Summerfest is what you make of it. For us, it's evolved over the years! We've gone twice this year for shorter periods of time to see specific bands, one at the BMO pavilion and a few at the U.S. Cellular stage. We enjoyed listening to a few other bands as we walked around. The Latin music day was fun - loved the energy, and people were really enjoying it. Bonus points for having an NA beer option available and easier to locate this year! Lots of great food and drink options available, as always. The very high prices for food and beverages are a bit of a bummer. At least dropping the price of bottled water would be a nice move. Since we know what to expect with prices, we tend to just eat before and then enjoy on something fun vs have our whole meal there, and avoid the super pricey drinks. Our favorite things to do every year are to take stroll by the lakefront, ride the sky glider, enjoy a "famous" Saz's sampler platter together, and of course catch lots of live music. We tend to splurge and park in a well-lit lot close by so it's easy in and easy out, but we've also taken the Connect bus from Tosa in the past. The bar and restaurant shuttles are a great option we will probably explore next year. Downloading the app is great to check out stage schedules and find your favorite eats. We used it for our tickets this year as well. We felt like the grounds were clean, bathrooms were clean and lines weren't too long, and security kept the entry lines moving quickly, and we had a great experience the nights we attended. We'll be back! read more

As a life-long Milwaukeean, I've had plenty of experiences over the years at the World's Largest Music Festival. I go back and forth on my excitement to attend, because being so large, there can certainly be unruly crowds, wildly long lines, and a bit of chaos. But hey I guess that's any festival! This year we decided to get tickets to a concert at the Amphitheater and walk the grounds beforehand. Honestly overall it was a fantastic night! We were with a group of nine people on a Friday night, and surprisingly it was easy to get through the crowds. We really enjoyed checking out this years vendors scattered about, stopping at various small stages to see the acts, and of course indulging in food and drink. Are prices astronomical, however? Beyond. Definitely be prepared to spend plenty of money - a simple canned beer or slice of pizza will set ya back. I was impressed with how quick the entrance process was on this visit. I feel like the staff was on point keeping things swift, safe, and easy. Parking on the other hand is always a tough one, so highly rec taking a shuttle from a local bar/restaurant (which is what we did). The easiest and cheapest option for sure! It's honestly great to see the tourism this fest brings to Milwaukee, and all of the local love it shares. Definitely puts our wonderful city on the map. read more

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I always appreciate the thought and coordination that goes in to planning such a massive festival. The staff have to put up with a lot and seem to keep things running even when it's very hot out often and some people can be jerks. We always like the brand activations but bummed when some of them don't show up though posted on the website (Dunkin). It's been a great way to try new things that we don't normally buy. Now I'm addicted to Good Foods who came here a few years in a row. We really miss the speed boat demonstrations and rides you could participate in years past. The food and beverage prices are what you'd expect for a big festival downtown, but some of it is definitely worth it. Tickets are also $30 and don't forget parking! You can cut costs with promo tickets, shuttles, etc. It would be nice to bring in reusable water bottles to try and cut back on waste but I'm sure they have their reasons. I'm never clamoring to go here but when I get free tickets, I'll make the trip. read more

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Been living here for a jaw- dropping , whopping 5 months Had a friends mom come to town specifically for James Taylor. We had tickets purchased in the "tinned fish" bleacher seats. Jason Mraz opened, that was quite fun. I watched James Taylor for a bit. Then... I split off from my group to speed to the exact opposite of the park to see someone perform live for my first time. Lindsey Stirling is a lovely, exquisite, AMAZING sight to watch. She was on So You Think You Can Dance and while dancing plays epic violin music. Such a great night. #Utah read more

