MILWAUKEE — Summerfest 2023 has arrived.
From ticket information to what’s allowed on the festival grounds, we rounded up frequently asked questions about all things Big Gig to help you make the music festival as memorable as possible.
When is Summerfest?
Summerfest will take place over three consecutive weekends (Thursday-Saturday) from noon to midnight, June 22-24, June 29-July 1 and July 6-8.
What are the different ticket options?
American Family Insurance Amphitheater tickets
A separate ticket is required for all shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Summerfest. American Family Insurance Amphitheater tickets also include same-day access to the Summerfest grounds and festival stages.
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). General admission tickets and passes are not valid for admission to American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows.
BMO reserved seating
Tickets for reserved seatings will be available 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-goer on a first-come, first-served basis.
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.
Summerfest Business Alliance free weekday tickets
These are a premium perk for SBA Members only, not available for purchase. Weekday tickets provide one person admission to Summerfest on any Thursday or Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
Where can I buy tickets?
Summerfest admission tickets and passes can be purchased in advance before and during the festival online at the Summerfest Store. Tickets and passes can be printed off or downloaded to mobile devices 48 hours before the event.
During the festival, Summerfest general admission tickets are also available at Summerfest ticket booths at each gate.
All reserved tickets for American Family Insurance Amphitheater can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com or at the Summerfest Box Office near the South gate.
Summerfest said it urges all patrons to avoid purchasing tickets on the street from unauthorized sources, as the tickets may be counterfeit. Counterfeit tickets and tickets purchased from unauthorized sources will not be honored.
Do Summerfest gift cards expire?
Gift cards do not expire and are valid on the grounds or online store. Gift cards are good for purchases of Summerfest admission tickets, food and beverages and Summerfest merchandise. No refunds are available for Summerfest gift cards.
What is the exit and re-entry policy?
Wristbands to leave and re-enter the festival are available at all gate areas from noon until 6:30 p.m. daily. Re-entry wristbands will be valid for a single, same-day re-entry until 7 p.m. No re-entry wristbands will be issued after 6:30 p.m. and there are no re-entries after 7 p.m.
What are the security policies at the gates?
In line with all other major venues and stadiums, all visitors and employees will enter the festival through metal detection and should be prepared to comply with other security screening requirements.
- All bags are subject to inspection prior to entering the Summerfest grounds. No backpacks or bags larger than 9x10x12 inches will be allowed on the grounds. All bags larger than that will need to be returned to a vehicle or back home before entering the grounds
- Leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle or at home to expedite your entry into the park
- Any prohibited items will be confiscated by security and will not be returned
- Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss of vehicle, including articles left within it
What can I carry in?
The following items are allowed at Summerfest:
- Umbrellas (Note: Umbrellas are not allowed inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater or at the BMO Pavilion during stand-alone events/concerts)
- Strollers (Note: Strollers are not allowed inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater)
- Disposable camera
- Small camera
- Small bag, cinch bag or purse
The following items are not allowed at Summerfest:
- Backpacks (special consideration will be given for parents with infants and those with medical needs)
- Large bags over 9x10x12 inches
- Camelback-style hydration packs
- Picnic baskets
- Outside food and beverages (unless needed for infants, medical or dietary needs)
- Cans and glass/plastic or metal containers
- Coolers or other hard-side containers
- Stainless steel reusable drinking straws
- Self-defense sprays
- Aerosol cans (except for spray sunscreens 6 oz or less and one per patron)
- UAV drones
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Firearms
- Knives
- Weapons or objects that could be used as weapons
- Fireworks, sparklers or explosives
- Professional cameras or video equipment
- Recording devices
- Brooms/broomsticks, selfie sticks, poles, trekking sticks and tripods
- Pets (except service animals or during special events or promotions)
- Banners or flags on poles
- Laser pointers
- Skateboards, roller skates, inline skates or hoverboards
- Foot-powered or electric scooters
- Bicycles, tricycles or unicycles
- Wagons
- Kites
- Hula-hoops, frisbees or beach balls
- Stadium seats, seat cushions and lawn chairs
The following additional items are not permitted in the American Family Insurance Amphitheater:
- Strollers
- Umbrellas
- Professional-grade cameras and video equipment, unless allowed by the performer
- Stadium seats
- Other items as determined by the performer
Can I rent a stroller or wheelchair?
Yes, limited rentals are available at the Mid and South Gates with proper identification. It is $15 for manual wheelchairs and $5 for single strollers. Strollers are not allowed inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Guests must be 18-years-old or older to rent.
Where can I stay overnight during my trip to Summerfest?
There are many hotels in the downtown Milwaukee area and many offer great Summerfest packages. For a list of partner hotels near the grounds, visit Summerfest's accommodations page.
How do I get to Summerfest?
For a complete listing of transportation options and maps to Summerfest, including:
- Bus service
- Taxis/Ubers
- Restaurant & bar shuttles
- Pick-up and drop-off zones
- Parking lots (no RV parking)
- Train service to Milwaukee
- Motorcycle parking
- Bicycle parking
Visit the directions and parking page.
Can I bring my service animal with me?
Summerfest welcomes service animals and service animals-in-training. If you are a service animal trainer, the animal must wear a harness or leash and special cape denoting that the animal is in training and not merely a pet. Summerfest will never separate or attempt to separate somebody from their service animal or service animal-in-training.
For more information on Summerfest facility access, visit its accessibility page.
Where can I look for something I think is lost?
Lost and found articles are turned in to and can be claimed at either guest services booth areas (South – just inside the South gate across from the big instruments, and Mid – on the North side of the Mid gate by the lost children’s area sponsored by Advocate Aurora Health).
If you are no longer at Summerfest, complete and submit a lost and found form. Lost items will be held for 30 days and then donated to a local charity.
What forms of payment are accepted at Summerfest?
Summerfest is a cashless festival. No cash will be accepted at the box offices or on the grounds. Reverse cash machines will be available.
I have dietary restrictions. What are my options?
The music festival will host more than 40 food vendors this year. Multiple vendors will have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Check out menus in advance here. Additionally, you can download the Official 2023 Summerfest App which can help you with GPS-enabled maps to help find the specific food vendors.
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