The Twin Cities practically sings in the summer. Every corner of the metro is full of FREE summer concerts! What could be better for an impromptu family night out? Not much! Enjoy strains of strings, rhythms of rockers and energy of ethnic music, pack a picnic dinner and sometimes catch a movie afterwards.
Where possible, we provided a basic schedule, but we recommend checking the websites – especially if the date falls near a holiday. Times and schedules are subject to change and most events are weather dependent.
ONGOING FREE SUMMER CONCERTS - SAINT PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS
FREE (unless listed as otherwise) concerts, family movies, theater productions and more. Find more details and line up on St. Paul’s Music in the Parks page.
- COMO LAKESIDE PAVILION: At the Dock & Paddle. Some of these concerts are ticketed and not free, so be sure to check the details on their calendar of events.
- MEARS PARK: Tuesday & Wednesday at 12pm & Lowertown Sound concerts Thursday evenings.
Family Friendly Favorites: Tuesday, June 14th – Todd and Tina playing family and children’s music.
TWIN CITIES JAZZ FEST
Mears Park, 221 5th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Catch live jazz music. Bring your own seating. Picnics are allowed; however, purchasing from the food vendors helps keep the festival free and open to the public. Learn more here. June 24-25, 2022.
Groovin’ in the Garden at Como Zoo
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
FREE concerts and activities in front of the conservatory, Wednesday evenings in June 8 through July 26, 2022. Some food and beverages will be available to purchase. Concerts will take place in visitor center if it rains. 6pm-8pm. Learn more here.
Bonus Fun: Como Zoo is open until 6pm. Make a reservation and have a day at the zoo before the concert. Or just pack a picnic and enjoy some fun playground time.
Bands on the Boulevard at Minnesota History Center
345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
The museum is not open on Tuesdays, but concerts are held Tuesdays in 2022 July 5-26, 5:45-8pm. Get the lineup here.
Music From the Porch at Landmark Center
75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
We’re not sure if this will be brought back in 2022. Last year, outdoor concerts were offered in lieu of the weekly Courtroom Concerts indoors. Wednesdays at 12pm. 2022 Details TBA.
More Family Fun: The Landmark Center is fully re-opened, so pop inside to visit the free museums – The American Association of Woodturners Gallery of Wood Art and the Schubert Club Music Museum (which has had a recent makeover).
Saint Paul Summer Sunlight Concert Series
Park Square Theatre, 20 W 7th Pl, St Paul, MN 55102
This free outdoor concert series offered lunchtime and happy hour concerts on the plaza last year. We’ll watch for announcements for 2022.
Minneapolis Music in the Parks
Find more details on the Minneapolis Park’s website. May 30 – September 5, 2022.
- LAKE HARRIET BAND SHELL: Mon & Thurs-Fri, 7:30 pm; Sun, 2 & 5:30 pm. Also 3rd Saturdays at 7:30pm.
- NICOLLET ISLAND PARK: 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7 pm
- FATHER HENNEPIN BLUFF PARK: Back in 2023?
- MINNEHAHA FALLS REGIONAL PARK: Thursday-Friday, 7 pm
- BRYANT SQUARE PARK: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30 pm
- THE COMMONS: Thursdays, 5:30pm
Minneapolis & St. Paul – Free Summer Music Festivals
Find more information on our family festival calendars (links below), but here is a list of some of our favorite summer festivals with FREE concerts:
- June 3-4, 2022: Flint Hills Family Festival | Downtown St Paul
- July 16, 2022: Lowertown Blues Fest | Dual Citizen Brewing, St Paul
- June 11-12, 2022: Deutsche Tage | Germanic-American Institute, St Paul
- June 18-19, 2022: Stone Arch Bridge Festival | Minneapolis
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
TWIN CITIES NORTH METRO
BLAINE
Performance in the Park
Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Drive Northeast, Blaine, MN 55449
Heavy on the family-friendly, find all your favorite kids bands at this series on Tuesday nights. Thursdays are geared toward a wider audience. Find the full line up here. FREE.
Family Friendly Favorites: Tuesday Night Kids Bands starting June 14th, 2022.
Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park Music on the Lawn
Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55443
Live music and food trucks Tuesday evenings, July 6-Aug 17, 2022.
Concerts at Eidem Farm
Historic Eidem Farm, 4345 101st Ave North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Bring a picnic! Live kid-friendly music and ice cream trucks two Thursday evenings in summer of 2022.
Family Friendly Favorites:
Fridley
Springbrook Summer Concert Series
Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave NW, Fridley, MN 55432
Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Commons Park, 555 61st Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432
Concerts alternate between three parks, June 14-August 30, 2022. Most of the shows are at 7pm, but the two kids shows are at 11am. Find the Full Line up Here.
Family Friendly Favorites – both at 11am:
- Friday, August 5, 2022: Kid Power with Rachel at Springbrook
- Wednesday, August 10, 2022: The Jolly Pops at Commons.
