The 30th annual Stone Arch Bridge Festival will return to the downtown Minneapolis riverfront over Father’s Day weekend, despite the Stone Arch Bridge’s continued closure.
This year’s free two-day event takes place Saturday and Sunday on the west bank of the Mississippi River along West River Parkway from 11th Ave. S near the Mill City Museum to Fourth Ave. N near the North Loop playground. That’s roughly the same footprint as the past three years.
More than 200 artists from across the U.S. will show off their photography, painting, jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, ceramics, printmaking, glass, and fine crafts. Those artists will be joined by three dozen food and drink vendors and 40 other culinary makers. Plus, almost 30 bands will provide live tunes between the festival’s two stages.
There’s also a car show, a vintage and vinyl market, a dance stage, a spot for emerging artists, and an area for family activities. A handful of live art demonstrations will happen along the festival route throughout the weekend, and an interactive public art installation will be located near the Mill City Museum.
Before the pandemic, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival took place on the east side of the Mississippi River along Main Street, with the 2019 festival grounds spanning the area between the Hennepin Avenue Bridge and the Stone Arch Bridge. When the festival returned in 2021, it moved to the west side of the river, on the other side of its namesake bridge.
The St. Anthony Main side of the Stone Arch Bridge closed for repairs in mid-April. The Mill District side of the bridge will get the same treatment starting sometime next year, so it's possible the festival will move back to the east side of the river.
The 2024 Stone Arch Bridge Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. If you're biking or driving, you can check this getting to the festival page for parking suggestions. The recently renovated Third Avenue Bridge is the alternate route for anyone who would typically walk, bike, or roll over the Stone Arch Bridge.
Near the northern end of the festival grounds, Pryes Brewing Co. is hosting its 7th annual Pryes Block Party on Friday and Saturday, with its own lineup of bands, including headliners Papadosio and Gigamesh.
The organizers of the Stone Arch Bridge Festival are also putting on this year's Loring Park Art Festival on July 27 and 28 in Loring Park.
Full music schedule for 2024 Stone Arch Bridge Festival:
Saturday, June 15
Cities 97.1 Stage – located just north of the Hennepin Avenue Bridge along the Mississippi River
11 a.m. – The International Treasures
12 p.m. – Emmy Woods
1 p.m. – Katy Tessman
2 p.m. – Natalie Fideler
3 p.m. – The Thirsty River
4 p.m. – The Walker Brothers
5 p.m. – Luke LeBlanc
6 p.m. – Matt Jennings Trio
Star Tribune Stage – located just south of the Stone Arch Bridge next to the food court in the parking lot of Mill Ruins Park
10 a.m. – Art Battle
11 a.m. – speakeazie
12 p.m. – Stranger Gallery
1 p.m. – Tarli & The Tribe
2 p.m. – Modern Wildlife
3 p.m. – Dilly Dally Alley
4 p.m. – Valors
5 p.m. – Bev
6 p.m. – Colin Bracewell
Sunday, June 16
Cities 97.1 Stage – located just north of the Hennepin Avenue Bridge along the Mississippi River
11 a.m. – KYM
12 p.m. – Ingrid Streitz
1 p.m. – John Magnuson Trio
2 p.m. – Dan Israel
3 p.m. – Matt Catflisch Band
4 p.m. – Samantha Grimes
Star Tribune Stage – located just south of the Stone Arch Bridge next to the food court in the parking lot of Mill Ruins Park
11 a.m. – Paper Chain
12 p.m. – 13 Arrows
1 p.m. – Gentleman Speaker
2 p.m. – Phantom Fields
3 p.m. – Sigcell
4 p.m. – Lowray
