Sun-soaked days, warm nights, and the vibrant energy of live music– summer in Minneapolis is synonymous with outdoor concerts. Whether you crave chart-topping hits, genre-bending jams, or free community gatherings under the stars, the Twin Cities offer a diverse lineup to tantalize your musical taste buds. So grab your picnic blanket, dust off your lawn chair, and get ready to experience the magic of live music outdoors with our guide to 10 unforgettable outdoor concerts in Minneapolis.
1. Surly Brewing Festival Field
A Minneapolis favorite, and not only for its beer, the stage at Surly Brewing brings the best music to its backyard. This year, the lineup is absolutely amazing, with Nickel Creek & Andrew Bird, Mt. Joy, The Black Pumas, and Lake Street Dive as headliners. The concerts will take place on various dates from July to September from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. So, grab your friends and rock it out this summer with a Surly in hand, of course!
🎵 July 13: Nickel Creek & Andrew Bird
🎵 August 6: Mt. Joy
🎵 September 11: The Black Pumas
🎵 September 28: Lake Street Dive
2. Candlelight Summer concerts
If what you are looking is for a laid-back atmosphere, we have you! The renowned candlelight concerts, Candlelight are coming this season with their summer format. Think of a magical string quartet playing your favorite songs under a starry night while surrounded by a sea of candles — Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it? Grab tickets for their Open Air concert at Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens this July 11. And if you’re looking to make it a road trip, then check out their Sioux Falls concert on August 2.
3. Minnesota Yacht Club Festival
Did someone say Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morrisette, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers? This year, the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is coming in hot with the contagious music of its headliners. On two consecutive days, July 19 and 20, Harriet Island Regional Park will transform into a dance floor for all looking to let go and vibe this summer. With 20+ artists on the lineup across two stages, enjoy every second of your favorite artists, as there will be no overlapping sets on this river bank.
🎵 July 19: Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morrisette, The Black Crowes, and more
🎵 July 20: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Offspring, Hippo Campus, and more
4. Basilica Block Party
A Minneapolis favorite, the Basilica Block Party is back this summer with more music than ever. On August 2 and 3, head to Boom Island Park for a nonstop party all day long. With headliners Goo Goo Dolls, Counting Crows, The Fray, and Needtobreathe, this block party promises to be one of the best outdoor concerts in Minneapolis this summer.
🎵 August 2: Goo Goo Dolls, The Fray, Dean Lewis, and more
🎵 August 3: Counting Crows, Needtobreathe, Judah & The Lion, and more
5. Minnesota State Fair
Is summer really summer without a visit to the Minnesota State Fair? From August 22 to September 22, Minnesota becomes the capital of music and entertainment with more than 900 shows and 100 acts on 12 days & nights of unbelievable fun. Enjoy incredible free concerts by Maggie Rose, Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones Classics, Moon Taxi, Phil Vassar, Semisonic, The War & Treaty, and more with your State Fair admission. And for those wanting to splurge a bit more Latin diva Becky G, Chance the Rapper, Blake Shelton, Ludacris & T-Pain, Mötley Crüe, and more are part of this year’s lineup at the Grandstand Stage.
🎵 August 22: Becky G
🎵 August 23: Chance The Rapper
🎵 August 24: Nate Bargatze
🎵 August 25: Blake Shelton with special guest Emily Ann Roberts
🎵 August 26: Happy Together Tour 2024 ft. The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and The Cowsills
🎵 August 27: Ludacris & T-Pain
🎵 August 28: Jon Pardi with special guest MacKenzie Porter
🎵 August 29: Mötley Crüe
🎵 August 30: Matchbox Twenty with special guest Beauty School Dropout
🎵 August 31: Stephen Sánchez
🎵 September 1: Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals (Free admission)
🎵 September 2: Kidz Bop Live (3:00 p.m.)
