Summerfest

Summerfest is an annual music festival held in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This festival is one of the Largest festivals in the world and won a Guinness World Records for its scale in 1999. It features a wide range of genres including rock, pop, country, R&B, electronic, and top-tier artists from around the globe. Summerfest offers a wide array of music across various genres, featuring performances from both renowned international artists and local bands. This event also provides local food trucks, beer gardens, fire dancers, a pop-up skate park, a car show, a balloon glow, a drone show and family-friendly activities including carnival rides, interactive sports and arts for all ages.

When is Summerfest in 2024?

Summerfest 2024 is scheduled to run over three weekends: June 20-22, June 27-29, and July 4-6, 2024. This festival, celebrated as the world's largest music festival, will be held in its traditional location at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Who can enjoy Summerfest?

Summerfest not only promises an exciting lineup of musical acts but also provides local food trucks, beer gardens, fire dancers, a pop-up skate park, a car show, a balloon glow, a drone show and family-friendly activities including carnival rides, interactive sports and arts for all ages.

Summerfest grounds

The Summerfest grounds include seven permanent stages and two pavilions that can be converted to stages. Those are American Family Insurance Amphitheater, BMO Harris Pavilion, Miller Lite Oasis, Generac Power Stage, Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard, U.S. Cellular Connection Stage, Uline Warehouse, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage and South Pavilion.

Summerfest's lineup and headliners

The Summerfest 2024 lineup features a diverse range of artists, including Kane Brown, Mötley Crüe, Tyler Childers, Keith Urban, AJR, and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others. Each is set to perform at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on specified dates throughout the festival. The event promises a rich musical experience with performances from both acclaimed and emerging artists across various stages.

Summerfest 2024 lineup of featuring artists by date, time and stage

Thursday, June 20

4 p.m.

• Wyatt Flores (BMO Pavilion)

5:45 p.m.

• Abraham Alexander (BMO Pavilion)

7:30 p.m.

• The War & Treaty (BMO Pavilion)

• Kane Brown with Kameron Marlowe and Nightly (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

10 p.m.

• Brittany Howard (BMO Pavilion)

Friday, June 21

3:30 p.m.

• Drowning Pool (BMO Pavilion)

7:30 p.m.

• Mötley Crüe with Seether and Buckcherry (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

Saturday, June 22

9:30 p.m.

• Goo Goo Dolls (BMO Pavilion)

Thursday, June 27

5:30 p.m.

• Sawyer (BMO Pavilion)

7 p.m.

• Illenium (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

7:30 p.m.

• Maude Latour (BMO Pavilion)

9:30 p.m.

• Muna (BMO Pavilion)

Friday, June 28

1:30 p.m.

• Failure to Launch (BMO Pavilion)

5:30 p.m.

• Substitute: Tales From the Who (BMO Pavilion)

7:30 p.m.

• Tyler Childers with S.G. Goodman and Adeem the Artist (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

9:30 p.m.

• REO Speedwagon (BMO Pavilion)

Saturday, June 29

3:30 p.m.

• Austin Williams (BMO Pavilion)

7:30 p.m.

• Keith Urban with NEEDTOBREATHE and Alana Springsteen (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

• XANA (BMO Pavilion)

9:30 p.m.

• FLETCHER (BMO Pavilion)

Thursday, July 4

7 p.m.

• AJR with Carly Rae Jepsen and mxmtoon (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

7:30 p.m.

• Colony House (BMO Pavilion)

9:30 p.m.

• Mt. Joy (BMO Pavilion)

Friday, July 5

7:30 p.m.

• Maroon 5 (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

9:30 p.m.

• Bryson Tiller (BMO Pavilion)

Saturday, July 6

7:30 p.m.

• Lil Uzi Vert with Lil Yachty, JID, Rico Nasty and LIHTZ (American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

9:30 p.m.

• Ivan Cornejo (BMO Pavilion)

How to get the cheapest Summerfest ticket ?

Considering its popularity, the ticket prices must be going to be higher in the future. If you are looking for the cheapest Summerfest ticket, TicketX has you covered. You can buy the cheapest tickets with a single click for the lowest commission fee.

What are the different ticket options?

Summerfest features over 600 artists across 12 permanent stages. You can experience 9 days of live music, Milwaukee local cuisine, and one-of-a-kind experiences. However the admission to main stages like American Family Insurance Amphitheater sometimes needs different tickets besides General Admission tickets.

Summerfest general admission/multiday passes

A Summerfest general admission ticket/multiday pass allows access to the Summerfest grounds and festival stages during operating hours (noon-midnight). You cannot enter American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows with general admission tickets and passes.

American Family Insurance Amphitheater tickets

If you want to enter and see all shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Summerfest, you need to get a separate ticket. Since General Admission ticket is valid for the festival grounds and stages and not valid for admission to American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows (including Kane Brown, Motley Crue, Tyler Childers, Keith Urban, AJR, Maroon 5, Lil Uzi Vert, Illenium and more TBA).  A separate American Family Insurance Amphitheater ticket is required. American Family Insurance Amphitheater tickets also include same-day access to the Summerfest grounds and festival stages.

