Alexandria, Minnesota

Eight different bands have claimed the Grand Champion title in the Festival's 40-year history. Join us to see who rises to the top in 2025!

Future Dates:

June 29, 2025

June 28, 2026

June 27, 2027

Always the last Sunday
in June

PARADE REVIEWING STAND SEATS
No need to bring your lawn chair or arrive extra early to reserve a spot! Ticketed seating is available in prime viewing areas along the parade route. Every band will perform in front of the seating areas. Bleachers are available at 6th Avenue, covered canopy tents with padded chairs are available at 8th Avenue and 14th Avenue. Order Parade Seating Tickets >>

GRAND MARSHAL ANNOUNCED
The Red Willow Arts Coalition (RWAC), represented by program director Chuck Wencl and his family, has been named grand marshal of the 2025 Vikingland Band Festival! RWAC brings so much joy to Alexandria with its fantastic summer concert series every Thursday night on the courthouse lawn. Their dedication to enriching our community through music is truly commendable.

2025 PARADE ENTRIES
The largest lineup in five years! Thanks to all the directors who have registered for the 2025 Festival:

• Alexandria - Host
• Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps - Honor Unit
• Albany
• Bemidji
• Champlin Park
• Dassel-Cokato West Central Marching Arts
• Fergus Falls
• Foley
• Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• Litchfield
• Milaca
• Montevideo
• Richfield
• Sartell
• Sauk Rapids-Rice
• Waconia
• Winona Cotter
• 728 Cadets

2024 PHOTO GALLERY
Relive the excitement of the 2024 Vikingland Band Festival with a gallery of more than 100 photos! View the 2024 photo gallery featuring images of every band.

2024 PARADE RESULTS
Picture-perfect weather, memorable show themes, and smooth logistics made the 40th Annual Vikingland Band Festival a rousing success. The 728 Cadets claimed its sixth Grand Champion title, scoring 86.7 with its race-car themed production, followed closely by perennial contender Waconia with 85.1. Dassel-Cokato scored 81.9, Champlin Park scored 81.0 and Milaca scored 78.1 to round out the overall top five. Winona Cotter was sixth overall, claiming first place in Class A and also earning its second consecutive People's Choice award with its production titled, "Dad Rock." The Alexandria Marching Band served as host to more than 1,000 students from across Minnesota. View complete 2024 results »

VIDEO MEMORIES!
To celebrate the Festival's 40th year, Marching.com is creating a "Vikingland Band Festival Favorites" playlist on YouTube! Expect some good sharp clips from recent years ... and some grainy old stuff captured from dusty VHS tapes! Subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don't miss any of the highlights. View and Subscribe to the MarchingDotCom YouTube Channel »

$1,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Established in 2023, Alexandria's Vikingland Band Festival will present a $1,000.00 scholarship to a senior student pursuing a degree in education. Band directors were given application details. This year's recipient will be announced during the awards ceremony following the parade.

PAST RESULTS
Did you know that 95 different bands have appeared in the Vikingland Band Festival since its inception in 1985? Browse the Festival archives to access scores and participants from previous Festivals.

DID YOU KNOW...?
Alexandria is the only band to appear in every Vikingland Band Festival, but many bands have a long history performing in the festival. Including 2024 appearances, these bands have appeared at least 15 times: Alexandria (40), Fergus Falls (37), Waconia (36), Winona Cotter (35), Henry Sibley/Two Rivers (33), Mankato Lancers (32), Bertha-Hewitt (31), Long Prairie (27), Park Center (27), Sauk Rapids (26), St. Cloud All-City (24), Litchfield (22), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (21), Champlin Park (20), Albany (20), Sartell (19), New York Mills (18), Osseo (18), 728 Cadets (16), Albert Lea (16), Milaca (15).

Sixteen different bands have been named People's Choice since we launched the award in 1989, and the Mankato Lancers and Waconia have each won it a record seven times! Previous People's Choice award winners:
• 2023-24 Winona Cotter
• 2022 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• 2021 No awards - festival style ratings
• 2020 No awards - virtual event
• 2019 Dassel-Cokato
• 2018 Waconia
• 2017 728 Cadets
• 2016 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• 2015 728 Cadets
• 2014 Waconia
• 2013 Mankato Lancers
• 2012 728 Cadets
• 2011 Bemidji
• 2010 Mankato Lancers
• 2007-08-09 Waconia
• 2006 The Patriots
• 2004-05 Waconia
• 2000-01-02-03 Mankato Lancers
• 1999 Albert Lea
• 1998 Champlin Park
• 1997 Fergus Falls
• 1996 Long Prairie
• 1994-95 Irondale
• 1993 Mankato Lancers
• 1991-92 New Richmond, WI
• 1990 Henry Sibley
• 1989 Hibbing

Festival Scenes: View photo galleries »

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Stay informed of last-minute updates, news and Festival history. "Like" the Vikingland Band Festival on Facebook.

EXPERIENCE THE FESTIVAL IN PERSON
Join the thousands of spectators and performers for this spectacular event. Look here for the parade route and maps of Alexandria. More »

2025 PLATINUM SPONSORS



GOLD SPONSORS
Aagard
Alexandria Elks Lodge #1685
Alomere Health
Central Lakes Orthodontics
Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors
REA
Rotary Club of Alexandria

SILVER SPONSORS
American Solutions for Business
Eckroth Music
Elden's Fresh Foods
Glenwood State Bank
Heartland Orthopedic Specialists
ITW Heartland
Juettner Motors
Martinson Insurance Agency
McDonald's
Minnesota Eye Institute
Sanford Health
Steinbring Motorcoach
Viking Bank
Viking Garage Door Co.
Widseth

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Bell Bank
Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Alexandria Area Robotics
Alexandria Golf Cars
Alexandria Park Department
Alexandria Police Department
Alexandria Street Department
Banners.com
Bell Bank
City of Alexandria
Databae Systems
Douglas County Sheriff's Posse
Hilltop Lumber
HPS Rental
KXRA Radio
Livewire Entertainment Media Services, LLC
Marching.com
Marine Corps League Runestone Detachment #1409
North Ambulance
North Star Academy
RG Realty
US Bank
West Central Sanitation
Winning Edge Graphics