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Mid- and late-summer concerts to fill Minnesota communities with rhythm and song

From free concerts in the park to featured artists at venues across the state, musicians will fill Minnesota communities with music. Here's a handy dandy list for events happening in July 2025.

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West Central Connection Chorus director Todd Mattison warms up singers before taking the stage to perform during a concert at Rice Park Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

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

Luke Cardona of Los Rebeldes performs during this year's SQUIDFest / RIBFest 2022 on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in Granite Falls.
Luke Cardona of Los Rebeldes performs during the 2022 SQUIDFest / RIBFest on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Granite Falls.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

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.

Music in Pirrotta Park in Spicer
People at concert in Pirrotta Park, Spicer
Concert-goers take in a live performance at the annual "Music in the Park" series at Pirrotta Park in Spicer, Minnesota, on July 14, 2024.
Spicer Beautification Committee

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
Music Under the Pines in Bemidji

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
Summer Concert Series in Riverview Park

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
Tuesdays in the Park in Detroit Lakes

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
Rockin' Robbins
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People clap along to The Fabulous Armadillos during the fourth Rockin' Robbins of the summer season at Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

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
Bemidji Area Church Musicians Summer Recital Series

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.
Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront
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Attendees gather at the Lake Bemidji Waterfront as Rich Mattson and the Northstars perform during the first Mississippi Music show of the season on June 11, 2025, near Paul Bunyan Park.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

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
Red Willow Arts Coalition's Summer Concert Series

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 — John Denver tribute
  • July 17: Bob & Beachcombers — surf Rock
  • July 24: Alabama Tribute — country
  • July 31: Robby Vee — oldies
  • Aug. 7: Live Wire — Americana
  • Aug. 14: Stone Road — country
  • Aug. 21: Salty Dogs — variety
Trucks and Tunes in Detroit Lakes

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
Community Ed Concert Series in Paynesville

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
Music in the Park in Benson

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
Bemidji Area Community Band

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.

Park Rapids' 2nd Street Stage

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 Grüv
  • July 17: The Hooten Hallers
  • July 24: The Wicked Bees
  • July 31: The 4onthefloor
  • Aug. 7: Farewell Milwaukee
  • Aug. 14: Forge North
Sounds of Spirit Lake

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 ÍáÍáÂþ»­. There is no charge for the concerts. Upcoming bands include:

  • July 11: Pier Country
  • July 18: Monroe Crossing
  • July 25: Pat Donahue & Friends
Park Rapids' Noon Hour Concerts

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
Sunset Sounds at Bemidji Brewing

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

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
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