Brainerd, Minn (KWAD)— Lakes Jam, one of Minnesota’s signature summer music festivals, is making its biggest shift yet. Organizers announced that beginning in 2026, the Thursday night lineup—traditionally reserved for rock music—will be opened to a wide range of genres, with rock no longer serving as the sole focus of the night.
“We’re not saying goodbye to rock,” said Lakes Jam general manager Ken Lacy. “We’re just giving ourselves the freedom to do whatever we want on Thursday—and that includes keeping rock in the mix when it fits.”
When Lakes Jam first launched, its core was a blend of classic country and classic rock. But with fewer classic rock acts still touring and top-tier talent becoming increasingly expensive, organizers say it’s become more difficult to book quality rock lineups each year. “If there are only 30 viable classic rock acts still on the road, most of them are playing Minnesota already—at casinos, fairs, and other festivals,” Lacy explained. “That limits our options and often delays our ability to book and promote early.”
While country headliners are typically booked and locked in by October, rock acts are often not confirmed until January or February, which complicates marketing and planning efforts. Thursday’s new open-format approach gives Lakes Jam greater flexibility and opens the door for acts outside the traditional rock or country lanes—ranging from hip-hop to EDM. In fact, organizers revealed they even considered booking Nelly for 2025.
Routing logistics also played a role in the decision. “Routing is key,” Lacy said. “If an artist can play Iowa on Saturday, Wisconsin on Friday, and Minnesota on Thursday, that’s ideal. Thursday gives us a third day to work with, which could make Lakes Jam more attractive to bigger-name acts.”
Fans shouldn’t fear a total departure from the festival’s roots. “We’ll always be a country-centric event,” said Lacy. “But if a great legacy rock act becomes available and fits our lineup, we’ll absolutely try to bring them in. It just won’t be limited to one night anymore.”
The shift reflects broader industry trends as festivals across the country incorporate more genre diversity to appeal to younger and more eclectic audiences. “This change allows us to evolve with the times,” said Lacy. “Today’s fans like variety—and we want to give them the best possible experience.”
Organizers hinted at even more ideas in the works, including the possibility of an all-female country night and expanded use of cover bands and secondary stages to ensure rock remains part of the experience.
“We’re not just a music festival,” Lacy said. “We’re a community. And this decision—though tough—is about ensuring that community thrives in the years to come.”
Lakes Jam returns to Brainerd International Raceway in June 2026, with Bailey Zimmerman already announced as a headliner.