10 Lake Minnetonka Events You Can Attend by Boat This June & July
Summer is right around the corner and it's time to mark your calendar for all the fun upcoming events on the lake! We have compiled a complete list of all the major events on the lake from the Wayzata Art Experience to the Spirt of the Lakes Festival. We've also included 24 live music events taking place on the lake during the months of June and July to check out including Steve Aoki! Stay tuned for the July and August list later this summer.
June 10-11 Excelsior Art on the Lake
Water Street, Downtown Excelsior
Excelsior Art on the Lake is a high profile event and enjoys a loyal following of 18,000+ art admirers, collectors and buyers. Over 140 artists will be displaying original works amidst live music and a variety of food offerings. Local musicians will entertain and regional food vendors will be onsite throughout the two-day event. The show opens at 10AM on Saturday and goes until 4PM on Sunday.
June 11th Folds of Honor Riley Green Concert
Private Residence in Woodland, Wayzata Bay
Annual Folds of Honor Summer Benefit Concert in support of the families of American heroes. These annual concerts are typically held at a private residence with high ticket prices; however most patrons pull up to the location by boat and listen to the concert from shore.
June 17 Lake Minnetonka Triathlon
Excelsior Commons Park
The triathlon begins from the Excelsior Public Beach at 7:30AM. This unique 1/2-mile swim goes along the shore of Lake Minnetonka's Excelsior Bay. After completing the swim, athletes will enter the transition area and suit up for the bike. The 15-mile (out and back) ride has several rolling hills and goes out through the city of Chanhassen. The bike route is three right turns, a turn around, then the same route back (three left turns). The route is as follows: depart on Lake Street, veer onto Mill Street (which then becomes Powers Blvd), turn right onto W 78th St, right onto Galpin Blvd, right onto Lake Lucy Rd, continue to the turn around then ride back. When returning to the transition area, athletes will drop off their cycling gear and begin the last leg of the race, the Youngstedts Run. The Youngstedts Run is 3.1-miles along the shores of Lake Minnetonka on sidewalks and the light rail trail.
June 23 Windward Fest
Wayzata Yacht Club, Wayzata Bay
Join Wayzata Sailing on the shores of Lake Minnetonka for a beach bash like no other. Celebrating the lake, summer, and all the adventures the water provides. Enjoy food, music, and libations in the setting they were intended for. Proceeds benefit Wayzata Sailing's community programming and adventures.
June 23-25 Wayzata Art Experience
Lake Street, Wayzata
The quaint lakeside village of Wayzata, otherwise known as the jewel of Lake Minnetonka, draws art lovers from across the twin cities with its charming shops and dining hot spots. Wayzata Art Experience, held in the heart of downtown Wayzata, provides a 2-day celebration of art, music, food, and fun for all ages! Featuring 100 quality fine art artists, food trucks, sailing rides, family activities and more. The best way to attend by boat is to park at the Wayzata public docks in Wayzata Bay.
June 23rd Steve Aoki Concert @ WAAM Fest
Wayzata Beach
This new Festival is joining the Wayzata Art Experience in the official kickoff to summer on Lake Minnetonka. The inaugural event featuring Steve Aoki and Gryffin is sure to be a high-energy energy weekend of fun, electrifying beats and infectious rhythms.
June 24th Gryffin Concert @ WAAM Fest
Wayzata Beach
This new Festival is joining the Wayzata Art Experience in the official kickoff to summer on Lake Minnetonka. The inaugural event featuring Steve Aoki and Gryffin is sure to be a high-energy energy weekend of fun, electrifying beats and infectious rhythms.
June 28th Artimer Market
Back Channel Brewing Co, Seton Channel
Sip & Shop Artimer Market - held on the last Wednesday of each month (May-September) - and shop over 20 different local vendors. You’ll find an array of food, art, jewelry, crafts, clothes, and more at each Artimer. In addition, we’ll have live outdoor music and a beer tent will be posted up in the market area as you peruse & schmooze. If you’re arriving by boat they have four transient slips, which will be about 500 feet away and on the East side of the channel. If you see any of the four green Back Channel flags flying high, that means that there is a spot open and you can anticipate entering a slip.
July 4, Excelsior 4th of July Celebration
Excelsior, MN
The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce proudly produces and hosts the only public 4th of July fireworks event on Lake Minnetonka. Beginning early in the morning, until well past dark, we welcome you to be a part of the 4th of July experience on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, at the Commons Park in downtown Excelsior. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a 4th of July that kicks off with a Firecracker Run and ends with a BANG!
July 10th Classic Boat Parade
Excelsior Bay
Land-O-Lakes Classic Boat Club will parade alongside the "Lady of the Lake" during the cruise, as Dave Bortner, past President of the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, shares the boats’ stories and their significance to the history of boating on Lake Minnetonka. 6-8 PM
July 13th MNWSC Party @ Back Channel
Back Channel Brewing Co, Seton Channel
The party, before the biggest surf party in the Midwest! Join us for the kickoff party to this year's Minnesota Wakesurf Championship & the Spirit of the Lakes Festival at Back Channel Brewing for a night of raffles, prizes, food, beverages, a stunt bike show provided by RideMN, good times & GREAT PEOPLE!
