6 of the COOLest Outdoor Summer Concerts & Music Festivals in Minnesota – Updated 2019
Summer is in full swing in Minnesota and one pillar of enjoying the season to its fullest is enjoying great outdoor music. From cities that hold weekly summer concerts at local parks to huge music festivals that draw thousands, each summer promises a fantastic lineup of awesome musical acts in the Twin Cities and beyond. Below, you’ll find details for some of the COOLest Minnesota concerts coming to a park or outdoor venue near you this summer—featuring many of our own picks, as well as some insights from our Facebook followers. 1. Music in the Zoo![]() (Photo Credit: City Pages) Upcoming Dates Include: June 15, 22, 23, 26; July 2, 3, 10, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 28; Aug. 2, 7, 9, 10, 24, 25, 28 Location: The Minnesota Zoo’s Weesner Family Amphitheater, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124 Details: From indie rock to country and nearly everything in between, Music in the Zoo t offers a variety of musical acts for anyone looking for Minneapolis summer festivals this year. The Minnesota Zoo launched Music in the Zoo a few years back, and it’s been a hit every year since. This summer, a number of concerts are hitting the stage, including: I’m With Her, Robert Earl Keen, The Lone Bellow, and Gaelic Storm. Tickets: Buy tickets. Website: http://mnzoo.org/plan-your-visit/music-zoo/ 2. The Basilica Block Party![]() (Photo Credit: Basilica Block Party Facebook page) Dates: July 12-13, 2019 Location: Basilica of Saint Mary — Downtown Minneapolis Details: For two days, across three stages, nearly two dozen acts will play under the sun and stars with the Basilica of Saint Mary serving as their backdrop at the annual Basilica Block Party. The outdoor Minneapolis music festival started in 1995 as a way to raise funds to pay for the restoration of the Basilica. Today, in addition to using the funds to pay for restoration costs, some of the proceeds also go to the Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need. Sponsored by local radio station Cities 97, the music played at Basilica Block Party can be heard from anywhere in town. A few of this year’s guest performers include: Kacey Musgraves, Jason Mraz, CHVRCHES, and JOHNNYSWIM. Tickets: Buy tickets. Website: http://basilicablockparty.org/ 3. Bayfront Festival Park Summer Concerts![]() (Photo Credit: Bayfront Festival Park Facebook page) Upcoming Dates Include: Monday-Wednesday, 3-7 p.m., June 1 – Sept. 11, 2019 Location: Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802 Details: Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park is stacked with concerts and festivals throughout the summer. Some of the COOLest summer concerts and music festivals coming up this year include: Trampled By Turtles, Steve Miller Band and Marty Stuart, Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival, City on the Hill Music Festival, and the Bayfront Blues Festival. Tickets: Get ticket information. Website: https://bayfrontfestivalpark.com/ 4. Lakefront Music Fest![]() (Photo Credit: Explore Minnesota) Dates: July 12-13, 2019 Location: Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Parkway S.E., Prior Lake, MN 55372 Details: 2019 marks the Prior Lake Rotary’s 10th Annual Lakefront Music Festival, and you don’t want to miss it. Each year, the first night of the event is dedicated to rock music, and the second is dedicated to country music—so there’s a little bit of something for almost everyone. This year’s rock lineup includes Steve Miller Band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. The country music lineup features Brad Paisley, Chris Lane, and Riley Green. Tickets: Buy tickets. Website: http://www.lakefrontmusicfest.com/ 5. Irish Fair of Minnesota![]() (Photo Credit: IrishFair.com) Dates: July 11, 2019 Location: Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul, 251 Plato Blvd. W. Details: Suggested by Michael K. on our Facebook page, the Irish Fair of Minnesota is the largest free Irish music fair in the entire country, according to the organizers’ website. Fans from near and far can listen to this one-of-a-kind, celtic-inspired music while drinking a Guinness and catching up with their lads and ladies. The musical lineup at this year’s outdoor event includes We Banjo 3, Screaming Orphans, Doolin’, Aoife Scott, The High Kings, and The Fitzgeralds (talk about an Irish name…). Tickets: Free admission Website: http://www.irishfair.com/ 6. The Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Concert Series![]() (Photo Credit: Minnesota State Fair website) Date: Aug. 22 – Sept. 2, 2019 Location: Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave., St Paul, MN 55108 Details: The Minnesota State Fair has been dubbed “The Great Minnesota Get-Together” — and for good reason. The local fair is known for offering anything you can eat on a stick — including twinkies, Pronto pups, cheese curds, spaghetti, and even alligator. The annual event also features fantastic music throughout the grounds, as well as big-name concert acts at the Grandstand all week long. This year’s Grandstand Concert lineup at the Minnesota State Fair features Hootie & the Blowfish, Why Don’t We, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins & Clint Black, Tommy James and the Shondells, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Logic, Lionel Richie, and Brandi Carlile. Tickets: Buy tickets. Website: http://www.mnstatefair.org/ BONUS: Twin Cities Area Music in the Parks EventsThe Minneapolis summer concerts and festivals listed above are sure to knock it out of the park (no pun intended). But, there are a number of other nearby cities throughout Minnesota hosting free summer concert series, as well. Below, check out a collection of some of those events. Click on the name of the event to get more information.
Happy Listening! There are hundreds of concerts happening throughout the great state of Minnesota this summer. Whether you tune into Cities 97 to get to know the Basilica Block Party lineup each year, or you prefer to head to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand for some good, old-fashioned classic rock, if you’re looking for Minneapolis summer concerts, look no further than the list above. Or, check out concertful.com — which features a detailed list of concerts in your area. We truly hope you’re able to get out and enjoy some music in Minnesota this summer. If you find your way to one of the outdoor concerts or festivals listed above, we’d love it if you shared a photo or two with us on Facebook or Twitter. And if you’re looking to stay cool in your home this summer, we’re here for you. Schedule air conditioner repairs today, or with questions. New |
Summer is in full swing in Minnesota and one pillar of enjoying the season to its fullest is enjoying great outdoor music.
