Music / Concerts
Duluth Fourth Fest 2026
Duluth’s annual Independence Day celebration features live music throughout the day, food and craft venders, a bouncy house for kids, and fireworks at 10 p.m. This year’s event commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
Entertainment Schedule
12:30 p.m. — The Perpetual Guests
1:30 p.m. — Steven Solkela’s Patriotic Event
3 p.m. — Sound Inc Reunion
4:15 p.m. — Siren
5:30 p.m. — The Sydney Hansen Band
6:30 p.m. — The Voyageurs
7:50 p.m. — Welcome from Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert
8 p.m. — Some Sh!tty Cover Band
10 p.m. — Fireworks over Duluth’s harbor
Gates open at noon. Admission is free and handicap accessible. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs. No bottles, outside food, coolers, weapons or animals are allowed at Bayfront Park. No unsanctioned fireworks or open flames are allowed in the park — and that includes sparklers. One empty water bottle per patron is permitted. Water stations are located inside the park across from portable restroom units.
Limited parking is available at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center parking ramp, the Great Lakes Aquarium lot and in parking lots on Railroad Street west of Fifth Avenue West.
The Minnesota Slip Bridge (the blue pedestrian bridge between the DECC and Canal Park) is lowered and closed to marine traffic from 8:30 to 11 p.m. The Aerial Lift Bridge stays down and is closed to marine traffic from 7 to 11 p.m. Vessels that are able to pass under the bridge without requiring a lift are permitted to do so. The bridge is lit in red, white and blue colors during the event.
Old Time Folk Jam
Duluth Folk School’s Old Time Folk Jam is held on the first and third Saturday of each month. Sometimes there is some folk dancing during the jam, depending on the audience.
Learn & Sing Sea Shanties
Paul Webster and other shantymen lead this twice-monthly event, featuring sea shanties and other work songs that are easy to join in on. Experienced and inexperienced singers are welcome.
The events are free, but a $5 to $10 donation is appreciated.
Teague Alexy
Americana musician Teague Alexy plays most Monday evenings at Sir Ben’s.
Wynonna Judd and Melissa Etheridge
Country legend Wynonna Judd and bluesy rocker Melissa Etheridge join forces for their Raised on the Radio tour. $2 from every ticket sold will be donated to The Etheridge Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Music in the Park: Tab & Nicole and The Mahon Brothers
The 42nd annual Music in the Park concert series, formerly known as the Chester Creek Concert Series, features a variety of live music on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. This summer all shows are at Lincoln Park while chalet renovations happen at Chester Bowl Park. The series is presented by Duluth Parks and Recreation and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club. The Twin Ports Express food truck will be on site and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
For weather-related cancellations or updates, call the Music in the Park hotline at 218-730-4321 after 3 p.m. the night of the concert or visit duluthmn.gov/parks/cancellations.
Concerts on the Pier 2026: Slope City with Water Cat
Slope City mixes blues, Americana and soul-inspired pop not only in their original songs, but into their covers. They will be joined by Water Cat, who dabble in international music and reggie inspired tunes.
Glensheen’s Concerts on the Pier are an opportunity for Duluthians to wander the Glensheen grounds and enjoy free live music. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Food and drinks are available for purchase but small outside snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. Do not bring in large coolers. Service animals are allowed on the estate; other pets are discouraged. It is also encouraged to bike, boat, walk or kayak to the concert since parking is limited. Openers perform from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., continuing with headliners from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This year, Glensheen is offering a skip-the-line package. The package includes a punchcard to all nine concerts, allowing folks to skip the line with early access, a 2026 Concerts on the Pier t-shirt and a sticker. Those can be purchased at tickets.umn.edu.
Courtside Concerts at Pier B
Make plans for summer nights of soul, funk and groove on the water with Soulhead for Pier B Hotel’s Courtside Concert Series.
The series takes place every Wednesday in June, July and August from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Duluth Days 2026
Superior Street shuts down to traffic for sidewalk shopping, food, entertainment and fun during Downtown Duluth Days.
The main event on Thursday is the Block Party presented by Fond-du-Luth Casino.
Hodag Country Festival
The 48th annual Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander runs July 9-12.
Single-day and full fest tickets can be purchased at hodag.com.
Thursday Schedule:
Garrett Thorn — 4:30 p.m.
Brett Westgrove – 5:45 p.m.
Neal McCoy — 7 p.m.
Russell Dickerson — 9 p.m.
Beer Gardens at Great Lakes Aquarium 2026
Beer Garden events are held outside the Great Lakes Aquarium every Thursday in July and August and feature rotating food trucks and musical artists, with views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor.
This week’s musical act is Hannah Rey. The food truck is Log Home Wood Fired Pizza.
Admission is free. Cash or credit cards are accepted for food and beverages purchased at the outdoor bar. Families and non-human companions are welcome, though guests must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol.
Great Lakes Aquarium is open for indoor exploration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Standard admission rates apply. Indoor restrooms will remain accessible until the Beer Garden closes at 8 p.m.
Vinyl Sighting Presents: Northern Wax Crew
Vibe on vinyl every first and third Thursday of the month. DJ sessions are from a rotating cast. Audience will hear sets from DJ ANIBODY, Saint John, DJ Fraudulent, DJ StaggaLee, Natty Nico, Steeze in the Breeze, Bog Boy, Moeview and Al Pajamas. All are welcome.
