Live music, comedy, car show, rodeo and Derby Party
Canterbury Park’s summer entertainment schedule offers much more than the signature live horse racing season and 24/7 casino action. Over the past weeks, several events have been announced including live music on select Fridays, a mid-July professional rodeo, and early fall comedy show.
“We continue to expand out entertainment calendar, adding new events each season,” Director of Entertainment Deb Schaber said. “We have grown our summer concert schedule, complementing it with new events like the car show, comedy and rodeo. These are a perfect fit for this vibrant entertainment district in Shakopee.”
Two performances of Double Down on Danger will be offered April 20 featuring The Danger Committee, a legendary performance troupe that combines sharp wit and sharp knives in two unforgettable shows.
Canterbury will host Minnesota’s Best Derby Party Saturday, May 4. More than just a day of wagering on the Kentucky Derby and other races from historic Churchill Downs, the Derby Party presented by Maker’s Mark includes live music by The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band, mint julep specials, a red carpet selfie station, adult game zone, best dressed and best hat contests and a variety of vendors.
Friday night concerts include Night Ranger June 7, Hairball, bringing a celebration of arena rock, June 14, southern rockers 38 Special Aug. 2 and country artist Craig Morgan Aug. 16. The concert area on the north end of the grandstand offers excellent sight lines in an intimate setting with stellar acoustics, placing music lovers close to the artists. The Canterbury grandstand concert bowl, which can comfortably accommodate 2,500, is a unique setting ‘South of the River’ in Shakopee, Minn., a Minneapolis/St. Paul suburb.
Charlie Berens, comedian and Emmy winning journalist, will perform two shows Sept. 13 on the outdoor stage. Berens has toured the country multiple times entertaining sold-out venues.
Professional rodeo comes to Canterbury July 19 and 20 with each evening beginning with live music. Local country favorite Ragtown will perform July 19. Both evenings include pony rides and other family friendly activities followed by bull riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and more.
“There has not been a rodeo in Shakopee for several decades and an outdoor rodeo this close to the Twin Cities is rare,” Schaber said. “We have a unique facility with three floors of comfortable seating both indoors and out and a large track apron that facilitates the social aspects of rodeo. Our broadcast team will televise the event live on monitors throughout the grandstand as well as on the big screen in the infield but they also will show replays of the exciting action. That is something most outdoor rodeos simply do not offer. We are really excited to host professional rodeo.”
The 10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance, absent from the Twin Cities since 2019, has found a new home in the Canterbury Park infield. This unique show, Sept. 15, features the area’s most historically significant and superbly conditioned automobiles.
Canterbury Park’s 30th live horse racing season will run May 18 through Sept. 28. Several popular race day promotions are back in 2024 including corgi races, Extreme Race Day with ostriches and camels, Sunday Pepsi Family Day, Taste of Canterbury and July 3 Kwik Trip fireworks.
Tickets and information on all events can be found at tickets.canterburypark.com .
Entertainment Schedule
Double Down On Danger – April 20 – Tickets start at $25
Kentucky Derby Party presented by Maker’s Mark – May 4 – Tickets start at $10
Live Horse Racing – May 18 – Sept. 28 – Tickets start at $5
Night Ranger – June 7 – Tickets start at $30
Hairball with Sugar Buzz– June 14 – Tickets start at $30
Canterbury Park Rodeo – July 19 and 20 – Tickets start at $20
38 Special – Aug. 2 – Tickets start at $40
Craig Morgan with Ben Johnson – Aug. 16 – Tickets start at $30
Charlie Berens – Sept. 13 – Tickets start at $40
10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance – Sept. 14 – Tickets start at $20
