This Week at The Lake 1/19/26
Here’s a local guide to events, attractions, community happenings, and issues around Lake Minnetonka and the western Twin Cities suburbs from Monday, January 19 through Thursday, January 22, 2026
📅 Scheduled Events & Activities
🎶 Music & Performance
Wayzata Symphony Orchestra – “From Stage to Screen”
An afternoon orchestral performance featuring music from theater and cinema. Free and open to the public — a great indoor community event for the season.
🎨 Arts, Workshops & Museum Activities
Bob Ross Painting Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 22 • 5:00–9:00 PM — A hands-on workshop at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, focusing on winter landscapes in the wet-on-wet style. Great for adults looking to try something creative.
🤝 Community & Civic Meetings
Local municipal calendars show several city government meetings this week in Minnetonka:
Tuesday, Jan. 20 • 6:00 PM — Sustainability Commission Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 22 • 6:00 PM — Planning Commission Meeting
(These are regular community governance meetings open to residents and often include public comment.)
💡 Tip: You can check agendas and participation details on the City of Minnetonka website if you want to attend or speak.
🧤 Winter Attractions & Ongoing Activities
Even if specific organized events are limited this week, the region offers plenty of seasonal and recreational options:
❄️ Winter Outdoor Fun
Ice skating, sledding and board-walk strolls — Local parks and community rinks around Lake Minnetonka are typically open this time of year (weather permitting).
Dakota Rail Regional Trail — A multi-use trail perfect for brisk winter walks or bike rides when clear of snow.
🛍️ Shopping & Indoor Leisure
Ridgedale Center (Minnetonka) — A major local mall with shopping, dining, and indoor activities — good for adults and families during colder weather.
🖼️ Museums & Cultural Stops
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens — Offers ongoing museum exhibits and craft activities (check current schedule).
🗞️ Local Issues & Community Context
⚖️ Regional Concerns About Federal Enforcement
Ongoing immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and St. Paul are having spillover effects on surrounding suburbs, including Minnetonka and Wayzata:
Local business owners and residents have raised concerns at recent city council meetings about federal agency activities and economic impacts in the metro area.
🏛️ Civic Engagement
Residents are discussing attending Minnetonka City Council meetings to voice concerns about community impacts and public safety issues tied to broader regional tensions.
🛶 Year-Round Attractions & Things to Do
Even mid-January has plenty to enjoy around Lake Minnetonka:
Historic Steamboat Minnehaha (display/interpretive site) — Look into local preservation efforts and history around this early 20th-century steamboat.
Wayzata Depot Museum & Lakefront — Great for a winter lakeside walk combined with local history.
Local trails, parks, and lakeside strolls — The lake’s setting remains scenic in winter and popular for photography and fresh air.