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Best Upcoming Outdoor Concerts Near Minnesota

Find five fantastic outdoor happenings make this a summer to remember as music is popping up all over Minnesota. Trek up north for rock, country or bluegrass, boogie in Somerset or shake your bootie Shakopee.

Moondance Jam
Moondance Jam Fairgrounds
7050 39th Ave. N.W.
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 836-1055
www.moondancejam.com

Dates: July 16 through July 18, 2015

See and hear big name concert bands like Shinedown, Nickelback, The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, Huey Lewis & the News and Papa Roach. Moondance has over 50 bands scheduled this year for non-stop listening enjoyment. What started in 1992 as a scheme to promote Bill Bieloh's riding stables near Walker, is now a four-day event attracting over 50,000. Single-day general admission is $130 and the three-day pass of $550 includes a pre-Jam Party Wednesday night.

Banjo
(credit: Jupiter Images)

Double Barrel Bluegrass Festival
Pineridge Grouse Camp
6328 32nd Ave. N.E.
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 301-6083
www.doublebarrelbluegrass.com

Dates: July 17 at 6 p.m. and July 18, 2015 at 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Price: $38 for Friday & Saturday

Minnesota native Charlie Parr kicks off the Fest on Friday, playing authentic, heartfelt original folk blues on three vintage instruments. Enjoy the music he perfected and has recorded on six albums. Turpentine Wine will join him for a fun Friday evening. Kick back and relax on Saturday to Dick Kimmel Band, Wasteband, Turpentine Wine and Black River Revue. It all leads up to The Special Consensus, a band that has recently received copious awards and recognition from music industry entities.
 

Warped Tour
Photo Credit: Emily Buss

Vans Warped Tour
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Road
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 445-7224
www.vanswarpedtour.com

Date: July 26, 2015 at 11 a.m.

Over 100 bands alternating on eight stages placed around Canterbury Park keep the music flowing. America's largest traveling music festival is coming to Minnesota this July. The skateboard shoe manufacturer has been sponsoring this punk-rock-and-related-genre event since 1996. See the website featuring band names and genre scheduled for this concert. Band times are scheduled in the morning and posted at the big inflatable at the Vans main tent. Vans provides free filtered water and food vending throughout the day plus shaded areas, misting stations and a cool Slip and Slide.

Related: Best Outdoor Summer Concerts In Minnesota

WE Fest
Soo Pass Ranch
25526 City Highway 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(800) 493-3378
www.wefest.com

Dates: Aug. 6 through Aug. 8, 2015

See and hear 18 headliner country music bands scheduled over five days. Redline starts the shindig at 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Blake Shelton closes the concert later that week on Saturday night. Since 1983, scenic Soo Pass Ranch has been drawing crowds to WE Fest, now nominated twice as Best Special Event by the Country Music Association. Its natural amphitheater can accommodate up to 50,000 people for any given concert. WE Fest offers a variety of campgrounds each designated for different lifestyles housing up to 35,000 people. Three-day general admission is $139.

Summer Set
(credit: Summer Set)

Summer Set
Somerset Amphitheater
715 Spring St.
Somerset, WI 54025
(751) 247-2004
www.summersetfestival.com

Dates: Aug. 14 through Aug. 16, 2015

Experience the percussive clamor and din of electronic dance music in the Somerset Amphitheater—enough to rattle anyone's bones. Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, deadmau5 and TheWeeknd will headline Summer Set this year. It is just across the St Croix in Wisconsin. This four-year-old festival features nearly 70 bands playing EDM, hip-hop, danceable indie rock and jam. Gate admission of $170 for three day pass is $150 purchased in advance. You must have the three-day pass to get in the after party events on Friday and Saturday.

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.

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