Twin Cities weekend events: Aquatennial fireworks, ArtCar parade, Wienermobile in town

The Aquatennial returns! The celebration of all things Minneapolis kicked off Wednesday night with the Torchlight Parade down Nicollet Mall. Activities around downtown continue all week.

What's happening: This Saturday's events include all-day music at Orchestra Hall, a Caribbean festival, multiple vendor markets, the Loring Park Art Festival, car show and a screening of "Purple Rain" at Target Center to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary.

• The popular fireworks show is 10pm Saturday, but get to West River Parkway early to claim your spot. (The best viewing is between Gold Medal Park and the 3rd Avenue Bridge, according to organizers.)

Details: Thursday–Saturday throughout Minneapolis. Most activities are free.

More things to do...

🤘 Ever heard of a rock lottery? First Avenue drafted 25 local musicians, put them into five bands and gave each 48 hours to write original songs. The new supergroups will perform their music on the First Ave stage Friday night. $20

• In other local live music news, Palmfest kicks off Friday at Palmer's Bar in Minneapolis, featuring 40 bands over the course of three days. $10/day, no advance sales

🚽 Dozens of uniquely decorated forms of transportation will cruise around Lake Harriet Saturday afternoon for the 30th ArtCars + ArtBikes Parade .

• Previous participants include a "Toy-oh-tah" covered in toys, a Volkswagen Beetle with paintings of bugs and a car with a working toilet on top. Free

🌭 The "world famous" Wienermobile is making a stop at the Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul, 10am-2pm Saturday. There will be food, appropriately provided by Deb's Hot Dogs. $9–$18 museum entry, depending on age

🏮 Light up Lake Phalen at St. Paul's Water Lantern Festival on Saturday. Tickets include access to live music, activities and your own floating lantern kit. A team will retrieve each lantern and clean up any additional trash after the event, according to its website. $34.99+ for an adult ticket

🥦 Pedal to top vegan restaurants during the Twin Cities Plant-Based Bike Crawl and After Party on Sunday, 10am–3pm.

• The tour, which can be 11 or 30 miles, takes cyclists through popular Minneapolis parks with stops at spots like Francis Burger Joint , Herbie Butcher's Fried Chicken and more. $75–$150