Big Turn Music Fest is on again in Red Wing, Minnesota February 14-15, 2025. And with it, a spirit of wintry joy brings two days of live music and over 100 bands playing 15 downtown venues amidst games, karaoke, and RED Talks! Big Turn's not for the unadventurous or unambitious. It’s a flurry of music, games, and festive fun!
Step One: Parking & Transportation
Arrive early and hunt for a great spot before the chaos begins.
Take the Red Wing Trolley. It's making the rounds at St. James Hotel, Sheldon Theatre, Red Wing Elks Lodge 845, S O Discount Deals, Holiday Inn, and Go Brazen in Red Wing's West End District and offering transport for only $2 February 14th and 15th 5pm to 12:30am.
Call Red Wing Taxi at 651-385-8294 or make use of your favorite ride-sharing service.
Step Two: Get Your Big Turn Wristband
Before you do anything—before you drink, before you dance, before you even touch a bingo card (we’ll get to that later) you must secure entry. Bring your printed ticket or email confirmation to the Sheldon Theatre box office and they'll slap on that wristband. No wristband, no entry, no excuses. Wristbands are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Important note for the procrastinators: Discounted online ticket sales end February 13th (save $15!). After that, you’ll need to buy tickets at regular price online or in person at the Sheldon Theatre (12pm-10pm, Friday & Saturday).
Yes, you’re here for the music. But that's not it. You can't really say you Big Turn'd unless you also check out the wild events and games, mind-blowing RED Talks, and all the side quests Red Wing has to offer.
Here’s everything else you need to do between sets:
#BigTurnBloody: Quench Your Thirst, Strengthen Your Resolve
You can win Big Turn Music Fest passes for next year or a beanie when you post your #BigTurnBloody images on social using the hashtag. Enjoy Big Turn’s tomatoey signature drink at 8 different venues:
American Legion
Bayside Saloon & Grill
Elks Lodge
Home Plate Grill & the Dugout Lounge
Kelly’s Tap House
Liberty’s Restaurant
St. James Hotel (Port and Scarlet)
Tators and Dillers
They're all unique bloodies, but they're all #BigTurnBloody. And at one low price of only $5 all weekend!
Elks Lodge Pancake Breakfast - Saturday 9am-12pm
If you wake up on Saturday morning feeling like you got hit by a snowplow, head to the Elks for the $10 Pancake Breakfast. Grab fluffy cakes, sizzlin' sausage, strong coffee, and maybe add a #BigTurnBloody for a full recovery. It's a chance to swap war stories with fellow festival-goers as you try to piece together what exactly happened the night before. Eat. Hydrate. Rally. And don't forget the long underwear—you’ve still got a journey ahead.
Bingo at the American Legion - Saturday 12pm
Feeling lucky? Need a little game play before strolling back into a music venue? Head to the American Legion for Bingo. You might win. You might not. Either way, you’re having a good time!
Cribbage Tournament at the Elks Lodge - Saturday 1pm
Play to win, or at least well enough your old math teacher doesn’t roast you for still not being able to do simple addition. Victory brings honor. Defeat brings shame. Cold brings frostbite. Don't forget your gloves.
Karaoke at Home Plate Grill: Where Stars are Born - Saturday Noon-4pm
At some point during Big Turn, you'll feel a surge of misplaced confidence. And maybe it's just the Bloody, but time to harness that feeling, grab the mic, pick a song, and give it all you got, kid! But for the love of the buoy, no more “American Pie”.
RED Talks at the St. James Hotel: A Moment of Enlightenment Before the Madness Resumes - Saturday 3pm
For those who want some intellectual stimulation and a break for their ears, check out RED Talks at the St. James. It’s like TED Talks, but Red Wing-style with music industry experts and artists sharing their wisdom, insight, and some entertaining tales too.
Grab Big Turn Merch: So Cool it's Frozen!
You were at Big Turn and now you want some proof. Pick up official Big Turn merchandise at The Creative Hand open Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm. They've got everything you'll need to flex on your friends who didn’t come.
Final Thoughts for the Partially Thawed
Big Turn is not just a music festival. It’s an experience, a lifestyle, and a winter tradition. And when it’s all over, you’ll leave with memories to last a lifetime. Or, at least until it freezes again. Yeah, buoy!
