It’s officially outdoor concert season in Minnesota. 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. As you will find, there is an astounding amount of outdoor music to plan for this summer. 

Here’s a breakdown of Minnesota’s (and a couple in nearby Wisconsin) best fests and major concert series.

June

June 3: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

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, Matt Wilson and more on their adjacent outdoor stage. June starts off with ELnO and DJ Time Machine. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

June 8: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

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 Innocent Reggae Band, who play the first show of the season. All the essentials — hotdogs, ice cream and wine — available for purchase. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

June 8: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

Kiss the Tiger kicks off Rochester’s unique summer series, which comprises six shows in six parks, one for each ward in the city. All shows are free and co-sponsored by each ward’s City Council rep to increase awareness of local politics and parks. Free, 722 7th St. NW, Rochester, MN

June 9: Lowertown Sounds Series

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 Monica LaPlante, who kicks off the series with support from Annie and the Bang Bang as well as D’Lakes. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

June 10: Live at Tattersall Series

Fans of Tattersall Distilling in northeast Minneapolis might be familiar with its new sister distillery in River Falls, and the monthly shows scheduled there should put this Wisconsin spot on the map for everyone. The first night hosts contemporary rockers, Kiss the Tiger. Tickets, 1777 Paulson Road, River Falls, WI

June 10: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Jeremy Messersmith with Durry. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

June 11: Rock the Garden

Speaking from a slight bias, there’s no better place to be this summer than Rock the Garden. Enjoy music from top local and national acts — such as Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Sleater-Kinney, beabadoobee, and Low — while moseying around the Walker Art Center’s sculpture garden. On the grassy knoll, you’ll surely find what you need from food trucks, beer tents, and more interactive fun. Tickets, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis

June 15: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Annie & The Bang Bang. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

June 15: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

Humbird with Jeff Kelly. Free, 4597 55th St. NW, Rochester, MN

June 16: Lowertown Sounds Series

Matt Wilson and His Orchestra with Little Fevers. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

June 17-18: Winstock 

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 Tim McGraw, will fund education for students in Winsted and surrounding communities. Tickets, 3233 230th St., Winsted, MN

June 17-19: Pryes Brewing Block Party

Pryes has put together a weekend full of music, visual art and food to celebrate its 5th anniversary. Most of the music happens on Saturday with tunes from Papadosio, Nur-D, Mike Kota, and more - though Friday night has a few sets as well.  Free, 1401 W River Rd, Minneapolis

June 19: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

June 19: Planet AFROPUNK

AFROPUNK makes a Midwest debut over Juneteenth weekend. Free events and panel discussions will take place across the city on June 18. On June 19, a mix of 16 local and national musicians — including Ari Lennox, Noname, and Miloe — put on a full day festival in northeast Minneapolis, with food trucks, art galleries, film screenings, and more on-site. Tickets, 1300 Water St. NE, Minneapolis

June 22: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Porky’s Groove Machine. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

June 23: Lowertown Sounds Series

The New Standards with Dylan Hicks, and Small Screens. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

June 23-25: Blue Ox Music Festival

Tucked into the woods of Wisconsin, Blue Ox returns with a stacked bluegrass and Americana lineup. Though the 35 performers should keep you busy, the fest has a slew of other attractions, from songwriting workshops to a nine-hole disc golf course, and even some additional late night sets for those camping out. Tickets, 5024 Crescent Ave., Eau Claire, WI

June 24-25: Twin Cities Jazz Fest 

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 5th St. E, St. Paul

June 29: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Flamin’ Oh’s. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

June 29: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

Them Coulee Boys with Clay Fulton & The Lost 40. Free, 1895 Allendale Park Lane NW, Rochester, MN

July

July 1: Bayfront Country Jam

Country acts from around the country — and Minnesota’s own Rafe Carlson — come together for a day of good, old-fashioned jamming on the shores of Lake Superior. Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN

July 2: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Dark Energy Block Party. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

July 2: Beers and Bluegrass

Just what it sounds like. Enjoy some boot-stompin’ tunes from Them Coulee Boys, High and Rising, and others at Winona’s premier brewhouse. Tickets, 65 East Front St., Winona, MN

July 6: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Craig Clark Band. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

July 8: Live at Utepils Series

Nestled on Bassett Creek between Theodore Wirth Park and Downtown Minneapolis, Utepils Brewing introduces another new series of shows to the summer agenda. Along with music from national acts — kicking off the series with Guster and Ratboys — attendees will find a wide beer selection as well as non-alcoholic beverages and bites from local food trucks. Tickets, 225 Thomas Ave. N, Minneapolis

July 9: Trampled by Turtles 

Duluth-bred folk heroes Trampled by Turtles play their first hometown show of 2022 with support from Jenny Lewis. Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN

July 9: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Matt Wilson & His Orchestra. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

July 10: Down by the Riverside Series

Rochester carries on a tradition of boogying and community building through free Sunday concerts in the park. Nur-D is first up on an impressive summer lineup stacked with iconic local, national, and international musicians. Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN

July 11: The Black Crowes at Mystic Lake Casino Amphitheater

The Southern rock brother team of Chris and Rich Robinson have been back together since 2019. They released a new EP, 1972, featuring covers of David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and more, in May. Tickets, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. NW, Prior Lake, MN

July 13: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Malamanya. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

July 14: Mitski at Festival Field

The grassy field, food trucks and massive main stage make any show at Surly Festival Field feel like a mini-festival of sorts. Mitski kicks off the season with support from Indigo De Souza. Tickets, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

July 14: Lowertown Sounds Series

Heiruspecs with Longshot and Lazerbeak. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

