Evenitto's guide · Minneapolis–St. Paul

Free concerts and shows

You don't need a ticket for a great night out. Bars with no cover, open mics, park bandshells and free festivals put on live music all year, and all summer outdoors.

Where free music happens

Free
Open mics and jams
Bars and coffee shops hold weekly open mics and jam sessions, often on a weeknight. Sign up early if you want to play; just walk in if you want to listen.
Free
Free park concerts
Summer brings free music outdoors: concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis from late May, and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in St. Paul's Mears Park in June.
Free
No-cover nights
Plenty of bars put a band on without a cover charge and pass a tip jar instead. Look for 'no cover' or 'free' in the listing, and tip the band.
Free
In-store sets
Record stores host free in-store sets when an album comes out. They are small and they fill up, so arrive early.