Henry Maier Festival Park
Henry Maier Festival Park is an outdoor lakefront events ground in Milwaukee that draws an average of 1.2 million visitors a year across its concerts and cultural festivals, including the American Family Insurance Amphitheater and BMO Pavilion. Milwaukee Irish Fest spreads over 75 acres of the park with more than 17 stages. Outside food and drinks are not allowed in, though food and drinks are sold throughout the grounds.
Before you go
- Capacity
- 75-acre grounds with over 17 stages during Milwaukee Irish Fest
- Indoor or outdoor
- Outdoor: a lakefront park with multiple open-air stages
- Official site
- milwaukeeworldfestival.com
- Next festival here
- Milwaukee Irish Fest, Aug 19 to 22, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Outside food and drinks are not allowed in, with exceptions only for medical necessity, special diets and nursing mothers.
- Cameras with a detachable or long lens, and video equipment, are not permitted at Irish Fest.
- The Hop streetcar's free F-Line runs until 1am during summer festivals and stops a short walk from the North Gate.
- Wheelchair and stroller rentals are limited, so bringing your own is the safer bet.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Outdoor lakefront festival grounds · 75 acres, 17+ stages at Irish Fest · No outside food or drinks.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- you want a big lakefront festival ground with many stages
- you are happy relying on on-site food and drink vendors
Think twice if
- you were planning to bring outside food, drinks or a long lens camera
- you need a guaranteed wheelchair or stroller rental
Getting there and parking
Festival-specific · Milwaukee Irish FestThe Hop streetcar's F-Line stops near Discovery World, a short walk from the North Gate, and runs until 1am during summer festivals. Milwaukee County Transit buses also stop within walking distance of the park, and the Amtrak Hiawatha service connects from Chicago to the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · Milwaukee Irish FestThe entire grounds are accessible by wheelchair and ECV. Wheelchairs and strollers can be rented near the Main Gate and South Gate for $10 and $5 a day, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own since the rental supply is limited and motorized wheelchairs are not available to rent.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (milwaukeeworldfestival.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Henry Maier Festival Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: milwaukeeworldfestival.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Henry Maier Festival Park's operator, Milwaukee World Festival, prohibits bringing outside food or drinks into the venue, with exceptions for medical necessity, special diets and nursing mothers. Food and drinks are sold on site.
Festival-specific · Milwaukee Irish FestCameras with a detachable or long lens and video equipment are not permitted, and pets are not allowed except service animals and dogs in the Celtic Canine area.
Festival-specific · Milwaukee Irish FestMore than 35 food vendors sell food across the grounds, from permanent booths to pop-ups and carts, serving traditional Irish dishes like shepherd's pie and bangers and mash alongside pizza, tacos, barbecue and other festival favorites.
Quick answers
Can I bring my own food or drinks to Henry Maier Festival Park?
No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed in, apart from medical necessity, special diets and nursing mothers.
Is the park wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entire grounds are accessible by wheelchair and ECV at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Can I rent a wheelchair at Irish Fest?
Yes, for $10 a day near the Main Gate and South Gate, though supply is limited, so bring your own if you can.
Is there a free way to get to the park?
Yes. The Hop streetcar's F-Line is free and stops a short walk from the North Gate, running until 1am during summer festivals.
Can I bring a camera to Irish Fest?
Partly. Cameras with a detachable or long lens, and video equipment, are not permitted.
How big is the festival park?
Milwaukee Irish Fest spans 75 acres of the park with more than 17 stages of entertainment.