Folkways hosts a variety of events and programs, all of which are essential for fostering a sense of community and belonging. They provide platforms for local artists and entrepreneurs to thrive, contribute to the local economy, and create memorable experiences that strengthen community bonds! Through these activities, Folkways addresses issues like social isolation and workforce retention, making Fargo a more vibrant and inclusive place.

Let’s take a closer look at each of Folkways’ events and initiatives

Red River Market

Photos by Morgan Schleif Photography

The Red River Market is the largest farmers market in the region, held weekly during the summer and early fall in downtown Fargo. Hosting over 100 local vendors who offer a variety of products including fresh produce, handmade crafts, and artisanal goods, as well as showcasing performances, community activities, and educational programs, the market creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for visitors of all ages—the perfect grounds for placemaking!

Details:

Opening Day—July 1, featuring lots of special activities for the celebration!
Market Main Season—July-October + additional offseason dates.
The 2024 season of Red River Market is July 13 – October 26, every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Fargo Broadway Square (with the exception of the Sunday Market on July 20).

Make sure you check out the weekly food demos at the market, beginning at 11 a.m. in Broadway Square, where a local chef demonstrates how to make a dish of their choosing. Afterward, you can try the dish—with kids earning a $1 token as participation in their Kids Club!

The Kids Club at the Red River Market offers engaging and educational activities for children, fostering creativity and community connection through fun, interactive experiences.

Did you know?
The market accepts SNAP payments! They offer The SNAP match program, increasing food accessibility by allowing participants to use and match SNAP dollars to purchase fresh, local produce. Customers can exchange $15 snap dollars for $30 market token dollars.

Red River Market is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year!

Night Bazaar

Photos submitted by Folkways

Night Bazaar is a magical evening event that features food, music, art, and performance. Each event hosts a unique theme, like “Renaissance” or “Circus,” creating a colorful, engaging atmosphere for attendees of all ages. The Night Bazaar promotes community spirit, supports local businesses, and provides a platform for artists and performers, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the region.

Details:

Various Thursdays—2024 will host three Night Bazaars in Fargo Broadway Square from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., plus two more in alternate locations!
Renaissance—June 20 Circus—July 25
Magic—September 19
Moorhead Night Bazaar, Sunset—August 8 + Moorhead Night Bazaar will take place in the American Crystal Sugar lot from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Spook—October 31 + This final Night Bazaar will be at Brewhalla from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Make it a fashion show! At the Night Bazaar, Folkways’ entire staff dress up and attendees are encouraged to do the same. Transform the ordinary into the extraordinary by embracing the magic of costumes that align with each event’s unique theme! Recycle your Halloween costume, that shirt you bought for a themed party or your LARPing fit!

This event is FREE and family-friendly.

Amanda's favorite event is the Night Bazaar!

“It gives me a fun excuse to wear a cool costume. The twinkling lights decorating the event add to the charm, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere in downtown Fargo. It feels like we get to experience four Halloweens in one summer!”

Faves

Fire Dancing and Aerialist Performers “It’s amazing to see our local performers doing incredible stunts. Their talent has even inspired me to take a few classes at Zero Gravity.”

All the Bubbles “The Night Bazaar is filled with thousands of bubbles, adding a magical touch to the event. It truly enhances the enchanting atmosphere!”

Christkindmarkt

Photos submitted by Folkways

Christkindlmarkt is a European-inspired holiday event hosted by Folkways that brings festive cheer through an outdoor winter wonderland, gift market, and bier hall in partnership with Drekker Brewing Company. To embrace the spirit of the season, the Folkways team transforms the Fargo Civic Center into a true winter wonderland, complete with hourly live music, cheery holiday characters, s’mores roasting, and more.

Details:
Christkindlmarkt will celebrate its second year of two weekends for festivities this year at the Civic Center in Downtown Fargo. November 22-24 November 29 – December 1

Did you know?
Christkindlmarkt is a delightful tradition that hails from Germany, dating back to the Late Middle Ages. It’s a place where communities come together to celebrate the holiday season, sharing warmth, laughter, and the spirit of giving.

Jef frey's favorite event is (also) the Night Bazaar!

“This event is just so fun, all the culture and art, the vendors with their themed booths, and all the different costumes—I think it is really amazing to see these parts of our community get shown off at an event in the heart of our downtown.”

Faves

Tasty Treats
“We have a cotton candy spinner and popcorn popping, and lots of great food vendors as well.”

Balloon Animal Creation
“I strive to make a new creature every bazaar. Come see what’s in store at our next Bazaar!

Public Art

Photos submitted by Folkways

At Folkways, public art is a cornerstone of their placemaking efforts. They believe that art has the power to transform public spaces, making them more vibrant, welcoming, and reflective of the community’s identity. Folkways’ public art projects, including murals and installations, are designed to surprise and delight residents and visitors alike, creating moments of connection and joy.

Folkways generally supports one large art project each year. If you’re interested in sponsoring an art project, or you’re an artist who has an idea for a mural, let them know!

