The Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival is held annually and features top national touring acts as well as the best bands from the Upper Midwest region in four days and nights of music on multiple stages, plus workshops, showcases, and much, much more! There is a Pre-Festival Jam Camp for ages 12 and up starting on Tuesday, and then the Festival starts in earnest on Thursday evening! It's a summer's worth of music and family fun in one week! Bluegrass, Old-Time Stringband, and related forms of acoustic and Americana music are combined to suit a wide range of interests. Bring your own instrument and join in a jam or workshop, sign up the kids for the talent show (kids under 18 are FREE!), visit the food trucks and craft booths, or plant your chair in the natural amphitheater and listen to nearly 30 hours of great music! However you experience the festival, you'll have a GREAT time! August Fest 2025So Much To Do!
In addition to the professional bands, many of the 4,000 plus people who attend are musicians themselves. They will bring their instruments and join in the many impromptu jam sessions that go on day and night in the campgrounds. If you're interested in getting involved as a musician, instructional camps are held in the days prior to the festival. Click here to advertise in the Festival Program! FAQsThe Festival FAQ page has detailed info about parking, camping, and much more! | Quick Links
Get TicketsTickets to August Fest are sold through Etix. Visit the MBOTMA Ticket Store. For Complete Details on Pricing and Camping Options, A Note About Free AdmissionThe Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is dedicated to presenting the very best in Bluegrass, Old-Time and Related music to a wide audience. We have chosen to make the Festival Admission Free to encourage families to attend and to introduce more people to the music and artists we love. Despite admission being Free, we still have to earn money by charging for the space you and your vehicle take up. Please do not try to game the system to save a few dollars by sneaking in and camping without paying. This experiment in radical accessibility will only work if people play by the rules. Thank you for your cooperation! Pick on! Vendor RegistrationVendors May Now Sign Up for August Fest 2025 |
“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”