Bean Hole Days 2026: One of Minnesota’s Most Unique Summer Traditions
If you’re visiting the Brainerd Lakes Area in mid-July, there’s one local tradition you won’t want to miss: Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes.
Returning July 14–15, 2026, this beloved community celebration has been bringing locals and visitors together since 1938. What started as a thank-you meal for area farmers has grown into one of northern Minnesota’s most recognizable summer festivals—and it’s every bit as charming as it sounds.
We’re especially excited to celebrate this hometown tradition as proud sponsors of Bean Hole Days through Woods to Water Real Estate and Book the B.L.A. by Woods to Water Vacation Homes. Supporting local events that bring our community together is part of what makes living, working, and vacationing in the Brainerd Lakes Area so special.
The festival’s signature tradition begins on Tuesday evening, when giant cast-iron kettles filled with baked beans are lowered into underground pits to cook overnight. On Wednesday at noon, volunteers serve thousands of free meals featuring the famous slow-cooked beans, a dinner roll, and water to festival-goers. It’s a truly unique Minnesota experience that draws thousands of visitors each year.
Bean Hole Days offers something for everyone, including:
Bean Hole Days is the perfect reason to spend a few extra days exploring the Brainerd Lakes Area. After enjoying the festivities in downtown Pequot Lakes, head out on the lake, browse local shops, grab dinner at a favorite local restaurant, or relax back at your vacation home.
As local residents and proud event sponsors, the teams at Woods to Water Real Estate and Book the B.L.A. by Woods to Water Vacation Homes love sharing the events that make this area such an incredible place to visit. Whether you’re here for the famous beans or discovering the festival for the first time, Bean Hole Days is a summer tradition worth experiencing.
Bean Hole Days 2026
📅 July 14–15, 2026
📍 Trailside Park | Pequot Lakes, Minnesota
Planning your summer getaway? Book your stay with Book the B.L.A. by Woods to Water Vacation Homes and experience one of the Brainerd Lakes Area’s most beloved summer traditions.
