Summer music, movies, and workout moves – it’s all free

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photo courtesy of Music and Movies in the Park

Put your wallet away: The Minneapolis and St. Paul Park and Recreation Boards have you covered for your summer entertainment. You can get outside and enjoy the hot, summer weather at parks throughout the Twin Cities watching the latest blockbusters, listening to great concerts, and even getting in a quick free workout.

Let’s start with the movies.

photo courtesy of Music and Movies in the Park

The Minneapolis and St. Paul Movies in the Parks program has already kicked off starting right after Memorial Day and will run through late August. Movie screenings show six nights a week Monday through Saturday at over 30 parks around the cities. The screenings are weather dependant but if the night stays calm, the movies will start around 15 minutes after sunset for optimal viewing. Be sure to come early to stake out a prime viewing spot, bring some tasty snacks, a comfy blanket or chairs, and bug spray. So, so much bug spray. Nothing quite ruins a movie moment more than swatting at mosquitoes for two hours.

The movie screenings are a great combo of older classics like Singin’ in the Rain and Back to the Future with more recent blockbusters like Wonder Woman and Moana. Most of the films are family-friendly and the best part is with certain screenings there are activities and treats beforehand like at the upcoming event at Keewaydin Park on Friday, June 8 where you can jump around in a bounce house and listen to music before the movie Wonder shows at sundown.

For the rest of the movie screening schedule and pre-movie activities click here for Minneapolis and here for St. Paul showtimes. And be sure before you head out the door to check the Movies in the Parks schedule for any sudden cancellations or changes.

Now for some sweet tunes.

photo courtesy of Music and Movies in the Park

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Music in the Parks series has a long history going all the way back to 1892. Well, the music might have changed a bit since then, but the tradition of showcasing free musical entertainment has remained the same. You can listen to live music seven nights a week at five different park locations around Minneapolis. The music ranges from rock, bluegrass, reggae, classical, big band, Brazilian jazz, Cuban, cover bands, country, and so much more. Check out the full schedules below.

Lake Harriet Band Shell: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm and 5:30 pm

Lake Harriet Band Shell Full Schedule

Nicollet Island Park: Mondays at 7 pm

Nicollet Island Full Schedule

Father Hennepin Bluff Park: Tuesdays at 7 pm

Father Hennepin Bluff Full Schedule

Minnehaha Park: Wednesday-Friday at 7 pm

Minnehaha Full Schedule

Bryant Square Park: Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm

Bryant Square Full Schedule

And lastly, show off your moves and sweat it out in nature.

After all the relaxing and lounging around watching movies and listening to great live music, you may feel a little restless and ready to get up and move. Welcome to Fitness in the Parks. Spread throughout twenty of St. Paul’s beautiful parks, you can partake in an outdoor fitness class led by fitness professionals for absolutely free. There’s no need to register, you simply show up weather permitting.

The classes include everything from Total Body Fitness, Bootcamp, Interval Training, Tai Chi, Yoga, Walking Club, Kickboxing, Playground Pilates, Core Training, and more. All ages and skill levels can participate. Just pick a class that seems interesting and go for it. And if you hate it, simply try another until you find the one you love. You have to admit, doing squats and sit-ups are much more enjoyable outside with a fresh breeze and stunning scenery than pounding it out on a treadmill at the gym.

With free music, movies, and moves, you are now officially ready for summer.

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