The party is free to attend & open to the public! 6-10PM
July 13-15 Minnesota Wakesurf Championship/ Spirit of the Lakes Festival
Surfside Park, Cooks Bay
One of the biggest events of the year on Lake Minnetonka. Thousands flock to Surfside Park in Mound and Cook’s Bay to see the midwest's largest wakesurfing competition, and to experience Lake Minnetonka. Partnered with the Spirit of the Lakes Festival, everyone in the family will find something to do from shopping sponsor booths, live music, parade, food trucks, beer tent and fireworks!
Thursday 13th: Boat-In Movie Night
Friday 14th: Meet Your Maker, Live Music
Saturday 15th: Main Event, Fireworks, Parade and more!
Photo courtesy of MNWSC
July 26th Artimer Market
Back Channel Brewing Co, Seton Channel
Sip & Shop Artimer Market - held on the last Wednesday of each month (May-September) - and shop over 20 different local vendors. You’ll find an array of food, art, jewelry, crafts, clothes, and more at each Artimer. In addition, we’ll have live outdoor music and a beer tent will be posted up in the market area as you peruse & schmooze. If you’re arriving by boat they have four transient slips, which will be about 500 feet away and on the East side of the channel. If you see any of the four green Back Channel flags flying high, that means that there is a spot open and you can anticipate entering a slip.
July 31st Blackfish Classic Tournament for Bass
Lake Minnetonka, Based out of Lord Fletchers
Live weigh in at Lord Fletchers starting at 2 pm. $15,000 First Place Payout! Team 5 best Bass fishing tournament
Concerts in the Commons
Excelsior Bay
Located on the banks of Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior Commons Park — Concerts in the Commons combines everything we love about summer in Minnesota. Live music, great food and drinks, and sunsets over the water. These concerts bring together people of all ages in a fun way that also helps raise money to support Community for the Commons as they improve the park. The efforts are led by the Excelsior Morning Rotary Club and the City of Excelsior. These Free concerts take place Wednesday nights between May and September, you can attend by land or anchor your boat in Excelsior Bay. Below are the scheduled concerts for June & July.
June 14 Viva Knievel
June 28 Lonesome Losers
July 12 Gear Daddies
July 26 Fabulous Armadillos
Live Music at Lord Fletchers
Spring Park, West Arm
Since 1968 Lord Fletcher’s has been providing an exceptional lakeside dining experience for its guests. Their multi-venue, resort style setting offers something for everyone…and for every occasion! They often have live music and we have the list of scheduled bands for June & July below.
June 3 NICK HENSLEY & KEN VALDEZ
June 4 Hitchville
June 8 The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band
June 10 Merchants of Soul
June 11 Ali & Joe
June 15 SWAG
June 17 Todd Epley
June 18 Swanny Rose
June 24 George Scot
June 24 Shane Marin
June 29 GB Leighton
July 1 Chris Kelly
July 2 Six to Midnight
July 6 The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band
July 8 Todd Eply
July 9 Hitchville
July 13 Jacuzzi Ouma
July 15 Timmy Haus
July 16 Good For Gary
July 19 Katie Grady
July 20 Pandora’s Other Box
July 22 Merchants of Soul
July 23 Colt Clark from The Quarantine Kids
July 26 Mike Bustin
July 27 G.B Leighton
July 29 Billy Johnson
July 30 The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band
Live Music at COV Wayzata
WAYZATA BAY
Located in downtown Wayzata along the beautiful shores of Lake Minnetonka, CōV combines Midwest comfort and hospitality with the unmistakable allure and energy of Nantucket or the Hamptons. The coastal environment and water views transform the Minnesota lakeside into a unique East Coast getaway. The combination of high style and relaxation creates a charming atmosphere that few will want to leave. They often have live music and we have the list of scheduled bands for June & July below.
June 6 Pan Dimensions
June 8 Ali & Joe
June 10 GenNOW DJ
June 13 East Side
June 15 Ali & Joe
June 16 DJ S DOT
June 20 Ali & Joe
June 21 GenNOW DJ
June 22 Pan Dimensions
June 27 GenNOW DJ
June 29 DJ S DOT
June 30 East Side
July 3 DJ S DOT
July 4 GenNOW DJ
July 7 Pan Dimensions
July 11 East Side
July 13 DJ S DOT
July 14 GenNOW DJ
July 18 Pan Dimensions
July 20 East Side
July 25 GenNOW DJ
July 27 Pan Dimensions
July 28 GenNOW DJ
Wayzata Music by the Lake
Historic Wayzata Depot, Wayzata Bay
Enjoy a relaxing summer evening while listening to various musical performances & enjoying a brat dinner, beer, wine & other treats! 6:30-8 PM
July 12 - The Revolution 5
July 19 - Jeff Dayton
July 26 - The Free & Easy Band
There is so much to do and see on Lake Minnetonka, plus new events are popping up all the time. If you're looking to make the most out of the summer and want to arrive by boat to these events check out our selection of new and pre-owned boats. We have major discounts happening on new in-stock boats and would love help you get into the boat of your dreams just in time to make it to these events!
We will keep this list updated, if you have an event we don't know about send us an email at marketing@wayzatamarine.com. We will also be posting another list for August and September later in July so keep an eye out on our socials.