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For avid music goers, Summerfest should be on your radar. Summerfest Milwaukee, WI is a festival of music spanning over multiple weekends through June and ends on the July 4th weekend. This is the largest music festival in the country and at one point was the largest music festival in the world. Summerfest has been going on for decades and although late in discovering this, I'm glad we got to experience it. For the cost of a single ticket, cost for this year's Summerfest was in the $30+/pp range, you gain access to the multiple outdoor stage acts within the confines. Only the headlining acts cost extra outside the general admission price. There are multiple food and drink stalls along the path and there is something for everyone. I think the hardest part was trying to figure out who to see and time it right. As for rides, I only know of two which are the Ferris Wheel and the Sky Glider. We opted to take the Sky Glider which is basically a ski lift offering fantastic views of the festival grounds. 2024 Sky Glider pricing has options where you can purchase a round trip ticket for $11.12 or hop on either end of the line and pay the one way cost for $6.67. We chose to walk the entire length of the fest and at the end take the Sky Glider back to the entrance to save us the walk. There's a lot of great opportunities for people watching. People really get creative with their style at festivals and checking out all the fashion on display was pretty awesome. While waiting in between shows, I convinced my husband to do a caricature portrait with a renowned festival artist by the name of Cindy Berglund. I really liked her work and she does a great job doing portrait style caricature art. She had a waitlist of about 2 hours but we got our names in and got a nice keepsake afterwards. I only wished they offered carnival games. I was surprised they didn't offer that in a venue like this. We drove in from Evanston and if you are coming in from Chicago, the drive up is roughly 1.5 hours. We ended up parking in the nearby city garages for about $30 which covered the entire day. I loved the scene overall. Milwaukee folk are super friendly especially here at this fest. So much so we befriended another couple while waiting in line for the Sky Glider. We ended up chatting with them and had lively conversation. If you love music, festivals and fun don't pass up Summerfest! read more

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This venue is amazing! So clean and pretty, right on Lake Michigan. There are lots of chairs and sofas overlooking the water where you can relax. mThe food venues did not disappoint either with so many options. The mac and cheese were delicious! Lots of seating around the park so you don't have to stand to eat your food. The music and arenas were great! My only complaint is the price of parking; come on give us a break! $40-$50 just to park daily. Who can afford that? Of course you can park far away for much less but that mean a lot of walking if you are up to trekking. read more

Summerfest - Festivals Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This review is specificially for the Level Up (LVL) experience in the Miller Lite Oasis. For $75, the package includes an exclusive seating area, 2 drink vouchers good for Pepsi and select alcoholic products, a bar for purchase, private bathrooms, and general admission to Summerfest. Hands down, it is ABSOLUTELY worth the price if you love one of the bands performing from 7:30pm onward at the Miller stage. The staff are super friendly, and it was nice to actually sit for a concert. My only complaint is that the chairs are not super plus-size friendly and could use some padding. That's just my personal opinion though! There is a couch/lounging area with TVs too if that's more your speed. The biggest thing to note about this area is that seating is first come, first served. There's standing room and tables if all of the chairs on the deck are taken. I also want to add that I attended this alone, so I was nervous about walking back to my vehicle late at night. Wow, was I impressed by Summerfest's commitment to security and traffic control! I felt so safe walking back, and it was extremely easy to commute back to my apartment thanks to the outstanding direction and work of the traffic controllers. Props to Summerfest all around for this experience! read more

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So many stages and the rain stopped to catch h 3 different bands!!! Good and drink options everywhere... what a consistent great experience right on the water!!! And yes we had some cheese curds!!!! read more

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Summerfest has be around for 55 years, and I used to look forward to getting to at least one or two days every year. Now I'm only apt to attend if there is a MainStage act that interest me. (This year it was James Taylor) Unfortunately these type of acts are harder to find. This isn't Summerfest fault... it's mine for getting older! And for all the good bands for getting older too! Summerfest really tries to include everyone from Pop to Rock, Hip Hop and Country. But it is truly for the younger population. During the day there are a lot attractions for the very young and families, but as it heads into the evening the teens and 20-30 somethings take over and alcohol definitely shows it's effects. (Which I don't have a problem with... maybe I'm just jealous) The food can be hit and miss. I had a French Dip sandwich for a late lunch which was not good, but later in the evening I had a cheeseburger from the Charcoal Grill which was pretty darn good. Food and alcohol are very pricey so be prepared to spend some $ if you are going to want to eat and drink. Being removed from the 20-30 age group I no longer see Summerfest as an attraction I will put on my "things to do list in Milwaukee during summer". Parking sucks and getting out is even worse. So this year I took the bus from Brown Deer. $10 round trip. (There are other buses too) So worth it! Highly recommend looking into this option. Picked up and dropped off less than a block from the front gate. read more

