Courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo
MN Zoo Wild Nights
Summer Fridays just got a little wilder, thanks to the Minnesota Zoo.
This summer, the zoo will bring back its lauded Wild Nights series for the fourth season. On five Friday evenings, guests can check out Minnesota musicians at both the Amphitheater and Upper South Plaza stages, plus find wandering musicians throughout the zoo. (After all, who doesn’t want to watch a tiger get serenaded?)
Oh, and did we mention the events are 18-plus, for those of you who have been wishing for a kid-free walk through the zoo?
The series kicks off June 13 with the genre-bending group Lighter Co, cover band Smells Like Nirvana, and beloved local rapper Nur-D. But throughout the summer, visitors will find anything from jazz trios to singer-songwriters, rappers to rockers, and even cult faves like DJ Jake Rudh, The Cactus Blossoms, and Cloud Cult.
Explore the zoo campus between sets, grab a snack and a drink (yes, alcoholic options are available), shop artisan goods at a special marketplace, and, if you’re not ready to leave just yet, hit the silent disco party until 10 p.m. each night of the series. Ready to party, Madagascar-style? It's on.
Find the full lineup below.
Friday, June 13
- Wandering Artist (6 – 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.) – Daphne Jane
- Upper Plaza Opener (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) – Lighter Co
- Upper Plaza Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) – Smells Like Nirvana
- Amphitheater Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) – Nur-D
Friday, June 27
- Wandering Artist (6 – 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.) – Cobra Trio Jazz
- Upper Plaza Opener (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) - Bloodline
- Upper Plaza Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) – Davina and the Vagabonds
- Amphitheater Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) – The Big Wu
Friday, July 11
- Wandering Artist (6 – 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.) - Collin Bracewell
- Upper Plaza Opener (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) - Gully Boys
- Upper Plaza Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - Bad Bad Hats
- Amphitheater Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - The Cactus Blossoms
Friday, July 25
- Wandering Artist (6 – 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.) - Nici Peper
- Upper Plaza Opener (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) - Free Fallin
- Upper Plaza Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - Captain Fantastic
- Amphitheater Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - Wookiefoot
Friday, August 8
- Wandering Artist (6 – 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.) - Alexis Rose
- Upper Plaza Opener (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) - DJ Jake Rudh
- Upper Plaza Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - Sweet & Tender Hooligans
- Amphitheater Performance (8 – 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 – 10 p.m.) - Cloud Cult
Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, 952-431-9200, mnzoo.org/wildnights
