If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Minnesota Zoo after hours, you’re in luck— Wild Nights, the Zoo’s adults-only live music series, is returning for its fourth year this summer.
Wild Nights will take place on select Friday evenings beginning in June. With five lineups featuring Minnesota-based musicians, each installment of the series will offer something a little different; across big names and up-and-coming acts, there’s a well-rounded mix of folk, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and more.
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
This year, each Wild Night will feature two headliners and an opening act on the Amphitheater and Upper South Plaza stages, plus a “wandering artist” performing across the Zoo campus. (For a one-of-a-kind experience, listen from atop the Treetop Trail, an elevated pedestrian loop perched 32 feet above ground).
Between sets, guests can explore the animal habitats as the sun goes down, grab refreshments from on-site food and drink vendors, take a llama trek or camel ride, shop the Local Artisan Market, and more.
Tickets for these 18-plus events are now available online ($30 for Zoo members, $40 for general public). Here’s a peek at the 2025 Wild Nights schedule:
Friday, June 13
Daphne Jane – Wandering Artist (6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.)
Lighter Co. – Upper Plaza Opener (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Smells Like Nirvana – Upper Plaza Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Nur-D – Amphitheater Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
Friday, June 27
Cobra Trio Jazz – Wandering Artist (6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.)
Bloodline – Upper Plaza Opener (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Davina and the Vagabonds – Upper Plaza Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
The Big Wu – Amphitheater Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
Friday, July 11
Colin Bracewell – Wandering Artist (6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.)
Gully Boys – Upper Plaza Opener (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Bad Bad Hats – Upper Plaza Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
The Cactus Blossoms – Amphitheater Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
Friday, July 25
Nici Peper – Wandering Artist (6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.)
Free Fallin – Upper Plaza Opener (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Captain Fantastic – Upper Plaza Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Wookiefoot – Amphitheater Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
Friday, Aug. 8
Alexis Rose – Wandering Artist (6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.)
DJ Jake Rudh – Upper Plaza Opener (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Sweet & Tender Hooligans – Upper Plaza Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Cloud Cult – Amphitheater Performance (8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.)
Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo
For more information on Wild Nights, visit the Zoo’s website.
