Food, song, dance, beer, history, heritage and fireworks — from either end of downtown, St. Paul is the place to be this weekend.

The huge celebration of the state Capitol renovation takes place all around the state grounds from Friday through Sunday. Those same days, the huge Irish Fair of Minnesota (details below) takes place on the other end of downtown at Harriet Island Friday through Sunday.

Here’s a bit about what’s planned for each.

STATE CAPITOL GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

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Seventh annual Little Africa Fest returns virtually Three days of events and activities celebrating years of construction and work on the first major renovation of the Minnesota Capitol start with blessings and a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Friday. Tours start at 10 a.m., and Friday festivities include raising the rotunda chandelier at 8 p.m. and a Prince Dance Party at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday tours and events start at 10 a.m. and wrap up with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., following a concert by Cloud Cult and Polica on the front lawn of the Capitol. The fireworks will be choreographed to an all-Minnesota music soundtrack of 17 songs by 17 Minnesota artists.

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Also on Saturday, the Cap Untapped happy hour, on the Capitol lawn from 4 to 6 p.m., will feature beer from 30 Minnesota breweries.

On Sunday, sing along at Bring the Sing on the Capitol Green, presented by Classical MPR and VocalEssence, and listen to the Sounds of Blackness.

Each day starts with yoga on the Capitol lawn, a Kids Zone, “Hotdish” lectures and exclusive tours of the fully restored Capitol.

HOW TO GET THERE

Metro Transit will provide free rides to the Capitol on Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the celebration is free.

For more info, a free transit pass and a complete schedule, go to mn.gov/mymncapitol.

IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA

With 100,000 folks attending every year, the annual Irish Fair of Minnesota is one of the largest free celebrations of its kind in the United States.

Friday through Sunday, Harriet Island will be the place to find Irish music, dance, sports, dogs and food. There’s a children’s tent, speakers’ tent, tea room and the always-popular Best Legs in a Kilt Contest.

Three entertainment stages feature Irish music from bands including We Banjo 3, Eileen Ivers, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Socks in the Frying Pan, Screaming Orphans, Aoife Scott and Katie McMahon.

The Celtic Kitchen is new to the fair, which is in its 38th year. Set at the Harriet Island Pavilion’s riverside patio, the kitchen will feature food demonstrations, samplings and chef competitions throughout the weekend.

Irish Fair is from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

For more info, including music schedules and registration for the Zero K three-foot “race” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, go to IrishFair.com.

HOW TO GET THERE

Free metro transit passes to Irish Fair are available at IrishFair.com. Shuttle buses will transport festival-goers from the Green Line to Harriet Island.