This spring, homeowners, design enthusiasts, and curious neighbors will once again step inside some of the Twin Cities’ most inspiring renovations as the MSP Home Tour returns May 2–3, 2026. The free, self-guided event invites visitors to explore remodeled homes across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding suburbs, offering a rare look at how residents are reimagining spaces of every age, size, and budget.
Now in its 37th year, the tour continues its tradition of showcasing real homes lived in by real people — not staged showpieces. From modest kitchen updates to ambitious whole-house transformations, the event highlights practical inspiration alongside creative design. Sustainability improvements, accessibility features, and historically sensitive restorations remain central themes, reflecting the evolving priorities of homeowners across the metro.
According to Beatrice Owen, executive director of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry – Minnesota Chapter, one of the most exciting aspects of this year’s tour is the strong representation of older homes. With deferred maintenance becoming a growing concern nationwide, she says it’s encouraging to see homeowners investing in the long-term care of their properties, whether they’re historic or just full of history.
“These older homes tell a story,” Owen notes. “When people maintain and update them thoughtfully, it helps other homeowners imagine what’s possible in their own spaces.”
Another notable focus for 2026 is the celebration of neighborhoods themselves. In recent months, Owen says, the Twin Cities have seen powerful examples of neighbors supporting one another — something organizers wanted to reflect in the tour’s messaging. By inviting visitors into lived-in homes, the event emphasizes not just architecture, but the communities that surround and support it.
“We want people to come out, see these homes, and celebrate the neighbors,” Owen explains. “Community is one of Minnesota’s defining strengths, and this tour shows how that spirit lives inside our homes as much as outside them.”
Perhaps the biggest development this year, however, is the launch of City Stories, a new ten-day initiative designed to broaden how residents and visitors engage with the region’s built environment. Led in partnership with Rethos: Places Reimagined, the program positions the MSP Home Tour as the “home opener” of a larger celebration of architecture, design, and cultural heritage.
The festival will culminate with Doors Open Minneapolis the following weekend, while the days in between will feature walking tours, expert talks, and explorations of how the Twin Cities’ landscape developed over time. One planned presentation will examine the role of the Mississippi River in shaping settlement patterns, industry, and neighborhood growth — connecting historic geography to the homes people inhabit today.
For Owen, City Stories represents an opportunity to shift how people think about tourism in Minnesota. While the state is often associated with lakes and outdoor recreation, she believes its architectural and cultural assets deserve equal attention.
“We have an incredible built environment here,” she says. “This is about inviting people to see it, understand it, and appreciate the creativity and care that define our communities.”
As always, the Home Tour remains free and education-focused, with homeowner conversations and professional seminars offering insights for anyone considering a renovation. But this year, the event also serves as a gateway — not just into homes, but into the history, design, and shared identity of the Twin Cities themselves.
And for one spring weekend, that door is wide open.