A decade after the world fell silent, Minneapolis is preparing to speak again through music, memory, and purple.
Paisley Park has revealed the complete programming schedule for Prince Celebration 2026, a five-day tribute running June 3 through June 7 across the iconic Chanhassen studio complex and multiple downtown Minneapolis venues. Titled “Celebration of Life,” this year’s gathering marks the 10th anniversary of Prince Rogers Nelson’s April 21, 2016, passing and stands as the most expansive edition of the annual tribute in its history.
Devotees, fellow musicians, and creative collaborators from across the globe are expected to converge on the Twin Cities for an immersive experience encompassing live performances, vault audio discoveries, historical retrospectives, and community gatherings, all designed to honor the breadth and depth of one of music’s most singular figures.
First Avenue opens the door
The commemoration gets underway Wednesday, June 3, at First Avenue, the downtown Minneapolis concert hall where Prince built his early mythology and filmed the era-defining 1984 motion picture “Purple Rain.” DJ Lenka Paris takes the decks for the opening night celebration, joined by soul and R&B titan Chaka Khan in what is shaping up to be an electrifying entrance into the week’s festivities. The venue’s storied black exterior, dotted with stars honoring Minnesota’s musical greats, provides a fitting backdrop for a tribute rooted in hometown reverence.
Club 3121 ignites Thursday
Thursday, June 4, shifts the energy into the intimate confines of Club 3121 for an after-hours musical gathering led by DJ Rashida. Vocalist Liv Warfield and singer-songwriter Ashley Tamar round out the confirmed roster, with additional performers to be disclosed the evening of the event. The format mirrors the spontaneous, anything-can-happen spirit that defined Prince’s own storied after-show performances, a deliberate nod to the man who turned midnight into an art form.
The Armory becomes the stage for a historic Friday night
The week’s centerpiece arrives Friday, June 5, when The Armory transforms into a cathedral of purple. The milestone evening brings together musicians from both the New Power Generation and The Revolution, two bands synonymous with distinct but equally monumental chapters of Prince’s artistic journey, sharing a stage in a convergence that underscores the breadth of his influence across eras…