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One of the rare chances to enjoy one of the country's biggest music festivals right by the lake--while indulging in all your favorite fried foods. P.S. Don't skip the fried Oreos! read more

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The official last day of Summerfest! No disappointment at the fest. Awesome concert from Neon Trees. Warm and inviting to meet. Overall good energy! My first official stop was the Ethnic Gardens. I strolled upon the Maders restaurant. I selected the German Nachos; a combination of sauerkraut, corned beef, kettle chips & swiss cheese. The HARD ice cream station enticed a few. A feature of Chocolate espresso martini with a shot of chocolate vodka; making people do a double take. Looking forward to visiting next year 2025! I already have tickets. read more

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We had a good time here. Good food, good music and good memories. Don't forget to snap your free Instax photo and get the M&M's chocolate hats while you are here. read more

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Terrible experience before I even attended! Bought tickets to see Chicago this year as Ticketmaster indicated 7:30 start time. Noticed the concert will actually start at 9:30 which is too late for us. When I asked what happened organizer indicated Ticket master web site was and still is wrong. So figured to try to salvage the event we could go later as we have pre paid parking. Now I see lots do not hold pre reserved parking spaces and just sell out. What's the point of pre paid? I guess I should have believed friends telling me it's a horrible event. I guess I'll have to eat the $250 and chalk it up to a horrible Milwaukee experience read more

First, I've been coming here for 30 years. And have always enjoyed the experience. But I'm here listening to young gravy with my daughter. None of us can understand him except when we know the words to the song. Too bad, I might've been a bigger fan read more

This is one of my favorite festivals. Tip shaming and entrance fees are out of hand! These activities really put a downside to Summerfest.

How many days did I go to Summerfest in 2022? Six? Seven? I'm gonna say it only once- go back to the old format of 10 days in a row with July 3-4 dark. Locals like to go during the week, a weeknight, a Sunday (I can't believe it's not open on Sundays), and I have more than a couple friends who grew up in Milwaukee but live out of state, who used to come home to visit family for the whole stretch, but now have to choose a weekend, or two at best. That said, I go for the music; beer, food and people watching come after, and 2022 was a good year for music! Definitely get there in time if you want a good "seat", aka aluminum bleacher. A few times I was trying to eke out the last of a set at another stage, and ended up way in the back, SRO! I'm a craft beer lover, so I head to Lakefront Brewery for their 4pm daily Firkin specialty tap, and also enjoy Terrapins. Food is about the same as ever, but Botanas steak tacos really hit the spot, a Saz sampler, Robbie's corn. My Chicago friends love this festival, so Milwaukeeans, don't take it for granted! Did 2020 teach you nothing! Summerfest- it's our World's Largest Music Festival! read more

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Had the pleasure of attending this event on 9/11/21. The atmosphere of being near the shore and the setup to hold 7-8 stages and multiple vendors for products, food, music, merchandise, Etc. It exceeded my expectations. Here for the music; mainly Iration and 311 and enjoyed so many more bands than I expected such as Iya Terra and Tank and the Bangas. Other bands such as Ke$ha, Buckcherry, and ZZ Top performs as well. For the large amount of bands performing for the three day weekend, you couldn't go wrong with it. GA admission for one day was only $26 that I paid, well worth it! Very impressed and I look forward to what the 2022 lineup is. One of the better music festivals I attended and another reason why MKE rocks the summer! read more

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Summerfest is great if you want to get cancer. Smoking is allowed there so you have everything from cigars to weed blunts there polluting the air! Not for kids folks. Oh and don't get me started on the nasty food. Disgusting. read more

The bartenders were very rude and questioned my ID, nearly snapped it in half. They questioned me so much in a disrespectful and condescending tone. Staff is very rude. read more

Great fun planning who to see each year. Highly recommend catching some of the outstanding tribute bands, Substitute (Who), Church of Cash (J Cash), and Headley Grange (Zeppelin). Loved finally catching George Thorogood, DEVO, and Chicago. Can't wait for 2026. read more

Horrible experience today. Friends came for BABYMETAL, had trouble getting wristbands just to "stay in the pit" even though they paid, then staff yelled at them to get out as soon as BABYMETAL started for no reason. Uncooperative, rude, and kicked them out for absolutely no reason--I would not reccommend this festival, the staff appear to be unintelligent, abhorrent and did not help in finding a way to stay in the pit at all. They did not use kind language with those who waited all day and it was a horrible experience. I hope they never have a headliner as good as BABYMETAL again. read more

Don't expect any response from contact email. Multiple attempts were ignored. Customer service is zero.

