Who doesn’t love a free music festival out in the sunshine? I thought the following list would help us all find the most fun we can – starting with festival and then regular or series events. And maybe I’ll see you at a show!
Not all of the schedules had been shared at the time of posting and it is summertime so things apt to change – like the weather. So be sure to check the event website for updates. Finally, please let me know if you have an event to share (festival or series, I’m afraid I can’t take on individual events).
Festivals
- May 17-19: Art a Whirl (various locations in Northeast Mpls)
- May 29-June 1: Flint Hills Family Festival (Mears Park, St Paul not all events are free)
- June 2: Grand Old Day (7:30am-6pm in St Paul)
- June 8: Delano Sculpture and Blues Fest (10am-4pm)
- June 8-9: Deutsche Tage (German Days) (Germanic American Institute in St Paul)
- June 15-16: Stone Arch Bridge Festival (10am-7pm Sat; 10am-5pm in Mpls)
- June 21-22: Twin Cities Jazz Festival Various Locations (not all events are free)
- June 29-30: Twin Cities Pride (Loring Park, Mpls)
- July 13: Fort Road Folk Festival (White Squirrel in St Paul)
- July 16: Minnesota Orchestra International Day of Music (noon to midnight various locations in and near Orchestra Hall in Mpls)
- August 9-10: Lakeside Guitar Festival (Como Lakeside Pavilion_
- August 9: Star Tribune Movies & Music (Harriet Bandshell, Mpls starts at 5:30)
- August 10: NershFest (Inbound Brewco in Mpls)
- August 18 and 20: Mirage Performance Arts (2-2:45pm at Peavy Plaza in Mpls)
- September 21: Powderhorn Porchfest (4-10pm at various locations in South Mpls)
- Mears Park Lunchtime Series (various dates)
- Como Lakeside Pavilion (various dates)
- The St Paul GetDown (hip-hop showcase for young people ages 14 to 24 years old that will take place at different venues in Saint Paul)
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Wednesdays 6–8pm)
- Mear Park Lowertown Sounds (Thursdays 6-9:30pm)
- Rice Park: Summer nights in Rice (Thursdays from 5-7pm)
- City House (various nights 5-8pm)
More St Paul
- Ordway Inside Out (Occasional Saturdays 7pm)
Minneapolis Music in Parks
(Schedules not posted but some events listed on Facebook at time of collection)
- Bryant Square Park
- The Commons
- Lake Harriet Bandshell
- Minnehaha Bandstand
- Water Works
- Father Hennepin Bluff Park
- Loring Park
More Minneapolis
- Meet at Mia: Courtyard Concerts (some Thursdays 5-9pm)
- MNSpin: Musician of the Week (Thursdays noon to 1pm at Peavy Plaza)
- Story Theatre with the Children’s Theatre Company (Saturdays noon to 1pm at Peavy Plaza)
Suburbs
- POP at France (Fridays 4-7pm in Edina)
- Silver Bay Free Music in the Park (Fridays starting July 19 – also not really a suburb, but north of Duluth)
Mostly Minnesota 