Rock the Garden is a top indie music festival located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an annual Minnesota event that takes place in the middle of June. Although the festival debuted in 2003 and was also held in 2004, it did not entirely turn its focus to indie music until it started again in 2008.

Since 2008, the Walker Art Center—whose sculpture garden is an attraction on its own—and a local public radio station, The Current, have sponsored the event. In between sets by high profile artists you can enjoy DJ sets and a plethora of food and drinks. Rock the Garden 2023 will also take place at the Walker Art Center. The lineup is likely to be cooler than ever, so plan ahead when purchasing tickets. This is notable because the festival has completely sold out for several years.

Rock the Garden Style of Music

Minnesota Map

The indie category is a broad one that could be said to encompass a wide variety of style and genres. As such, it is a little deceiving to qualify it only as an indie music festival. There are rock and roll bands, soul acts, electronic groups, and more. The affiliation with the public radio station that plays indie music provides a vehicle to get the word out for Rock the Garden Minneapolis, and people come from more than just inside the state to see the shows. This one-day event runs from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

The opening act is generally a local band, with notable acts from the past being Cloud Cult and Solid Gold. After the opener, it is one notable national act after another. There is plenty of food and lots of cold beer and other refreshments for sale throughout the day and evening. Past performers that have literally rocked the stage include internationally renowned acts like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, MGMT, OK Go, Calexico, and The Decemberists.

Tickets to Rock the Garden

There are three ticket packages for Rock the Garden 2023. A general admission package is very reasonably priced, especially considering the excellent lineup of entertainment and the fantastic atmosphere. Upper deck tickets are also available for a higher price. The premiere ticket is for the VIP Skybox. This grants you access to private bars and lounges and you will not have to wait in any lines. The views of the performances are also especially choice from this vantage point. The event is held rain or shine.

Directions to Rock the Garden

The Walker Art Center is situated near Vineland Place just west of US-52 at 1750 Hennepin Avenue. From the east, take I-94 to exit 231A and go south on Hennepin/Lyndale. From the west, take I-94 to exit 231B and go north on Hennepin/Lyndale. From I-394, take exit 8A and go south on Hennepin/Lyndale. The venue is in the heart of downtown within close range of the best dining and entertainment venues in the city. You can arrive at the venue via taxi or car in less than ten minutes from most major hotels in the downtown core. Paid parking is available in the Sculpture Garden Lot, but parking is generally limited in the designated lots. Street parking is also tight but available.

Lodging near Rock the Garden

Rock the Garden Minneapolis is in the heart of the city, giving those visiting from out of town a long list of options for everything from upscale hotels to budget accommodations. Some of these include the Hyatt Regency at 1300 Nicollet Mall or the Milennium Hotel at 1313 Nicollet Mall.