Had a great time,went on Friday before the fourth , we found it on Groupon for twenty dollars less. Was a fairly nice day. Sampled the food . Very long lines. I had a sub and ordered cheese fries which were excellent. Tried funnel cake. What's not to like about funnel cake. Delicious dusted with powdered sugar and a crispy hot dough. Yum I should learn how to make that, Corn on the cob was so sweet didn't need anything. I came back the next week on a Friday . Great parking spot, Relatively near the entrance. Upon entering there were a lot of people but the lines moved really quickly I logged in from Groupon very good sale it was $20 off a ticket. This time when I came back the mood was a little different though you had to go through a metal detector probably due to the awful occurrence that happened in Highland Park on the fourth. One thing that I wanted to try for sure was a turkey leg that I saw someone eating last week. Was very tender excellent was hoping it would have some kind of sauce on it when I went back to get some more napkins I saw barbecue sauce in the condiment section that I completely missed. But I'll tell you what it was still really really good. It's kind of a good walk and it was really really crowded so I saw the what was that some kind of a sky cap and you get in and you go over the park and see everything from an aerial view that's a really great way to kind of get your bearings and see where you want to go. I wanna come back to the ground and try Italian fest it's so nice and it's pretty you're near the water lots to do good bands, good food I should stay in Milwaukee over the weekend it's kind of a cool town. read more

Summerfest - Smoked Turkey leg. - Festivals Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I always love a summerfest outing! I prefer to go during the day or late afternoons because the lake is so beautiful and it is much less busy (and less high schoolers ). I love all of the craft beer selections too. Of course, since it is a concert venue - beers are about $10 a can or pour. We were able to find a stand that had beers that were $6 - which was RARE. Pro tip - look on their website for daily promotions! We donated children's books & got free tickets. They have different promotions everyday. In addition, take a bus shuttle if you live near or in the city. Lots of bars around the city have free shuttles when you purchase a drink. If you haven't been to summerfest - you should! Even if there isn't a band you ABSOLUTELY love, it is just fun to walk around. read more

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I haven't been to Summerfest honesty in 10 years. It was our first post pandemic concert. I've seen hundreds of acts here over the decades. It's a cool place to check out people and people watch. Bring your debit card. It's cashless..and expensive. We aren't big drinkers but drinks are crazy expensive $10 to $20 for cocktails. We brought pocket shots. A large lemonade was nearly $9.00. We wanted eggplant strips at 9.75. Delish! We didn't make it back to Sazs for the combo app plate and I didn't see Martino's hotdogs inside the Amphitheater.They did have concessions with nachos and hot dogs inside Bottles of soda were $4.50 minus the cap and pretzels with cheese $9.00. I probably spent about $60 on not all that much for my daughter and I. We liked the new seating and got a free upgrade from.bleachers to row G in covered seats. The raised roof gives room for the bigger shows to come in. Halsey had a huge projection story being told. Sound was great. Loud enough but my ears didn't ring. This was my first event not being masked. I'm giving it to a three for overall value. There is no way you could bring a family here without dropping a few hundred bucks. I'm also not crazy about the weekend only format as I work every weekend. Before you could check out several shows throughout the week. read more

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Summerfest is always a great time! I usually like to go with my bestie as we have been attending this music festival for over 20 years now. It's family friendly and music acts from all over the world come to perform here. There is a great selection of eats and definitely brews. I highly recommend taking a leisurely walk through the different shopping market places as you will find many awesome goods from all over the world. read more

