2019 Summer in the Cities

Soundset
May 26
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
St. Paul, MN
$119-129
soundsetfestival.com

The time has come. Soundset Festival is back! Get ready to dance because this year’s lineup is unlike any other. From SZA to G-Eazy to Lil Wayne, there will be something for everyone’s listening speed. This year’s hosts will surely keep you entertained; Heather B, Sway Calloway, Cros One, and JPratt are ready to party. Are you?

Edina Art Fair
May 31-June 2
Edina, MN
Free admission
www.edinaartfair.com

Right when you think summer is never to be seen again in the state of Minnesota, there’s hope at the end of the long (seriously, it’s been months, Minnesota) tunnel. Celebrate the season at the annual Edina Art Fair where there will be booths and booths of paintings, pottery, clothing, jewelry, and more. Not to mention, lots of dogs!

7 Year Itch: Gamut Gallery 7th Anniversary Celebration
June 7
Gamut Gallery
Minneapolis, MN
$10 (Free for members)
www.gamutgallerympls.com

Celebrate the 7th anniversary of one of the Twin Cities’ premier art galleries, the Elliot Park-based Gamut Gallery. Enjoy the vibrant, geometric art of art collective TINT, live music, raffles, and a video booth where you can make your own Gamut Gallery memories.

Let’s Go Crazy VI
June 8
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
$12-15
first-avenue.com

As if we needed a reason to go crazy, now we have one. Join Transmission and DJ Jake Rudh for a night of nonstop music and celebration of the life of Minneapolis’ favorite son, the late, great Prince. From indie rock to British pop to garage to synth-pop, it won’t take long before you’re ready to go crazy.

Hannah Gadsby
June 12-14
Pantages Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
$39-59+
hennepintheatretrust.org

If you’re looking for a night of sidesplitting laughter and GLBT company, Hannah Gadsby’s stand-up show is definitely for you. As a lesbian woman, Gadsby and her stand-up show “Douglas” are likely to draw in a large GLBT crowd. Get ready to laugh!

Northern Spark
June 14-15
Minneapolis, MN
Free admission
2019.northernspark.org

If you’re an art fanatic but prefer going out at night, you’ll want to check out Northern Spark. A late-night art festival, this year’s Northern Spark is a theme inclusive of everybody: “We Are Here: Resilience, Renewal & Regeneration.”

Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 14-16
Minneapolis, MN
Free admission
www.stonearchbridgefestival.com

It isn’t summer in the Twin Cities without the Stone Arch Bridge Festival. With more than 200 artists, you’ll soon find the weekend slipping by—so much to see, so little time! Whether you come for the food, the drinks, the live music, the art, or the abundance of good dogs, you won’t be able to find a reason to leave.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival
June 20-22
Mears Park St. Paul, MN
Free admission
www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com

It’s time to get jazzy! Head to Mears Park in St. Paul for live performances by some of jazz’s finest. From James Carter to Grace Kelly to Yogev Shetrit, the performers at this year’s festival will have you wishing you wore your boogie shoes.

Carrie Underwood
June 21
Target Center
Minneapolis, MN
$50-100
www.targetcenter.com

The queen of country is back and better than ever! Head over to Target Center for a night you won’t soon forget. On her Cry Pretty Tour 360, Carrie Underwood will be joined by Maddie & Tae and Runaway June for 55 stops to various arenas across the country.

Hugh Jackman
June 22
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN
$46-467
www.xcelenergycenter.com

If meeting Wolverine isn’t at the top of your bucket list, you’re lying. Join Hugh Jackman at Xcel Energy Center for a night of the most popular hits from Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, and other Broadway hits.

Colin Jost
June 22
Mystic Lake Showroom
Prior Lake, MN
$29-69+
www.mysticlake.com

Another show for the jokesters. Pick up tickets to Colin Jost’s comedy show at Mystic Lake for a night of laughs. Known for his Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” segment, Jost is the king of sarcasm and satire—you won’t want to miss it.

Wrestlepalooza XV
June 28
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
$28-35
first-avenue.com

It’s like Lollapalooza… if everyone wore masks and aggressively fought each other. For pro wrestling fans or those who are just fascinated by the sport, Wrestlepalooza XV will be at First Avenue taking professional wrestling to a whole new level.

Rock the Garden
June 29
Walker Art Center
Minneapolis, MN
$74-300
rockthegardenfestival.com

For those of you who make one annual trip to Walker Art Center, your time has come. Rock the Garden is back for a night of activities, art, music, and—the best part—food. This year’s lineup includes The National, Courtney Barnett, X, Heart Bones, Bad Bad Hats, deM atlaS, Adia Victoria, and The Beths.

Carly Rae Jepsen
July 5
State Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
$31-138+
hennepintheatretrust.org

If there’s one thing we’re all missing in our lives, it’s more Carly Rae Jepsen. Come to State Theatre for a night of dancing with the queen of pop, theater, and pretty much just the art of being amazing. Just months after her new album “Dedicated” is released, this show will definitely be unlike any other.

Ariana Grande
July 8
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN
$76-818+
www.xcelenergycenter.com

After being rescheduled from the original date in April, fans are beyond ready to see Ariana Grande perform her Sweetener World Tour show at Xcel Energy Center. That’s right, she’s finally making her long-awaited appearance. Perfect timing because let’s face it, we had “No Tears Left to Cry.”

Backstreet Boys
July 20
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN
$34-893
www.xcelenergycenter.com

Backstreet’s back, ALRIGHT! Join the five heartthrobs on their biggest arena tour in 18 years at Xcel Energy Center. Fingers crossed the legendary group will perform their new hit single “Chances”, written by Shawn Mendes and Ryan Tedder.

Aquatennial
July 24-27
Minneapolis, MN
Free admission for most events
www.aquatennial.com

If you’re looking for some classic Minnesota fun this summer, look no further than the annual Aquatennial. Events this year include lawn games, Family Fun Fest, parades, and a Torchlight 5K.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO
July 25
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN
$96-699
www.xcelenergycenter.com

Join Jeff Lynne’s ELO and singer-songwriter Dhani Harrison at Xcel Energy Center. ELO has had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the U.S. and the U.K., making Lynne’s sweeping productions some of the most recognizable music of the last 40 years and helping sell more than 50 million records worldwide.

Birds Sing Differently Here
July 25-26
The Southern Theater
Minneapolis, MN
$10-20
southerntheater.org

For a play that is just as important as it is entertaining, check out Birds Sing Differently Here at The Southern Theater. A true story about the lives of 13 Iraqi-Minnesotan refugees and immigrants, the show touches on topics of sweetness, sorrow, grief, and discovery.

Cardi B
July 27
Minneapolis, MN
Target Center
$50-125
www.targetcenter.com

With her 2018 album “Invasion of Privacy” at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, Cardi B is coming to Minneapolis to kill it onstage. Whether you’re looking for some rap music, to support strong women, or to just have fun at a concert, Cardi B’s Target Center show is definitely one to add to the calendar.

X Games
Aug. 1-4
U.S. Bank Stadium
Minneapolis, MN $50-800
xgamesminneapolis.frontgatetickets.com

Minneapolis has quickly proven itself to be a sports city—from the Super Bowl to the X Games to the Final Four. Well, X Games is back with its with its skateboarding, Moto X, and other events that will leave your jaw on the floor.

Minnesota Fringe Festival
Aug. 1-11
Various Venues
Minneapolis, MN
www.minnesotafringe.org

It’s been 25 years, and the Minnesota Fringe Festival is still one of the greatest of the summer. Join artists and audiences from a variety of backgrounds for performing arts shows that will leave you speechless. The times have changed, and the shows have definitely kept up.

Gladys Knight
Aug. 9
Mystic Lake Showroom
Prior Lake, MN
$39-164+
www.mysticlake.com

Come to Mystic Lake for a show by grammy-winning Gladys Knight. The diva will perform “Every Beat of my Heart”, “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”, and all of her other classic hits.

Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 22-Sept. 2
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
St. Paul, MN
www.mnstatefair.org

The Minnesota State Fair is a must for anyone who likes music, art, food, or fun… did I miss anyone? If the cookies aren’t enough to draw you in, try one of the many fried foods, concerts, or rides. It’s the perfect way to end the summer… Minnesota style.

Brandi Carlile at the State Fair
Aug. 31
Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Stage
St. Paul, MN
$51-76
www.mnstatefair.org/grandstand

As the most Grammy-nominated female of 2019, Brandi Carlile has come onto the music scene and proven she won’t be leaving any time soon. Join her and guests Mavis Staples and Savannah Conley for a concert of strong, talented female performers.