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SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2026

EVENT SCHEDULE

Rails & Ales Craft Beer Festival

September 11 @ 5:00 pm

James J. Hill loved a good beer! So, lets cheers to the man and kick off Lake Minnetonka's largest community celebration! Join us Friday, September 11th from 5 – 9 pm to sample beers from 20+ breweries, enjoy 20+ food…

Lake Minnetonka Carnival

September 11 @ 5:00 pm

Discounted Pre-Sale Carnival Tickets on sale in August.  Full price tickets available September 11-13 at Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata and Carnival Ticket Booth  Step right up! James J. Hill Days, Lake Minnetonka's largest 3 -day Festival, is right around the…

Street Market

September 12 @ 10:00 am

The 2026 James J. Hill Days Street Market application has closed will be available in Spring 2026.  Shop over 150 unique vendors on Friday-Sunday, September 5-7, including vendors from the following categories: Business, Health & Wellness, Home & Garden, Non-Profit,…

SMALL TOWN CHARM...

Big Time Fun!

Since 1975, the weekend following Labor Day in Wayzata has been dedicated to celebrating James J. Hill, a prominent Minnesota historical figure and former owner of the Great Northern Railroad Company. Hill, who built the iconic train depot in 1906, played a pivotal role in transforming Wayzata into the picturesque tourist destination and welcoming community it is today. James J. Hill Days has become Lake Minnetonka’s most cherished tradition, earning the “Best
Of” Lake Minnetonka award. For 51 years, this annual festival has united the community in a joyful celebration of Wayzata, complete with delicious food, fun activities, and family-friendly festivities!

Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

We're Social #JJHILLDAYS

jamesjhilldays

289 2,572

September 11-13, 2026
Powered By: Wayzata West Metro Chamber and Sandvold Financial Group

What a paw-some weekend at the James J. Hill Days Dog Park! 🐾

This year was one for the books — with the BIGGEST turnout ever for the Dachshund Races, Doggy Olympics, and Costume Contest! 👏 A HUGE thank you to every participant, sponsor, and cheerleader who made this weekend unforgettable. We appreciate you!

And now…the winners! 🏆

🏁 Sprints: Mocha, Rocco, Rosie
🐾 Hurdles: Stewart, Mushui. Rocco
👗 Costume Contest: Theo – The Head Fund Manager, Stewart & Winnie – The NASCAR Duo, Beatrice & Betty White – Thing 1 & Thing 2
🍷 Wineglass Walk: (Tie) Calvin & Dorito, Marley
🎶 Musical Beach Towels: Sully, Buster, Bertie
🪑 Longest Sit & Stay: Marley, Cookie, Sully

Way to go, pups! You all earned those extra treats. If you have a photo of your pup at JJHD, drop it in the comments!

#jamesjhilldays #dachshundraces #dogpark

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Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18091093954763890
What a paw-some weekend at the James J. Hill Days Dog Park! 🐾

This year was one for the books — with the BIGGEST turnout ever for the Dachshund Races, Doggy Olympics, and Costume Contest! 👏 A HUGE thank you to every participant, sponsor, and cheerleader who made this weekend unforgettable. We appreciate you! 

And now…the winners! 🏆

🏁 Sprints: Mocha, Rocco, Rosie
🐾 Hurdles: Stewart, Mushui. Rocco
👗 Costume Contest: Theo – The Head Fund Manager, Stewart & Winnie – The NASCAR Duo, Beatrice & Betty White – Thing 1 & Thing 2
🍷 Wineglass Walk: (Tie) Calvin & Dorito, Marley
🎶 Musical Beach Towels: Sully, Buster, Bertie
🪑 Longest Sit & Stay: Marley, Cookie, Sully

Way to go, pups! You all earned those extra treats. If you have a photo of your pup at JJHD, drop it in the comments! 

#jamesjhilldays #dachshundraces #dogpark

What a paw-some weekend at the James J. Hill Days Dog Park! 🐾

This year was one for the books — with the BIGGEST turnout ever for the Dachshund Races, Doggy Olympics, and Costume Contest! 👏 A HUGE thank you to every participant, sponsor, and cheerleader who made this weekend unforgettable. We appreciate you!

