Summerfest Music Festival - Milwaukee, United States

Summerfest

Summerfest is an annual music festival held in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. First held in 1968, Summerfest is located at Henry Maier Festival Park, adjacent to Lake Michigan and Milwaukee's Third Ward business district. Summerfest is known as "The World's Largest Music Festival", a title certified by Guinness World Records in 1999.[1][2]

During Summerfest, the 75-acre (30 ha) park hosts the industry's biggest acts for an unforgettable live music experience, from late June until early July (including the Fourth of July).[3] It was announced in 2021 that the festival would move to a three-weekend schedule to allow for more Friday and Saturday event days. The performers include local and nationally known music talent from various genres, performing throughout the grounds from noon to midnight, including the 23,000-capacity American Family Insurance Amphitheatre.[4]

Since 2004, nearly $150 million has been invested into Henry Maier Festival Park, including permanent stages, bars, production space, VIP amenities and other infrastructure.

Summerfest also showcases a wide variety of food from many Milwaukee-area restaurants. Other Summerfest attractions include shopping vendors, fireworks (including "The Big Bang" on opening night), family activities, and more.[5] Summerfest is operated by Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., a non-profit organisation, which is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

In its 50+ year history, Summerfest has hosted a variety of well-known artists, including Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson 5, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Metallica, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Chesney, Aerosmith, Cher, Bruno Mars, Arctic Monkeys, Lady Gaga, Usher, and Dave Matthews Band.

In 2024 Summerfest welcomed SZA, Tyler Childers, Lil Uzi Vert, Maroon 5, Kane Brown, AJR, Ivan Cornejo, Goo Goo Dolls, Bryson Tiller, Cold War Kids, Mario, Alison Wonderland, En Vogue, The All-American Rejects, REO Speedwagon, Ethel Cain, Key Glock, and many others.

Don Smiley served as president and chief executive officer of Summerfest from 2004 until his retirement in December 2023. He was succeeded in both roles by Sarah Smith Pancheri.