Music / Concerts
City on the Hill Music Festival 2026
City on the Hill Music Festival is two days of Christian, faith-based music at Bayfront Festival Park on the shores of Lake Superior. The event runs Aug. 7-8.
Gates open at 2 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday, welcoming attendees from across the Midwest to experience a lineup featuring Anne Wilson and Cain as headliners, alongside performances from Leanna Crawford, Ben Fuller, Cade Thompson and more.
In addition to live music, guests can enjoy a wide variety of food vendors, explore local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and take part in a dedicated kids’ area featuring activities, bounce houses and a sensory space designed for those who might need a break from the crowd.
Tickets are available at cityonthehillmusicfest.com or by calling 1-800-854-1320. In-person tickets are available at Life 97.3 or Sonshine Detail Center in Grand Rapids. Group rates are available.
Chris Kroeze
The pull of small-town life and the passion for music never left Chris Kroeze as he became one of the top country musicians in the Midwest. His journey began in Nashville in 2014, where he held a fundraiser that would lead to him recording his first single, “Four Letter Words,” which received strong radio play and kick-started his career.
Kroeze performs all across the U.S. and internationally, including multiple tours overseas each year in support of our U.S. Armed Forces.
Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 when purchased online and $20 at the gate. Ages 15 and under are free. Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com.
Teague Alexy
Americana musician Teague Alexy plays most Monday evenings at Sir Ben’s.
Celtic Song Circle
Celtic Song Circle is an event where attendees can sing and play Irish and Scottish favorites in a group setting. Instruments are welcome.
Music in the Park
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.
Schedule
June 16 – Palisade
June 23 – The Shane Nelson Band
June 30 – The Windjammers
July 7 – Tab & Nicole (6:30-7:10 p.m.) The Mahon Brothers (7:20-8 p.m.)
July 14 – Rory Van James
July 21 – The Gemstones
July 28 – Peat Boggs
Aug. 4 – Lydia Boyum & Ryan Lane (6:30-7:10 p.m.) Four Mile Portage (7:20-8 p.m.)
Aug. 11 – Indecent Proposal
Concerts on the Pier 2026: Climes with Skarlett Woods
Food trucks for the night include Johnny B’s, Gumbeaux Guys and Oasis Del Norte.
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 a lawn chair or blanket. 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 only are allowed on the estate. 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.
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 Paul Newberg Music. The food truck is Emma’s Kitchen.
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.
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.
Lake Effect Music Fest 2026
Lake Effect Music Fest is a two-day celebration of music and outdoor adventure with a lineup of 13 bands performing across two stages, featuring genres from punk rock to indie to folk to bluegrass. The event runs Aug. 14-16.
Performers
Liquid Mike
Boss Mama
Saltydog
Twine
Marlee Paine
Javier Trojo
Idle Rose
Hot Tamale Cosmos
Baba Fats
Spring Fed
Yazmin Bowers
Dig Deep
Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold
Beyond the music, attendees can immerse themselves in nature with on-site camping under the stars, explore scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and enjoy a variety of food trucks and refreshing beverages including an array of local craft beers.
Each 2-day festival pass grants one general-admission ticket to both days of the festival and parking for one vehicle. Camping is included on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Tickets are available at bigtop.org.
Bayfront Blues Festival 2026
The 37th annual Bayfront Blues Festival is a three-day outdoor concert running Aug. 14-16. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day of the festival.
Silver Bay Music in the Park 2026
Silver Bay Music in the Park is a series of free concerts held on summer Friday nights at City Center Park next to Silver Bay City Hall. Performer styles range from jazz and bluegrass to singer-songwriter folk and rock and roll. Attendees can bring a lawn chair and/or a blanket.
Sparrow Smith & the Resonant Rogues
Sparrow Smith, a multi-instrumentalist based in Marshall, North Carolina, is known for her songwriting, banjo playing, accordion chops and striking outfits. A longtime member and leader of multiple bands (most notably Resonant Rogues) with Keith Josiah Smith, her husband and collaborator, Sparrow is stepping out under her own name with a new album of Appalachian originals.
Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
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.
Lake Effect Music Fest 2026
Lake Effect Music Fest is a two-day celebration of music and outdoor adventure with a lineup of 13 bands performing across two stages, featuring genres from punk rock to indie to folk to bluegrass. The event runs Aug. 14-16.
Performers
Liquid Mike
Boss Mama
Saltydog
Twine
Marlee Paine
Javier Trojo
Idle Rose
Hot Tamale Cosmos
Baba Fats
Spring Fed
Yazmin Bowers
Dig Deep
Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold
Beyond the music, attendees can immerse themselves in nature with on-site camping under the stars, explore scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and enjoy a variety of food trucks and refreshing beverages including an array of local craft beers.
Each 2-day festival pass grants one general-admission ticket to both days of the festival and parking for one vehicle. Camping is included on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Tickets are available at bigtop.org.
Bayfront Blues Festival 2026
The 37th annual Bayfront Blues Festival is a three-day outdoor concert running Aug. 14-16. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day of the festival.
J Streitz and Jimmy Rogers
J Streitz and Jimmy Rogers of the Americana band J Streitz and the Long Odds perform on the third Saturday of each month at Sir Ben’s, playing original Midwest Americana music along with a few covers by the likes of John Prine, Bob Dylan, Justin Townes Earle, Son Volt and similar artists.
Skarlett Woods
Jazz-folk artist Skarlett Woods headlines a songwriter showcase featuring blues-folkers Slope City and Americana player Sarah Morris.
Bayfront Blues Festival 2026
The 37th annual Bayfront Blues Festival is a three-day outdoor concert running Aug. 14-16. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day of the festival.
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.
Concerts on the Pier 2026: Brothers Burn Mountain with Long Sleeves
Food trucks for the night include Johnny B’s, Gumbeaux Guys and Oasis Del Norte.
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 a lawn chair or blanket. 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 only are allowed on the estate. 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.
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 J Streitz. 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.
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.