Valleyfair
Valleyfair sits just up the road in Shakopee, about ten minutes from Prior Lake, which makes it the default “big day out” for families around here. Coasters, the Soak City waterpark, and a rotating slate of special event nights all summer.
Hours
Summer 2026 hours run roughly like this, though they shift week to week, so check the park calendar before you drive:
- Weekdays: park opens 10:30 a.m., closes 9 p.m.
- Weekends: opens 10 to 10:30 a.m., closes 9 to 10 p.m.
- Soak City waterpark: 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m.
One local tip: the park occasionally closes for weather or air quality (it happened this July during the wildfire smoke), and tickets for a closed day are good for another visit. Check the park’s site the morning of.
Event nights and festivals
- Star Spangled Night: the July 4th fireworks show over the park, choreographed to music.
- Juicy Lucy Festival: weekends July 4 through 19, 2026, celebrating Minnesota’s most famous burger with a lineup of Juicy Lucy creations and local flavors.
- Passholder exclusive nights pop up through the season, listed on the park calendar.
Valleyfair events on our calendar
We list the park’s bigger one-off events as they’re announced: see all Valleyfair listings →
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