Submitted by the Jade Presents Team

2025 was a significant year for us±—we executed nearly 100 live events across five states, ranging from packed concerts and comedy sets to live podcast recordings and free community events that brought people (and puppies) together. We tried new ideas, upcycled shipping containers, brought favorites old and new to the Fargo-Moorhead area, and even saw a few sellouts along the way. While summer concert season typically takes center stage, 2025 proved that live events are year-round. Here are ten s

Here are ten standout shows, as they unfolded throughout 2025.

February 16

Blind Pilot With Kacy & Clayton at The Aquarium

Indie-folk charm filled the intimate upstairs club above Dempsey’s as Blind Pilot delivered a heartfelt set— capped by a surprise proposal that turned the night into a truly unforgettable moment.

April 26

Becky Robinson: Members Only Tour at The Fargo Theatre

Becky Robinson packed the historic Fargo Theatre for two high-energy shows, bringing her viral Entitled Housewife persona and quick-hit chaos to downtown Fargo in a night that felt big, loud, and wildly fun.

Midwest Murder Podcast at The Sanctuary Events Center

North Dakota’s own charttopping true crime podcast delivered a gripping live taping at Sanctuary Events Center, drawing fans eager for their signature storytelling. Good news: they’re set to return in January 2026.

June 10

Zz Top: The Elevation Tour 2025 With The Wallflowers at Bluestem Amphitheater

After years in the making, seeing this show finally hit the Bluestem Amphitheater stage—the Red River Valley’s 2024 Best Live Entertainment Spot—felt iconic against a picturesque background.

July 15

Pawchella at Up District Festival Field

Our first free community event at UP District Festival Field brought together more than 500 people and their pups for an evening of adoptable dogs, microchipping, training demos, and pure joy to raise money for Homeward Animal Shelter.

July 28

Sierra Ferrell With The Brudi Brothers at Up District Festival Field

A JP staff favorite, Sierra’s stunning stage setup, ethereal vocals, and warmth created one of the year’s most enchanting nights—we were able to offer kids 12 and under free admission to the show, making it magical to see many experience their first concert at Fest Field.

August 30

The Avett Brothers with the Milk Carton Kids at Bluestem Amphitheater

On a perfect night at Bluestem, The Avett Brothers delivered their signature joy and soul, while The Milk Carton Kids stunned the crowd with flawless harmonies—a pairing that felt genuinely unforgettable.

September 16

Melvins With Redd Kross at Harold’s on Main Outdoors

A blast from start to finish, this one had everyone rocking out to the Melvins in the Harold’s parking lot—a perfect example of how fun it is to collaborate with a local favorite. Hope to do more of these!

October 29

Margo Price with Logan Ledger at The Sanctuary Events Center

One of the most exciting voices in country music today, Margo Price gave us the kind of intimate, up-close show we’ll look back on in disbelief. We’re still dreaming about the melodies we heard!

November 6

Yung Gravy with Pertinence at The Fargo Civic Center

Our first show back at the Fargo Civic Center since the COVID-19 pandemic, Yung Gravy turned the room into a full-on party — flipping pancakes onstage and bringing the vibes back to the room as if no time had passed.

2025 isn’t over yet—we’ve still got more shows before year-end, with planning for 2026 already taking place. To stay in the loop on everything coming next, visit jadepresents.com and join our Email and Text Club for first access to news. We can’t wait to share what’s ahead and continue to keep music live & local.

Up District Festival Field

If you’re driving southbound on University Dr. N–passing Chub’s Pub, The Edge Artist Flats, and the familiar hum of everyday Fargo–you’d never guess that just a few blocks east sits one of the city’s newest and most imaginative outdoor music venues. Tucked quietly into the Unicorn Park District at 1329 5th Ave N, UP District Festival Field transforms what was once a vacant, unutilized lot into a lively cultural destination. Now, on summer nights, music, camaraderie, and community pride drift beyond the surrounding neighborhood streets, signaling that something special is happening behind the unassuming edges of UP District. Born from Jade Presents’ long-held mission to enrich the community through exceptional live events, the venue was designed with intention: a flexible event space built for connection, sustainability, and unforgettable shared experiences. Today, UP District Festival Field stands as a testament to what thoughtful vision–and a little Unicorn magic–can add to Fargo.

