It’s back! Summerfest, Wisconsin’s iconic music festival, is returning to Milwaukee. It has some new dates and the bands are ready to take the stage. The big show has some changes, but the acts will be as hot as ever. Make plans to join the crowd, grab a cold Wisconsin beverage, and have some fun – here’s what you need to know about Wisconsin’s Summerfest.

The festival usually takes place mid-summer, from late June until early July. The 2021 edition was moved to September due to the pandemic. The festival is still happening before the official start of fall, so it’s still Summerfest! The 2021 dates are September 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18.

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Summerfest typically draws around 800,000 people and calls itself the “The World’s Largest Music Festival.” It’s a claim that was backed up by the Guinness World Records in 1999, but it has since been beaten out by Donauinselfest, an Austrian festival that drew a crowd of more than 3 million people in 2015.

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While Austria might have the official title, Summerfest is enormous and a ton of fun. Over an 11-day span, it features more than 1,000 performances across 11 stages. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for walking – the festival grounds stretch across 75 acres.

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You can find music of just about any style at Summerfest. You’ll see some big stars, emerging talent, and local favorites, and you’ll likely encounter some musicians you’ve haven’t yet heard of.

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There are a ton of food and beverage vendors at Summerfest. On hot days, they will have just the thing to help you cool off.

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The Summerfest grounds are right on Milwaukee’s lakefront. If you want to get away from the crowds, there are some fairly tranquil spots by the water – you will hear music in the background, though!

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For the latest Summerfest schedule and ticket information, visit the Summerfest website. If you love outdoor festivals, here are some lively small-town events that are so worth the drive.

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Address: Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA