Second Annual Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week returns to Thief River Falls September 12–19, 2026, with opportunities to enjoy music, explore local history, tour major employers and community institutions, discover available homes, and connect with neighbors.
Welcoming Week celebrates the people, cultures, traditions, and relationships that make Thief River Falls and Pennington County a welcoming place to live, work, and call home. Whether you have lived here your entire life, recently moved to the area, or are considering making Thief River Falls your home, you are invited to participate.
Saturday, September 12
Everybody’s Market
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Floyd B. Olson Park
Start Welcoming Week with a day of shopping, music, and community fun at Everybody’s Market. Browse local vendors, play yard games, enter to win door prizes, and take advantage of sales happening throughout Thief River Falls.
Bring your family, invite a neighbor, and spend the day celebrating everything our community has to offer.
Footsteps Through History Walking Tour
10:00 a.m. | Meet at Floyd B. Olson Park
Discover the stories, landmarks, and people that helped shape Thief River Falls during this free, 60-minute guided walking tour of the downtown area.
Local tour guide Marilyn Weir will bring history to life as participants explore the community on foot.
The tour is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Register for the walking tour.
John Kimball Concert
10:00 a.m. | Floyd B. Olson Park
John will be performing live from 10:00 -11:30 AM at Floyd B. Olson Park. The concert will take place during Everybody’s Market, making it easy to enjoy local shopping, community activities, and live music in one visit.
The WoodPicks Concert
12:30–2:00 p.m. | Floyd B. Olson Park
Enjoy a free outdoor concert by The WoodPicks, a regional bluegrass and Americana band known for lively acoustic music and rich harmonies.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax along the Red Lake River. The concert will take place during Everybody’s Market, making it easy to enjoy local shopping, community activities, and live music in one visit.
Sunday, September 13
Realtor Open House
1:00–3:00 p.m. | Participating homes throughout Thief River Falls
Looking for a place to call home? Explore homes currently available in Thief River Falls during a community Realtor Open House.
The event is an opportunity for newcomers, prospective residents, and anyone interested in the local housing market to see what the community has to offer. Watch the Nordin Realty Facebook page for participating homes, locations, and updates.
Tuesday, September 15
Arctic Cat Community Tour
1:00–2:00 p.m. | 601 Brooks Avenue
Go behind the scenes at Arctic Cat and see where powersports vehicles are made in Thief River Falls. The community tour offers a closer look at the company, its manufacturing operations, and its longstanding role in the region.
Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.
Wednesday, September 16
DigiKey Community Tour
4:00 p.m. | 601 Barzen Avenue South
Get a behind-the-scenes look at DigiKey, one of the area’s largest employers. Participants will learn about the company’s operations and see some of the innovative work happening right here in Thief River Falls.
Enter through the Visitor Entrance at 601 Barzen Avenue South and check in at registration before the tour.
Thursday, September 17
Northland Community & Technical College Tour
1:00–3:00 p.m. | Thief River Falls campus
Explore Northland Community & Technical College and learn about the programs, resources, facilities, and educational opportunities available in the community.
Visitors should enter through Main Entrance D.
Everyone Has a Role in Building a Welcoming Community
Welcoming Week is more than a collection of events. It is an opportunity to meet someone new, learn more about the community, share experiences, and help create a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.
Residents are encouraged to attend an event, invite a neighbor or new coworker, introduce themselves to someone new, and help demonstrate the welcoming spirit of Thief River Falls.
View the latest schedule and event information on the Advance Thief River Welcoming Events page.
You belong here.
