What You Need To Know About Summerfest In Milwaukee

If you still haven't visited Milwaukee, Summerfestmight be just the push you need. Held on the shores of Lake Michigan every June, this is the largest music festival in the world, with 11 stages playing every type of music imaginable. It's diverse, it's affordable, and most importantly it's fun.

Here are 5 important things to know if you decide to make the pilgrimage to Summerfest.

Do a Little Research for Free or Discount Admission

As giant summer music festivals go, Summerfest is actually incredibly affordable with day passes costing as little as $20. Even so, there are discount admission deals every single day, so with a little research you can get in for even cheaper. On certain days bringing canned goods will win you free admission, on other days clipping coupons from the paper or the side of a cereal box will get you through the door.

Remember that if you want to see the headliner performance at Marcus Amphitheater be sure to check Ticketmaster for tickets ahead of time. Entrance to these concerts are not included with the price of admission.

Dress Appropriately

You're probably going to be at the festival all day, so you will want to make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable (keep in mind that large backpacks are not allowed inside - a small purse is ok). Wear comfy shoes (think tennis shoes, not flip flops) and clothing that you can dance in. Don't forget sunscreen! Depending on the weather you may want to bring a jacket or windbreaker, the wind off the lake can be mighty chilly after dark.

Download the Summerfest App

The Summerfest campus is enormous and with 11 different music acts playing at any given time it's easy to miss something important. Study the line up ahead of time to figure out where you need to be when.

The free Summerfest App will help you keep track of who is playing on what stage, let you create a custom schedule and even send you reminders when a band you want to see is coming on soon. There's also an interactive map to keep you from getting lost.

Take Advantage of the Food and Drink Options

There is so much more to eat at Summerfest than your typical concert fare. The event brings in tons of local restaurants, making it a great place to try some of Milwaukee's greatest hits (admittedly, with a fair grounds mark up). A few vendors of note: Classy Girl Cupcakes with their enormous cheesecake cupcakes in variety of flavors, Saz's deep fried pickle chips and Martino's deep fried polish sausage. And don't miss a chance to try some beer battered cheese curds, available almost everywhere. You might want to bring along some Tums because fried food is definitely a theme in Milwaukee.

Local breweries also have a presence at Summerfest, including Leinenkugel, Miller and Lakefront.

Please drink responsibly and use a designated driver, as your RoamRight policy does not cover loss resulting from or caused by being under the influence of alcohol.

Enjoy Something New

Yes, there are established bands that you won't want to miss, but there is so much more to explore at Summerfest. There are dozens of local groups that haven't hit it big just yet, interactive exhibits, stand up comedy and an extreme sports arena. There's interesting shopping, a variety of local beers to try and drum circles. Take some time to explore events beyond the main stages. One thing is for sure: you won't be bored.

What is your favorite music festival?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.