Summer is almost here – never too early to be thinking about summer festivals and music in the park series. I’m focused on free events, but a few not-free have likely snuck through my net. 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 a festival or series to add – I’m afraid I can’t take on individual events.
Festivals
- April 27 – May 4: Duluth Homegrown Music Festival
- May 9-10: Midwest Music Fest (Winona)
- May 15-18: Infrared Music Festival (Clarks Grove)
- May 16-18: Art a Whirl (various locations in Northeast Mpls)
- May 16-18: SEMBA Bluegrass Festival (Houston)
- May 18: DEMO (Diverse Emerging Music Organization)
- May 28-30: Flint Hills Family Festival (Mears Park, St Paul not all events are free)
- May 24: Red, White Blues Festival (Waconia)
- May 30-31: Flint Hills Family Festival (St Paul)
- May 30-31: Smokin’ in Steele BBQ and Blues (Owatonna)
- May 30- June 1: Kickoff Jam Bluegrass (Richmond)
- May 31: Hennepin Fest, A women-led music and cultural festival
May 31 – June 1: Front Row Paul Fest! A celebration of life for Paul Engebretson (Palmers)- June 1: Grand Old Day (7:30am-6pm in St Paul)
- June 6-7: Breakaway Music Festival (Saint Paul)
- June 7: Juneteenth Minnesota I (Minneapolis)
- June 7: Northborn Music Festival (Warroad)
- June 11-14: Kick’n Up Kountry (Karlstad)
- June 12: Kingfield PorchFest (Minneapolis)
- June 13: Bridge City Music Festival (Virginia)
- June 14: Delano Sculpture and Blues Fest (10am-4pm)
- June 14-15: Deutsche Tage (German Days) (Germanic American Institute in St Paul)
- June 14-15: Stone Arch Bridge Festival (10am-7pm Sat; 10am-5pm in Mpls)
- June 19-21: Rockin’ Rogers – Rogers
- June 20-21: Twin Cities Jazz Festival Various Locations (not all events are free)
- June 20-21 – Rock the Bayfront Festival (Grandma’s Marathon) (Duluth)
- June 20-21: Winstock Country Music Festival – Winsted
- June 22: Fight for Your Civil Rights (Hook & Ladder Theatre)
- June 28-29: Twin Cities Pride (Loring Park, Mpls)
- July 5: Taste of Minnesota (Minneapolis)
- July 10-12: Vicki’s Camp N Country Jam (Redwood Falls)
- July 10-13: Lutsong Music Festival (Lutsen)
- July 11-12: RiverSong Music Festival (Hutchinson)
- July 11-12: Rhythm of the River Music Festival (Jackson)
- July 11-12: Lakefront Music Fest (Prior Lake)
- July 12: River’s Edge Art & More Fair/Watona Park Blues Festival (Madelia)
- July 12-13:Art Stock Art, Wine and Music Festival (Chaska)
- July 15: Rockin’ Robbins I (Willmar)
- July 17-20 – Lumberjack Days (Stillwater)
- July 18-20: Minnesota Yacht Club Festival (Saint Paul)
- July 17-19: Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival (Duluth)
- July 22: Rockin’ Robbins II (Willmar)
- July 24-27: Recfest Bluegrass Festival (Milaca)
- July 25-27: Palmfest (Minneapolis)
- July 31- Aug 10: Minnesota Fringe Festival (Minneapolis)
- August 1-2: City on the Hill Music Festival (Duluth)
- August 2: NershFest (56 Brewing Co in Mpls)
- August 2: Vintage Band Festival (Northfield)
- August 7-10: Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival (Richmond)
- August 8-9: Lakeside Guitar Festival (Como Lake, St. Paul)
- August 8-10: Bayfront Blues Festival (Duluth)
- August 8-10: Irish Fair of Minnesota (St Paul)
- August 20-24: Lakes Bluegrass Festival (Pine River)
August 21-24: Marshall Sounds of Summer (Marshall) - August 21 – September 1: MN State Fair
- August 22-23: Common Roots Festival (St. Cloud)
- August 22-24: Rural Music Fest (Isle)
- September 6: Grand Rapids Riverfest (Grand Rapids)
- September 18-20: Chroma Zone Mural and Art Festival (St Paul)
- September 20: Powderhorn Porchfest (4-10pm at various locations in South Mpls)
Music Series
St Paul Music in the Park
(Schedules not posted at time of posting.)
- 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)
Minneapolis Music in Parks
(Schedules not posted at time of posting.)
- Bryant Square Park
- The Commons
- Lake Harriet Bandshell
- Minnehaha Bandstand
- Water Works
- Father Hennepin Bluff Park
- Loring Park
Beyond the Twin Cities
- 2025 FORWARD Concert Series in Rochester (various Wednesdays with local artists)
- Brookside Summer Music Series in Marine St. Croix (Saturday and Sunday afternoons)
- Minnesota Original Music Festival in St Peter (various dates between May 8 and Oct 10 – especially July 16-20)
- Silver Bay Free Music in the Park (Fridays starting July 18 – north of Duluth)
- Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo I (Apple Valley various dates between June 13 and Aug 8)
Mostly Minnesota 