6. Under the Canopy
From July 11 to August 3, The Hook & Ladder Theatre & Lounge is coming back with their acclaimed Under the Canopy concerts. Featuring folk sensation Lissie, tributes to Sly & The Family Stone, as well as nights full of reggae and ’90s dance. Concert tickets start at $25. Ready to make the most out of this season’s outdoor concerts in Minneapolis?
🎵 July 11: LISSIE (Duo) with guest Tyler Ramsey
🎵 July 12: LISSIE (Full Band) with guest LAAMAR (Duo)
🎵 July 13: Flamin’ Ohs with guest Annie & The Bang Bang
🎵 July 14: Wipe Out Summer Surf Fest with The Surfaris + Tony Andreason of The Trashmen & The Surf Dawgs plus Black Widows, The Swongos, & more
🎵 July 26: 90’s Dance Night: You Oughta Know with The 90’s Preservation Society
🎵 July 27: ELnO, Slippery People with DJ TimeMachine
🎵 August 2: Dr. Mambo’s Combo: Tribute to Sly & The Family Stone, Rufus & Chaka Khan
🎵 August 3: Built To Last Festival ‘Jerry Day’ 2024
7. Groovin’ in the Garden
June was gone in the blink of an eye and at the rate we are going it looks like July is going at the same pace. That’s why you should take advantage of what’s left of the iconic free outdoor concerts offered by Groovin’ in the Garden. From July 10-24, you have a date in front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, so pack your favorite snacks, your dancing shoes, and the biggest blanket you have because this summer Minnesota is partying nonstop. Concerts start at 6 p.m.
🎵July 10: The Foxgloves – Folk & Americana, & Country Twang
🎵July 17: Ben Cook-Feltz – Americana, Folk, Indie, Pop, Rock
🎵July 24: School of Rock –St. Paul & Plymouth House Bands
8. Wild Nights
Make the most out of your visit to the Minnesota Zoo with Wild Nights. On select Fridays, music takes center stage in a night full of fun for adults only. Enjoy a unique evening exploring the animal trails and habitats, the Treetop trail, and finish up with vibrant live music at the Amphitheater and Upper Plaza stage. Wandering musicians will be playing throughout the zoo from 6 to 8 p.m. Artisan vendors, food and drinks will be available on-site.
🎵 July 12: Caitlyn Smith & World According to Garth
🎵 July 26: Kiss the Tiger & MallRats
🎵 August 9: Nur-D & Chase & Ovation: A Salute to the Music of Prince
9. WE Fest
Dust off your favorite cowboy boots and wrangle up your hat – WE Fest is back to Detroit Lake from August 1 to 3. This summer’s gonna be a boot-scootin’ good time with headliners like Jelly Roll, Parker McCollum, and Eric Church. Don’t miss out on one of the most fun outdoor concerts in Minneapolis this summer.
🎵 August 1: Jelly Roll, Koe Wetzel, Warren Zeiders, The Bellamy Brothers, and Lauren Watkins
🎵 August 2: Parker McCollum, Carly Pearce, Trace Adkins, Lonestar, and Stephen Wilson Jr.
🎵 August 3: Eric Church, Elle King, Paul Cauthen, Jackson Dean, and Tanner Adell
10. Lowertown Sounds
Clear out your calendar because from July 11 to September 12, Lowertown Sounds is back! St. Paul’s Mears Park will become stage for more than 20 bands that will play from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bring you funky blanket and lawn chair and enjoy free live music under the night sky. There will be plenty of food trucks to satisfy all your cravings after an evening spent dancing.
🎵 July 11: Mary Bue with The High 48s
🎵 July 18: The Orange Goodness with Tom, Dick & Harry
🎵 July 25: Rogue Valley with Maygen & The Birdwatcher
🎵 August 1: Annie and The Bang Bang with Keep for Cheap
🎵 August 8: Champagne Confetti with Barlow
🎵 August 15: Flamin’ Oh’s with Pullstring
🎵 August 22: Salsa del Soul with Tropical Zone Orchestra
🎵 August 29: Dan Rodríguez with Becky Kapell and Lonesome Dan Kase
🎵 September 12: The New Standards with Laamar