The on-again, off-again Basilica Block Party is off-again for 2025.

“In evaluating the event and our learnings, we are considering some new options and looking forward to an even brighter future in 2026,” said Fr. Daniel Griffith, pastor and rector of Minneapolis’ Basilica of Saint Mary in a news release. “While these options are being evaluated, the Block Party will pause for 2025. We look forward to sharing plans for 2026 with you soon.”

A Basilica spokesperson didn’t comment beyond the statement from Griffith.

Founded in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for structural restoration of the historic Basilica, the Basilica Block Party was a summer tradition for decades that drew tens of thousands of fans to the event, held outside the downtown Minneapolis church.

But organizers were forced to cancel in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021, the festival moved from its typical mid-July dates to September. The day before the event began, Saturday night headliners the Avett Brothers canceled due to COVID-19 exposure. Ticket sales suffered and the festival drew about half its pre-pandemic attendance. Organizers canceled the festival in 2022 and 2023.

It returned in 2024 at a new location, Boom Island Park near downtown Minneapolis, due to an Xcel Energy construction project in the Basilica’s parking lot. Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows headlined the two-night festival, which featured two stages, not three as was tradition.

The Basilica Block Party faces increasing competition for outdoor summer concerts in and around the metro. Last summer, Live Nation subsidiary C3 Presents debuted the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival at St. Paul’s Harriet Island Regional Park with headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani and Alanis Morissette. It proved to be a hit with concertgoers and is expanding to three days in July with Green Day, Hozier and Fall Out Boy topping the bill.

In addition, both Mystic Lake Casino and Treasure Island Casino host summertime outdoor concerts. Live Nation now owns Somerset Amphitheater in Wisconsin and has booked acts that typically play summer festivals and is running a new 19,000-capacity amphitheater in Shakopee due to open late this summer.

“The Basilica Block Party has had a great history and legacy over the past thirty years in Minneapolis. I am excited to see what the future holds as we consider new possibilities and partnerships,” Griffith said.

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