And now…the winners! 🏆

🏁 Sprints: Mocha, Rocco, Rosie
🐾 Hurdles: Stewart, Mushui. Rocco
👗 Costume Contest: Theo – The Head Fund Manager, Stewart & Winnie – The NASCAR Duo, Beatrice & Betty White – Thing 1 & Thing 2
🍷 Wineglass Walk: (Tie) Calvin & Dorito, Marley
🎶 Musical Beach Towels: Sully, Buster, Bertie
🪑 Longest Sit & Stay: Marley, Cookie, Sully

Way to go, pups! You all earned those extra treats. If you have a photo of your pup at JJHD, drop it in the comments!

#jamesjhilldays #dachshundraces #dogpark
...

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What an incredible weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the 51st Annual James J. Hill Days—rain or shine, you showed up and made it unforgettable! 💙 Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor #sandvoldfinancialgroup for supporting us every step of the way! And a HUGE shoutout to our amazing sponsors and volunteers who brought the energy all weekend long. We couldn’t do it without you. 🙌✨ See you next year!

58 1
Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18104668609583698
What an incredible weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the 51st Annual James J. Hill Days—rain or shine, you showed up and made it unforgettable! 💙  Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor #sandvoldfinancialgroup for supporting us every step of the way! And a HUGE shoutout to our amazing sponsors and volunteers who brought the energy all weekend long. We couldn’t do it without you. 🙌✨ See you next year!

What an incredible weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the 51st Annual James J. Hill Days—rain or shine, you showed up and made it unforgettable! 💙 Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor #sandvoldfinancialgroup for supporting us every step of the way! And a HUGE shoutout to our amazing sponsors and volunteers who brought the energy all weekend long. We couldn’t do it without you. 🙌✨ See you next year! ...

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More Pickleball fun today! Swing by the Depot Lot to check out the Battle of the Paddles tournament, then stick around for open play from 2 - 4pm. Thank you to our Pickleball Sponsors @purepickleballclubmn @nspickleball and @xenonpaddle!

See you there!

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Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 17968469024793905
More Pickleball fun today! Swing by the Depot Lot to check out the Battle of the Paddles tournament, then stick around for open play from 2 - 4pm. Thank you to our Pickleball Sponsors @purepickleballclubmn @nspickleball and @xenonpaddle! 

See you there!

More Pickleball fun today! Swing by the Depot Lot to check out the Battle of the Paddles tournament, then stick around for open play from 2 - 4pm. Thank you to our Pickleball Sponsors @purepickleballclubmn @nspickleball and @xenonpaddle!

See you there!
...

28 0

It`s the LAST DAY of #JamesJHillDays, and it`s shaping up to be a perfect Sunday Funday! 🎶☀️ Join us on Lake Street for more incredible FREE live music, delicious food, and all the good vibes. See you soon!

#SundayFunday #LiveMusic #WayzataFun #OneHillOfAGoodTime

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Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18080142460758827
It's the LAST DAY of #JamesJHillDays, and it's shaping up to be a perfect Sunday Funday! 🎶☀️ Join us on Lake Street for more incredible FREE live music, delicious food, and all the good vibes. See you soon! 

#SundayFunday #LiveMusic #WayzataFun #OneHillOfAGoodTime

It`s the LAST DAY of #JamesJHillDays, and it`s shaping up to be a perfect Sunday Funday! 🎶☀️ Join us on Lake Street for more incredible FREE live music, delicious food, and all the good vibes. See you soon!

#SundayFunday #LiveMusic #WayzataFun #OneHillOfAGoodTime
...

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Hungry? Thirsty? Sun is OUT! Come down to James J. Hill Days and get something to eat, grab a beverage at the beer tent, and enjoy live music all night long!

46 1
Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18024692519528549
Hungry? Thirsty? Sun is OUT! Come down to James J. Hill Days and get something to eat, grab a beverage at the beer tent, and enjoy live music all night long!

Hungry? Thirsty? Sun is OUT! Come down to James J. Hill Days and get something to eat, grab a beverage at the beer tent, and enjoy live music all night long! ...

