Minnesota is known for its lakes, and the city of Duluth sits on the shore of the biggest freshwater lake in the world. The city established itself as a major port on Lake Superior. The Duluth metropolitan area is the second largest in Minnesota, after the Twin Cities.

Duluth also boasts a rich music scene, which makes great use of the city’s location on the lake. Bayfront Festival Park, a public park on the shore of Lake Superior, hosts a variety of events throughout the year. During the summer months, the park’s programming includes concerts and music festivals. The park’s main stage puts the concert right on the beautiful backdrop of Lake Superior.

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) Symphony Hall hosts both classical music and modern-day artists. This 2200-seat hall is home to the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see them perform. The DSSO is unique in that its shows often feature talented soloists. The Symphony has played at the DECC since the hall opened in 1966.

The Red Herring Lounge quickly became one of the area’s top spaces for live music when it opened in Duluth in 2014. In its 2015 Best of Minnesota series, The Star Tribune named the Red Herring Lounge its Best New Music Venue, saying that the lounge looks like “pretty much your average cool rock club, which is just what was needed.” The venue’s decor includes hardwood floors and brick walls, and its music lineup often features artists from the area around Lake Superior and from the Twin Cities.

Duluth Concert Venues

Bayfront Festival Park includes a large public area and is the site for the area’s larger concerts and music festivals. It is located on the Downtown Waterfront, right on the shore of Lake Superior, and right next to the Great Lakes Aquarium.

The DECC Symphony Hall is also on the Downtown Waterfront, down the block from Bayfront Festival Park.

The Red Herring Lounge has been a successful addition to the Duluth music scene. It’s a few blocks away from the waterfront, along with many of Duluth’s cafes and restaurants.

How much do Duluth concert tickets cost?

The average resale price for a concert ticket in Duluth is $159. Keep in mind that this price is an average, so it’s likely that you’ll be able to find tickets both below and above this price. Ticket prices may change depending on the performer or whether the show is on a weekend. For music festivals and small-capacity venues like the Red Herring Lounge, it may be best to get your tickets as far ahead of the concert as you can.

Duluth Music Festivals

Bayfront Festival Park hosts a wide variety of annual music festivals:

The Bayfront Blues Festival has occurred annually in Duluth for over 25 years. Over 20,000 people attend and can see over 30 acts on two separate stages.
The Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival aims “to provide cultural entertainment through reggae and world music whose artists spread the message of love, hope, and equality for all people worldwide.”
Tribute Fest is a festival of tribute bands who play the best songs from a huge variety of country and rock artists. The festival has featured tributes to artists like Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Johnny Cash, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Kid Rock.

Duluth Tips and Tricks

If you have a great time at a concert in Duluth, consider coming back around Christmas. Yes, the Minnesota winters are notoriously cold, but it’s your only chance to see the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. Bayfront Festival Park is decorated with millions of lights and a gigantic Christmas tree. Over 200,000 people come each year to see the lights.

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