The Minnesota State Fair is one of my favorite things about summer! But it's also a place where you can spend a lot of money really fast.

I've got some good news, though! The state fair has plenty of free things to do and free shows to see so you don't have to spend an arm and a leg.

(I also have an article up about how to do the state fair on a budget. It includes checking out the free entertainment, but also other tips on how to save money while at the fair. READ MORE: How to do the Minnesota State Fair on a Budget)

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair, Sunday August 27, 2023 (Aaron Galloway/Townsquare Media)
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There are TONS of free shows to see at the Great Minnesota Get-Together and this year there are some pretty big names who will be performing.

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2024 Minnesota State Fair Free Shows and Entertainment

At the state fair there are 5 different free stages where you can catch a show free of charge. You've got...

Family Fair Stage

International Bazaar Stage

Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

Schell's Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

and The North Woods Stage

Each of these stages will have their own unique and free performances that you can enjoy throughout the fair.

Keep scrolling to see all of the performances. Or you can jump ahead to your favorite stage or concert series below.

Jump to: Family Fair Stage Performances
Jump to: International Bazaar Stage Performances
Jump to: Bazaar After Dark Concert Series
Jump to: Leinie Lodge Bandshell Performances
Jump to: Bandshell Tonight! Concert Series
Jump to: Schell's Stage at Schilling Amphitheater Performances
Jump to: West End at Sunset Concert Series
Jump to: The North Woods Stage Performances

Schedule of Free Entertainment at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

FAMILY FAIR STAGE

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
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Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Sun, Aug. 25th

Mark Hayward - 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM

Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Tues, Aug. 27th

The Chipper Experience! Where Comedy and Magic Collide! - 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM

Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Sat, Aug. 31st

MSF County Fair Talent Contest - 7:00 PM

Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Monster Shop Bump'n - 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM

Mon, Aug. 26th - Thurs, Aug. 29th

Tuey - 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM

Wed, Aug. 28th - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Alléz-OOPS! Circus. Comedy. Spectacle. - 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM

Fri, Aug. 30th - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Kidsdance - 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM

Sun, Sept. 1st - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Lizzy - Comedy Stage Hypnosis - 7 PM


INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR STAGE

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
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Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Fri, Aug. 23rd

Alma Andina - 10:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

New Primitives - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM

Sat, Aug. 24th - Sun, Aug. 25th

Pan Dimensions - 10;45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

Rumba Nueva - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM

Mon, Aug. 26th - Tues, Aug. 27th

Doctor Kielbasa - 10;45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

iLLism - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM

Wed, Aug. 28th - Thurs, Aug. 29th

McNasty Brass Band - 10;45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

Maurice Jacox & We Still R - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM

Fri, Aug. 30th - Sat, Aug. 31st

Kickin' It Irish with O'Shea Irish Dance - 10;45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

Dia Toti - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM

Sun, Sept. 1st - Mon, Sept. 2nd

World Jazz Collegium - 10;45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM

Native Pride Dancers - 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:45 PM


BAZAAR AFTER DARK CONCERT SERIES (at International Bazaar Stage)

Thurs, Aug. 22nd and Fri, Aug. 23rd

The 70's Magic Sunshine Band - 8 PM

Sat, Aug. 24th and Sun, Aug. 25th

Tropical Zone Orchestra - 8 PM

Mon, Aug. 26th and Tues, Aug. 27th

PopROCKS - 8 PM

Wed, Aug. 28th and Thurs, Aug. 29th

The Cedar Cultural Center Presents The Global Get-Together - 8 PM

Fri, Aug. 30th and Sat, Aug. 31st

International Reggae All Stars - 8 PM

Sun, Sept. 1st

Grupo Esplendor Norteño - 8 PM

Mon, Sept. 2nd

Grupo Esplendor Norteño - 7:30 PM


LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL

The Leinie Lodge Bandshell (courtesy Minnesota State Fair)
The Leinie Lodge Bandshell (courtesy Minnesota State Fair)
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Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Fri, Aug. 23rd

Church of Cash10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Tommy Prine1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

The Men of Motown3:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Sat, Aug. 31st

Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest - 6 PM

Sat, Aug. 24th - Sun, Aug. 25th

The Dryes10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Kazual1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

McKinley James3:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Mon, Aug. 26th - Tues, Aug. 27th

The 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Radius1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience3:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Wed, Aug. 28th - Thurs, Aug. 29th

Renata The Band10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Ben Goldsmith1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

Mariachi Campanas de America3:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Fri, Aug. 30th - Sat, Aug. 31st

Thomasina Petrus & The King's Quartet10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Jonny Lyons & the Pride1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

Lucas Hoge3:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Sun, Sept. 1st - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Monroe Crossing10:30 AM, 11:45 AM

Screaming Orphans1:00 PM, 2:30 PM

Los Texmaniacs3:45 PM, 4:45 PM


BANDSHELL TONIGHT! CONCERT SERIES (at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell)

Thurs, Aug. 22nd and Fri, Aug. 23rd

Phil Vassar8:30 PM

Sat, Aug. 24th and Sun, Aug. 25th

Maggie Rose8:30 PM

Mon, Aug. 26th and Tues, Aug. 27th

The War & Treaty8:30 PM

Wed, Aug. 28th and Thurs, Aug. 29th

Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones Classics8:30 PM

Fri, Aug. 30th and Sat, Aug. 31st

Moon Taxi8:30 PM

Mon, Sept. 1st and Mon, Sept. 2nd

Semisonic7:30 PM


SCHELL'S STAGE AT SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
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Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Fri, Aug. 23rd

Clare Doyle12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Mick Sterling and Cate Fierro4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Thurs, Aug. 22nd – Mon, Sept. 2nd

MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick10:00 am, 11:00 am

Sat, Aug. 24th - Sun, Aug. 25th

High & Rising12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Alexander Craig4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Mon, Aug. 26th - Tues, Aug. 27th

The Robb Henry Trio12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

The Scarlet Goodbye4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Wed, Aug. 28th - Thurs, Aug. 29th

PK Mayo Band12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

The Jorgensens4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Fri, Aug. 30th - Sat, Aug. 31st

Jiggs Lee Invasion12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Sun, Sept. 1st - Mon, Sept. 2nd

Faith Boblett12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

LAAMAR4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm


WEST END AT SUNSET CONCERT SERIES (at the Schell's Stage at Schilling Amphitheater)

Thurs, Aug. 22nd and Fri, Aug. 23rd

Tina Schlieske & Friends8:00 pm

Sat, Aug. 24th and Sun, Aug. 25th

Mae Simpson8:00 pm

Mon, Aug. 26th and Tues, Aug. 27th

L.A. Buckner & BiG HOMiE8:00 pm

Wed, Aug. 28th and Thurs, Aug. 29th

Corey Medina & Brothers8:00 pm

Fri, Aug. 30th and Sat, Aug. 31st

First Avenue Goes To The Fair8:00 pm

Sun, Sept. 1st

The Brothers Allmanac8:00 pm

Mon, Sept. 2nd

The Brothers Allmanac7:30 pm


THE NORTH WOODS STAGE

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
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Thurs, Aug. 22nd - Mon, Sept. 2nd

All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm

Timberworks Lumberjack Show12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm

New Foods, Drinks, and Vendors for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair has just announced the 33 new foods and new vendors coming to the 2024 Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Gallery Credit: Carly Ross