Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks lineup announced
Posted on 24 May, 2024
The Lake Harriet Bandshell was repaired and repainted blue in 2023-24. It’s scheduled to host 82 concerts this summer.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to announce the 2024 Music and Movies in the Parks lineup!
This year Minneapolis Music in the Parks features more than 200 free outdoor concerts at nine park venues between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Movies in the Parks will host a free outdoor movie screening on an inflatable screen somewhere in the park system on more than 70 summer nights.
The entire schedule is posted at the Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks website (mplsmusicandmovies.com). Subscribe to email updates on the Music and Movies page to receive the schedule for the upcoming week in your inbox every Sunday night.
Music and Movies Calendar
Music and Movies Map
A printed pocket map will be available at all recreation centers, park restaurants and MPRB Headquarters. Concert performers and movie screenings may change throughout the summer, check online calendars for the most up-to-date information.
Movies in the Parks
Movies in the Parks is scheduled June 1-Aug. 31. A total of 73 outdoor movie screenings are planned, showing a wide variety of new releases and beloved classics, at different parks throughout the summer. Movies start 15 minutes after sunset.
Bringing your own blanket, chair and bug spray is recommended. You can also bring your own food and beverage, no glass please.
Movies in the Parks Online Calendar
Water Works is scheduled to host 27 concerts this summer
Music in the Parks
Music in the Parks begins on Memorial Day, May 27, and ends Labor Day, Monday, September 2. A total of 206 concerts are scheduled to showcase an incredible variety of talented musicians and entertainers from Minneapolis and surrounding communities at nine unique park venues throughout the summer.
New on the Northside
This year’s lineup added two North Minneapolis venues! North Commons Park hosts a concert on the last Monday of each month (June 24, July 29, Aug. 26) at 7 pm. Concerts return to Victory Memorial Drive with “Live After Five on Victory Memorial Drive!” A concert/movie combo is planned on different parkway locations on the second Thursday of each month (June 13, July 11, Aug. 8).
Bandshell Back in Blue
Make sure to check out the Lake Harriet Bandshell this year, which was renovated over the past year and repainted to the blue hue it rocked in the 1990s and early 2000s! The iconic building is scheduled to host 82 concerts this summer, including the Music and Movies in the Parks Kickoff on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. Stop by for a doubleheader featuring Anti-Skip Protection at 5:30 pm and Belfast Cowboys at 7:30 pm!
Music in the Parks Online Calendar
Performer Compensation
Earlier this year we heard from people who are upset that musicians participating in Minneapolis Music in the Parks perform for free. We absolutely understand that being a musician, artist, and performer is real work with long hours spent honing your craft and are truly grateful to have so many musicians and bands that want to be a part of Minneapolis Music in the Parks.
Minneapolis Music in the Parks concerts are always free to attend. Sponsorship revenue helps, but it does not cover the program’s costs. The 200+ concerts offered every year do not generate a profit and are subsidized by property taxes.
The resources available for this free program are used to provide two sound technicians and equipment so performers don’t have to worry about audio operations. Providing professional audio support and equipment for free creates more equitable opportunities for people who want to perform at Minneapolis park venues. Musicians and bands that may not have access to equipment or followings large enough to book major gigs can play a unique outdoor stage with hundreds or even thousands in attendance.
Some smaller park and recreation departments offer compensation for outdoor concerts, but they operate on much smaller scale – 1-2 weekly concerts compared to 15+ per week in Minneapolis – and many of those cities do not provide sound technicians or equipment.
Father Hennepin Bluff Park opened a new stage in July 2023
Venues and Schedules
Lake Harriet Bandshell
Address: 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 pm and 5:30 pm
NEW: A Minneapolis Park Market is also available near the Bandshell during Sunday concerts.
Minnehaha Bandstand
Address: 4801 S Minnehaha Drive
Schedule: Thursday, Friday at 7 pm
NEW: A Minneapolis Park Market is also available near the Bandstand during Friday concerts.
Water Works
Address: 425 West River Parkway
Schedule: Fridays at 12 pm, Mondays at 7 pm
NEW: The Red, White and Boom! 4th of July Celebration returns to the riverfront this year with concerts at Water Works before the fireworks
The Commons
Address: 425 Portland Ave. S
Schedule: Wednesday at 12 pm, Thursday at 7 pm
Bryant Square Park
Address: 3101 Bryant Ave. S
Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday at 6:30 pm
Loring Park
Address: 1382 Willow St.
Schedule: Tuesdays at 7 pm
NEW: DJ in the Park on select Thursdays at 7 pm
Father Hennepin Bluff Park
Address: 420 SE Main St.
Schedule: Tuesday at 7 pm
NEW: North Commons Park
Address: 1801 James Ave. N
Schedule: Last Monday of each month (June 24, July 29, Aug. 26) at 7 pm
NEW: Live After Five on Victory Memorial Drive
Address: Various locations on Victory Memorial Drive
Schedule: Second Thursday of each month (June 13, July 11, Aug. 8) at 7 pm
2024 Sponsors
The MPRB thanks the wonderful sponsors of the 2024 Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks series!
Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland collaborates with hunger relief partners across Minnesota to make sure all our neighbors have enough to eat. One way we do it: by supporting the Free Meals for Kids program, filling the food gap that happens when school is out for the summer. Kids can grab a snack or stop for lunch at park and recreation sites, community centers, libraries, and schools across the state. Find a location near you by downloading the Free Meals for Kids app.
For more info, visit theSecond Harvest Summer Meals site.
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