Big summer gigs: Minnesota outdoor music guide for 2023
May 31, 2023
Watching live music outdoors on a warm breezy evening is one reason we so readily forgive Minnesota each year for the woes of winter.
We’ve assembled a curated month-by-month schedule to help you craft your summer plans, so get your online calendar pulled up in one tab, and let’s look ahead to some of the biggest shows, festivals, and regular series happening in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Note that thunderstorms and illnesses and broken tour buses happen, so be sure to check for updates before attending.
JUNE
June 1: Series - Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Good Morning Bedlam
Each Thursday, top local musicians grace the Mears Park pavilion with a free performance. Listen to the rustling birch leaves and take in the sounds of Good Morning Bedlam, who kick off the series with support from Trevor Mcspadden & Mary Cutrufello, and Sarah Morris.
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
June 1: Series - Under The Canopy at Hook and Ladder with Immaculate Beings
A spacious and covered concert area makes this series more resilient to chaotic summer weather than most. Hook and Ladder will host the likes of Malamanya, jeremy messersmith, Gully Boys and more on their adjacent outdoor stage. June starts off with The Immaculate Beings, Sleeping Jesus, and Beemer.
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
June 3: Loring Alley Live Music Festival
This new fest is cropping up in Loring Park with a mission to showcase local musicians like Creeping Charlie, D’Lakes, and Zoë Says Go.
Free, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis
June 4: Grand Old Day 2023
Join us at The Grand Stage, powered by The Current, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of great music from local artists including DJ Shannon Blowtorch, Bad Bad Hats, Sophia Eris and The Jayhawks.
Free, 791 Grand Ave., St. Paul
June 4: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Nur-D
Designed for a more intimate patio performance, Hewing Hotel will host local musicians every Sunday on their small rooftop stage, starting with Nur-D.
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
June 7: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden - Innocent Reggae Band
This family-friendly series takes place every Wednesday in front of the glass castle that is Como Park Conservatory. Dance around to Twin Cities musicians like Ty Pow & The Holy North and Eleganza!. All the essentials — hotdogs, ice cream and wine — will be available for purchase.
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
June 8: Series - The Current Happy Hour with Samia at Sociable Cider Werks
Save the dates! The Current is bringing back live music and early evening fun to breweries across the Twin Cities all summer. The Current's hosts will spin some tunes and a band will perform at each event. Each of these casual open-air concerts is free and open to everyone.
Free, 1500 Fillmore St.NE, Minneapolis
June 8: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Malamanya, Maria Isa and more
Music at the Minnesota Zoo returns with a rebrand. After 27 summers of concerts curated by local promoter Sue McLean and Associates, the Zoo has pivoted to genre-based “Wild Nights” such as the June 8 “Global Beats & World Music” with Malamanya, Maria Isa and others. It’s the second of nine themed lineups this summer.
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
June 11: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with The Scarlet Goodbye
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
June 13: Series - Sparkyard Sound at Bauhaus with Grace Potter
Tickets, 1315 Tyler St.NE, Minneapolis
June 14: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with 13 Arrows
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
June 15: Series - Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Kiss The Tiger
with opener Creeping Charlie
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
June 16-17: Pryes Block Party with Tauk Moore, Lissie, Felix Cartel and more
Tickets, 1401 W. River Rd N., Minneapolis
June 16-17: Payne Ave Fest - All Ages Music Festival
Tickets, Payne Ave., St. Paul
June 16-17: Winstock Country Festival
In a town of about 2,000 residents, more than 1,000 volunteers from the community of Winsted, Minnesota organized Winstock, a country music and camping festival. All proceeds from the weekend, which features big-name headliners like Miranda Lambert fund education for students in Winsted and surrounding communities
Tickets, 3233 230th St., Winsted
June 16-17: WE Fest
Every August, some of the biggest names in country music – such as Morgan Wallen and Brad Paisley – descend on Detroit Lakes, Minn., along with 80,000 or so fans. Attendees can bus into the event or choose between nine campgrounds scattered around the 400-acre Soo Pass Ranch.
