Beat the Winter Blues & Jazz Festival

10/14/2026

No one embraces winter quite like Will Steger!
Really fun to see Minnesota’s legendary polar explorer last night. Different approaches to winter, perhaps, but the same philosophy: embrace it! ❄️

09/27/2026

Dear Neil Young,
It’s a Harvest Moon. You know what to do at Farm Aid tonight.
But just in case… here’s The New Standards covering “Harvest Moon” at the 2025 Beat the Winter Blues & Jazz Festival.
Still one of my favorite festival moments. 🌕🎶

06/19/2026

It’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival weekend! So much to choose from! We’ll be in St Paul tonight. Can’t wait!

Sending our best wishes to the artists and the festival team! The vibe is awesome!

02/17/2026

This is what happens when you hand a room full of fun, music lovers a camera and absolutely no supervision.

The photo booth might be the unofficial headliner of the weekend.

These are the faces of a community that refuses to hibernate.

If you see yourself, tag yourself.

World-class music.
Middle of winter.
Right here.

Alexandria, MN

02/13/2026

Greeting guests. Resetting rooms. Keeping the energy steady and the vibe high.

Our volunteers are generous, capable, and slightly fearless.
They show up early. They stay late. They care.

We also laugh. A lot.
If you’d like to be part of it next year, there’s room for you.

Special shout out to others, not pictured, who had a part behind the scenes: Bill Hnath, Michael Tisserand, Deb & Paul Trumm, and family and friends of Dave & Anne Larson.

02/13/2026

A festival is logistics, lighting, sound, food, dessert, load-in, tear-down, hospitality, and a hundred invisible details. Thanks to this group, it's done well.

Thank you to our Production & Vendor Partners:

Gathered Oaks - site location, Friday and Saturday
Carlos Creek Winery - site location & brunch vendor, Sunday
Thomas Dang, EMI Audio
Terry Lynn Carlson, Production & Company Manager
Beth Desotelle, Company Assistant
Smokin Brews & Ques
Casa Jalisco
Country Blossom Farm
Flour & Petal

You make it beautiful, functional, delicious, fun! You make it happen.

02/13/2026

This festival is a community event, backed by businesses and individuals who believe Alexandria is not just a summer town.

If you value world-class experiences in the heart of winter, these are the people helping make it happen.

Thank you to our Community Partners for investing in this event and in the vitality of our region.
Thank you to our Headliners Circle - the families and individuals who quietly said, “Yes. Let’s do this.”

Because of you, we keep the bar high.
Thank you for your trust.

02/13/2026

A signature festival with world-class music doesn’t just appear in outstate Minnesota in February. It’s built with intention.

Deep thanks to our Signature Experience Partners:

Vivie - Grand Arbor Satellite Performance
Wayne Dyer Family Foundation - Festival Intention Partner
Bell Bank - Outdoor Fireside Lounge
Scandinavian Gift Shop - Winter Style Partner

These partners didn’t just sponsor.
They helped shape the experience.

Join us in thanking them for their leadership!

02/10/2026

A rare, post-event article from the Echo Press! I love that they included that magical moment that happened at Grand Arbor. 🩵 If you'd like to comment, consider commenting on THEIR post. It would be nice to see more positivity on their page.

Thank you, Press!

Next year's event is already in the works and will take place Feb. 5-7.