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2021 was the BEST I've seen in decades! Upscale restaurants and varieties of bands. Excellent crowd too read more

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Too expensive! Parking too expensive Beer too expensive Food too expensive Bands unrecognizable read more

What a horrible experience I just had at the Summerfest grounds, they just don't take cash to pay for the beer. They also charge you $2 extra for CC fee. so the $10 beer is not $10 it's really $12. So they don't just NOT tell you that before they charge you..... but when you NOTICE THE CHARGE and ask for a cancelation of the order, they say NO REFUNDS TALK TO MANAGEMENT. Nice one Summerfest.... Nice one. read more

I wanted to try something different and vegetarian. This was hidden around the corner right by the amphitheater. Just enough for a snack. Korean Cauliflower, tortilla, pepino, avocado. Summerfest. read more

Summerfest - Menu at Summerfest. - Festivals Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I love Summerfest. The location along the lake is fantastic, and has a beautiful view of downtown Milwaukee. Since it's a permanent venue, parking, security, in/out is all good. The employees are Wisconsin Friendly (we're from Chicago). The facilities are clean and well stocked for the most part. The food I've had (the last 2 years) has been very good. Not overpriced, either! The vendor stands are pretty fest-usual, which is nice. Again, everyone (including customers) are happy and friendly. The grounds are kept clean, too. The music acts overall are both famous, name bands and musicians and a good mix of local and travelling acts. (Loved School of Rock this year). This year, the main act we went to see was Chicago. An old favorite. Super show, super fun time. Last year was Gavin Degraw, also a super show. You can't go wrong with this fest. Everyday has some great music, every year is awesome!! read more

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You cannot go wrong with this venue. Especially compared to that other large music fest south of here about 90 miles south. That's before we talk about ticket prices- which is more than fair. This place has infrastructure like built in stages, a plethora of food stalls, bathrooms, plenty of tables to sit and eat. They have shopping like arts and crafts. Or you can take the gondolas - Yes Gondolas to check the place out. The concerts will always be awesome otherwise you wouldn't have bought the tickets. This venue however for a music fest from noon to midnight is second to none. read more

Went to Summerfest for my first time this July to see The Weeknd. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a state fair on steroids with many many stages and concerts with tons of different artists ranging all genres. Plenty of overpriced food options. Better than decent upkept facilities that are permanently there throughout the year. Didn't ride anything but was tempted to ride the ski lift for $8 round trip to get a birds eye view of everything Back amphitheater has plenty of tiered grass seating; you can bring in blankets FYI read more

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Rating a music festival is difficult. Lots of things to take into account. I'm giving Summerfest 5 stars because I love it. Yes there are crowds of people but that's a given. I'm not going to knock Fest down a star because sometimes the other patrons are annoying, that's not fair. Yes the beer is pricey, and yes so is the food. The tickets seem to go up a $1 every year but when you think about what you're getting, it's an incredible deal. Most concert tickets are going to run you $40-$100 and that's just one show. At Summerfest your ticket of $20 something for a day gives you access to so many bands. Plus beer is expensive at most concert venues and we're not quite at Miller Park prices yet. I recommend the bar shuttles to get to and from Summerfest. Just be mindful of what time the last shuttle leaves. Here's to another year of music! I've gone 4 times so far and plan to go 2 more. read more

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Just tried to remember how many times I have been to Summerfest, but failed. It's worth the trip, every single time. It's such a beautiful venue, right on Lake Michigan. I have seen so many amazing performances at Summerfest over the years. They really get top notch acts in, and with all of the stages throughout the venue, there is something to please everyone. If you're not enjoying one act, simply move to the next stage and try something else. You're bound to see something that will be the next big thing a few years down the line. Best of all, it's dirt cheap, and many of the days you can even get in free if you go early enough, make a charitable donation, or have a Pick and save receipt. Pro tip: check out all of the shuttle options and leave your car at home. Just make sure you have a meeting place for your friends or family if you get separated, because one year I found out the hard way that cell phones don't always work at a crowded festival. If you are a music lover, it is a can't-miss destination, no matter where you live in the country! read more