Tickets, 25526 Co Highway 22, Detroit Lakes
June 17-18: Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Free, Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis
June 18: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Dylan Salfer Band
Tickets, 300 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
June 19: Series - Under The Canopy at Hook and Ladder with JellyBean Johnson, Ricki Monique, Huhroon, and more at Soul of the Southside Juneteeth Festival
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
June 21: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with Ty Pow & The Holy North
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
June 22: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Chastity Brown, DJ Astrolex, and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
June 22: Series - The Current Happy Hour at Sociable Cider Werks with Annie DiRusso
Free, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Minneapolis
June 22: Series - Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Nur-D
with Malamanya
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
June 23: Outlaw Music Fest with Willie Nelson, Molly Tuttle and more
The scenic Somerset Amphitheater will host a star studded lineup of Willie Nelson, Robert Plant & Alison Krausss, Trampled by Turtles, Molly Tuttle, and Particle Kid. Grab your cowboy hat and make the trip, Somerset is less than an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities.
Tickets, 495 Main St., Somerset, WI
June 23-24: Twin Cities Jazz Festival
The annual jazz bonanza stretches across St. Paul, with three free outdoor stages downtown and 15 additional venues showcasing live jazz over the weekend. Mears Park is the heart of the fest, with most other venues within walking distance. Virtual viewers can also livestream the action.
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul, Other Locations Across St. Paul
June 24: Hippo Campus at Bayfront Festival Park
Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth
June 27: Young the Giant at Surly Festival Field
with Milky Chance and Talk
Tickets, Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis
June 28: Series - Under The Canopy at Hook and Ladder with Gully Boys and Why Not
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
June 30: Mason Jennings at Fargo Brewing Company
Fargo is a long drive from the cities but Mason Jennings might just be worth it. This 21-plus event takes place at Fargo Brewing Company.
Tickets, 610 University Drive N., Fargo, ND
JULY
July 1: Ben Folds at Fargo Brewing Company
Tickets, 610 University Drive N., Fargo, ND
July 2-3: Taste of Minnesota
Seasoned foodies will be familiar with Taste of MN, where people flocked to sample local cuisine and culture for 20 years before it went on hiatus in 2015. It’s back in a big way and pairing local food trucks delicacies with performances from Third Eye Blind, Big Boi (of OutKast), and Molly Maher – to name a few. Free rides will be available all day on Metro Transit, and admission doesn’t cost a thing.
Free, 250 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
July 5: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with FLOWTUS
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
July 6: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Cactus Blossoms, Barbaro and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
July 8: Trampled by Turtles with Jenny Lewis at Bayfront Festival Park
Tickets, 350 Harbor Dr. Duluth
July 9: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Dessa (SOLD OUT)
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
July 12: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with Mubbla Buggs
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
July 13: Series: Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with New Standards
with New Primitives
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
July 13: Series - The Current Happy Hour at Surly Brewing Co. with Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Free, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE., Minneapolis
July 14-15: Lakefront Music Fest with Darius Rucker, REO Speedwagon and more
Tickets, 5000 Kop Parkway, Prior Lake
July 14-15: Twin Cities Summer Fest
Everyone’s a winner at Target Field during the inaugural Twin Cities Summer Fest, with big names like the Flaming Lips, the Killers, and Death Cab for Cutie. If you’re wondering what a concert in a baseball field looks like, no space will go to waste with attendees able to choose to camp out close in the pit, on the field, or up in the stadium seats.
Tickets, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis
July 15-16: RiverSong Music Festival
RiverSong returns to the banks of Crow River with a lineup that includes the likes of Turn, Turn, Turn, the Cactus Blossoms, and American Scarecrows. Attendees will find local food and bev vendors on the grounds as well as riverside camping options.
Tickets, 1003 Les Kouba Parkway NW, Hutchinson
July 15: Reggae and World Music Festival at Bayfront Festival Park
Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN
July 16: Series - Down by the Riverside with Charlie Parr
Rochester carries on a tradition of boogying and community building through free Sunday concerts in the park. Charlie Parr sits on their summer lineup stacked with local and national musicians, while local food trucks, craft beer, and electric guitar giveaways serve as icing on the cake.
Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester
July 19: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with Eleganza!
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
July 20: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Joyann Parker Band, Corey Medina & Brothers Band, and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
July 20: Beyonce at Huntington Bank Stadium
Tickets to see Queen Bey on her first solo tour in six years range from $91 to $5,000. The most decorated Grammy winner of all time is touring with her newest masterpiece, Renaissance.
Tickets, 2009 University Ave. SE., Minneapolis
July 21: Series - Under The Canopy at Hook and Ladder with Malamanya and Salsa Brava
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
July 22: Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest
The ethos of Dual Citizen brewhouse comes from its location on the cusp of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This summer, it’s dissolving borders and bringing everyone together for the Cities largest blues and funk festival. Located a block off the Raymond/University Green Line stop, the free fest features a full day of music across two stages from performers like JellyBean Johnson and Kendra Glenn.
Free, 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul
July 23: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Reed Grimm
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
July 26: Series - Groovin’ In The Garden with The Flamin’ Oh’s
Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
July 28: Series - Sparkyard Sound at Bauhaus with Shakey Graves and Lucius
Tickets, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis
July 28-30: The Great Beyond
Yet another new festival, The Great Beyond is curating a very distinct scene – an international house and techno showcase tucked in the picturesque Minnesota River Valley. Organizers want to cultivate a tighter, communal experience but assure that “If things get too weird, you'll still have plenty of space to escape the madness.” Whether you go for Marijuana Deathsquads or the birdwatching, don’t forget your sleeping bag and cash.
Tickets, Minnesota River Valley Sanctuary, Franklin
AUGUST
August 2: Bon Iver at Bayfront Festival Park
Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth
August 3: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Ka Lia, iLLism, and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
August 3: Series: Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Jaedyn James
with Twin Citizen
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
August 5: Indigo Girls Live at the Hilde
Tickets, 3500 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth
August 6: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Jeremy Messersmith
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
August 10: P!NK at Target Field
P!NK is tee’d up to have the only headlining tour date at Target Field this summer, with a knock-out set of high energy openers including Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, as well as Grouplove.
Tickets, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis
August 10: Series: Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Salsa Del Soul
with Ecuador Manta
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
August 12: Pizza Lucé Back to the Block with Dua Saleh, Bad Bad Hats, and more
After a four-year pause, the biggest pizza-music crossover event in the Twin Cities returns. So far, the lineup includes Dua Saleh, Bad Bad Hats, VIAL, Graveyard Club, and Supportive Parents, with more artists to be announced when tickets go on sale June 4.
Tickets, 119 Fourth St. N., Minneapolis
August 12-13: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats at Surly Festival Field
with Thee Sacred Souls
Tickets, Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis
August 13: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with SWAG
Tickets, 300 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
August 17: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with DJ Jake Rudh, Polka Police, and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
August 17: Series - The Current Happy Hour at Wild Mind Ales, Artist TBA
Free, 6031 Pillsbury Ave., Minneapolis
August 17: Series - Sparkyard Sound at Bauhaus with St. Paul & the Broken Bones
Tickets, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis
August 17: Series: Lowertown Sounds at Mears Park with Run Westy Run
with Doug Collins and The Receptionists
Free, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
August 27: Series - Sunday Sessions Rooftop Concert Series with Chris Koza
Tickets, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis
August 31: Series - Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo with Mae Simpson, Frogleg, and more
Tickets, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
August 25 - September 5: Minnesota State Fair
With 900+ performers spanning 12 days, it’d be tough to miss live music at the Great Minnesota Get Together. You can see most of it — including sets from Gully Boys, Nikki Lane, Annie Mack, Malamanya, and The Foxgloves — for free. Or spend an evening at the Grandstand Stage with the likes of Brandi Carlile, the Hold Steady, the Black Keys, the Chicks, Yung Gravy, or Chaka Khan.
More Info, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., Falcon Heights
Find daily live music shows, IRL, online, indoors and out at The Current’s Gig List.
This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.
