with
Somali Week

Help us bring Midnimo to life. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make the festival, tournament, and events exceptional.

🎪

Festival Support

Assist vendors, manage crowds, and help set up and break down event spaces.

⚽

Tournament Staff

Help coordinate soccer matches, greet visiting teams, and manage the venue.

🎵

Event Crew

Support the Star of Unity concert and other staged performances.

🌍

Community Outreach

Spread the word, translate for guests, and welcome attendees from everywhere.

Sign Up to Volunteer
Get In Touch

Have questions? We'd love to hear from you

Reach out about events, sponsorships, volunteering, or anything else — our team is happy to help.

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