The Basilica Block Party music festival is returning to Minneapolis this year with a two-day event in August.
Held Aug. 2-3 at Boom Island Park, the event will feature both well-known and emerging musicians. Proceeds will go toward restoration efforts at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis and the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach, which includes caring for those experiencing homelessness and assisting those in need.
The Basilica Block Party was held near the Basilica for years. It was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in September 2021. Organizers said attendance was down that year as COVID-19 uncertainties continued. Organizers placed the festival on a hiatus both in 2022 and 2023 as they sought “to reimagine the event for future years.”
“We are thrilled to bring back the Basilica Block Party in 2024,” Father Daniel Griffith, pastor of the Basilica of St. Mary, said in a statement. “This event has become a cherished tradition for both our community and the city of Minneapolis. Not only does it provide incredible entertainment for attendees, but it also plays a vital role in supporting the Basilica’s mission and outreach to those in need.”
According to organizers, the Basilica Block Party is one of the longest-running nonprofit music festivals in the United States. It has featured a variety of musical acts since it was first introduced in 1995.
Xcel Energy owns the parking lot that had been the site of the music festival’s main stage in the past and needs the lot for several construction projects taking place, hence the Basilica Block Party’s move to Boom Island Park this year, organizers said.
Held on two stages at Boom Island Park, this year’s event will include performances from artists such as the Goo Goo Dolls, The Fray, Counting Crows, NeedToBreathe, Dean Lewis and Judah and The Lion. Local vendors will supply food and beverages, according to organizers.
More information about the Basilica Block Party, its lineup and tickets can be found online at basilicablockparty.org.