Music in Fridley Parks
Parks throughout Fridley, MN 55432
Enjoy the Fridley City Band at parks around the city. Most concerts are at 7pm on Mondays. Set up a lawn chair or blanket and bring an evening picnic. Find the Full Line up Here.
Family Friendly Favorites:
- Thursday, June 16, 2022: Concert will precede the 49ers Day Parade.
- Monday, July 25, 2022 at Springbrook Nature Center. Bring a picnic and come early to explore the Nature Center.
Maple Grove
Sounds of Summer
Town Green Park, 7991 Main Street N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Themed weeknights and special events. Mondays & Wednesday night live music, 7pm.
Family friendly favorites:
- Thursdays, starting June 30, 2022: Kids bands and entertainment, 10:30am.
- Friday movies starting July 15, 2022: Kid favorites at dusk.
Otsego
Splash & Play Evenings
Otsego Prairie Park & Splash Pad, 13355 90th St NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Cool off in the park’s splash pad and enjoy kids entertainment on select evenings. Find the event line up here.
Plymouth
Plymouth Entertainment in the Park
Hilde Performance Center
A full line up of concerts, community theater & movies throughout the summer. The 2022 Concert Series will take place June – August. Please see the link for the entertainment lineup.
Roseville
Live at The Rog! Performance Series
Frank Rog Amphitheater, Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113.
June 12- Aug 14, 2022: Select Sun, Tues & Thurs. 6 or 7pm. Find the full line up on page 5 of the Summer Brochure.
Family Friendly Favorites:
- June 26 – Teddy Bear Band (6:30pm).
- June 30- The Unicycling Unicorn (7pm)
- July 4 – Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade (2:45pm)
- July 12 – Minnesota Sinfonia (7pm)
Shoreview
Concerts in the Commons
Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, MN 55126
- Free Wednesday Concerts at 7pm. June 15-August 10, 2022. All ages.
- Family Friendly Favorites: Kidz Concerts – July 6 – Aug 3, 2022: 10am.
- Bonus Fun: Have an indoor playdate at Tropical Adventures Indoor Playground.
St Anthony
Silverwood On Stage
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 55421
Parking fills up fast at these concerts. We recommend arriving early and exploring the park. Ongoing Wednesdays, 6:30pm. Find the 2022 line-up here.
Salo Park Concert Series
3301 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55418
2022 TBA.
Bonus Fun: Check out the park’s recently-resurfaced trail around the pond and/or grab a cold treat at Cold Stone Creamery, Cub or Culvers.
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
TWIN CITIES SOUTH METRO
Apple Valley
Music in Kelley Park
6855 Fortino St, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Music, food available for purchase, prizes and a splash pad for the kids to cool off in. Ongoing Fridays starting June 17-Aug 12, 2022. 6:30-8:30pm.
Bonus Fun: Pack the kids swimsuits and have fun at the splash pad. 35 Best Twin Cities Splash Pads & Wading Pools.
Burnsville
Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour
Nicollet Commons, 12550 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337
- Ongoing Thursdays starting June 16, 2022. Plus arrive early for story times by local school principals.
Eagan
Eagan Market Fest
Eagan Central Park Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121
The grounds buzz with weekly concerts and themed nights.
- Concerts: June 1- Aug 31, 2022: Ongoing Wednesdays, 4-8pm
Bonus Fun: Join Kid’s Power of Produce (P.O.P.) Club to participate in weekly activities and earn free produce.
Farmington
Music in the Park
Whitetail Woods Regional Park Amphitheater, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, MN 55024
Bring your own seating. Food trucks on site. The last Tuesday of the Month — June 28, July 26 & August 30, 2022, 5-7pm.
Bonus Fun: Dress for the weather and to get dirty. Take some time to play in the nature playground.
Shakopee
Shakopee Performance & Event Series
Huber Park, 150 Fillmore St. N., Shakopee, MN 55379
Ongoing Thursdays June – August, 7pm. 2022 schedule TBA.
Bonus Fun: Take some time to play at the Community Playground.
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
TWIN CITIES WEST METRO
Bloomington
Arts in the Parks
Moir Park, 10400 Morgan Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
Valley View Park, 401 W 90th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Normandale Bandshell, 5901 West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438.
Musical performances, moonlight movies and fireworks. Free and all ages. All 2022 schedules found here.
Family Friendly Favorites: Monday Morning Kids Series: June 6 – Aug 8, 2022. Alternates between Moir Park and Valley View Park,10:30am.
Music on the Hill
Hyland Hills, 8800 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Bring family, friends and your dancing shoes. Seating is outdoors; bring a blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m.
- June 8, 2022: The Belfast Cowboys
- August 3, 2022: The Good, the Bad and the Funky
Buffalo
Concerts in the Park
Sturges Park, 505 2nd Ave S Buffalo, MN 55313
Thursday nights from June 30 through August 25, 2022.
