Summer in Minneapolis translates to free outdoor shows. We’ve already touched on a few Summer Music Series: Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Music in the Parks, Como Lakeside Pavillion Summer Concert Series, Lowertown Sounds, and The Current’s Happy Hours… but here are a few more listed below. Enjoy all the free music you can handle, before the snow fall!

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

TASTE OF MINNESOTA
tasteofmn.com

Last year, we attended the Taste of Minnesota and it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. We couldn’t believe all the free music and talent that they had on the bill – all for FREE. Sure, the food prices are astronomical, but it’s a small price to pay for all the free music and entertainment (like wrestling).

The Wallflowers at Taste of Minnesota (July 6, 2024)

We got to see The Wallflowers on July 6: “We were mostly there to see The Wallflowers, the band led by Jakob Dylan… who is probably more famous for being the son of Bob Dylan. But let’s be honest, The Wallflowers’ hit “One Headlight” stood out on its own” and Morris Day and the Times on July 7: “Morris Day and the Time closed out the Taste of Minnesota. I’m not going to lie, it was tough for Day to follow up to the powerhouse set of Jam & Lewis (and it didn’t help that Morris Day was 20 minute fashionably late to his own show). Still, the crowd fondly remember Day and the Time as they do that uniform head turn and dance moves. The dance favorite “The Walk” was a crowd favorite.”

Lineup:

Saturday – July 5

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Cheap Trick
Bluewater Kings Band
Rhythm Street Movement
The Steeles Family Affair
Sunday – July 6
Ludacris
Nur-D
David Yang
Frankie Torres
Good for Gary
featuring DJ Sophia Eris
with co-hosts Andrew Zimmern and Fancy Ray

SUMMER AT THE CEDAR
thecedar.org

Every Wednesday, music fans can experience Summer at the Cedar for free at the Cedar Plaza (outdoors). There are limited seating, so the venue suggests you can bring your own chairs.

The worst part about these outdoor shows is at the mercy of rain (recently Dr. Mambo’s Combo and Flamin’ Oh’s were cancelled due to weather)… however, for the Cedar, they mentioned that if it were to rain, they can move the show indoors! So the show will go on, rain or shine!

Quote:

In the event of severe weather or an air quality advisory, we will not reschedule these events. Instead, we will host the show indoors at The Cedar and admit all patrons into the show on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue reaches capacity.

Prospective attendees can RSVP to these events online.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #1: SINKANE☀️

Wednesday, July 9, 2025/ Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

Ahmed Gallab of Sinkane has always paved his own way, defying all odds and surpassing expectations. With seven albums under his belt and an illustrious career as a composer, producer, and band leader, he has orchestrated remarkable projects. From the resounding revival of William Onyeabor, to writing a musical for the Roald Dahl Foundation, Gallab’s journey has been extraordinary. Born to Sudanese parents and raised as a hardcore skate punk kid in Ohio, he is preparing to bring forth his latest opus.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #2: YEISON LANDERO☀️

Wednesday, July 16, 2024 / Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

Yeison Landero, from San Jacinto in Colombia’s Montes de María province near Cartagena, is called “el heredero de la cumbia” – the heir to cumbia, the inheritor of cumbia. He’s from the birthplace of that style of music, a style that’s now enormously popular all across Latin America and increasingly in the USA as well.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #3 : ABINNET BERHANU’s AHNDENET አንድነት featuring Genet Abate☀️

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 / Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

Drummer & Composer Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet አንድነት (meaning: Unity) pays respect to Ethiopian folk, pop, and instrumental music, exploring the unique musical cultures that span northern and southern Ethiopia.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #4: THE BUDDHA PRINCE☀️

Wednesday, July 30 / Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

The Buddha Prince explores the extraordinary life and legacy of the 14th Dalai Lama through physical theater, mask, puppetry and Tibetan music and dance. Presented in the unique style for which producer TigerLion Arts (TLA) is renowned, this all-ages performance transports audiences through scenes unfolding on a journey through dance and live music orchestrated by master Tibetan artist Tenzin Ngawang.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #5: COMBO DAGUERRE☀️

