MOMF 48 Hour Band Challenge Signup will be available here on Wednesday, July 1.
Each year the 48 hour band challenge brings together musicians of all skill levels from across Minnesota to collaborate for a friendly competition and a chance at playing the Main Stage of MOMFest 2026!!
Each participant is randomly assigned to a new band with musicians they’ve never worked with before and are tasked with creating new music and putting together a unique performance in 48 hours!
Prizes, trophies, cash prizes, and the first place band gets to perform on the main stage opening for one of our headliners!
This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other musicians. Each year, new projects and collaborations are born from the 48 hour band challenge, come join us and sign up today!
Early bird sign up starts July 1st through July 15th!
Two Very Important Dates to Remember: Thursday, July 16, Band Challenge Draft & Saturday, July18, Band Challenge Contest.
the Draft
This event will be held at Paddlefish Brewing, Saint Peter, MN, on Thursday, July 16, 6:00 PM SHARP. You must arrive and check-in no later than 6:15 PM. At this event you will be assigned your band and given the parameters and rules for the competition. You are then free to work on your music…you have 48 hours! After the Draft concludes there will be live music from Papa John Kolstad & Wailin’ Willie Smith, stalwarts of the Minnesota Music Scene, followed by a performance from last year’s 48 Hour Band Challenge winners: Lady Mercury.
the Contest
This event will be held at Patrick’s on Third, Saint Peter, MN, on Saturday, July 18, 6:00 PM SHARP. the bands that formed 48 hours prior return to the stage for the 5th annual 48 hour challenge competition! Don’t be late, your friends and family will be there to cheer you on! We have a local celebrity panel of judges and the audience is going to be the ones to determine by vote who the winners of the competition are!
Stick around after for the announcement of the winners and come back to see them perform for a second time on the main stage of MOMFest 2026!!!