July 14-16: Roots, Rock & Deep Blues 11

The Saturday event at the Hook and Ladder Theater features Ultrabomb (with Greg Norton of Husker Du fame), Left Lane Cruiser, Cornbread Harris, and a whole lot more. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

July 15: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Jaedyn James with Tabah and Superior Siren. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

July 15: Live at Tattersall Series

Lissie. Tickets, 1777 Paulson Road, River Falls, WI

July 15-16: RiverSong Music Festival 

RiverSong returns to the banks of Crow River with an exclusively Minnesotan lineup that includes the likes of Annie Mack, The Federales, and Faith Boblett. Attendees will find local food and bev vendors on the grounds as well as riverside camping options. Tickets, 1003 Les Kouba Parkway NW, Hutchinson, MN

July 16: 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. Free, 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul

July 16: Bayfront Reggae & World Music

The North Shore’s scenic waterfront venue will host musicians hailing from Jamaica, Nigeria, the UK, Minnesota and elsewhere for a full day of dance and music. Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN

July 17: Down by the Riverside Series

Brittney Spencer with Whalen and The Willows. Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN

July 20: Live at Utepils Series

Drive-By Truckers with Lydia Loveless. Tickets, 225 Thomas Ave. N, Minneapolis

July 20: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

The April Fools. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

July 21: Lowertown Sounds Series

Jillian Rae with Farewell Milwaukee. Free, 221 5th St E, St. Paul

July 23: Hook and Ladder - Under the Canopy Series

Malamanya. Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

July 24: Down by the Riverside Series

Mavis Staples with Mike Munson and Mikkel Beckmen. Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN

July 27: Groovin’ In The Garden Series

Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir. Free, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul

July 28: Lowertown Sounds Series

We Are The Willows with Folios. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

July 29: Canterbury Concert Series

Sue McLean and Associates, the team behind the Music in the Zoo concert series, pivoted to Canterbury Park when Zoo shows were sidelined by COVID uncertainty. Though it lacks the Zoo’s pond vista, Canterbury offers more seating options, a designated dance space, a full bar, and probably far fewer mosquitoes. Up first is alt-rock band Everclear. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

July 29-30: Party in the Park

This fest takes place at Hilde Performance Center, a 45-foot tall open-air bandshell that’s a bit of a hidden gem. Gary Clark Jr. and Kelsea Ballerini will headline the two-day celebration, with support from a crew of other rock and country artists. Tickets, 3500 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 

July 31: Down by the Riverside Series

John Waite with Cole Allen. Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN

August

August 2: Fleet Foxes at Festival Field

Tickets, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

August 2: Lake Street Dive at Fargo Brewing Company 

Fargo is a long drive from the cities but a show from Lake Street Dive, joined by Madison Cunningham, might just be worth it. This 21+ event takes place at Fargo Brewing Company. Tickets, 610 University Dr N, Fargo, ND

August 4: Lowertown Sounds Series

Flamin Oh’s with Scarlet Goodbye. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

August 4-6: WE Fest wefest.com  

Every August, some of the biggest names in country music - such as Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan - descend on Detroit Lakes, MN, 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, MN

August 5: Canterbury Concert Series

Anderson East. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

August 7: Live at Utepils Series

BoDeans. Tickets, 225 Thomas Ave. N, Minneapolis

August 7: Down by the Riverside Series

En Vogue with FènixDion. Free, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN

August 9: Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen and Julien Baker at Festival Field

Tickets, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

August 9: Canterbury Concert Series

Melissa Etheridge. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

August 11: Lowertown Sounds Series

Mayda with Becky Kapell. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

August 11: Live at Tattersall Series

Dave Simonett & Dave Carroll (of Trampled by Turtles). Tickets, 1777 Paulson Road, River Falls, WI

August 12: Lord Huron at Festival Field

Tickets, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

August 12: Canterbury Concert Series

Marc Cohn. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

August 12-14: Bayfront Blues Festival

20,000 blues fans plus 33 acts plus two stages equals a whole lot of fun. Tickets, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN

August 13: Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine at Festival Field

Tickets, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

August 16: Canterbury Concert Series

Gov’t Mule. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

August 17: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

Good Morning Bedlam with My Grandma’s Cardigan. Free, 2021 Mayowood Road SW, Rochester, MN

August 18: Lowertown Sounds Series

Malamanya with Jaedyn James. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

August 19: Duran Duran at Treasure Island Casino Amphitheater

The New Wave stars are now Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Tickets, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN

August 19: Canterbury Concert Series

Cloud Cult. Tickets, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

August 24: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

PaviElle with Maria and the Coins. Free, 3812 3rd St. NW, Rochester, MN

August 25: Lowertown Sounds Series

Joyann Parker Band with Beau Baker Band. Free, 221 5th St. E, St. Paul

August 24-28: Lakes Bluegrass Festival 

Lakes Bluegrass Festival rounds out the summer’s bluegrass celebrations with four days of performances, communal jam sessions, and workshops in northern Minnesota. Tickets, 2591 Bluegrass Blvd. SW, Backus, MN

August 25 - September 5: Minnesota State Fair

With more than 900 performances 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 Low Cut Connie, Caitlyn Smith, Annie Mack, Gully Boys, Durry and The Jayhawks — for free. Or spend an evening at the Grandstand Stage with the likes of Portugal. The Man for Music On-A-Stick, the Beach Boys, Pitbull, or Diana Ross. More Info, 1265 Snelling Ave. N, St. Paul

August 31: forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts

Kokou Kah with Samantha Grimes. Free, 1738 E Center St., Rochester, MN

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 of Spring series.