From cities that hold weekly summer concerts at local parks to huge music festivals that draw thousands, each summer promises a fantastic lineup of awesome musical acts in the Twin Cities and beyond. Below, you’ll find details for some of the COOLest Minnesota concerts coming to a park or outdoor venue near you this summer—featuring many of our own picks, as well as some insights from our Facebook followers.
(Photo Credit: City Pages)
Upcoming Dates Include: June 15, 22, 23, 26; July 2, 3, 10, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 28; Aug. 2, 7, 9, 10, 24, 25, 28
Location: The Minnesota Zoo’s Weesner Family Amphitheater, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Details: From indie rock to country and nearly everything in between, Music in the Zoo t offers a variety of musical acts for anyone looking for Minneapolis summer festivals this year. The Minnesota Zoo launched Music in the Zoo a few years back, and it’s been a hit every year since. This summer, a number of concerts are hitting the stage, including: I’m With Her, Robert Earl Keen, The Lone Bellow, and Gaelic Storm.
Tickets: Buy tickets.
Website: http://mnzoo.org/plan-your-visit/music-zoo/
(Photo Credit: Basilica Block Party Facebook page)
Dates: July 12-13, 2019
Location: Basilica of Saint Mary — Downtown Minneapolis
Details: For two days, across three stages, nearly two dozen acts will play under the sun and stars with the Basilica of Saint Mary serving as their backdrop at the annual Basilica Block Party. The outdoor Minneapolis music festival started in 1995 as a way to raise funds to pay for the restoration of the Basilica. Today, in addition to using the funds to pay for restoration costs, some of the proceeds also go to the Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need. Sponsored by local radio station Cities 97, the music played at Basilica Block Party can be heard from anywhere in town. A few of this year’s guest performers include: Kacey Musgraves, Jason Mraz, CHVRCHES, and JOHNNYSWIM.
Tickets: Buy tickets.
Website: http://basilicablockparty.org/
(Photo Credit: Bayfront Festival Park Facebook page)
Upcoming Dates Include: Monday-Wednesday, 3-7 p.m., June 1 – Sept. 11, 2019
Location: Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802
Details: Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park is stacked with concerts and festivals throughout the summer. Some of the COOLest summer concerts and music festivals coming up this year include: Trampled By Turtles, Steve Miller Band and Marty Stuart, Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival, City on the Hill Music Festival, and the Bayfront Blues Festival.
Tickets: Get ticket information.
Website: https://bayfrontfestivalpark.com/
(Photo Credit: Explore Minnesota)
Dates: July 12-13, 2019
Location: Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Parkway S.E., Prior Lake, MN 55372
Details: 2019 marks the Prior Lake Rotary’s 10th Annual Lakefront Music Festival, and you don’t want to miss it. Each year, the first night of the event is dedicated to rock music, and the second is dedicated to country music—so there’s a little bit of something for almost everyone. This year’s rock lineup includes Steve Miller Band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. The country music lineup features Brad Paisley, Chris Lane, and Riley Green.
Tickets: Buy tickets.
Website: http://www.lakefrontmusicfest.com/
(Photo Credit: IrishFair.com)
Dates: July 11, 2019
Location: Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul, 251 Plato Blvd. W.
Details: Suggested by Michael K. on our Facebook page, the Irish Fair of Minnesota is the largest free Irish music fair in the entire country, according to the organizers’ website. Fans from near and far can listen to this one-of-a-kind, celtic-inspired music while drinking a Guinness and catching up with their lads and ladies. The musical lineup at this year’s outdoor event includes We Banjo 3, Screaming Orphans, Doolin’, Aoife Scott, The High Kings, and The Fitzgeralds (talk about an Irish name…).
Tickets: Free admission
Website: http://www.irishfair.com/
(Photo Credit: Minnesota State Fair website)
Date: Aug. 22 – Sept. 2, 2019
Location: Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave., St Paul, MN 55108
Details: The Minnesota State Fair has been dubbed “The Great Minnesota Get-Together” — and for good reason. The local fair is known for offering anything you can eat on a stick — including twinkies, Pronto pups, cheese curds, spaghetti, and even alligator. The annual event also features fantastic music throughout the grounds, as well as big-name concert acts at the Grandstand all week long. This year’s Grandstand Concert lineup at the Minnesota State Fair features Hootie & the Blowfish, Why Don’t We, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins & Clint Black, Tommy James and the Shondells, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Logic, Lionel Richie, and Brandi Carlile.
Tickets: Buy tickets.
Website: http://www.mnstatefair.org/
The Minneapolis summer concerts and festivals listed above are sure to knock it out of the park (no pun intended). But, there are a number of other nearby cities throughout Minnesota hosting free summer concert series, as well. Below, check out a collection of some of those events. Click on the name of the event to get more information.
Happy Listening!
There are hundreds of concerts happening throughout the great state of Minnesota this summer. Whether you tune into Cities 97 to get to know the Basilica Block Party lineup each year, or you prefer to head to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand for some good, old-fashioned classic rock, if you’re looking for Minneapolis summer concerts, look no further than the list above. Or, check out concertful.com — which features a detailed list of concerts in your area.
We truly hope you’re able to get out and enjoy some music in Minnesota this summer. If you find your way to one of the outdoor concerts or festivals listed above, we’d love it if you shared a photo or two with us on Facebook or Twitter.
And if you’re looking to stay cool in your home this summer, we’re here for you. Schedule air conditioner repairs today, or with questions.
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