‘New-Look’ Entertainment Lineup Just Announced For 2025 Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

While the various race events are undoubtedly the centerpiece of Grandma's Marathon Weekend each year, great music entertainment on Friday and Saturday night is still a big part of the annual tradition.

Originally branded "Rock the Bigtop" when it was held in the parking lot in Canal Park, the event was later rebranded to "Rock the Bayfront" when live music was moved to Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park.

The types of live music have changed over the years, with popular regional acts and national performers like Sugar Ray, Everclear, and Love and Theft being among the performers over the years.

Since moving to Bayfront, admission to the entertainment throughout the weekend has been free. That is once again the case for 2025. Shows this year are once again open to all ages.

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For 2025, organizers announced the next iteration of music entertainment for locals and those visiting the Duluth area for Grandma's Marathon Weekend.

What's new for the entertainment at the 2025 Grandma's Marathon?

At the center of their announcement for this year is the band Cloud Cult, which is set to headline Friday night's festivities at Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park.

Grandma's Marathon Executive Director Shane Bauer commented on the addition of the act to this year's lineup, saying, “Cloud Cult has roots in Duluth and has been a top choice in the local music scene for a long time. We can’t think of a better band for Friday night to help energize and inspire our participants for their races the next morning.”

READ MORE: Popular Area Of Duluth's Canal Park To Be Closed To The Public For Several Months

Formed in the Twin Cities in the mid-1990s, Cloud Cult is an upbeat experimental indie rock act that has gone on to earn national praise on the music scene from publications like Pitchfork and the Los Angeles Times.

While they will headline the Friday night festivities, there are a lot of other acts that will grace the stage at Bayfront over the 2025 Grandma's Marathon Weekend. Here's the full rundown.

What is the 2025 Grandma's Marathon music & entertainment schedule?

Friday's musical performances include two acts, with the aforementioned Cloud Cult being the headliner. Saturday is a day full of several acts, including local and regional favorites.

Friday, June 20 music schedule

• 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Boxcar
• 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Cloud Cult

Saturday, June 21 music schedule

• 9:00 am – 10:30 am: Boxcar
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Shane Martin Band
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Father Hennepin
• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Breanne Marie & The Front Porch Sinners
• 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Sydney Hansen
• 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Woodblind
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Rafe Carlson
• 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm: Big Wave Dave and the Ripples

As we await 2025's Grandma's Marathon, here's a look back at last year's event.