Taste of Minnesota returns to downtown Minneapolis with Ludacris, Joan Jett and more

The free food and music festival will be held on July 5 and July 6.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
April 2, 2025 at 7:37PM
Terry Lewis performs with Jimmy Jam on the Taste of Minnesota main stage in 2024. They were followed by their funky contemporaries, Morris Day & The Time. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Taste of Minnesota music and food festival will take over downtown Minneapolis for the third consecutive year this July.

The 2025 headliners are the festival’s biggest since returning after a years-long hiatus in 2023. Top acts include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Ludacris, Cheap Trick and Nur-D.

The full lineups:

Saturday, July 5

1 p.m. – The Steeles Family Affair

2:30 p.m. – Rhythm Street Movement

4 p.m. – Bluewater Kings Band

5:45 p.m. – Cheap Trick

7:30 p.m. – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Featuring: DJ Sophia Eris

Sunday, July 6

1 p.m. – Good for Gary

2:30 p.m. – Frankie Torres

4 p.m. – David Yang

5:45 p.m. – NUR-D

7:30 p.m. – Ludacris

Featuring: DJ Sophia Eris

A lineup of local bands that will be featured on two additional stages is still to be announced, according to a news release from event organizers.

For the first time this year, Taste organizers have added a VIP package “for those looking to enjoy the festival with extra perks and comfort.”

VIP passes are $200 for one day and $350 for two days. Passes include two drink tickets, a reserved viewing area and private bathrooms with AC, among other benefits. Passes are on sale Tuesday, April 8.

The 2023 event saw about 100,000 attendees, a major achievement for Minneapolis boosters seeking to get people back downtown after the pandemic.

In addition to live music, the festival will feature food from some of Minnesota’s top vendors, family activities and work by 100-plus artists and makers.

The weekend festivities are free to attend, though organizers ask for attendees to RSVP online.

about the writer

about the writer

Zoë Jackson

Reporter

Zoë Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered race and equity, St. Paul neighborhoods and young voters on the politics team.

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