Temps are cooling, leaves are changing. What better time to celebrate outdoors with arts, nature, food and fun? And beverages. Did we mention beer and wine?

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER

Through Sept. 24: Arts events throughout the St. Croix River Valley are bundled together under this title, from Marine on St. Croix to Hudson and points between. In addition to major arts shows, artists are opening their studios for tours. The weekend of Sept. 16-17 includes the Abnet Farm Art Show and Sale in Stillwater, the Marine Art Fair in Marine on St. Croix, and the Prairie Burn Music Festival at YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson. The following weekend, Sept. 23-24, features Afton Art in the Park, Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival in Hudson and the Franconia Art and Artists Celebration in Shafer (just west of Taylors Falls). facebook.com/stcroixartfairs/

OKTOBERFEST AT THE GASTHAUS

Sept. 15-17, 22-24: The Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter just west of Stillwater is German-centric all year long, but especially so during Oktoberfest. There will be music, dancing, imported beer, brats and chops, giant pretzels, cinnamon roasted almonds and, of course, using a heavy hammer to slam nails into a tree stump for spirited games of hammerschlagen. 5-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for adults 21 and older, $5; noon to 8 p.m. Sundays for all ages, $3 admission and free face-painting and balloon twisting; 8390 Lofton Ave., Grant; 651-439-7128 or gasthausbavarianhunter.com/

WILD RICE FESTIVAL

Sept. 16: A day of free activities at Harriet Alexander Nature Center will celebrate fall foods, natural history and Minnesota’s traditional cultures. Honey will be extracted and bottled, and cider made from squeezed apples. Foods including soups, fry bread and Indian tacos will be sold by Pow Wow Grounds, a Native American Cafe based in Minneapolis. Kids’ games and activities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 2520 N. Dale St., Roseville; 651-765-4262 or wildricefestival.org/

PAYNE ARCADE HARVEST PARADE

Sept. 23: The parade begins at noon on Payne Avenue in St. Paul, and a variety of vendors will sell locally harvested foods. facebook.com/groups/HarvestFestivalEastSide/

BAGPIPES & BONFIRES

Sept. 23: Parading bagpipers, a blazing bonfire, pub food, a stilt-walker, and a fire-juggling priest will be part of this Celtic Street Festival at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Stillwater. Many attendees will be in kilts and costumes. 5:30-10 p.m., with dancing to the Inside Straight Blues Band beginning at 7 p.m.; 214 N. Third St., Stillwater; 651-439-2609, aechurch.org

TAPPED AND UNCORKED

Sept. 29: Sample local beer and wine while dancing to the music of GB Leighton. Food trucks, human foosball and hammerschlagen. Proceeds go to Roseville parks. 6-10 p.m.; $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $10 for designated driver; Guidant John Rose MN OVAL, 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville; pourforparks.com/

APPLE FESTIVAL

Sept. 30: Crafts, games and treats. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Gibbs Farm, 2097 W. Larpenteur Ave., Falcon Heights; rchs.com/gibbs-farm/
RED WING ARTS FESTIVAL

Oct. 14-15: One of Minnesota’s oldest juried art fairs will feature more than 100 artists, craft vendors, food trucks, musicians and family fun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Bush and West Third streets, Red Wing; 651-388-7569 or redwingartsassociation.org/

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