46 1

Day 2 of James J. Hill Days is HERE!
Text your crew and come early to pack in all the fun. Carnival, food trucks, Dachshund Races, Coaster Cart Derby, and more! We kick things off at 10 AM—see you there! 😎🎡🍻🐾

#jamesjhilldays #carnivalrides #dachshundlife #dograces #wayzatamn

30 2
Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18081724654934279
Day 2 of James J. Hill Days is HERE! 
Text your crew and come early to pack in all the fun. Carnival, food trucks, Dachshund Races, Coaster Cart Derby, and more! We kick things off at 10 AM—see you there! 😎🎡🍻🐾 

#jamesjhilldays #carnivalrides #dachshundlife #dograces #wayzatamn

Day 2 of James J. Hill Days is HERE!
Text your crew and come early to pack in all the fun. Carnival, food trucks, Dachshund Races, Coaster Cart Derby, and more! We kick things off at 10 AM—see you there! 😎🎡🍻🐾

#jamesjhilldays #carnivalrides #dachshundlife #dograces #wayzatamn
...

30 2

Good morning, James J. Hill Days fans! ☀️ The wait is over — the big weekend is finally HERE! In just a few hours, we’re kicking off three days of non-stop fun: free live music, fun carnival rides, mouthwatering food trucks, tasty craft beer, and SO much more.

Plus, don`t forget to bring a blanket and snuggle up on the Great Lawn for Disney Pixar Cars - presented by @wayzatasailing! See you soon on Lake Street! 😎

#JamesJHillDays #WayzataMN #CommunityCelebration #CraftBeerFestival

30 2
Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18062008028077227
Good morning, James J. Hill Days fans! ☀️ The wait is over — the big weekend is finally HERE! In just a few hours, we’re kicking off three days of non-stop fun: free live music, fun carnival rides, mouthwatering food trucks, tasty craft beer, and SO much more.

Plus, don't forget to bring a blanket and snuggle up on the Great Lawn for Disney Pixar Cars - presented by @wayzatasailing! See you soon on Lake Street! 😎

#JamesJHillDays #WayzataMN #CommunityCelebration #CraftBeerFestival

Good morning, James J. Hill Days fans! ☀️ The wait is over — the big weekend is finally HERE! In just a few hours, we’re kicking off three days of non-stop fun: free live music, fun carnival rides, mouthwatering food trucks, tasty craft beer, and SO much more.

Plus, don`t forget to bring a blanket and snuggle up on the Great Lawn for Disney Pixar Cars - presented by @wayzatasailing! See you soon on Lake Street! 😎

#JamesJHillDays #WayzataMN #CommunityCelebration #CraftBeerFestival
...

30 2

Rails & Ales is TOMORROW! 🍻

Crisp fall temps, unlimited pours from top local breweries, and great company—it’s the perfect Friday night vibe. 🙌 From 5–9 pm, jam out to @coyotewildband and grab a bite from 20+ food trucks on Lake Street.

🎟 Don’t wait—snag your discounted tickets before tomorrow in bio!

#RailsAndAles #JamesJHillDays #CraftBeerFestival #wayzatamn

10 0
Open post by jamesjhilldays with ID 18026115848718861
Rails & Ales is TOMORROW! 🍻

Crisp fall temps, unlimited pours from top local breweries, and great company—it’s the perfect Friday night vibe. 🙌 From 5–9 pm, jam out to @coyotewildband and grab a bite from 20+ food trucks on Lake Street.

🎟 Don’t wait—snag your discounted tickets before tomorrow in bio!

#RailsAndAles #JamesJHillDays #CraftBeerFestival #wayzatamn

Rails & Ales is TOMORROW! 🍻

Crisp fall temps, unlimited pours from top local breweries, and great company—it’s the perfect Friday night vibe. 🙌 From 5–9 pm, jam out to @coyotewildband and grab a bite from 20+ food trucks on Lake Street.

🎟 Don’t wait—snag your discounted tickets before tomorrow in bio!

#RailsAndAles #JamesJHillDays #CraftBeerFestival #wayzatamn
...

10 0
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