Alexandria, Minnesota

Eight different bands have claimed the Grand Champion title in the Festival's 41-year history. Join us to see who rises to the top in 2026!

Future Dates:

June 28, 2026

June 27, 2027

June 25, 2028

Always the last Sunday
in June

2026 PARADE RESULTS
Wow! The morning rain cleared, and the biggest lineup of bands since 2019 delivered an unforgettable afternoon of performances at the 42nd Annual Vikingland Band Festival. The 728 Cadets rose to the top with a score of 90.0 — the highest champion score since 2019 — for their show, "Nightmare," earning the Class 4A Champion title and claiming their seventh Grand Champion title. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg captured its third People's Choice award with its program, "Fuego!"

Litchfield H.S. placed second overall with an 89.3 and earned the Class 3A Champion title. Waconia scored 89.25, placing second in Class 4A and third overall. Rounding out the top 5 bands were Buffalo with 83.5 and Cotter with 82.6.

Cotter earned the Class Champion title for 1A, and Albany earned the Class Champion title for 2A. Congratulations to all of the bands on their tremendous performances! View complete 2026 results »

FESTIVAL PROGRAMS
Pick up your free copy of the parade program from volunteers handing them out before the parade, and from bins near the tents and bleachers in the performance zones. As we continue to streamline the program and be environmentally friendly, you can also view a digital version of the program.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING
The spirit of the People's Choice award is simple: vote for the band that truly moved you. Maybe it was the music, the visual presentation, the energy, the show theme, or the overall performance that captured your attention. Year after year, audience members have embraced the tradition of looking beyond hometown loyalties and celebrating the performance they enjoyed most.

To give every band an equal opportunity to be considered, voting opens when the final band exits the judging zone and remains open for approximately 20 minutes. We encourage spectators to watch the entire parade and cast a vote based on what they experienced along the route. Look for People's Choice QR code signs posted on light poles and trash receptacles along the route. Scan the code to access the ballot and cast your vote. One vote per device.

2026 PARADE ENTRIES
The largest lineup since 2019! Thanks to all the directors who registered for the 2026 Festival. View the bands by class or in parade order.

• Alexandria - Host
• Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps - Honor Unit
• River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps - Honor Unit
• Albany
• Becker
• Buffalo
• Fergus Falls
• Foley
• Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• Litchfield
• Milaca
• Montevideo
• Sartell
• Sauk Rapids-Rice
• St. Michael-Albertville
• Two Rivers
• Waconia
• Winona Cotter
• 728 Cadets

PARADE REVIEWING STAND SEATS
All bleacher and tent seats are now sold out — thank you for the incredible response! There is still plenty of great free viewing along the 1-mile parade route. A limited number of bleacher seats on the 6th Avenue East Side may open up if sponsors are unable to attend. If you're interested, check with the bleacher attendant (neon green shirt). Any released seats will be offered for purchase shortly before the parade begins.

GRAND MARSHAL ANNOUNCED
Joe Korkowski — well-known media personality and enthusiastic ambassador for all things Alexandria — has been named grand marshal of the 2026 Vikingland Band Festival! Korkowski was selected for the honor because of his longtime volunteer spirit and positive impact on a wide range of community organizations and events. Read the full story »

2025 PHOTO GALLERY
Relive the excitement of the 2025 Vikingland Band Festival with a gallery of more than 100 photos! View the 2025 photo gallery featuring images of every band.

$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 2025 appearances, these bands have appeared at least 15 times: Alexandria (41), Fergus Falls (38), Waconia (37), Winona Cotter (36), Henry Sibley/Two Rivers (33), Mankato Lancers (32), Bertha-Hewitt (31), Long Prairie (27), Park Center (27), Sauk Rapids (27), St. Cloud All-City (24), Litchfield (23), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (22), Champlin Park (21), Albany (21), Sartell (20), New York Mills (18), Osseo (18), 728 Cadets (17), Albert Lea (16), Milaca (16).

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:
• 2023-24-25 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 »

2026 PLATINUM SPONSORS



GOLD SPONSORS
Aagard
Alexandria Elks Lodge #1685
Alomere Health
Central Lakes Orthodontics
Martinson Insurance Agency

SILVER SPONSORS
Alexandria Downtown Merchants
Alexandria Technical & Community College
American Solutions for Business
Eckroth Music
Elden's Fresh Foods
Glenwood State Bank
Heartland Orthopedic Specialists
Rotary Club of Alexandria
Runestone Electric Association
Sanford Health
Steinbring Motorcoach
Viking Bank
Viking Garage Door Co.

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Bell Bank
Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association
Your Hair Your Way LLC

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Alexandria Area Robotics
Alexandria Golf Cars
Alexandria Park Department
Alexandria Police Department
Alexandria Street Department
Andria Theatre
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
US Bank
West Central Sanitation
Winning Edge Graphics