Once the permit for the space was approved by the City of Fargo, the march was on. While the exterior footprint of the venue took shape–most notably through the installation of upcycled shipping containers painted in bright, playful colors to bring a whimsical flair to the industrial surroundings—the Jade Presents team began developing the operational backbone of the venue. Marketing, ticketing, production workflows, event staffing, vendor coordination, facilities planning–every piece of the live-event ecosystem was built with intention. At every step, the purpose of the space remained clear: to bring life, creativity, and community to a once-unused lot and to offer something for every kind of concertgoer. Whether fans prefer standing at the barricade close to the stage, relaxing on their blanket or lawn chair in general admission, or opting for a premium experience in the Boxcar section with a dedicated bar, restrooms, and elevated platforms, UP District Festival Field is designed as a choose-yourown-adventure for all ages and all budgets.

The very first show at UP District Festival Field–’90s country queen Jo Dee Messina– brought its own set of challenges. Opening night was a sold-out event in a brand-new space, and the team had only one chance to get it right. But that pressure also offered a unique advantage: real-time learning. Staff were able to test crowd-control strategies, refine line-flow patterns, and adjust front-ofhouse operations on the fly, turning opening night into essential data for future events. And those improvements were put into practice immediately. By the time blues powerhouse Grace Potter took the stage for the venue’s second show, processes were already evolving. Fans noticed quicker entry, smoother line movement, and a more intuitive wayfinding throughout the venue. With each show that followed, UP District Festival Field settled further into its identity–nimble, responsive, and deeply committed to delivering a better patron experience every single show day.

The remainder of the 2024 season saw nine additional concerts at UP District Festival Field, welcoming a wide mix of artists that showcased the venue’s range. Indie-rock mainstays Band of Horses brought soaring, cinematic melodies; Shakey Graves filled the field with his signature blend of Americana grit and charm; Pierce the Veil delivered a high-energy night for modern rock fans; Atmosphere gave hip-hop lovers a soulful, introspective performance; and Spoon shared the stage with electro-rock duo Phantogram, creating a genre-bending night that drew both longtime indie fans and new listeners alike.

That diversity was matched by a growing audience of all ages–thanks in part to the decision to make select shows free for kids 12 and under with a ticketed adult. Many children experienced their very first concert on these grounds, often greeted by the warm welcome of Hornelius the Magical Inflatable Unicorn, the venue’s playful mascot and a wink to its home in Fargo’s Unicorn Park. Each show also featured a local nonprofit partner—something Jade Presents is committed to continuing for seasons to come, using the natural opportunity to highlight organizations doing meaningful work in the community and a chance to connect with new audiences.

Between the end of the 2024 season and the start of 2025, UP District Festival Field entered a period of thoughtful refinement. The goal was clear: continue expanding amenities across all price levels to ensure the venue remained accessible, comfortable, and customizable for all audiences. General admission guests saw the addition of new bleachers–an affordable seating option with an elevated, attractive sightline–while Boxcar guests were greeted by a newly built three-tier structure, further defining the venue’s top-tier premium experiences. Fresh gravel surfacing allowed for a wider variety of food vendors, and improvements to ingress and egress made arriving and leaving even smoother. The 2025 season also introduced the venue’s first free community events, including Pawchella, a dog-friendly evening benefiting Homeward Animal Shelter, and Tacos & Two-Wheel, fueled by Harley-Davidson of Fargo, celebrating local bike builders and taco vendors–further proving the multipurpose potential of the space.

The 2025 season proved to be equal parts fulfilling and challenging. The talent was bigger than ever, with twelve shows and community events unfolding on the grounds–ranging from the high-energy bluegrass of Trampled by Turtles to the spellbinding vocals of Sierra Ferrell, a sold-out night with Sam Barber, and powerhouse performances from Chase Rice and Fitz & The Tantrums. Over 500 dogs made an appearance at the first Pawchella, and nearly 1,000 attendees cast votes for the title of Best Taco at Tacos & Two-Wheelers. But the season wasn’t without obstacles: stretches of heavy rain rendered the grounds unusable on key show nights, reminding everyone that outdoor venues live at the mercy of the elements. Still, the ups and downs only sharpened the team’s focus. Jade Presents is already deep into preparations, refining every detail–operational, guest-facing, and experiential–to ensure UP District Festival Field continues to grow, evolve, and shine even brighter with each new season.

To stay in the loop on upcoming concerts, head to our websites and follow us on social media. Also, be sure to join our Email and Text Club located on our websites for event announcements sent right to your inbox.