There are always big names making their way to some of the bigger cities around Minnesota and beyond, but if you're looking for that small-town charm, here are some events around the state you can check out while traveling around the land of 10,000 lakes during July and August:
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One-night only
Prairie Winds Concert Band
When: July 9
Where: Willmar, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: The Prairie Winds Concert Band will conclude its outdoor concert series in Rice Park on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Bring your own lawn chair. Popcorn and water will be provided free of charge by Walt's and EcoWater. For more information, visit or Facebook at
Squid Fest
When: Aug. 16
Where: Granite Falls, Minnesota
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Cost: Free
Information: Squid Fest will take place in Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrating the community's wealth of art, music, food, culture, care and crafts. The event will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. The after party will take place downtown from 6 to 10 p.m., with live music by Severio Mancieri at the Bluenose Gopher Public House from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ongoing
These summer concert series will take place at regular intervals throughout the season. Some listings may change, so watch local websites and social media for updates.
When: Sundays, July 13 to Aug. 17
Where: Spicer, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: For the 13th consecutive year, free summer concerts will take place Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. in Pirrotta Park. The free events are organized by the Spicer Beautification Committee. Bring your own lawn chair.
This year's lineup is as follows:
- July 13: Ruckus in the Bearbrush
- July 20: Green Lake Bluegrass
- July 27: Anthony Shore as Elvis
- Aug. 3: Mariachi Mexico
- Aug. 10: Custom Made
- Aug. 17: Robby Vee and his Rock and Roll Caravan
When: May 25 through Aug. 31
Where: Bemidji, Minnesota
Information: Sunday concerts are at 2 p.m.; Saturday concerts are at 7 p.m. at the Lake Bemidji State Park Amphitheater. A Minnesota State Park permit is required for park entrance. In case of rain, concerts will be held in the Visitor Center.
The 2025 season schedule is as follows:
- Saturday, July 19: Antonio Arce
- Sunday, July 20: The Fogelsons
- Sunday, July 27: Bemidji Bogtrotters
- Sunday, Aug. 3: Shyanne Kaml
- Sunday, Aug. 10: Bemidji Bogtrotters
- Saturday, Aug. 16: No Rest for the Pickers
- Sunday, Aug. 17: The Clarinet Quartet
- Saturday, Aug. 23: Antonio Arce
- Sunday, Aug. 24: Lance Benson
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Mike and Tom
- Sunday, Aug. 31: Donna and Greg Gaston
When: Tuesdays, June 3 through July 29
Where: Appleton, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: The 15th annual summer concert series will take place at 7 p.m. in Riverview Park in Appleton on Tuesday evenings. Attendees are asked to provide their own lawn chairs.
The summer series schedule includes:
- July 15: Kordal Kombat
- July 22: Charlie Roth & Friends
- July 29: Headin' Home
When: Tuesdays, June 3 through Aug. 19
Where: Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Information: Concerts take place at 7 p.m. in the Detroit Lakes City Park bandshell. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will move to the pavilion. Arrive early to enjoy Picnic in the Park at 5:30 p.m.
The summer lineup is as follows:
- July 15: Tim Eggebraaten
- July 22: Jan Severson
- July 29: Lakes Area Chorale
- Aug. 5: Ulen Centennial Band
- Aug. 12: Beach Front Big Band
- Aug. 19: Mark Fogelson
When: July 15, July 22, July 29 and Aug. 5
Where: Willmar, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: The 2025 Rockin' Robbins summer concert series kicks off at 5 p.m. July 15. The concert series is sponsored by the Willmar Rotary Club, and raises money for improvements to Robbins Island Regional Park.
This year's lineup is as follows:
- July 15: Boogie Wonderland; opening act is Highway 23 Acoustic Jam
- July 22: Janelle Kendall's Perfect Storm and Good for Gary
- July 29: Parrothead Paradise; opening act is Old Man Cover Band
- Aug. 5: The Fabulous Armadillos; opening act is West Addison Blues
When: Wednesdays, June 4 through Aug. 27
Where: Bemidji, Minnesota
Information: The 30-minute concerts start at noon on Wednesdays. Free-will donations are accepted to benefit the BACM scholarship program. Concerts are followed by a luncheon at each church, with meal prices to be announced.
This year's concert schedule is as follows:
- July 9: Wade Martin, vocals and guitar; Amanda Willis-Martin, piano; and Mathison, piano, at First Baptist Church, 1555 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW.
- July 16: Lois Simonson, piano; Kari Miller, flute; Sanna Gustafson, saxophone; and Janet Pederson, violin, at Bemidji Covenant, 5405 Highway 2 West.
- July 23: Glenn Seibel, euphonium; and Wayne Hoff, piano, at United Methodist, 924 Beltrami Ave. NW.
- July 30: Calvary Musicians at Calvary Lutheran, 2508 Washington Ave. SE.
- Aug. 6: New Salem Musicians at New Salem Lutheran, 7491 Island View Drive NE, Turtle River.
- Aug. 13: Wayne Hoff, Carol L. Johnson, piano and organ recital; and Jennifer L. Johnson, vocalist, at Aardahl Lutheran, 2920 Van Buren Ave. SE.
