Outdoors and Recreation
Music in the Park: The Shane Nelson Band
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.
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Duluth Yacht Club runs sailboat races every Wednesday night at 6:15 from mid May to early September on Lake Superior and the Duluth-Superior Harbor within approximately 10 miles of the Duluth Shipping Channel. Fitger’s Brewing Complex Courtyard and other stops along the Lakewalk offer particularly good vantage points.
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD4nrLin9Lw” /]
GND Rec Summer Jam
This outdoor summer event features kids’ games, inflatables, skateboarding, food trucks, ice cream, root beer floats and a free concert from Duluth Transit Authority at 4 p.m. Lawn chairs welcome.
Music in the Park: The Windjammers
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: Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold with The Harlow Pennies
After two decades of writing songs, years of performing as a solo artist, and the release of his debut album Smoky Gold, Danny Frank has formed a cast of seasoned musicians that fully compliments his style, better known as the Smoky Gold.
They will be joined by Minnesota indie band, The Harlow Pennies.
Food trucks for the night will include Johnny B’s, Bowlz n Thangz 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 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.
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Duluth Yacht Club runs sailboat races every Wednesday night at 6:15 from mid May to early September on Lake Superior and the Duluth-Superior Harbor within approximately 10 miles of the Duluth Shipping Channel. Fitger’s Brewing Complex Courtyard and other stops along the Lakewalk offer particularly good vantage points.
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD4nrLin9Lw” /]
BogVenture Series: Alborn Fen
The Alborn Fen is a true fen in a landscape that primarily features bog habitats, making it a unique wetland site in the Sax-Zim Bog area. So far, this site has offered up some exceptional species for the area, including Bog Copper, Spoon-leaf Sundew, Meager Sedge, Rose Pogonia and Zigzag Darner. This field trip has the exciting potential to add even more species to that list. The goals of this field trip are to explore this amazing habitat, see some of the more rare or localized species found in the greater Sax-Zim Bog ecosystem, and to show off the diversity of bogs and fens. Attendees can expect to be hiking off-trail in wet, sometimes uneven terrain and rubber/waterproof boots are recommended.
Field Trip attendance is free for Friends of Sax-Zim Bog members. The $25 membership fee covers free entry to all field trips and programs, excluding workshops, in a 12-month period.
Registration is required at saxzim.org. Registrants meet at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center and Lois King Education Center at 10 a.m. The field trip concludes at 3 p.m.
Earth Rider Makers Market
Unique, sustainable, handcrafted, locally-grown and freshly-brewed goods are sold at the Earth Rider Brewery Fest Grounds on the first Saturday of the month from June to August. The market features a variety of what Twin Ports makers have to offer.
Dragonflies and Damselflies Field Trip
This field trip will focus on seeing and catching adult dragonflies and damselflies. All ages and ability levels are welcome. Extra nets and hand lenses are available for those who would like to use them. Registration is required.
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.
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Duluth Yacht Club runs sailboat races every Wednesday night at 6:15 from mid May to early September on Lake Superior and the Duluth-Superior Harbor within approximately 10 miles of the Duluth Shipping Channel. Fitger’s Brewing Complex Courtyard and other stops along the Lakewalk offer particularly good vantage points.
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD4nrLin9Lw” /]
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.
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.
Mid-season Sax-Zim Bog Butterflies Field Trip
The Sax-Zim Bog is home to a diverse set of plants, and most of those plants have a particularly close relationship to butterflies and moths. Through the seasons, butterfly communities can vary greatly, and July is one of the best months to see an abundant diversity of butterflies in this area. This field trip seeks to provide some encounters with uncommon (to the area) southern species like Black Swallowtail and Silver-spotted Skipper, as well as wetland specialists like Baltimore Checkerspot, and fast-moving Skippers and Blues.
All ages and ability levels are welcome. Field Trip attendance is free for Friends of Sax-Zim Bog members. The $25 membership fee covers free entry to all field trips and programs, excluding workshops, in a 12-month period.
Registration is required at saxzim.org. Registrants meet at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center and Lois King Education Center at noon. The field trip concludes at 5 p.m.
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.
Sax-Zim Bog Fungi Foray and Workshop
This experiential course presented by Ariel Bonkoski, mushroom ID expert, author and owner of Ariel’s Mushroom Co.will consist of an indoor and outdoor portion. The goal of the course is to introduce the fundamentals of mushroom foraging, including edible mushrooms, toxic mushrooms and identifications. Inside, participants begin to build identification skills and foundational information needed to recognize important regional mushroom species. Then everyone heads outdoors to exercise newly found skills and see a few mushroom species to practice those skills through the Sax-Zim Bog.
This course is open to all experience levels and for ages 16 and up. Plan on bringing a lunch, water, note taking materials and appropriate footwear. Much of our time will be spent on boardwalks or trails, with the potential for off-trail exploration into the Bog. Dress for both indoor and outdoor time. Additionally, bring along a basket or mesh bag to forage mushrooms during the class.
Registration is required at saxzim.org. Registrants meet at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center and Lois King Education Center at 9 a.m. The field trip concludes at 3 p.m.
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.
Girls Connected: An Outdoor Experience for Girls and Gender-expansive Youth
This weeklong experience is for girls and gender expansive youth entering grades 5-8 who seek to discover their inner strength and authentic voice in a supportive outdoor space.
Sessions are from 1 to 3 p.m. July 13-17. The cost is $120 for the weeklong camp. Registration and more information is available at svalja.yoga.
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: Joyann Parker with Clayton Ryan
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 punch card 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.
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Duluth Yacht Club runs sailboat races every Wednesday night at 6:15 from mid May to early September on Lake Superior and the Duluth-Superior Harbor within approximately 10 miles of the Duluth Shipping Channel. Fitger’s Brewing Complex Courtyard and other stops along the Lakewalk offer particularly good vantage points.
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD4nrLin9Lw” /]
Hartley Sustainability Workshop Series
This workshop series aims to connect community members with local environmental experts to instruct about local environmental challenges and solutions shaping the region. Workshops take place on the third Thursday of each month and will run through July 2026.
Park Point 5-Miler and 2-Mile Walk 2026
The 55th annual Park Point 5-Miler starts near the Park Point Pavilion. Participants run down Minnesota Avenue before finishing back near the pavilion. They have the choice of a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk.
This is the last of three races in the annual KP Challenge, in which participants commit to three races throughout the spring and summer. The others are the Saint Fennessy 4K and Fitger’s 5K. The aim of the challenge is to help participants keep on a regular training schedule and consistently complete longer distance races. Net proceeds benefit the Young Athletes Foundation, a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of youth athletics.
In celebration of its 50th year, Grandma’s Marathon is offering free entries for those ages 18 and under to each of the five Young Athletes Foundation races in 2026.
Adult Entry Fee Scale
Jan. 1 to May 15 – $20
May 16 to June 30 – $30
July 1 to race day – $40
Register at raceroster.com.
Maxton Gudowski 5k Memorial Run/Walk
This year, all proceeds from online race registration will go to Cooper Community Care, a nonprofit organization based in Superior and dedicated to reducing the impact of poverty on local families and ensuring a more equitable education for all children in the community. There will also be a raffle on the day of the race, with proceeds going to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center.