By Claire Noack

Summer is here and Twin Citians say bring on the sun, the lakes and The Basilica Block Party. The largest and “holiest” music festival to hit Minneapolis will be here this weekend in Loring Park with a jam-packed lineup of pop and acoustic bands. And we can all say “Amen” to that.

What could be better than bringing together 20 of the hottest bands to raise money for a good cause? The Basilica Block Party has been jamming out and fundraising for the upkeep of the historic Basilica of Saint Mary since 1995. A portion of the proceeds also goes to the Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program to provide services to those in need. And with food trucks and a silent disco in addition to the non-stop playlist of great music, we’d say it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

The Lineup

Night Two (July 8)

Great Clips Stage
WALK THE MOON | 9-10:30 p.m.
Gavin DeGraw | 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Ben Rector | 6:10-7:10 p.m.
Julia Brennan | 5:20-5:50 p.m.

PreferredOne Stage
AWOLNATION | 8:45-10:15 p.m.
Walk Off The Earth | 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Enemy Planes | 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Star Tribune Stage
Nooky Jones | 7:20-8:20 p.m.
Jackson & The Roosters | 6:15-7 p.m.
American Housewife | 5:10-5:55 p.m.

Gates open to the two-day party at 5 p.m. each night, but there’s plenty to do before and after you get your music fix. We’ve got your guide for everything to eat, sip and see in downtown Minneapolis.

See & Do

Spend the day out-and-about before heading over to The Basilica Block Party; you’ll skip the traffic and see the sights of Minneapolis. If you want to stay close to Loring Park, take a tour of the Basilica of Saint Mary or cross the street to wander around the newly updated Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Fill your day with more art by visiting the Walker Art Center, or play a round of artist-inspired mini golf located next to the sculpture garden.

For those willing to venture a short distance away from the Basilica, enjoy the natural beauty of the Mississippi River by crossing through downtown Minneapolis, or go southwest to the banks of Lake of the Isles for breath-taking views and a relaxed atmosphere. If shopping is more your speed, the North Loop and Uptown offer well-known shops alongside boutique stores filled with treasures to take home.

Eat & Drink

The foodie culture has definitely permeated Minneapolis, with tasty cuisine and chic hotspots around every corner, and the Loring Park neighborhood is no exception. Chow down on an early dinner or grab a late-night snack at these eateries located near The Basilica Block Party. For an early start or happy hour, The Bird serves up adventurous soups, fresh smoothies, and bottomless bloody marys and mimosas with breakfast and lunch. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, 4 Bells offers award-winning lowcountry-inspired cuisine, while Cafe & Bar Lurcat serves sophisticated seafood fare. Feeling thirsty? Stop by Sisyphus Brewing to taste test unique beers such as their Mexican-style Vienna lager or peanut butter stout.

To the east, between Loring Park and the Minneapolis Convention Center, you’ll find popular Mexican eats at Salsa A La Salsa. The Nicollet Diner serves diner grub 24-hours a day, so its the perfect spot to grab a bite after dancing the night away. And for a night cap, make sure to fill your growler at Lakes & Legends Brewing Company for seasonal varieties of handcrafted brews.

If you’re looking to take a break or eat a sit-down meal during The Basilica Block Party, be warned that once you leave the grounds, there is no readmission. There will, however, be plenty of options for food and drink at the music festival as well.

Getting There

General admission tickets for The Basilica Block Party cost $60 (in advance) or $65 (day-of) for one night and $110 for both nights. There are also several VIP packages available with extra amenities.

Public parking is available for $5 across the street from the Basilica at the Minneapolis Community & Technical College parking lot. Other public parking ramps at the Walker Art Center, Dunwoody Institute and around downtown Minneapolis will be open with normal parking fees. METRO transit is offering free bus rides to the music festival all weekend, just download the Friday pass or the Saturday pass.