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NOTE: This may change with future events. This 1-star review is confined to the 8/24/2024 Summerfest event. Furious at Summerfest for the unbearable traffic fiasco! We were stuck in gridlock traffic for well over an hour and a half and despite getting there early to take into account traffic issues, we were forced to miss the Paula Abdul show altogether! It completely ruined the entire event for us! Drivers everywhere were throwing their arms up in frustration and anger, myself included, and we were redirected to multiple throughfares, none of which put us anywhere close to the venue. It took me well over an hour to go from the 794/Harbor Dr. interchange to the southern terminus of the drive/harbor and I ended up HAVING TO LEAVE altogether and back out into the city! I ended up finding a pricey place to park well over a half mile away. Now, I don't necessarily mind having to walk a little further but this event was ruined by the unbearable gridlock. I missed the entire Paula Abdul performance despite leaving home early and allowing some time to deal with potential traffic. This could've turned dangerous either because somebody would've had a major health scare or someone could've gotten out of control and cause harm (firearms or altercation with security or other drivers). The gridlock and attitudes created a very ugly vibe in the air and I don't blame the drivers for being such assholes. The traffic officers looked more like high-schoolers who were overwhelmed and had little idea of what to do about such massive traffic. And it didn't help that the parking venues didn't take cash (I had to close my old card and order a new one and had to use cash for a while). Thank frickin' God New Kids On The Block saved the night for me! They were incredible! Great sound system and a fun venue. As mentioned earlier, this review may change with future events but as of 8/25/2024, I would've given this a fat ugly ZERO, for completely messing up traffic management and causing me and others to miss great shows. Completely unacceptable! read more

I apologize for waiting a year to post this! We wanted to go to the 50th summer fest, and I got that awesome black and gold shirt marking the anniversary. I really like the Henry Meier park, and I usually can't stand crowds, but it's typically friendly and orderly. We ate at a local pub before arriving so we would't have to spend much on food. The food is good, there's a wide variety for all kinds but it is kind of pricey. To get with the times they installed a wireless tower for charging phones but that didn't go well for me. Either I couldn't see the act or it was wayy too slow. I vaguely remember the Isley Brothers and Blues Traveler. I like how they have 'A' listers, B, C and local acts too. The security was tighter, and this was PRE-Las Vegas massacre, but with large crowds today you can't be too careful. read more

Summerfest, it's not me, it's YOU! There are a few reasons that I haven't been to Summerfest since I was a teenager, and going there in 2019 reconfirmed all of them; the only reason we went was because we got free tickets. Admission is expensive! Parking is expensive! Food and drinks are expensive! Stuff to buy is expensive! Get over yourself, already; any of the ethnic festivals are MUCH better than you. We drove down on the motorcycle because bike parking is free and up front. The signage to said parking was non-existent and the main road to the lot was blocked off! Because of the traffic pattern, we ended up in downtown and had to circle back to the far end of the 3rd Ward where we sat in a line of cars. Why not a separate lane for bikes? We're not parking in the same place! Car parking, btw, was 30 freaking dollars! This isn't Chi town, and I wouldn't pay that much there, either! The food was overpriced for mediocre portions and taste. The beer started out at $8 and went up. Bottled water was $4.50! The Summerfest merch was nothing great and the other vendors were nothing special (except for Too Much Metal, shout out to Fred!) and they, too, seemed overpriced. There are never enough bathrooms...it's 2019, why is this STILL a problem?!?!? I could go on and on, but I've come to accept the simple fact that Summerfest and I just don't get along. And, that's ok, because German Fest and Irish Fest have my back! 23/2019 read more

Have you been here? I should hope so. It's quite an event if you like music and fests. And beer. And food . And lots of clean bathrooms with plumbing. And people who should wear more sunscreen. But hey, I mean sheesh. It's a seriously festive fest. They may need an assist booking bands at times, so that's something to be aware of. However, it's a bit on the awesome side. Ok, as you were. read more

Summerfest - time for eggplant strips - Festivals Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I grew up going to Summerfest every year. I LOVE walking through and listening to not just the main stage but the little independent music stage. Every year they deliver with food and beer, and the people watching is second to none. Even if you don't have tickets to the headliner that night, Summerfest is still a fun time read more