Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
9:00 AM | Eagan, MN
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Through your amazing efforts, we raised vital funds and awareness to sustain and expand our local Best Buddies programs. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. With your support, our mission of friendship and inclusion is stronger than ever!
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
Use this section to insert custom content.
See More Event Details
Join Us at the 6th Annual Best Buddies Minnesota Friendship Walk at Viking Lakes!
We are so excited to bring the Best Buddies Friendship Walk to the Viking Lakes campus in Eagan this year (home to the Minnesota Vikings’ headquarters!) for a celebration that is bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever! All funds raised will benefit the Best Buddies mission and programs in Minnesota.
NEW! Raise $500 and get access to the VIP Tent! An exclusive experience to say thank you to those who go above and beyond to make inclusion happen. Premium food, fresh coffee, Best Buddies swag, giveaways, shade, special guest visits and more.
Important Event Information:
- Registration: All event attendees MUST register.
- It is very helpful for our planning team if you register in advance, however, if you are not able to register before the event, please visit the registration tent once you arrive to register onsite.
- T-Shirt Pick-Up: Every registered walker who raises $50 or more, gets an exclusive 2025 Friendship Walk t-shirt! You can pick up your t-shirt at the T-Shirt Pick-Up tent on event day.
- Food: We’ll provide light snacks and water for you to enjoy after the Walk (think bananas, chips, granola bars, popsicles, etc.) and concessions will be available for purchase. Additional food and drinks will be offered in the VIP tent for those that raise $500 or more!
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed at Viking Lakes but must be leashed and owners must pick up after their dogs.
- Weather: We will walk rain or shine so please come prepared with sunscreen or umbrellas! If there is lightning, the event will be cancelled.
Directions & Parking:
The entrance of our event is next to the Vikings Museum, and you can park in either the ramp located next to the museum or the surface lot in front of Twin Cities Orthopedics. There is also a small surface lot in front of the museum that will be designated for accessible parking. You can access all parking areas from Vikings Parkway and Vikings Circle. Parking is free.
What to Expect:
Whether you’re walking, rolling, dancing, or cheering from the sidelines, this event is all about inclusion, friendship, and FUN!
The Walk
The Friendship Walk is less than one mile and fully accessible. Take a stroll on the paved path around the two Viking Lakes with hundreds of passionate supporters, Best Buddies participants, and local champions of inclusion.
Activities & Entertainment Galore
Face painting? Check. Therapy llamas? You bet. Yard games, arts and crafts, and interactive vendor booths? Absolutely. The popular POUND fitness classes will be back this year, along with Opening Ceremonies, mission moments and music from DJ Omaur Bliss all event long. Whether you’re 5 or 75, there’s no shortage of fun to dive into before and after the walk!
Photo Ops Everywhere
Strike a pose at one of our Instagram-worthy stations, snap a selfie with your buddy, or grab a group pic with your team—don’t forget to tag us @bestbuddiesmn and spread the love!
Celebrate Friendships That Change Lives
At its heart, this walk is about celebrating the magic of Best Buddies— friendships, inclusive leadership training and lifelong connection. You’ll hear inspiring stories, meet amazing participants, and witness firsthand the impact you’re helping create.
Accessibility Statement:
This event is wheelchair-accessible and accessible parking is available. Portions of this event will include loud sounds and music. We will have a sensory area available inside near the Vikings Museum with noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, and other supports available to use.
Best Buddies in Minnesota is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event for all. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Kai Walsh at KaiWalsh@bestbuddies.org.
We can’t wait to walk for inclusion with you!
Schedule
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Check-In Opens: 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 10:15 AM
Walk Begins: 10:30 AM
Celebrate Until: 1:00 PM
Location
Viking Lakes at TCO Performance Center
2685 Vikings Circle
Eagan, MN 55121
Event Contact
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Fundraising Rankings
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Below are the rankings of the top 100 individuals and teams for this year’s event.
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship and general event questions:
KateyDeMarais@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in Minnesota 4570 W 77th Street Suite 240 Edina, MN 55435
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy