Watch CBS News

Best Fourth Of July Concerts In Minnesota

Reignite your patriotism this year with spectacular sounds and sights. Here are five American-themed concerts over the holiday that celebrates the birth of independence in America.
Minnesota Orchestra In Cuba
(credit: YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images)

 Minnesota Orchestra
Boom Island Park
724 Sibley St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-230-6400
www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Date: Wed., June 29, 2016 at 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free

"Thanks to several Orchestra musicians' suggestions, we are thrilled to play a free Fourth of July concert in Minneapolis on Boom Island this year," Minnesota Orchestra President and CEO Kevin Smith, said. Program includes stirring Sousa marches and awe inspiring Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" under the baton of Assistant Conductor Roderick Cox. Be sure to show your appreciation for the orchestra's gift to the community and they will reward you with a spirited "The Stars and Stripes Forever" encore. See the Minnesota Orchestra in your home town as "Symphony For The Cities" concerts are coming to the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Plymouth's Hilde Performance Center, Winona's Lake Park and Hudson, Wisconsin's Lakefront Park Bandshell.

Fourth of July Fireworks, Flyover & Music
Memorial Beach
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
www.manitoudays.com

Date: July 4th at 8:00 p.m.

"Music by the Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band is all patriotic and is just incredible," Bill Foussard, Fundraising Coordinator for the White Bear Lake Volunteer Fireworks Committee, said. "Fifty plus band members come together to play with enormous energy and enthusiasm. They have been doing this for years and years." Then, right in the middle of the stirring music, four North American Aviation T-6 Texan single-engine planes roar over the crowd at 8:30 p.m. The band plays right up to the start of a spectacular fireworks display over White Bear Lake starting at 10:00 p.m.

Brian Kinney Band
(credit: Facebook)

Brian Kinney Band
Eagan's July 4th Funfest
Eagan Community Center Festival Grounds
1501 Central Parkway
Eagan, MN 55112
www.eaganfunfest.org

Date: Mon. July 4th, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

"We'll be playing Ray Charles version of "America the Beautiful," Brian Kinney, of the popular local variety band, said. Brian Kinney is back with his band and on the Funfest Stage starting at 8:00 p.m. and playing until the fireworks show at 10:00 p.m. Be there for the parade at 10:00 a.m. and festival grounds opening at 12:00 p.m. with vendors, carnival and DJ.

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture With Live Cannons
City Of Stillwater
216 N. Fourth St.
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-430-8800
www.stcroixsplash.org

Dates: Mon. July 4, 2016 at 10:00 p.m. during fireworks

Listen to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture on a jumbo sound system choreographed with fireworks and 24 shells fired from Civil War cannons. Battery I of the 1st US Artillery will muzzle load these five antique cannons and coordinate their blasts with the finale of the dramatic musical oeuvre. See the unit set up the cannons at Mulberry Point in Lowell Park followed by with questions and answers and demos for the public at 3:00 p.m.

Related: Best Fireworks In Minnesota

Fort Snelling
(credit: CBS)

Fife and Drum Music
Independence Day Celebration
Historic Fort Snelling
Minnesota Highways 5 and 55
Bloomington Road Exit (follow signs to historic site)
612-726-1171
www.historicfortsnelling.org

Date: Monday July 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Price: $11 Adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children 6 to 17, children under 5 free

Historical reenactment at its finest, and especially the Fife and Drum Corps made up of staff musicians and student volunteers in full regalia, performing from time to time throughout the day. Selections span from the Revolutionary War through World War II, years that Fort Snelling was an active United States Army installation. The corps will play during military ceremonies and have two 15 to 20 minute concerts during the Independence Day event. Highlight of the day will be the reenactment of Colonel Snelling's victory at the Battle of Oak Woods during the War of 1812 conducted on the Parade Grounds.

Related: Best Free Concerts In Minnesota

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.