MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Summer Concert Series Returns To Mississippi River Pavilion With Free Weekly Performances And Community-Focused Summer Programming

COON RAPIDS, MN (May 29, 2026) The City of Coon Rapids will once again bring live music to the banks of the Mississippi River this summer as its annual Thursday Night Summer Concert Series returns to Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park beginning June 4.

The free outdoor concert series, organized by the Coon Rapids Arts Commission with financial support from the Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation, will feature nine weeks of performances spanning country, classic rock, Cajun, Beatles tribute music, trop rock, and variety bands throughout June, July, and early August. According to city officials, the concerts are intended to provide accessible family-friendly entertainment while encouraging residents to gather in one of the north metro’s most recognizable public park spaces.

Concerts take place at the outdoor performance pavilion inside Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, located at 9750 Egret Blvd. While Anoka County Parks normally requires a vehicle permit for park entry, the county is waiving entrance fees during concert evenings, making both parking and admission free for attendees.

City officials encourage concertgoers to bring lawn chairs or blankets, as fixed seating at the pavilion is limited. Although no shuttle service operates between the visitor center and the concert area, a designated drop-off and pick-up zone near the pavilion will remain available for individuals with mobility limitations or those unloading equipment.

Concessions will be available for purchase from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. before each performance. Food service will be provided by volunteers from the Coon Rapids North Star Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop #524, continuing a longstanding partnership between the city and local civic organizations.

Live performances begin at 7 p.m. and generally run approximately 90 minutes.

The 2026 concert lineup includes:

• June 4: Naked Cowboys (Country)
• June 11: Backyard Band (Variety)
• June 18: Pirates, Guitars, and Beachfront Bars (Trop Rock)
• June 25: Small Town Radio (Variety)
• July 9: Holy Rocka Rollaz (Early Rock ’n’ Roll)
• July 16: LP & the 45’s (Variety)
• July 23: Red Letter Band (Country)
• July 30: The New Riverside Ramblers (Cajun)
• Aug. 6: Revolution 5 (Beatles Tribute)

No concert is scheduled for July 2 because of the Independence Day holiday week.

The concert series has become a recurring summer tradition in Coon Rapids, drawing residents from across Anoka County and the northern Twin Cities suburbs to the Mississippi River park setting. The event combines live entertainment with outdoor recreation and community gathering, reflecting a broader trend among Minnesota cities using free public arts programming to activate park spaces and strengthen neighborhood engagement during the summer months.

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park remains one of the most visited recreational destinations in the northern metro area, attracting visitors year-round for trails, river overlooks, cycling, fishing, and wildlife observation. During the concert season, the riverside pavilion serves as an informal gathering space where residents, families, and visitors come together for weekly evening performances.

Because the concerts are held outdoors, weather-related delays or cancellations remain possible. City officials say updates regarding schedule changes or cancellations will be posted through the City of Coon Rapids’ official Facebook and X social media platforms.

Additional information about the concert series is available through the City of Coon Rapids Summer Concert Series webpage.