Duluth and the Range brace for sun, parades and airshow thrills this holiday weekend

By HOWIE HANSON
Editor & Publisher

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northland is gearing up for a spectacular Fourth of July stretch, with picture-perfect summer weather expected to draw thousands to lakefront celebrations, small-town parades and the skies above Duluth for the long-awaited return of the Duluth Airshow.

Forecasters say the region will enjoy highs in the upper 70s and low 80s for much of the holiday period, with mostly sunny skies and only slim chances of stray showers or pop-up thunderstorms. A few heavier cells could roll through by Saturday afternoon, but nothing close to a washout. In other words, it’s shaping up to be the kind of Independence Day weekend that calls for sunscreen and sunglasses more than raincoats or umbrellas — though keeping one handy in the trunk remains good Minnesota sense.

Big shows on the ground — and overhead

Bayfront Festival Park will anchor Duluth’s Fourth Fest on Thursday, featuring an afternoon of live music that builds toward one of the Midwest’s most striking fireworks displays over Lake Superior. Up on the Iron Range, towns from Hibbing to Virginia to Ely will host their own parades, street fairs and evening firework finales.

Then comes one of the weekend’s crown jewels: the Duluth Airshow, returning Saturday and Sunday to Duluth International Airport. Aviation fans can expect headliners like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Canada’s Snowbirds, plus parachute teams and fighter jet demonstrations that promise to shake the ground and thrill the crowds. Organizers expect tens of thousands over the two-day run, with gates opening by midmorning and flying acts roaring to life by late morning each day.

Traffic near the airport is expected to be heavy throughout the weekend, with local law enforcement encouraging visitors to arrive early and be prepared for extended waits entering and exiting parking lots.

Navigating traffic and construction

Holiday congestion is all but guaranteed on regional highways. Travelers should watch for delays on I-35 near the Twin Ports interchange, where major road work continues to reroute or slow traffic. In Carlton County, periodic lane reductions on stretches of Highway 53 and nearby routes could also back things up during peak hours.

Closer to downtown Duluth, ongoing street resurfacing projects on East 3rd Street, Sixth Avenue East and parts of Superior Street may tighten bottlenecks, particularly when festival crowds start to fill the core.

Enjoy the Weekend:

“The Northland couldn’t script a better forecast for Fourth of July weekend — just enough sun to fill the parks and lakefront, a little breeze off Superior, and thunder from the Blue Angels overhead.”
— Howie Hanson

At the pump — and at the picnic table

Motorists may find a small silver lining in slightly lower fuel prices. According to the latest statewide averages, Minnesota gas is running about $3.35 a gallon, down a few cents from earlier this summer. With high demand expected, it’s still wise to top off the tank before the weekend rush.

Meanwhile, local grocers and meat markets report steady traffic as residents stock up for backyard barbecues. Charcoal, brats, watermelon and ice cream are again emerging as top sellers — seasonal staples that make the Fourth feel like the Fourth.

A few safety reminders

While the Northland avoids the extreme heat baking other parts of the country, UV indexes remain high, meaning sunburns can set in quickly. Health officials recommend broad-spectrum sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and steady hydration, especially for kids and older adults.

And it bears repeating: never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles. Even with mild outside temperatures, car interiors can heat up rapidly, putting lives at risk in a matter of minutes.

Looking ahead

So whether you’re staking out a picnic spot at Bayfront, heading up to the Iron Range for small-town celebrations, or finding a patch of grass near the runway to watch fighter jets slice through the sky, this Fourth of July is shaping up to deliver nearly everything Duluth and the surrounding region could hope for.

Just allow a little extra time on the roads, keep an eye on the sun, and be ready for one of the Northland’s biggest weekends of the year.

✅ Quick tips for the weekend:

• Arrive early at major events to avoid parking headaches.
• Fill up the tank before Friday to skip lines and higher demand.
• Use sunscreen and hydrate, even on days that feel only warm.
• Keep pets safe — leave them at home with water and shade, never in a parked car.
• Pack light rain gear just in case of a pop-up thunderstorm.

Currently 73° · SunnyDuluth, MN, United States

Today	86° 60°	Mostly sunny and very warm
Wednesday	84° 60°	Mostly sunny and remaining warm; a heavy thunderstorm around in the afternoon
Thursday	70° 55°	Partly sunny and less humid
Friday	84° 71°	Sunny to partly cloudy and humid; watch for a strong afternoon thunderstorm
Saturday	81° 62°	Variably cloudy, warm and humid with a thunderstorm or two; breezy in the afternoon
Sunday	76° 57°	Pleasant and less humid with sunshine and a few clouds
Monday	69° 56°	Mostly cloudy and not as warm with a brief shower