Calendar of Events
Our programming includes many art classes and events both free and paid for anyone who is passionate about puppetry! Events are typically hosted at different venues around Minneapolis, and include offerings that are all ages, family friendly, as well as programs for kids, tweens and teens. You can subscribe to our enewsletter and stay up to date on all we have to offer.
Groundhog Day Celebration!
"Come enjoy a shadow puppet show, and then stick around to make shadow puppets of your own...
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Finger Puppet Follies
Come see the Finger Puppet Follies: A Valentine's Day Puppet Slam!
Local artists will perform an original, tiny 8-10 minute puppetry piece.
Come see the intricate, the minuscule, the teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy fine art of finger puppets!
Partially funded by Puppet Slam Network.
Valentines Sip & Puppet
Looking for a fun activity for Valentine's Day? Join us for a puppet making workshop at HOBT on Feb. 14th for 3 hours of puppet making, connections and light snacks. We will be making Finger Puppets!
Come back for the Finger Follies in the evening - tickets included in the price of this activity
Finger Puppet Follies
Come see the Finger Puppet Follies: A Valentine's Day Puppet Slam!
Local artists will perform an original, tiny 8-10 minute puppetry piece.
Come see the intricate, the minuscule, the teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy fine art of finger puppets!
Partially funded by Puppet Slam Network.
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
HOBT Summer Puppet Camp: June Session
HOBT Puppet Camp will take place June 22-26, 2026 and August 31-September 4, 2026! Your child will be able to explore the materials and create with others.
HOBT Summer Puppet Camp: August Session
HOBT Puppet Camp will take place June 22-26, 2026 and August 31-September 4, 2026! Your child will be able to explore the materials and create with others.
Puppets in Progress!
Puppets in Progress: a gathering space for artists and puppet enthusiasts.
A space to connect in time and space
A space to share and witness
Third Tuesday of each month. Free. Come join us!
Are You Thirsty?
Are You Thirsty?
A revival of the 2008 performance by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre*.
“Thirsty” just wants a drink of Water! But first they must explore a myriad of questions contained in that one precious sip.
This project is sponsored by the Hennepin History Museum with funds from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, and the Minnesota Department of Health" as part of the Circle of Water exhibit
FREE - All are Welcome!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL - Please sign up for a wait list.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
Winter Solstice
We are partnering with several Twin Cities organizations and artists to bring warmth and light to the shortest day of the year. On December 20th we'll gather from 6-9 pm, meeting at the Powderhorn Park Rec Center.
All events are free, open to the public, and for all ages!
ASL interpreter available at the event
This event is sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation.
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL. - Please sign up for a wait list.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL * Please sign up for a waitlist spot.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
Lantern Workshop
We are partnering with several organizations and artists to host Lantern workshops in the community! Please see flyer for dates, times and locations.
Led by puppetry artists Tara Fahey, Dominique Herskind, Kallie Melvin, Eva Adderley, Malia Burkhart and Heather Hinrich.
This event is sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation.
Trees Are Cool!
Trees are Cool introduces its young audience to a Grandmother Squirrel who teaches us to plant trees for the benefit of future generations. Told through puppetry, song, and even some tree jokes, Trees are Cool is a delightful and educational show that illuminates just how cool trees are.
Free and open to All. Geared towards ages 7-11
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL * Please sign up for a waitlist spot.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for our Free First Saturday Storytime in our new home!
Community Moving Day!
Help us move into our new space! We need help at the Avalon and at our new location and will gladly accept your help for an hour or for the entire time! Click here to sign up!
First Saturday Puppet Storytime
We host a free puppet story hour every 1st Saturday of the month.
Halloween Story Tour
Halloween Story time is back on tour in the Fall! Bring our storyteller cohort to your backyard or basement for some spooky fun! Please fill out this form to book a program or email ekotlyar@hobt.org to request more information!
Puppet Caravan! Come help us move our Puppets!!
Mark your calendars!
We’ll gather for a Puppet Caravan — moving these beloved puppets from the Avalon to their new home. Meet at 10 to move puppets into the trucks/vans ~ we will start our caravan route at 11 am.
We need trucks, vans, and helping hands to carry this legacy forward. Please join us in this chance to honor decades of community art and ensure the puppets keep inspiring future generations.
Be part of this ongoing tradition and help us make new memories with our beloved community.
More info on how to sign up coming very soon!
What size truck or van will you bring to our caravan?
House Party Fundraiser
Join us in the new home of In the Heart of the Beast's art and education programming and the Puppet Library.
HOBT at Open Streets - Hennepin Ave
Come Join us at Open streets on Hennepin!
Our regular Puppet Library hours will resume in November!