Statewide
The Minnesota festival guide
Outside the Twin Cities, Minnesota's music lives at its summer festivals: country in Detroit Lakes, blues on the Duluth waterfront, a week of all-local bands in Duluth, indie in downtown Winona.
Listed in calendar order using the 2026 dates. Most of these festivals announce the next year’s dates in winter or early spring. We’ll update this page as they do.
Duluth · Apr 26 – May 3, 2026
Homegrown Music Festival
A week-long, all-local festival: about 170 Duluth-area bands across the city's bars, halls and churches. The best proof that Duluth has its own scene. 2026 was its 28th year; 2027 is set for May 2–9.
Winona · May 8–9, 2026
Mid West Music Fest
Two days, 45-plus bands, several downtown venues, all ages. A great way to find your next favorite Minnesota band in a river town.
St. Paul · June 19–20, 2026
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
Free, outdoors in Lowertown's Mears Park. 2026 was the 28th year.
Brainerd · June 24–27, 2026
Lakes Jam
Country and rock at Brainerd International Raceway: several stages and thousands of campsites. 2027 is set for June 23–26.
Detroit Lakes · Aug 5–8, 2026
WE Fest
One of the biggest country festivals in the country, now in its 43rd year at Soo Pass Ranch. The 2026 bill: Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Brooks & Dunn.
Duluth · Aug 14–16, 2026
Bayfront Blues Festival
Three days of blues on the harbor at Bayfront Festival Park; 2026 was the 37th year.
Walker · in transition
Moondance Jam
The long-running classic-rock festival near Leech Lake was sold in 2026 to a new Minnesota ownership group with WE Fest roots, which plans to redevelop the site. Its future format hasn't been settled; we'll update this when it is.