You can catch some of the projects they have supported at fargowalkingtours.com

“Fargo Parks recently introduced a Chronolog Photo Station in Orchard Glen Park. It will be exciting to see all the photos collected by the end of the summer and observe how our community’s engagement can help monitor environmental changes. Although it’s not an art installation, this collective time-lapse project is a unique form of art in itself.” – Amanda

Orchard Glen Park is now home to North Dakota’s first-ever Chronolog photo station! This innovative setup invites park-goers to capture snapshots of nature’s slow dance through their smartphones. Just align your phone on the stand, snap a photo, and email it to Chronolog to become part of a growing time-lapse that tells the story of our environment. Located on the south side of the pollinator garden, this project enhances our connection to nature while also contributing valuable data to environmental science. Curious to see the changes over time? Check out the time-lapse at Chronolog.io/map and contribute to our community’s story at Orchard Glen Park!

What’s the weirdest piece of public art in the FM area?

“The painting of Bob Dylan on Broadway. I just love walking down the street and glancing over to see giant Bob staring back at me.” – Jeffery

“The animal/ zoo mural. I used to look at it when my dad worked across the way at Knights Printing so it has fond memories.” – Erica

“The Mario Wall—it’s so generational and fun; I feel like everyone has to love it. It’s interactive too and makes for some really fun photos!” – Brenna

Log the Sauna

Log the Sauna offers a unique blend of tradition, wellness, and community connection. This mobile, wood-fired sauna brings the warmth and relaxation of a traditional Nordic experience to the heart of Fargo, providing a cozy retreat during the cold winter months.

The idea behind Log the Sauna is simple yet powerful: create a space where the community can come together, unwind, and connect. In a city where winter can often lead to feelings of isolation (a focused fight for Folkways), the sauna serves as a warm, cozy spot to foster social interaction and a sense of belonging. It’s a place where stories are shared, new friendships are forged, and the community spirit is kindled.

Did you know?
Public saunas have a long history of promoting physical and mental well-being. By bringing this tradition to Fargo, Folkways not only offers residents a chance to enjoy its health benefits but also reinforces the importance of communal experiences. Log the Sauna is a testament to Folkways’ commitment to placemaking—transforming public spaces into inviting, shared environments that encourage connection and combat social isolation.

Stay up to date on the Sauna Events by following along on Facebook at /Log the Sauna!

Erica’s favorite program is the CampusFM & her favorite event is the Night Bazaar (another one)!

I was hired through my business, Kale Social Co, to create the CampusFM Creatorship curriculum, and my involvement with CampusFM and Folkways has grown from there. I ran the first two cohorts and loved getting to know the talented students in the FM area and sharing my skills and social media knowledge with them. It’s a really special program that is a win-win-win for everyone.”

Faves

Night Bazaar Performers
“We have local roaming performers at each night bazaar. This has included rollerbladers, acrobatics, character actors, and more! It’s a must-see.”

Night Bazaar Dress Up
It’s so fun to raid your closet and put on a costume, it’s a great way to be creative and have fun. The June 20 Bazaar is themed, Renaissance, and I plan on being a Fairy Queen with a crystal crown I bought at a Night Bazaar last year!”

Christkindlmarkt
“My all-time favorite thing at Christkindlmarkt is sitting by the fires in the Winter Wonderland. It’s so magical to see all the vendors, people, games, and twinkling lights and to snack on a gourmet s’mores kit made with Reeses, graham crackers, and a roasted marshmallow over the fire!”

CampusFM

CampusFM is an initiative aimed at retaining students in the Fargo-Moorhead region after graduation by strengthening the connections between students, campuses, and the community. Through the Creatorship and Intern Experience programs, Campus FM serves as a backbone organization for emerging professional retention efforts and coordinates institutional efforts to invest in students culturally, socially, and professionally.

Details:
CampusFM consists of two key training programs, the Creatorship (a 12-week content creation internship) and the Intern Experience (an 8-week skill development program for interns of Fargo businesses).

The Creatorship is a comprehensive 12-week internship program that guides students through the art of crafting social media content. Throughout the program’s duration, students gain practical, hands-on experience in content development, actively creating and contributing to content for CampusFM’s social media channels. Details: This program runs in the summer, fall, and spring! Applications will open in July to participate in the Fall Creatorship

The Intern Experience is an 8-week professional development program that helps companies elevate their internship experience. Throughout the program, interns learn a myriad of skills including career development, goal setting, time management, networking, and more.

Make sure to follow @campusfm on Instagram, whether you’re a student or not, to see recommendations, tips, events, and more from our community!

Brenna's favorite event is (also, again) the Night Bazaar (I think we're seeing a pattern here)!

“It’s so exciting to see how we can transform a venue in one day and make magic happen in real-time. The hustle involved with the event is something I thrive on. Starting the day early, setting up, loading in vendors, and then getting into costume, and performing for the community—it feels like a superpower to pull off such a massive party in just one day.”

Faves

Food
“I can’t get enough of Namaste Chai’s garlic naan. They are so delicious and the perfect size to be filling without being too much. Their lemonade is out of this world too, making it a perfect combo.”

Roaming Characters
“We’ve got stilt walkers, magicians, fire breathers, and so much more depending on the bazaar’s theme. I’m awed by the talent of those in our community, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see people making core memories at something I had a hand in creating.”