Minneapolis Downtown Council pulls plug on Holidazzle and Aquatennial, seeks new organizer

The Downtown Council in Minneapolis will stop organizing the Holidazzle and Aquatennial events, citing budget challenges and a need to focus on other priorities. President Adam Duininck expressed hope for new organizers to take over, emphasizing the importance of these events to the city’s culture. The decision highlights the ongoing struggle of downtown Minneapolis to recover from pandemic-related declines in visitor numbers and foot traffic. Both Holidazzle and Aquatennial have historically drawn significant crowds, with Holidazzle failing to meet attendance goals last year. The council's leadership plans to invest resources in safety and long-range planning instead of event management.

Duininck noted that securing corporate sponsorships has become increasingly difficult in the current economic climate. The Downtown Council took control of Aquatennial in 2002, and both events have faced financial challenges over the years. The future of these iconic events depends on finding a new organizer who can sustain or innovate them.