Family Friendly Favorite: June 16th will be part of Buffalo Days and include a carnival, kiddie parade at 6:30pm and Movie at 9pm.
Chanhassen
Old National Bank Summer Concert Series
City Center Community Park, 7700 Market Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Thursday evening concerts & concessions at 6:30pm June 9-August 4, 2022.
Family Friendly Favorite: The Teddy Bear Band plays July 28th at 11am.
Eden Prairie
Starring at Staring
Variety of Community Entertainment at Staring Lake Amphitheater throughout the summer. See the City Calendar for dates and details.
Family Friendly Favorites: Kidstock Concerts on Tuesdays start June 14-Aug 9, 2022 at 10:30am.
Edina
Centennial Lakes Summer Concerts
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
Centennial Lakes Park is a haven for FREE summer entertainment! Events are held daily Sun-Thurs and include family-friendly concerts at the outdoor amphitheater.
Family Friendly Favorites: Tuesday Kids Concerts at Maezold Amphitheater. Tuesdays, 12pm.
Bonus Fun: There is so much to explore at Centennial Lakes Park from paddle boats to lawn games to tiny model yachts that zip around the canals.
Edina Performance on the Plaza (P.O.P.)
Free concerts every Friday night from 4pm-7pm at the plaza at 50th & France. June 10th-August 5th.
Family Friendly Favorite: Roe Family Singers – July 8th.
Excelsior
Excelsior Concerts in the Commons
The Commons, 1351 Lake Street Excelsior, MN 55331
Food trucks open at at 5pm with music from 7-8pm. 2022 dates:
- May 18th: GB Leighton
- June 1: Chase & Ovation
- June 15: Fabulous Armadillos
- June 29: The Rolling Stoners
- July 13: Daisy Dillman Band
- August 10: 70’s Magic Sunshine Band
- August 24: Free Fallin
Golden Valley
Golden Valley Concerts in the Parks
Brookview Park, 316 Brookview Parkway S
Golden Valley, MN 55427
June 6-Aug 8, 2022. Ongoing Mondays, 7pm
Hopkins
Hopkins Sunset Series
Downtown Park, 40 9th Ave S., Hopkins, MN 55343
June 16-August 18, 2022: Thursdays, 7pm
Family Friendly Favorite: Aric Bieganek – July 21st. Co-sponsored by Kiddywampus, this will be a fun night of music and family fun! A bubble station, tattoos, toy demos and more!
Bonus Fun: Take a walk down “Art Street” to explore the public art of Hopkins.
Minnetonka
Entertainment in the Park
Minnetonka Civic Center Amphitheater, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Music in the Park ongoing Tuesdays, June 21-August 30, 2022.
Richfield
Entertainment in The Park
Richfield Band Shell, 636 E 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423.
Tuesdays, June 14 to August 2, 2022; 11am Kids Shows and 6:30pm Evening Series.
Family Friendly Favorites: Kids Shows: June 14 – August 2, 11am
St Louis Park
Summer Concert Series
Wolfe Park Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheater, 3700 Monterey Drive, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Free performances Wednesdays: June 15 – August 17, 2022: 6:30pm; Open Mic Night Thursdays, June 16-August 18, 2022.
Family Friendly Favorites: Kids Summer Concert Series Wednesdays from 10am-11am, June 15-August 17, 2022.
Wayzata
WAYZATA: Wayzata Summer Concert Series | Depot Park
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
TWIN CITIES EAST METRO
Centerville
Centerville Music in the Park
Free music in Hidden Spring Park on Centerville Lake (1601 LaMotte Drive). Music at 6:30 p.m. Food truck & dessert table on site for fee. Tuesdays starting June 14-August 16, 2022. Check Facebook page for weather related events prior to attending.
Stillwater
Stillwater Summer Tuesdays
Lowell Park, 201 Water St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Schedule: Market opens at 5, live music from 6-8 & movie starting 10 minutes after sunset. July 5-Aug 9, 2022.
White Bear lake
White Bear Lake Marketfest
Downtown White Bear Lake
Thursdays, June 16 – July 28, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00pm.
What We Are Watching:
COON RAPIDS: Summer Concert Series | Coon Rapids Regional Park performance pavilion. Ongoing Thursdays June 4 – August 6, 2020: 7pm, FREE (no vehicle permit)
NORTH ST. PAUL: Music in the Parks Summer Concert Series | Casey Lake Park
CHASKA: Free concerts and entertainment at Firemen’s Park & City Square Park
WOODBURY: Performance in the Park | Central Park Amphitheater
- July 1- & Aug 7, 2020: 7pm
- Kids Entertainment Series – Firemen’s Park Stage, 10:30 Tuesdays
- Evening Concerts – Fireman’s Park State, 7pm Wednesdays
- Evening Concerts – City Square Park Gazebo, 6:30pm Fridays
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