The Basilica Landmark is more than just a rock venue, it is a nonprofit organization that preserves and protects The Basilica of Saint Mary—America’s first Basilica—which has stood as The Building of Hope for more than a century. Once, this iconic landmark was almost destroyed after decades of neglect. Today, we have the chance to turn back the hands of time to ensure The Basilica remains a spiritual home and center for community and cultural activities for future generations. And we can do this all through music.
Located in downtown Minneapolis, The Basilica of Saint Mary was completed in 1914 and designated the first Basilica in the United States in 1926. Named to the National Register of Historic Places, The Building of Hope has been a prominent feature along the Twin Cities skyline for nearly a century.
Our work on this beautiful and historic building is never finished. The Basilica Landmark’s mission is to restore The Building of Hope to its original glory and make sure it continues to welcome generations to come to rock out at the Basilica Block Party. Here’s how you can support the Basilica after the bands and beer disappear:
The Basilica Block Party began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary. Today, proceeds from the rockin’ and rollin’ are directed through The Basilica Landmark to fund the continued renovation of The Basilica and its campus. This year more than $2 million will be invested in the historic church and campus buildings. These critical investments preserve and protect our landmark today and help to avoid the huge costs of emergency repairs tomorrow. Praise the loud!
In addition, a portion of all proceeds from The Basilica Block Party go to The Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need, including employment assistance, job training and workshops, transportation assistance and shoes. It’s partying, for a good cause.
Events like this don’t just happen. More than 1,600 volunteers and 75 committee members make the two-day party possible. They’re the true rock stars.
We hope to see you at The Basilica Block Party this year, and at many more in the future!
1 NIGHT: $50 BOTH: $90
1 NIGHT: $55 BOTH: $100
1 NIGHT: $60 BOTH: $100
Buy now on ticketmaster®
Ages 5 – 12. Children under 5 are free
Buy now on ticketmaster®
Includes free parking (MCTC ramp adjacent to the Basilica), free catered food and free beverages in the VIP area across from the Church stage, and access to indoor bathrooms throughout the evening. This ticket does NOT include access to the Skybox at the Sun Country Stage.
$65 is tax-deductible *
Includes free parking (MCTC ramp adjacent to the Basilica), free catered food and free beverages in the VIP area across from the Church stage, and accessto indoor bathrooms throughout the evening. This ticket includes access to the Skybox at the Sun Country Stage.
$160 is tax-deductible *
Includes 4 Skybox tickets, 4 event shirts, free parking (MCTC ramp adjacent to the Basilica), free catered food and free beverages in the VIP area across from the Church stage, access to the skybox & skybox bar at the Sun Country stage, and access to indoor bathrooms throughout the evening.
$1,000 is tax-deductible *
*Contributions to The Basilica Landmark.
Purchase a raffle ticket or 5, and help the ongoing restoration of The Basilica.
Only 5,000 tickets printed so you’ve got great odds! $5 a ticket.
Drawing will be held on Saturday, July 13th at The Basilica Block Party. Winners need not be present to win.
Purchase tickets in advance or at the Block Party. Contact Leah to get your tickets at 612.317.3432.
Interested in selling raffle tickets before the event? Top seller receives one Round-Trip domestic ticket on
Sun Country Airlines. (Continental US only) Top sellers entered to win $100 Gift Cards.
Contact Leah at 612.37.3432 for more details.
Don’t want to wait for the show to get some BBP merch? Well, do we have a deal for you. BBP t-shirts and hats are available for purchase online. Right now. They’ll be on-site at the event, too, if that’s how you roll.
*Swag provided by SCS Event Merchandising.
Still looking for more fun? Join us at the annual Move & Groove Family Fest at The Basilica from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Come and enjoy plenty of cool free activities for all ages, and then stay for the family concert for just $15 (ages 2 and under are free). Tickets go on sale Friday, May 10th at 10am.
For more information, check out www.moveandgroovefamilyfun.com
* Bands subject to change
All content including #PraiseTheLoud grants permission for usage by Basilica Block Party
Follow Us
Follow Us
Like Us
Plan your ultimate lineup for the weekend. Track down your favorite beer. Locate those ridiculously delicious tacos. And share your experience with everyone. All in one handy place.
Check back in June to get yours.
Take the Hennepin/Lyndale exit (Exit 231B). Go north (right) on Lyndale/Hennepin, and north on Hennepin to N 17th Street.
Take the Lyndale Avenue exit (Exit 231A) toward Hennepin. Stay in the left lane. Turn left onto Dunwoody Blvd.
Follow the I-94 West exit (Exit 17B). Go north (right) on Lyndale/Hennepin, and north on Hennepin to N 17th Street.
Take the I-94 West exit (Exit 17B). Stay in the right lane. Go north (right) on Lyndale/Hennepin and north on Hennepin to N 17th Street.
Take the Dunwoody Blvd exit (Exit 8A). Go east (right) on Dunwoody Blvd to N 17th Street.
