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Thanks to vaccines and ebbing COVID-19 cases, you can once again nod your head, snap your fingers or dance like nobody’s watching in front of your favorite bands this summer. 

Here’s a look at which festivals are back for the summer.

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Food and drink festivals around the state

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The well-known celebration of all things country music is gearing up for its 37th year. The all-ages festival will be going on, rain or shine, Thursday, Aug. 5 through Saturday, Aug. 7. You can 

 to stay close to the action and if you want to be close to friends make sure you arrive together, there is no saving specific campsites ahead of time. 

 this year includes Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton. 

 Another campout country-fest can be found in Winsted on Aug. 20-21. 

 will be headlined by Sam Hunt and Luke Combs. Be quick, 

If you like jazz: Twin Cities Jazz Festival

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is back with an in person live event scheduled for Sept. 17-18 in Mears Park in downtown St. Paul — 

. However, TCJF has already put on several live shows and is serving up more via their 

 or reserve your spot in one of their upcoming CrowdCasts. And it’s all for free, though they do accept 

If you want to get in touch with nature as well as shake it up, 

. Held at Harmony Park over Labor Day weekend, the outdoor festival will feature a variety of genres with a lineup including Wookiefoot, Trevor Hall, The Reminders and Lowdown Brass Band. Camping is a big part of the festival, as is the effort to keep the event clean and green. Guidelines for cutting down on waste are posted on 

. One change this year is that you must be 18 or older to attend.

 For something more family-friendly check out 

 in Ely over Labor Day weekend. These outdoor concerts will include fun performances by the Okee Dokee Brothers, jeremy messersmith, Koo Koo Kanga Roo and more.

If you like funk: Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest

In lieu of a big event in Mears Park this year, the 

 lives on as a concert series hosted at Dual Citizen Brewing in St. Paul. We’re too late to tell you about June’s show, but you can still catch The Good, The Bad and The Funky on July 10 or Bernard Allison on Aug. 14. Both events are all ages and free to the public, 

Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest are also putting on daytime shows at Mears Park on Sundays, check out 

If you like variety: Down by the Riverside

Pack your lawn chair and head over to Mayo Park in Rochester every Sunday starting July 11 for a free and unique musical experience. 

 is another event that takes the form of a series of concerts rather than a weekend-long show, but you won’t want to miss this scheduled lineup: Lindsay Ell, Chastity Brown, Smash Mouth, Polica and more.

 The Minnesota Fringe Festival, taking place online and in-person Aug. 5-15, features performances of all kinds, 

If you're ready to rock — and camp — head to the 

 in Walker, Minn., on July 22-24. Headliners include Halestorm, Cheap Trick and Todd Rundgren. You can choose from a variety of 

 and any tickets and passes purchased for last year’s canceled event should be valid for this year’s shows.

If you like blues: Bayfront Blues Festival

Catch a refreshing breeze off the blue(ish) waters of Lake Superior while you enjoy over 20 performers at this 

. The festival goes from Aug. 13-15 at the Bayfront Festival Park. Again, you can pick from a 

, with one-day general admission tickets on sale for $59 if you buy early. Headliners include The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tab Benoit and C. J. Chenier.

If you like classical: Northern Lights Music Festival

 takes shape as a series of concerts, performances and lectures at several venues around the Iron Range. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. The lineup features international artists as well as award-winning young artists.

If you like big band: Vintage Music Festival

 at this July 31 festival in Northfield. For 12 hours, 11 bands will be performing at Bridge Square in the city’s downtown. Bring your dancing shoes since many of the bands will be serving up jazz and swing as well as big band. The event is free with the 

If you like bluegrass: Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival

Held at El Rancho Mañana in Richmond, this 

, running from August 5-8, offers great music as well as workshops. Featuring High 48's, Sam Bush Band, Sideline and more, 

 and ages 12 and under get in for free. If you have your own banjo, fiddle, bass, guitar or mandolin bring it with and learn something new at 

the workshops being held during the festival

 — or just in case someone nearby wants to join in on an impromptu jam.

 If you want more activity with your festival, float on down to the banks of Prairie Island Campground for the 

 Sept. 23-25. As the name implies, there will be boats! The lineup has yet to be announced but tickets are 

 — 16 and under can attend for free. This fest has a heavy focus on fun and keeping the area clean after the fans leave. Make sure you 

 has a new home at the Lakes Music and Events Park in Pine River. Get 

 for this bluegrass jam taking place Aug. 25-29 — Appalachian Road Show will be headlining.

If you like techno and house: The Great Beyond

 and natural beauty at the Minnesota River Valley Sanctuary in Franklin, July 30 through Aug. 1. You can choose a 

 that either includes camping, or if you’re feeling more indoorsy, shuttle service from Jackpot Junction casino/hotel nearby. 

 is a youth rally and Christian hip-hop festival taking place in Minneapolis on Sept. 11. In addition to 

 there will also be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Their website also states a purpose: “to stand against youth violence, and to empower urban youth in the community while meeting their practical and spiritual needs.”

 happening Sept. 25-26 at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds is a hybrid of great comedy and music. 

 for a half day of comedy, half day of musical performances, a full day of both or the whole two-day event. There’s even a virtual livestream ticket option in case you can’t make it in person. Alongside the performances — which include shows by Jamecia Bennett and Annie Mack — there will be a free marketplace. The event supports gender equality in the Twin Cities and the Finnegan’s Brewery Community Fund. Attendees can bring non-perishable food items to donate.

 Sept. 10-11 in, you guessed it, Grand Rapids. This show brings a variety of great artists together with Trampled by Turtles headlining Friday and Yonder Mountain String Band closing out the fest Saturday night. Bring your own chair, and possibly an umbrella because this show is rain or shine!

If you like road trips: Some festivals happening outside of Minnesota

 in Spearfish and Rapid City, S.D., July 10-26.

Tell us about your favorite music event and we’ll add it to the list

Correction: (July 9, 2021): A previous version of this report listed an incorrect location for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival. The story has been updated.

Sara Porter

Author

Thanks to vaccines and ebbing COVID-19 cases, you can once again catch music live and in person. Here’s a look at which festivals are back for what’s left of the summer.

Gettin' the bands back together: Your guide to music fests around Minnesota

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