The 2026 Meander Art Crawl invites visitors to explore local art and the communities of the Upper Minnesota River Valley, with special events in the evenings offering even more ways to enjoy the weekend. Taking place October 2, 3 & 4, the Meander will feature Light Up the River with Song in Granite Falls, the Monte Meet Up in Montevideo, and a live music event at the Prairie Arts Center in Madison. Meander Art Crawl information can be found at artsmeander.com.
On Friday evening, October 2 at 6 p.m., Granite Falls will host Light Up the River with Song. The evening begins with Happy Hour on the historic footbridge at Lende Plaza, followed by an evening of live music at the Bluenose Gopher Public House. Four featured musicians—Caroline Koska, Jesse Lee, CJ Sieling, and Lee Kanten—will perform original songs written about Granite Falls and/or the Minnesota River Valley. The event is free and open to everyone. Find more information on their website: exploregranitefalls.com/meander
Also on Friday, October 2 from 6–9 p.m., Montevideo hosts the Monte Meet Up on South Main Street and at the Java River Courtyard. The evening will feature live music from Clark Machtemes of Traveled Ground, along with local food and drinks. Meander goers and community members are invited to gather downtown, enjoy the music, and experience Montevideo’s local food, art, and community. Check out Java River’s Facebook page for event updates: facebook.com/javarivermonte
On Saturday evening, October 3 from 6-9 p.m., Madison invites Meander goers to spend the evening enjoying live local music at the Prairie Arts Center. Presented by the Madison Mercantile, the event will feature a full lineup of local musicians, with tickets available at the door. Local food and refreshments will also be available for purchase. Visit theprairieartscenter.org for the full music lineup and additional information.
The Meander is organized by the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission and was launched in 2004 by local artists with the goal of highlighting the region’s creative talent and supporting local communities. Today, the event brings artists, visitors, and communities together across Chippewa, Big Stone, Swift, Yellow Medicine, and Lac qui Parle Counties.