Public parking is available for a fee at the Walker Art Center, Dunwoody Institute and other downtown area parking ramps. Free parking is available at the MCTC Ramp with the purchase of a VIP ticket. Present your VIP ticket at the gate when entering the parking ramp.
For 2013 Sponsor information, please contact Jean Ryan, jean@jrimarketing.com or 612-386-1055.
Buy advertising in the Block Party App or Video Wall, and reach a great demographic!
If you have any questions, please call 612-317-3457 or email us at blockparty@mary.org.
Now that you’ve seen all the good stuff the Basilica Block Party has to offer, don’t you want to help make it happen? We bet you do. Download volunteer info here.
Most shifts run from 4-8pm or 7:30pm-event close. There are some shifts from 4pm– event close. Late-shift volunteers are required to assist with event cleanup from 10:30 until the event is closed.
Plan on arriving 30 minutes prior to your shift and reporting to the Volunteer Center 15 minutes prior to your shift.
On the night you are volunteering, you do not need a ticket for admission. All volunteers can enter through the Volunteer Gate at 15th Street and Laurel Avenue. PACK MINIMALLY as your bags will be searched upon entering. There is no place on the grounds to store them safely. Your name will be on a volunteer list. Bring your photo I.D. or driver’s license as you may need it for equipment checkout for your shift. You will also need a photo ID if you plan to purchase beer or wine after your volunteer shift. You may not under any circumstances consume alcohol while volunteering or while wearing your volunteer T-shirt.
Try to walk, bike, bus or carpool. If you plan to drive, arrive early to park in a downtown lot and walk to The Basilica. Parking will be available for a fee at the Dunwoody Institute lot west of The Basilica, the Walker Art Center and Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
Volunteers should report to the Volunteer Center located in the Great Hall on the 3rd floor of the Basilica School for check-in. Signs will indicate where you have to check in for your respective volunteer duties. Please stay with your group in your assigned area. T-shirts and equipment will also be handed out at check-in time. Please wear a lightweight T-shirt so that your volunteer shirt can be worn over it. After you have completed your shift, you will need to remove your volunteer T-shirt if you intend to stay on-site. THE SHIRT IS YOURS TO KEEP. A team leader or escort will meet you in the Volunteer Center and show you to your volunteer post.
Alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed before or during your shift. You may not wear your volunteer T-shirt and consume alcohol after your shift–please change into your street clothes or turn your T-shirt inside out.
Please do not bring backpacks. All bags/purses are subject to inspection.
Please do not bring recording equipment or cameras on-site.
Once you come on-site, there is no re-entry.
The Basilica Block Party recycles and composts. As a representative we ask that you do as well.
Please contact Emily Manske through the Volunteer Hotline at 612.317.3457 or by emailing emanske@mary.org. If you cannot make it to your shift, please call the Volunteer Hotline by Friday, June 29th.
Credit cards can be used to purchase admission tickets and merchandise. Food and beverage tickets and raffle tickets are cash only.
Yep, there are ATMs in two locations on the grounds.
Wristbands are needed to purchase alcohol, but the wristbands are free. Look for a wristband station immediately after you enter the grounds.
Yes. You sure can.
That depends! Tickets for children ages 5-12 may be purchased for $20 at the front gate. The child must be with you to purchase the ticket. But, children under 5 are free.
Check out the Swag section of our website to order BBP merchandise.
The party starts at 5 pm sharp.
Nope, sorry, once you leave the grounds, there is no readmission.
The show will go on, rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, information and instructions will be posted on our website, in the BBP App, and through our social media accounts.
See the Directions section of our website. All the info you need will be right there.
Of course! There are bike racks available in the parking lot under the freeway, on 17th Street in front of the Basilica. They are first-come, first-served. No reserved spots here.
Yes. Raffle tickets can be purchased on-site or after masses at The Basilica of Saint Mary for $5. The top prizes are $2,500, $500, and two round-trip Sun Country airline tickets.
Chairs, no. Pets, not really (service animals, of course). Umbrellas, nope. It’s for the best, really.
Sorry, that would be a no. We do have water fountains onsite and bottled water for sale to quench your thirst.
No backpacks please. All bags/purses are subject to inspection.
We have seating areas for individuals who require accommodation and a clear view of both the Church Stage and the Sun Country Stage. Temporary ped ramps are installed to make it easier to navigate the curb at the Sun Country Stage.
No, general admission tickets are not tax deductible. However, a portion of the price of VIP and Skybox tickets is tax deductible. See more information on these type of tickets in the Tickets section of our website.
Yes! One of our great sponsors, the Hilton Minneapolis, is offering a discounted rate to all Basilica Block Partiers. The rate will be available until June 12 th or until the block of rooms is sold out. The hotel also has some special bonus offers for BBP guests, so check out the link below to find out more and make your reservations.
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/M/MSPMHHH-BBP-20130712/index.jhtml
