Summerfest
- Dates
- Expected June-July 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Henry Maier Festival Park
- Price
- $30 to $33
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026
The last Summerfest was June 18 to July 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI. Its 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. The lineup is usually announced in February. Froligo tracks ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Summerfest bills itself as the world's largest music festival: a sprawling lakefront celebration on Milwaukee's 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park that runs across three long weekends and hundreds of acts on around a dozen stages. Free or low-cost daytime admission, a huge headliner-to-local range and its setting on Lake Michigan give it an accessible, all-comers character quite different from a single-weekend destination festival. The sheer breadth of music and the value of getting in are the two things that define it.
What people love
Attendees consistently rate the music as excellent value given the calibre of performers and the low or free cost of entry, and beer is famously fast and everywhere. The lakefront setting and overall planning draw praise even as reviewers note the grounds strain under the crowds. The recurring frustrations are stadium-style food and drink prices, long lines for the better food options and, on busy nights, restrooms that staff struggle to keep stocked and clean, with several noting far longer restroom waits for women. Parking close by is pricey and slow to leave, though cheaper parking a few blocks out earns a nod.
Last time around (2025)
The 2025 edition set a modern attendance high, with the nonprofit host recording 602,231 visitors, up about 8 percent on the prior year, across its three-weekend run on the Milwaukee lakefront. Attendee commentary tracked the festival's familiar strengths and strains: strong, high-value music programming and easy beer service set against pricey food, long lines at the better vendors and crowded, hard-to-restock restrooms on the busiest nights.
Protect your ears
Dutch-engineered protection for live music.
Alpine PartyPlug Pro earplugs reduce noise by 21 dB while keeping music clear and detailed. Premium, reusable protection for concerts and festivals.
★★★★★ 75,000+ five-star reviews across the Alpine range
100-day satisfaction guarantee.
Advertisement · Froligo may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find Summerfest on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
Nearest airport MKE.
How do I get to Summerfest?
By car
Most people drive to Summerfest. The nearest major airport is MKE, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from MKE in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Prepay via SpotHero. Official lots open daily at 9:00am. No tailgating and no RV parking permitted on festival park grounds. The MCTS Summerfest shuttle (free park-and-ride lot parking, $18 round-trip fare) is the festival's own recommended low-stress alternative to driving straight to the grounds.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at MKE
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Summerfest?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 4
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1840 North 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates515 North Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates515 North Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 5
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates500 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates611 North Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates503 North Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
5253 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5105 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5037 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 1
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Link coming soonAirbnb & private camping
Downtown Milwaukee/Historic Third Ward has solid Airbnb inventory within walking distance of the festival grounds. Summerfest spans nine non-consecutive days across three weekends in June-July.
Search AirbnbHenry Maier Festival Park is an urban lakefront city park with no Hipcamp inventory. Milwaukee-area Hipcamp listings are rural/exurban (Kettle Moraine area and similar) well outside downtown, not a realistic walkable/transit alternative to a hotel for this festival.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Henry Maier Festival Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Entry rules
Accessibility & comfort
What the organizer or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Confirm your specific needs with the organizer's access team before you travel.
Pricing
Price history and tiers
Got fresher info? Tell us, a real person checks every tip, and we love fresh info.
Quick answers
When is Summerfest 2027?
Not announced yet. The last festival was June 18 to July 4, 2026. The next one is expected in June-July.
How much are Summerfest tickets?
$30 to $33 per person were the 2026 edition's prices. 2027 tickets are not on sale yet; prices will be confirmed when they go on sale.
Where is Summerfest held?
Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, WI.