Lowry Ave North

The Lowry Avenue North Cultural District is a growing hub of Black, immigrant, and Indigenous culture, where community resilience and creativity take center stage. Home to locally owned shops, diverse eateries, and powerful public art, Lowry Avenue North reflects the vibrant spirit of North Minneapolis. From neighborhood festivals to cultural landmarks, it’s a space where tradition, innovation, and community pride come together.

2025 Cultural District Award Fund Winners

  • Common Endeavors

    Location: Open Spaces

    Love on the Lawn is a community-driven placemaking festival designed to spark joy, connection, and cultural pride in North Minneapolis. Taking place on the grassy knoll at Lyndale and Lowry Avenue to Aldrich Ave North, the one-day event will feature multicultural music, comedy, interactive art, food, movement, and wellness activities. Residents of all ages and backgrounds—including families, youth, elders, and faith communities—are invited to come together for a day of creativity, celebration, and healing in a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood space.

  • Kashimana Ahua

    Location: Butterfly Grove or Lowry Ave N

    Singer, songwriter, and teaching artist Kashimana Ahua will host an outdoor community arts event at Butterfly Grove, featuring spoken word, live music, community line dancing, an open mic, plant-based art activities, gardening classes, and tile painting to enhance the community garden sign. Known for empowering people of all skill levels to find and share their own songs, Kashimana uses tools like collaborative writing, improvisation, and music creation to help participants express their stories. This event blends art, nature, and community connection in a joyful, creative space.

  • Nuestra Lucha MN

    Location: Colonial Market - outdoors

    Around the Globe on Lowry is a vibrant, family-friendly multicultural festival taking place in North Minneapolis at the end of July from 12–4 PM. This one-day event celebrates and showcases the rich diversity of cultures within the community, featuring performances, food, and family activities.

    Nuestra Lucha MN was founded by Viviana, whose deep connection to her cultural heritage and personal experience with financial barriers in the arts inspired her work.

  • The DREAM Shop

    Location: 3701 N Fremont Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412-2075

    Roots & Rhythms is a monthly open mic and multidisciplinary art series at The Dream Shop, a Black-woman-owned cultural space in North Minneapolis. Designed to foster creativity, healing, and community connection, the series transforms The Dream Shop into a vibrant hub for local artists and neighbors to share music, poetry, storytelling, and visual art.

    Founded by Markella Smith—a lifelong Northsider, mom of three, community organizer, and small business advocate—The Dream Shop was created to bring back the feel of “the village” and support entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds. Roots & Rhythms embodies that vision, creating space for authentic expression and collective growth.

  • Voice of Culture

    Location: North Mississippi Regional Park

    The Mni House Picnic will unite the city’s best House music DJs with fans of the genre for a 10-hour outdoor celebration of music, fellowship, and nature at North Mississippi Regional Park. Presented in collaboration with Voice of Culture (VOC)—a Black family of cultural artists sharing West African rhythms and movement with a Black American twist—the event promotes mental health, physical well-being, and community connection while honoring ancestral art and traditions.

  • E&L Market

    Location: 1122 Lowry Ave N, Minneapolis, Mn 55411

    E&L Market is developing a large-scale sculptural installation in North Minneapolis featuring a single, powerful word chosen for its meaning to the local community. The sculpture will be illuminated from within, creating a striking visual landmark that changes with the seasons, holidays, and community events. Designed as a timeless and simple piece, the installation aims to inspire pride, reflection, and connection for all who encounter it.storyboarding sessions. This cult-favorite event invites audiences of all ages to experience imaginative storytelling, visual spectacle, and community celebration in true BareBones fashion.

Plan Your Visit to Lowry Ave North

Light Rail:
While the METRO Blue and Green Lines do not currently serve Lowry Avenue North directly, plans for the METRO Blue Line Extension include a station near Lowry Avenue, which will improve future access. In the meantime, nearby stations such as Target Field Station offer transit connections just a short bus ride away.

Bus Routes:
Lowry Avenue North is served by several Metro Transit bus routes:

  • Route 32: Runs along Lowry Avenue, connecting North and Northeast Minneapolis.

  • Route 5: One of the busiest routes in the city, running north-south through North Minneapolis with connections to Lowry.

  • Route 14: Serves North Minneapolis and offers east-west connections through the district.
    Most buses operate from approximately 4:30 AM to 1 AM, providing reliable access throughout the day and evening.

Parking Options:
Street parking is available throughout the Lowry Avenue North Cultural District, generally with 1- to 2-hour limits in business corridors. Additional parking is available near community centers, parks, and some retail areas. Many local businesses also offer free parking for customers.