The soundcheck is over. The stage is set. Summerfest 2025 has almost arrived, and they’re ready to turn it up to 11. That’s right, the world’s largest music festival, the Big Gig, Summerfest, begins this weekend, kicking off three straight weekends of live music, delicious food and a vibe so synonymous with summer that the festival couldn’t have possibly been named anything else. Taking place on June 19-21, 26-28 and July 3-5, here’s everything you need to see, do, buy and chew to make this Summerfest your best fest yet.  

A large crowd gathers at night under a highway overpass for a live outdoor concert at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee. The stage is lit with vibrant red and yellow lights as a band performs. String lights hang above the crowd, and the downtown Milwaukee skyline glows in the background.

Summerfest Lineup

They call it the world’s largest music festival for a reason! Over 600 acts grace Summerfest’s 12 stages throughout the nine-day run, meaning that if you can’t find a show that makes your heart race with excitement, odds are you don’t really like music. This year’s headliners include a slate of the hottest names in the game, music icons and the rising stars with names like Megan Thee Stallion, Gary Clark Jr., The Killers, BossMan Dlow, The Avett Brothers, Hozier, Offset, Japanese Breakfast, Chicago and Benson Boone. Peep the full fest lineup and plan your dream fest schedule.

A vibrant nighttime scene at Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee, featuring a large crowd, illuminated Ferris wheel, and the glowing roof of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. The downtown skyline sparkles in the background as colorful fireworks burst over Lake Michigan, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Big Bang

The catalyst for life, the universe and everything…or, in this case, a dazzling display of fireworks that officially marks the beginning of summer for locals and Summerfest fanatics from far and wide. The fireworks display kicks off at around 9:30 p.m. (pending daylight), and slaps a punctuation mark on the first day of the festival. While you can catch these explosive lights high in the sky all over town, there’s really no better vantage point than the Henry Maier Park Festival Grounds.

A close-up of a person holding a paper plate filled with golden French fries, cheese curds, marinara sauce, and a small black cup of dipping sauce at an outdoor festival. Another person holding a similar plate and a water bottle is visible in the background, slightly out of focus.

Festival Eats

At vendors across the Summerfest grounds, you’ll find both classic staples and creative culinary treats, but no one said you had to pick one or the other. With a menu featuring long-perfected fest institutions and curiosity-inspiring dishes, you’re going to want to save some room to sample the unique treats the fest has to offer. After all, calories don’t count during festival season.

 

Here are a few we think you should try, and where you can find them:
 

  • Sampler Platter, Saz’s
  • Major Bacon Cheeseburger, Major Goolsby’s
  • Funnel Cake Pork Sandwich, Famous Dave’s BBQ
  • Birria Egg Rolls, Pina Cocina & Cantina
  • Deconstructed S’mores Empanada, La Masa Empanada Bar
  • Big Bang Shake, Cousin’s Subs

Immersive Installations

Whether you’re in between sets, looking for the perfect photo op or looking for something to do while you wait for your friend who’s constantly running late, there are a number of creativity-stoking experiences that you can dive into, adding a splash of art across the Henry Maier Festival Park Grounds.

A silhouette of a person stands among glowing, abstract fabric structures illuminated by vivid neon colors of blue, purple, pink, and orange. The immersive installation features cosmic and organic patterns, creating a dreamlike, otherworldly atmosphere.

Astral Relics of the Great North Woods, An Interactive Light and Sound Experience

Step away from the buzz of the crowd and into a chorus of giant, glowing forest spirits in this woodland dreamscape. Inspired by Wisconsin’s North Woods, this FuzzPop Workshop creation contrasts the bright lights of the stage with the magic and mystery of the forest and the enchantment of the untamed wilderness.

A large crowd gathers at night in front of a giant illuminated moon sculpture at an outdoor event. People are surrounded by glowing bubbles and wear light-up accessories like neon glasses and glow sticks. A carnival ride and colorful lights are visible in the background, creating a festive, dreamlike atmosphere.

BMO “Capture the Moon” Photo Op

Back by popular demand, the giant Supermoon once again will eclipse the Summerfest grounds. One of the most popular photo ops in 2024, you can drop by this installation near the BMO Gate at the south end of the grounds for your chance to win “BMO Rockstar” seats each day for great seats for that night’s BMO Pavilion headliner. 

Merch

Would it really be a complete fest experience without a little souvenir (or several) to take home with you? Commemorate the memories that’ll last a lifetime with a piece of limited-edition merch that’ll leave you smiling every time you wear it.

An olive green t-shirt featuring a playful graphic of a walking vinyl record character with arms, legs, musical notes above its head, and the words "BIG GIG" in the center. Below the character, the shirt reads "SUMMERFEST Milwaukee, Wisconsin" in bold black text.

Comfort Colors Vinyl Character Tee

I mean, just look at it. The nostalgia of vinyl. The classic design. The little peace sign?! It’s perfect in every way. And it’s the perfect piece of merch to prove you were here.

A cozy crewneck sweatshirt featuring a soft dip-dye gradient from light blue at the top to sandy beige at the bottom. The word "SUMMERFEST" is printed in bold white capital letters across the chest.

Dip Dye Crewneck

Mirroring a beautiful day under the cloud-dotted skies at Henry Maier Festival Park, this gradient crewneck sweatshirt isn’t your standard merch item. The soft pop of color and cream Summerfest lettering is a great reason to “forget” your sweatshirt at home.

A colorful circular pin featuring a retro-style purple and green spaceship beaming up the Summerfest smiley-face logo. The word "SUMMERFEST" arches across the top in bold green letters with "2025" displayed on the UFO's dome. The letters "MKE" and "WIS" appear on either side near the bottom, referencing Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Spaceship Pin

Have an out-of-this-world experience at Summerfest 2025? Showcase your impeccable taste with this limited-edition pin, featuring the year alongside the fun design. Whether it’s the first in your collection or the latest in your collection, if you’re looking for a lightweight way to mark the fest, look no further.

A white can cooler designed to look like a beverage can, featuring bold vertical orange and yellow stripes. The word "SUMMERFEST" appears across the center above the festival’s smiley-face logo. The text "INDEPENDENT MUSIC FEST" wraps around the top, and "SINCE Milwaukee Wisconsin" is printed near the bottom.

2025 Tall Boy Can Cooler

Then, there are functional mementos. The little things that you can use again and again that remind you to smile on. This can cooler is one of them, sporting a vintage design and an ability to keep your beer at the perfect sipping temperature.

Gather. Celebrate. Repeat. Celebrate the summer in the City of Festivals, map your dream Summerfest experience and plan your stay today to see the best of fest season in Milwaukee.