BMO reserved seating

Tickets for reserved seatings is valid for each evening headlining concert, in sections 1-5 of the BMO Harris Pavilion. Each ticket also includes same-day admission to Summerfest, but is not valid for admission to American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows. Sections 6-13 of the BMO Harris Pavilion are free to any festival-goers. This option is beneficial for those who want to make your way to your reserved seat right before the night's headliner takes the stage. So if you are not looking for the reserved seating of BMO Harris Pavilion and not attending the shows at American Family Insurance Amphitheater, purchasing a general admission is the best options.

Level Up viewing deck

Here, guests can take advantage of a private bar, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and restrooms away from the crowds all while watching the Miller Lite Oasis headliner. A Level Up ticket also includes same-day admission to Summerfest and two beverages.

Where can I stay during Summerfest?

There are many hotels near Summerfest milwaukee. If you are thinking to enjoy the events fully, you had better get a good accommodation to prepare for the consecutive events. For more details, check the booking web page of the accommodation.

What forms of payment are accepted at Summerfest?

You can only pay in cashless payment ways. No cash will be accepted, but reverse cash machines will be available.

Getting to Summerfest by avoiding the traffic jam

Do you want to avoid the traffic jam and crowds when you come to Summerfest? Here is the tips for smooth access to the ground of Summerfest.

Driving to the Festival

Visitors are encouraged to exit at any of the downtown exits before the Lakefront exit and park in one of the many downtown parking structures. Look for posters that Summerfest has placed with a QR code to scan at designed lots for the best walking route to the grounds. If you are thinking to park at Summerfest for a show at American Family Insurance Amphitheater, please plan enough time to navigate traffic and park, before concert start time, as lots fill up quickly. There are many convenient transportation choices, including Milwaukee County Transit (MCTS) Freeway Flyers, the new BRT CONNECT 1 route, Ride Share, Bar Buses, The Hop, and more! For more information on local options, please see below.

Milwaukee county transit system routes

Several MCTS local routes are within walking distance of Summerfest. Riders pay on the bus via the Umo app, WisGo card, M-Card or cash. All MCTS buses are accessible for persons using mobility devices.

Rideshare to the Festival

For convenient rideshare pickups and drop-offs during the event, head to the area outside the North Gate. To ensure a smooth experience amidst city movement, here are some helpful tips:

• Before accepting a trip, you can view the fare.

• Expect peak times during weekends or after headline acts finish.

• Verify the license plate in the app matches the vehicle.

• Confirm your name with the driver.

• If traveling with a group, order a vehicle that accommodates up to six riders comfortably.

Bublr Bikes

This is Greater Milwaukee’s nonprofit bike share program. Currently, the system has over 100 stations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis. Users can check out a bike from any station and check it back in at any other station. For information on station locations and how to borrow a bike, visit bublrbikes' official website.

Bar Buses/Shuttles

Here is a list of bars that currently offer shuttle service to Summerfest. Shuttle pick up and drop off are located at either the Summerfest North or South Gates

From the North

• McBob's - 4919 W North Ave

• Spitfire's - 5018 W State St

• Jack's American Pub - 1323 E Brady St

• WurstBar - 1239 E Brady St

• Milwaukee Brat House - 1013 N 3rd St

• Shorewood Brat House - 4022 N Oakland Ave

• Caffrey's Pub - 717 N 16th St

• Murphy's Irish Pub - 1613 W Wells St

• Belmont - 784 N Jefferson St

• Izzy Hops - 2311 N Murray Ave

• Uncle Buck's On Third - 1125 N 3rd St

• Buck Bradley's - 1019 N 3rd St

• Camp Bar Wauwatosa - 6600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa

• Who's on Third - 1007 N 3rd St

From the South

• O'lydia's - 338 S 1st St

• Steny's Tavern & Grill - 800 S 2nd St

• King Pins Spirits - 4102 S Kinnickinnic

• Spirits - 922 Milwaukee Ave, Saint Francis

• PartyTimeMKE/KeyMgmt - 

• Newport - 939 E Conway St

• Paulies Pub - 8031 W Greenfield Ave

• Gingerz - 3915 S Howell Ave

• Dale Z's - 3585 S Howell Ave

• Jersey's - 4024 S Howell Ave

• Redbar - 2245 E St. Francis Ave

• The Wisconsin Club - 900 W Wisconsin Ave

• Clementine's - 3143 S Clement Ave

• Patti's Power Plant - 2800 S Kinnickinnic Ave

The Hop Streetcar

The Hop streetcar offers a convenient and enjoyable mode of transportation to Summerfest from various downtown locations in Milwaukee. Whether you're arriving at the Intermodal station or coming from East Town or the Lower East Side, you can hop on The Hop to reach either the Historic Third Ward platform or the Lakefront. For more information about Milwaukee's streetcar, including route maps, system schedules, and real-time arrival updates, visit thehopmke's official website.

Amtrak Hiawatha service

Avoid traffic and travel hassle-free to Summerfest from the Chicago area or Racine/Kenosha by taking the Amtrak Hiawatha Service. With convenient access from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, you can board the train to the festival from Chicago Union Station, Glenview, and Sturtevant (Racine/Kenosha). For further information, visit Amtrak official website.