- Aug 20: Sarah Carlson, Bob Madeson, Merideth Klingbeil and 2024 scholarship recipient Claire Carlson at First Lutheran, 900 Bemidji Ave. N.
- Aug. 27: Darlina Coe, organ; Jennifer Parker, vocalist; Ruth Anderson, piano; and Lee Coe, rattlebones, at First Presbyterian, 501 Minnesota Ave. NW.
When: Wednesdays, June 11 through Aug. 13
Where: Bemidji, Minnesota
Information: Concerts are at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Lake Bemidji waterfront and there is no admission charge. Food and beverage trucks will be on site and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
This year's season schedule is as follows:
- July 9: Mike Gunther & the Total Crapshoot
- July 16: Boiled in Lead
- July 23: The New Havoline Supremes
- Aug. 6: The Brothers Burn Mountain
- Aug. 13: Known Only Locally
When: May 22 through Aug. 21
Where: Douglas County Courthouse, Alexandria
Cost: Free
Information: Each concert will begin at 7 p.m., with a break at about 10 minutes to 8 p.m. At this time a tip jar gets passed around, and the music resumes at approximately 8:05 p.m. and concludes around 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit .
This summer's series schedule is as follows:
- July 10: Country Roads 鈥� John Denver tribute
- July 17: Bob & Beachcombers 鈥� surf Rock
- July 24: Alabama Tribute 鈥� country
- July 31: Robby Vee 鈥� oldies
- Aug. 7: Live Wire 鈥� Americana
- Aug. 14: Stone Road 鈥� country
- Aug. 21: Salty Dogs 鈥� variety
When: Thursdays, June 5 through Aug. 28
Where: Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Information: Concerts will be 5 to 8 p.m. in the Detroit Lakes City Park bandshell. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy free live music and food trucks at the DL City Park. In the case of inclement weather, bands will move to Bucks Mill Brewing (824 Washington Ave.), and food trucks will move to Washington Avenue.
The 2025 lineup includes:
- July 10: Hardwood Groove
- July 31: Johnny Holm Band
- Aug. 14: Kohlrabi Soup
- Aug. 21: Pat Lenertz Band
- Aug. 28: Six One Five Collective
When: Thursdays, July 10 through Aug. 14
Where: Paynesville, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: The Community Ed Concert series in will have live music every Thursday at Veteran's Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Concessions will be available an hour before each show.
This year's lineup is as follows:
- July 10: Legacy
- July 17: Family by Choice
- July 24: Wheelhouse Trio
- July 31: Meier Grove Band
- Aug. 7: Gig Noonan
- Aug. 14: Cimmarron
When: July 10, July 24 and Aug. 7
Where: Benson, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Information: The concerts take place in Roosevelt Park from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Bring your own lawn chair. Food vendors will be available at each concert.
This year's concert lineup includes:
- July 10: Kayla Daniels
- July 24: Aaron Simmons
- Aug. 7: The Cheese Bots
When: July 20 and Aug. 3
Where: Bemidji, Minnesota
Information: Concerts are at 7 p.m. on Sundays on the lawn south of BSU's Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. There is no charge for the concerts; free-will donations are accepted. In case of inclement weather, concerts are moved indoors at Bangsberg.
When: July 10-Aug. 4
Where: Park Rapids, Minnesota
Information: Concerts are at 6 p.m. on Thursdays in the second block of Main Avenue South. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and arrive early to enjoy a social hour, beer garden and food truck fare. There is no charge for the concerts. Upcoming bands include:
- July 10: Absolute Gr眉v
- July 17: The Hooten Hallers
- July 24: The Wicked Bees
- July 31: The 4onthefloor
- Aug. 7: Farewell Milwaukee
- Aug. 14: Forge North
When: July 11-25
Where: Menahga, Minnesota
Information: Concerts are at 7 p.m. on Fridays on the stage next to the city beach. Rain venue is Menahga High 歪歪漫画. There is no charge for the concerts. Upcoming bands include:
- July 11: Pier Country
- July 18: Monroe Crossing
- July 25: Pat Donahue & Friends
When: July 10-Aug. 28
Where: Park Rapids, Minnesota
Information: Concerts are from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at Calvary Lutheran Church, except where noted. Upcoming performers include:
- July 10: North Wind Clarinets
- July 17: Sarah Carlson, piano, and Hannah Lewis, soprano
- July 24: Sara Kaufenberg, piano, and Luke Helm, guitar, at St. Johns Lutheran Church
- July 31: Sage Gonzales, cello
- Aug. 7: Blake Staines, baritone
- Aug. 14: Paul Lawrence, guitar and vocal
- Aug. 21: Bob Madeson, euphonium; Sarah Carlson, piano; and Merideth Klingbeil, organ
- Aug. 28: Matthew Lorenz, piano
When: Saturdays, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23
Where: Bemidji Brewing
Information: The concerts take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Here's a look at the schedule:
- July 12 - Foxby
- July 26 - The Lonely Loons
- Aug. 9 - Bumps on a Log
- Aug. 23 - Paul Olsen (Wildview)
For more information, visit the Bemidji Brewing
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