Nickle Dickle Day
Free Fun for All
City Square Park, Waconia, Minnesota
Saturday, September 13, 2025
8am to 5pm
Welcome to Nickle Dickle Day
Waconia's Annual Town Festival
Saturday, September 13 | 8am to 5pm
Stroll through the arts and crafts fair, the library book sale and the car and truck show. Watch the duck races and the 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Listen to live music while enjoying some delicious food. Run in a Nickle Dickle Day race! Great shopping and deals all around town...a day not to be missed!
Registration Information
The 2024 Nickle Dickle Day Arts & Crafts Fair is full for this year.
2024 vendors – If you submitted a paper application, you should have received a confirmation letter via USPS.
The 2024 Nickle Dickle Day Arts & Crafts Fair is full. Click below to sign up for the wait and mailing list and be notified when the 2025 application opens.
2024 vendors – watch your mailbox for the confirmation letter.
Original handcrafted, self-produced, art items will be given preference.
Arts & Crafts Fair Vendors
Nickle Dickle Day features an Arts & Crafts Fair in City Square Park. Wanted: Vendors and artists featuring original handcrafted, self-produced art items. Click the signup button for the mailing list and be notified when the 2024 application opens.
Nickle Dickle Day Origin Story
What began as a sidewalk sale 60 years ago now features an arts & crafts show, car show, basketball tournament, run, book sale, duck races, live music, and more! Why the name Nickle Dickle? The word “dickle” is derived from a German word for bartering, which ties into how the day began. Nickle Dickle Day started when Waconia business leaders created the event to attract people to shop downtown. Many items were available for a nickel! Today, the day draws 30,000 people to town to spend thousands of dollars in Waconia shops, restaurants, and bars.
Nickle Dickle Day Events
Waconia Community Ed & Recreation
8AM-3:30PM
Classic & Vintage Car & Truck Show
Around City Square Park
8AM-5PM
Arts & Crafts Vendors
In City Square Park
All Day
Great Food & Shopping
Around Town & In City Square Park
By City Square Park
10:30AM-2:30PM
Contests & Games
City Square Park Gazebo
8AM-5PM
Live Music & DJ
8AM Mike Bustin, 10:30AM Kids' DJ Pickles, 2:00PM Traveled Ground
City Square Park Gazebo
11AM-2PM
Demos & Entertainment
Dojo Karate 1:30PM
City Square Park Gazebo
Waconia Library
St Joseph Catholic School
More Activities
Paddle and Coney Island Tour
Various times | Cedar Point Park
Advance registration details here
Fire Truck
10:00AM-4:00PM | 1st Street & Maple Street
Waconia Hockey Association
10:00AM-4:00PM | 1st Street & Vine Street
Mechanical Bull
11:00AM-4:00PM | 1st & Olive Streets
Nickle Dickle Pickle Contest
Back by popular demand!
$10 / jar entry fee
Submit entry form, cash or check, and jar by September 12.
Categories: Sweet, Dill, Spicy, Other Pickled Foods
Winners announced at City Square Park Gazebo on Nickle Dickle Day.
Prizes and bragging rights to the winner in each category.
How Nickle Dickle Day Got It’s Name
31st Annual Nickle Dickle Medallion Hunt
Sponsored by:
Clues are published in the Waconia Patriot each week starting late August 2025. The medallion is located on public property. If you believe you found the medallion, contact the Chamber office at 952-442-5812
Friday, September 15
Gates open at 7:00PM | Band plays 8-11:30PM
Waconia City Lot #1, Main Street and Vine Street
Get presale tickets: Coming Soon
Must be 21+ with valid ID
2024 Event Sponsors
- Champion -
- Park Gazebo Entertainment Sponsor -
- Hometown Hauler -
- Partners -
- Mechanical Bull -
- Friend -
- Supporter -
A-1 Electric Service
American Legion Post #150
BCS, Inc.
Cabinetworks Group
EZ Chill
Garage Bar & Bowll
Gilbert Legal
Kelly, Holt & Christenson, PLLC
Knights of Columbus – Waconia
Mini Biff
SLS CPAs
St. Boni Bistro
Waconia Baseball Association
Waconia Hockey Association
Waconia Lions Club
Waconia Veterinary Clinic
- Car Show Trophy & Prize Sponsors-
Thank you sponsors!
Annual Nickle Dickle Day & Street Dance
1,036 runners, 366 classic cars and trucks lining the streets of downtown Waconia, 350 basketball players in 150 games, 120 craft and food vendors in City Square Park, 80 ducks in the Rotary Duck Races, four live bands in two days, and only ONE Nickle Dickle Day!
The 61st Annual Nickle Dickle Day was celebrated in Waconia on September 17, 2022, with the Nickle Dickle Eve Street Dance on September 16.