Where the beat never stops: Live jazz, blues & multi-day music fests
By Dave Bodle
Customize a music adventure tour that’s ideal for small groups.
Much of the Minnesota music has come from music icons Prince, Bob Dylan and The Replacements. That wave continues with local bands playing a variety of sounds, or styles. That diversity is the Minnesota music scene.
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Arrive in Minneapolis and begin your musical excursion by following Prince’s Purple Path. This GPS-connected walking tour takes you from his childhood to various landmarks that connect this legend’s music. Learn more about his music at recording sites and venues like First Avenue, Bunkers and The Dakota, where he often performed or just showed up for a jam session. Most Purple Rain’s club scenes were filmed at the famous First Avenue nightclub, once owned by Prince, located right in the heart of Minneapolis. Fourteen sites make for a memorable adventure. Don’t miss the 100-foot high Crown Our Prince mural, located on the Target Center, for a group photo opp.
Paisley Park: Prince’s Home and Studio is located in Chanhassen, about 20-minutes west of Minneapolis. This 60,000-square-foot historic venue welcomes fans and music lover for tours, concerts, special events and festivals. Opened in 1987, the studio was where Prince created and recorded a majority of his musical masterpieces. Others from Madonna to
REM to major movie soundtracks recorded there as well. A variety of tours, allow access to where music was recorded, produced and performed. Concert wardrobes, Prince’s famous shoe collection, awards, artwork and even motorcycles are on display. Based on your time available, enjoy “The Paisley Experience,” “The VIP Experience,” or “The Ultimate Experience.” Tickets are only available on advance sale. Phones and recording devices are restricted.
Nearby is a top Minnesota group attraction and the nation’s oldest full-service dinner theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT). This year-round entertainment destination has been providing live entertainment alongside delicious meals since 1968. Their Main Stage seats 540 with executive seating accommodating an additional 36. The best of Broadway musicals get you ready to sing along. The CDT Concert Series features great tribute artists every weekend in the Fireside Theatre. StevieRay’s Comedy Cabaret can be found in the Playhouse every Friday and Saturday night. The Hogarth: Pre-Theatre Cocktail Bar is open an hour prior to dinner seating and offers a full menu of wine, beer and spirits.
Every day, hundreds of direct domestic and international flights arrive at Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport (MSP). Many travelers take the Metro Blue Line train directly to Minnesota’s most visited attraction, Mall of America in Bloomington, just 5 minutes from MSP. Even the most enthusiast music travelers need to enjoy the shopping, dining and entertainment that is Mall of America. With more than 500 stores, you are sure to find something that’s perfect for you. MOA® has true retail therapy from high tech and toys to fashion and food–and there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes in Minnesota. Hungry? There are more than 100 spots, from treats to award-winning cuisine and everything in between. Be prepared to be entertained at SEA LIFE Aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe, the Museum of Illusions, or one of 28 attractions.
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Catch popular local artists playing every night in venues across the state. Whether it’s hip hop and rock, or punk and jazz, you can hear your favorite sounds. Check out a few local bands on your visit. There’s a good chance you’ll see them on the national scene soon.
In addition to a full line of incredible artists, there are plenty of venues to hear their music. Berlin/Minneapolis has a cabaret feel, but is famous for new, cutting performances. Cabooze/Minneapolis features live performances regularly. Varsity Theater/Minneapolis has a live performance calendar into February 2026. First Avenue & 7th St Entry/Minneapolis began its climb as an independent rock club in 1970 with Joe Crocker’s opening performance. It’s a stop on the Prince’s PurplePathwalk.The Dakota/Minneapolis brings a full, chef-driven menu together with world-class music seven days a week. Green Room/Minneapolis hosts a band night and is known for keeping its finger on the up-and-coming music scene. Blues Saloon/St.Paul offers an authentic venue for world class blues acts and a great stage for local and regional favorites. Minnesota Music Café/St. Paul promises the food is great and the music is cooking. Turf Club/St. Paul grew from a 1940s country music dance hall to a venue featuring local and touring rock bands.
The Minnesota Music Scene extends beyond the Twin Cities metro area. Near St. Cloud The Ledge Amphitheater is an expansive beautiful outdoor venue, allows. up to 6,000 concert goers to be entertained by both local and big-name national performers. Historic downtown St. Cloud’s Pioneer Place on Fifth. gives visitors a feel for the city’s past while providing a premier performance space for solo artists to large onstage regional acts. Just off the main stage the Veranda Lounge regularly host entertainment and always providing delicious cocktails, wine and whiskey.
Grand Rapids is the birthplace of Judy Garland, of The Wizard of Oz fame. Longtime music and entertainment lovers find their way to the Judy Garland Museum, set in her restored 1920s childhood home where. Carefully curated exhibits tell the story of her amazing career and musical accomplishments. Grand Rapids celebrates the Judy Garland Festival
annually in mid-June. While there, look to the Reif Performing Arts Center, or The Reif, which features the 700-seat Wilcox Theater and the 200-seat Ives Theater. Their performance calendar stretches well into 2026 with an excellent blend of individual performers, musical groups and large stage productions.
Legendary singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan was born in Duluth and was raised in Hibbing, on Minnesota’s “ Iron Range “. and is a testimony to small-town roots. Start your visit at his childhood home on 25th Street, where he lived before leaving for the University of Minnesota. Learn about life on the Iron Range during Dylan’s formative years and take in a concert at the Minnesota Discovery Center in nearby Chisholm.
Glensheen on Lake Superior in Duluth is an incredible experience. The historic 39-room mansion built on a 12-acre estate features gardens, bridges and was self-sufficient at the turn of the 20th century a variety of tour options. During the summer months take time for a cold beverage in the Glensheen Beer Garden and enjoy regularly scheduled Concerts on the Pier, with all of Lake Superior as the backdrop.
Minnesota is ready to welcome your groups. The perfect place to start is exploreminnesota.com. For assistance building your itineraries, reach out to Brenda Maas at 651.757.1886, or Brenda.Maas@state.mn.us
Mark Your Calendar for These Minnesota Events
Throughout Minnesota, there is great music being played every evening. Though when summer arrives, it’s festival time. Mark your summer calendars for these great events in 2026.
- Duluth’s Dylan Fest/Duluth–Traditional May event A multi-day celebration of Duluth’s favorite son includes concerts, jam sessions and more.
- Twin Cities Jazz Fest/St. Paul–June 19-20, 2026. Mears Park, Lowertown hosts the 27th annual event.
- Winstock/Winstead-June 19-20, 2026. For more than three decades, this country music festival has attracted the best country performers.
- Lakes Jam/Brainerd–June 25-28,2026. For more than 20years, Lakes Jam has brought live music to Brainerd.
- Taste of Minnesota/Minneapolis–2026 dates have not been announced, but you can expect the weekend following July 4.
- Minnesota Yacht Club/St. Paul–The debut installment in 2025 was a huge hit. Watch for 2026 dates to be posted.
- Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival/Duluth–June 26-28, 2026. Great music performed and enjoyed at Duluth’s waterfront..
- We Fest/Detroit Lakes–August 6-8,2026. “America’s biggest country music and camping festival” returns.
- Boats and Bluegrass/Winona–Traditionally, this late September festival rounds out the summer season.
- Pencil in the last weekend in September for bluegrass on the banks of the Mississippi River.
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