Twin Cities weekend guide: Dragon Festival, Bastille Day, read with kittens

Ornate boats will take to Lake Phalen in St. Paul on Saturday for the triumphant return of the Dragon Festival , a celebration of Asian-Pacific cultures and the ancient sport of dragon boat racing.

What to expect: Teams of 21 — including a drummer who provides the rhythm for the paddlers — race intricate, 40-foot-long boats decorated as dragons across the lake starting at 1pm. Show up early to watch the teams practice.

• The event will also feature lion dances, food vendors, a beer garden, cornhole tournaments and more.

Details: 9am-7pm Saturday at Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul. Free

More things to do this weekend:

🤓 Burlesque meets geek at the inaugural North Star Nerdlesque Festival , held Friday and Saturday in St. Paul.

• Expect nearly 20 back-to-back performances each night, including a set from "The Fry Guys" — a duo that pays homage to vintage McDonald's characters. Single-night tickets start at $30

✍️ Get some fresh ink at the Twin Cities Tattoo Festival in St. Paul Friday-Sunday.

• More than 200 artists from across the country are set to attend, and some accept walk-up appointments. $30 for a single-day ticket, $65 for the weekend pass

💃 Eat, drink and dance your way through St. Paul this weekend at the all-ages music festival Payne Ave Fest on Saturday and the St. Paul Food Truck Festival at Union Depot Saturday and Sunday. $18 for Payne Ave Fest, free entry at the food fest

😻 Cuddle with cats while catching up on your current book at Read With Kittens Sunday afternoon. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative in Minneapolis will host the event, which includes quiet reading time and a "book discussion with the kittens." $25

🇫🇷 Celebrate France's national holiday Bastille Day in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon with local French organization Alliance Française.

• The event includes live music, food and drinks, a vintage car parade and a visit from Marie Antoinette herself. Free