Lutsong Music Festival 2026
The fifth annual Lutsong Music Festival runs July 9-12 on stages at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the North Shore Winery in Lutsen.The Caribou Highlands great lawn hosts artisans, musicians and music lovers all weekend with a vendor village, food and drinks. This year’s festival marks a milestone with the National Parks Lake Superior Foundation, celebrating their 20th anniversary of stewardship and conservation work protecting the north shore.
Head down the hill to the North Shore Winery main stage each night for the headliner act. After those headliner shows you can take the shuttle back to Caribou Highlands for the Caribou Campfire Guitar Pull.
Tickets for the fest can be purchased at lutsongmusicfestival.simpletix.com.
Music in the Park at Bennett
This year’s Music in the Park at Bennett will feature six evenings of live music designed for all ages. In addition to a larger lineup, this year’s series also showcases a brand new stage in the park.
Concerts take place on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the north end of Bennett Park.
2026 Concert Lineup:
June 25 – MorningBird
July 9 – Adessa & the Beat
July 16 – Honkytonks & Hangovers
July 23 – Timmy Haus
July 30 – The Everly Covers
August 6 – Pirates, Guitars, & Beachfront Bars
Celtic Jam
Every Thursday, Sir Benedict’s brings a little Celtic twist to the English pub with the Celtic Jam. This open session is available to anyone who wants to join in and is open to all ages and talent levels.
The Golden Ticket: A Celebration of Aging Carnival
A celebration of growing older with joy and laughter during which attendees can enjoy games, health and wellness activities, a classic car show, live entertainment, food trucks, educational speakers, bingo and more. Presented by The Northland Aging Care Network.
Registration for the free event is available at eventbrite.com.
Lutsong Music Festival 2026
The fifth annual Lutsong Music Festival runs July 9-12 on stages at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the North Shore Winery in Lutsen.The Caribou Highlands great lawn hosts artisans, musicians and music lovers all weekend with a vendor village, food and drinks. This year’s festival marks a milestone with the National Parks Lake Superior Foundation, celebrating their 20th anniversary of stewardship and conservation work protecting the north shore.
Head down the hill to the North Shore Winery main stage each night for the headliner act. After those headliner shows you can take the shuttle back to Caribou Highlands for the Caribou Campfire Guitar Pull.
Tickets for the fest can be purchased at lutsongmusicfestival.simpletix.com.
Hodag Country Festival
The 48th annual Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander runs July 9-12.
Single-day or full fest tickets can be purchased at hodag.com.
Friday Schedule:
John Morgan — 5 p.m.
Jo Dee Messina — 7 p.m.
Brothers Osborne — 9 p.m.
Billy Bragg
The folk-punk legend performs.
D-Town Driftway: Mario Kart Live Band
D-Town Driftway is Duluth’s premiere Mario Kart 8 live band, performing Mario Kart original soundtrack hits while audience members race in a head-to-head competition.
The band features Beck Fulin on trumpet, Devon Defoe on saxophone, Marshall Dillon on guitar, Luke Torrent on drums, and Taylor Shykes on bass.
Queensrÿche and Sebastian Bach at Grand Casino
Queensrÿche and Sebastian Bach are teaming up for a one-of-a-kind night of rock metal fusion at Grand Casino.
Bach is known not only for his time as a member of Skid Row, but for being marked as the “first heavy metal singer on Broadway” for his work in “Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Queensrÿche has been rocking since 1982 and has no plan to stop anytime soon. Some of their hits include “Silent Lucidity,” “Jet City Woman” and “I Don’t Believe in Love.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m.
Hodag Country Festival
The 48th annual Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander runs July 9-12.
Single-day or full fest tickets can be purchased at hodag.com.
Saturday Schedule:
Meghan Patrick — 1 p.m.
Mark Chesnutt — 2:30 p.m.
Niko Moon — 4:30 p.m.
LeAnn Rimes — 6:30 p.m.
Old Dominion — 9 p.m.
Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band
Texas-based musician Lyle Lovett brings his Small Large Band back to the Big Top.
Lovett is known for his rich storytelling skills and for his fusion of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues. Among his four Grammys, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award, and was named Texas State Musician.
Tickets are available at bigtop.org.
Church of Cash
The award-winning Church of Cash is a Johnny Cash tribute-show band composed of Jay Ernest on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Jonathon TeBeest on drums, percussion and background vocals; “Jumpin’” Jack Mansk on electric, baritone and acoustic guitars and background vocals; and Tony Wirth on bass, upright bass and background vocals.
Tickets are available at lwmusic.org.
Lutsong Music Festival 2026
The fifth annual Lutsong Music Festival runs July 9-12 on stages at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the North Shore Winery in Lutsen.The Caribou Highlands great lawn hosts artisans, musicians and music lovers all weekend with a vendor village, food and drinks. This year’s festival marks a milestone with the National Parks Lake Superior Foundation, celebrating their 20th anniversary of stewardship and conservation work protecting the north shore.
Head down the hill to the North Shore Winery main stage each night for the headliner act. After those headliner shows you can take the shuttle back to Caribou Highlands for the Caribou Campfire Guitar Pull.
Tickets for the fest can be purchased at lutsongmusicfestival.simpletix.com.