You don’t have to go to the Twin Cities to see live music. West central Minnesota is home to some talented local musicians you can see at various venues this summer, including special performances during other festivals and events for summer 2026.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
New London’s annual Porchfest will take place Saturday, June 20. The event began in honor of the late Bill Gossman, former mayor of
Porchfest is a celebration of music, musicians treat each house porch throughout town on Main Street and beyond as their own festival stage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Headliners
will perform on the Gossman Stage at 4 p.m.
Admission to the event is free but cash donations are accepted.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
Various artists will also be playing during the evenings of Willmar Fests from June 24 to June 28. The events schedule is not available at press time, so check
for the latest updates.
Past headlining events have included
The Prairie Winds Concert Band
and
West Central Connection Chorus
In Rice Park,
during the 2025 block party and a Beach party concert at Robbins Island Regional Park.
Evan Pederson / West Central Tribune
The annual
summer concert series, sponsored by the Willmar Rotary Club, puts on free concerts at Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar. The concert series first began in 2016 to help raise money for projects and improvements to the park.
Parking will be available at the park, but is limited. Handicapped-accessible and motorcycle parking is provided on site, and an ATV drop-off service to the seating area will be available. Bring your own chair.
Willmar Bus will also be giving free park-and-ride shuttles to and from the park from these four sites: Willmar Community Center, Heritage Bank Building, Willmar Middle School and Kennedy Elementary School. Be sure to visit the Rockin’ Robbins
for more information on where to park.
Free concerts will be held every Tuesday from July 14 to Aug. 4: Here is the band schedule:
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune file photo
Three parades featuring regional high school bands will take to the streets in June.
hosts the annual
on Friday, June 12.
High school bands will compete for cash prizes beginning at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The 2025 exhibition champion was Montevideo. Additional awards, including a people’s choice award, will be handed out near the end of the program.
The Litchfield Parade of Bands will take place on June 16 in
Thirteen marching bands are expected to participate in the parade through town.
Food trucks will be open all afternoon and the parade will start at 6 p.m. Visit the Litchfield Parade of Bands
for any updates.
The 42nd annual
will march through the streets of
on June 28, with the main parade set to step off at 1:30 p.m. More than 15 marching groups are set to take part.
Spicer Beautification Committee
Summer concerts throughout west central Minnesota
The Willmar Area Senior Club has live music at the Willmar Community Center every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $3. Refreshments follow every performance.
Prairie Winds Concert Band will once again provide free concerts in Rice Park on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1. Bring a lawn chair. For more information, visit
www.prairiewindsconcertband.com
or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/prairiewinds.
Eden Valley will host a music series at Friederichs Park. Performances will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Food will be served at 6 p.m. before every show. Music in the Park will be on Thursdays on June 11, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 23, Aug. 6 and Aug. 20. Visit
edenvalleychamber.com/music-in-the-park
for additional information.
Litchfield will have music in Central Park every Thursday from June 5 to Aug. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. More information can be found by visiting the events page at
The Community Ed Concert series in
will have live music every Thursday evening at Veteran’s Park. Exact times and dates were not available at press time. Call 320-243-7570.
will feature live music at its monthly makers markets on the Riverwalk. The makers markets are scheduled for June 4 and July 2. Live music will also be featured at Memorial Park from 11 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. A full schedule of events is still to come, so be sure to check
for updates.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune file photo
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune file photo
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune file photo
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.wctrib.com ’
