Summer Music Series

There are a large number of free music opportunities across the Twin Cities in the summer. As Memorial Day is the kick off to the season, here is a (very) non-exhaustive guide to music around the Twin Cities, focused mostly on Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

One day or weekend events of note

First up is Grand Old Day in Saint Paul, coming up quickly on June 1st; details at grandave.com and it’s good to have this event back.

Later in June, on the weekend of the 14-15th, is the Stone Arch Bridge Festival in Minneapolis. They’ve yet to announce the music acts, but you can find out more at stonearchbridgefestival.com as they update soon.

Officially June 20-21st, but with unofficial events on the 19th and 22nd, the Twin Cities Jazz Fest is another annual event. This takes place at multiple locations including Mears Park, Berlin, Crooners Supper Club and others. Learn more at twincitiesjazzfestival.com but note that some events in the Thursday and Sunday may have cover charges.

Music series of note

Minneapolis Music in the Parks is an incredibly full schedule across eight locations in Minneapolis from Lake Harriet Bandshell to Bryant Square Park. The full schedule can be found at minneapolisparks.organd events have already begun.

In Saint Paul, the Como Lakeside Pavillion Summer Concert Series is very similar to Minneapolis Music in the Parks. You can find the full schedule of events at dockandpaddle.comand is already in full swing.

Lowertown Sounds hosts an annual music series in Mears Park in downtown St. Paul with some of the best bands in the Twin Cities. This year kicks off on June 12th with Flamin’ Oh’s and ends in mid-August with Yam Haus. Find out more at lowertownsounds.com but this is a pretty special series.

Lastly, local radio station The Current hosts The Current’s Happy Hours series. This has the largest geographical spread, with shows in Rochester, St. Joseph, and even one in Fargo! However, most are in the Twin Cities, with the kickoff being Thursday, May 29th at Nine Mile Brewing in Bloomington, with Seattle band Deep Sea Diver performing at 6pm. Find out more at thecurrent.org … and we will try to get to some of these shows.

Grand Old Day Schedule

The Grand Stage (located at Grand Ave & Avon St.) 12:30pm – FènixDion 1:30pm – Yonder 3:00pm – Them Coulee Boys 4:00pm – The Cactus Blossoms Homegrown Stage (located at Grand Ave & Victoria St.) 11:00am – The Cellar Dwellers 12:00pm – The Goombas 1:00pm – The Scarlet Goodbye 2:15pm – Ladies of the 80s 3:30pm – 13 Arrows 4:45pm – The 4onthefloor

Vibes Stage (located at Grand Ave & Snelling Ave) 11:00am – Trevor McSpadden 12:15pm – Maryann and the Money Makers 1:15pm – T. Mychael Rambo 2:30pm – Mike Munson 3:45pm – Brandon Commodore’s NRG 5:00pm – Ashley DuBose Youth Performance Stage (located at Family Fun Zone in Kowalski’s lot) Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project

Nothing But Canna Stage (located at Grand Ave & Grotto) International Reggae Allstars ft. Singing Tony Music starts at 11:00 AM and continues throughout the day 2:00–6:00 PM: Music on Grand LIVE Featuring performances by instructors from Music on Grand, including: Conor Lee ft. Max Johnk Cassandra Johnson One Big Quilt ft. Owen McGreevy Third Date ft. Anna Hare Oceanographer ft. Val Lowry-Ortega

Live and Local Stage (located at Grand Ave & Milton) Devotion – Times TBD Miloe Lasalle Dem Atlas Poetic Roots Obi Original 0308 School of Rock Stage (located at Grand Ave between Oxford St. and Lexington Pkwy) 11:00am – St. Paul House Band 12:30pm – Eden Prairie House Band 1:45pm -St. Paul Youth Road Crew 3:30pm – Plymouth House Band 4:45pm – St. Paul House Band

Twin Cities Jazz (June 20-21, 2025)

Twin Cities Jazz

Friday – June 20

Emmet Cohen Trio

Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans

Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra, feat Jennifer Grimm

Jazz on 5th Street Stage

Saturday – June 21

Catherine Russell

L.A. Buckner & Big Homie

Patty Peterson presents Jazz Women All Star

Society Of Chemists

Walker West & MacPhail Student Musicians

Music in the Park 2025

Music in the Park 2025

06/24 Jeff Dayton

07/01 Salsa Del Soul

07/08 Westwind Big Band

07/15 Minneapolis Commodores

07/22 Tumblin Dice

07/29 Two Sundays Big Band

08/05 Rooms on Fire

08/12 Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band

08/19 Bavarian Musikmeisters

08/26 Brio Brass

Movies in the Park 2025

08/28 Inside Out 2

09/05 The Wild Robot

09/12 If

Como Lakeside Pavillion Summer Concert Series

Como Lakeside Pavillion Summer Concert Series

May 26, 2025 Minnesota State Band

May 26, 2025 Roseville Community Band

May 27, 2025 Twin Cities Academy

May 28, 2025 Brass Union

May 29, 2025 Initials Game Live Presented by Pryes Brewing Co.

May 30, 2025 Parkview Center School Jazz Band

May 30, 2025 Imaginary Numbers

All shows are free, unless otherwise noted

Lowertown Sounds 2025

Lowertown Sounds 2025

06/12 Flamin’ Oh’s

with Faith Boblett and Lonesome Dan Kase

06/19 The New Standards & Friends

with Tina Schlieske

06/26 Dr Mambo’s Combo

with Purple Funk Metropolis

07/10 Dan Rodriguez

with Becky Kapell

07/17 Annie and the Bang Bang

with Maria and the Coins

07/24 Turn Turn Turn

with Molly Brandt

07/31 Salsa Del Soul

with Alma Andina

08/07 Kiss the Tiger

with Keep for Cheap

08/14 Yam Haus

with Thirsty River and Haley E Rydell

The Current Happy Hours 2025

The Current Happy Hours 2025

This Summer, discover new music with The Current! You can join us for Happy Hours at various locations with live music from artists you’ll want to see. Enjoy a magical summer afternoon from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a beverage, friends, and live music!

The Current’s Happy Hours Venue Schedule

May 29: Nine Mile Brewing Company with Deep Sea Diver (Duo Performance), Hosted by Jill Riley

June 12: Surly Brewing Co. with Blondshell, Hosted by Zach McCormick

June 17: Drekker Brewing Company with Wild Horses, Hosted by Diane (in Fargo, ND)

June 26: Sociable Cider Werks with Night Moves, Hosted by Jessica Paxton

July 10: Utepils Brewing with Kashus Culpepper, Hosted by Jill Riley

July 24: Sociable Cider Werks with TBA Artist

August 7: Milk & Honey Ciders with TBA Artist (in St. Joseph, MN)

August 14: Surly Brewing Co. with TBA Artist

September 4: Thesis Beer Project with TBA Artist (in Rochester, MN)

September 18: Holman’s Table with TBA Artist