Wednesday, August 6, 2025/ Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

After dealing in mostly Latin tropical styles for over a decade, with the psychedelic cumbia of his band Chicha Libre in particular, Brooklyn-based Olivier Conan now leads Combo Daguerre, a group that performs original French tunes with a psychedelic edge and a mostly Latin crew. Its hybrid style is informed by boleros, cumbia, 60’s rock, French chanson, Gainsbourg and 1930s surrealism.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #6: THE BURROUGHS☀️

Wednesday, August 13, 2025/ Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

From humble beginnings covering soul standards in their unlikely hometown of Greeley, Colorado, The Burroughs have traversed a decade of growth and reinvention to become a band that defies odds and transcends categorization. Since 2013, the 9-piece act has lit up stages around the country with their trademark brand of “sweaty soul music,” an invitation for audiences to dance, celebrate, and connect under a unifying and infectious groove.

☀️SUMMER AT THE CEDAR #7: UKRAINIAN VILLAGE BAND☀️

Wednesday, August 20, 2025/ Start: 6:00 PM / End: 8:00 PM

Ukrainian Village Band (UVB) is a Ukrainian roots and Zabava (event & wedding) band that was founded in 2007.

Their repertoire includes traditional and modern Ukrainian music, as well as their own take on popular, international rock and pop tunes.

GROOVIN’ IN THE GARDEN
comozooconservatory.org

Groovin’ In The Garden is a free Summer Music Series that takes place at the Como Zoo… now upgraded with Food Trucks.

Free Summer Music Series Returns (with Food Trucks!) Wednesdays June 11 – July 30, 2025!

Food Trucks:

The Brick Oven Bus Food Truck will be here on June 11, 18, & July 16!
The Heavy Metal Grill Food Truck will be here June 25 & July 2!
The POLJAM Food Truck will be here July 9 & 23
The Purple People Feeder Food Truck will be here July 30

Details: Spread out a blanket & join us for these FREE outdoor concerts & activities in front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Wednesdays June 11 – July 30 from 6pm–8pm. We will also have a climbing wall, some bouncy balls, and hula-hoops for the young and old alike!

Bands:

Flamin’ Oh’s at Como Park Zoo (July 24, 2025)

June 11 – Innocent Reggae Band – Roots Reggae
June 18 – Maria & The Coins – Singer-Songwriter Driven Pop Hooks
June 25 – Flamin’ Oh’s – Minnesota Music Legends
July 2 – Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir – 3-piece Rock Band
July 9 – Salsa del Soul – High-Energy Latin Dance Music
July 16 – Jellyjacket – All-Star Minnesota Rock & Roll Band
July 23 – Favourite Girl – Female Powered Rock Band
July 24 – Flamin’ Oh’s – Rescheduled
July 30 – School of Rock –St. Paul & Plymouth House Bands

🎶Concert Update🎶 Due to the rain and wet conditions, Groovin’ In The Garden concert featuring the Flamin’ Oh’s has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 24.

THE SUNSET SERIES
hopkinsartscenter.com

Hopkin’s The Sunset Series is a free outdoor concert series, showcasing local favorites to emerging new talent.

The Summer series takes place every Thursday evening, starting June 12 and ending August 21, in Downtown Park, 40 Ninth Avenue S, Hopkins.

Bring a chair and some friends! If there’s rain, they may move the show indoors at The Depot (9451 Excelsior Blvd). An announcement will be made by 3pm of the concert date.

We’ve previously seen Annie Mack (Dec 2024): “Mack has a voice built for the blues” and Trapper Schoepp (April 2023): “The Trapper Schoepp Band was started when Trapper and his brother Tanner Schoepp were in high school. They recorded and released A Change in the Weather in 2007. Some band changes, which created Trapper Schoepp & the Shades… and that’s how we first heard of the group, in November 2013.”

Lineup: