The opening day of Summerfest on June 27 was definitely not a disappointing one. As soon as the gates opened at exactly noon, festival goers sprinted to get the best possible seat. Musical acts included Imagine Dragons as a headliner, Lil Uzi Vert, the All American Rejects, Alesso and so many more.
Of course the music was wonderful, but plenty of people came just out of tradition. Some came out for a nice walk by the lake and to grab some yummy lunch. Whether you came to sample the food, grab a beer (or two) or just concert hop, it was definitely one for the books. Still planning your Summerfest strategy? Check out our recommendations for side stages, our editors’ picks for the entire festival and our day-by-day power rankings.
As soon as the gates open, people sprinted to the stage of their choice to wait to see their favorite performer coming. 
No matter what changes at Summerfest from year to year, the lake view never gets old. 
You could have spent all day just wandering around vendor to vendor.
The Sky Glider is a Summerfest MUST.
Everyone knows the Miller Lite Oasis stage is the place to be. Always packed, always fun.
The Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage welcomed Lil Uzi Vert and had a full crowd waiting front row starting at noon.
Is it possible to go to Summerfest and not sip on a beer? Probably, but we’ll take one.
Summerfest is different from other festivals, because there is always somewhere to sit, so you can properly sit and eat your Saz’s platter.
Enough said.
The line to Summerfest was consistently out the door.
Even if you’ve been coming to Summerfest for years, the new U.S. Cellular Stage is something to check out.
At the end of the day, Summerfest is the World’s Largest Music Festival after all.
One of our favorite vendors was an original fragrance line dedicated to smelling like your zodiac sign.
There might be too many things to do at Summerfest…but we’re not mad about it.
More photos from Summerfest 2018
photos by Caroline Blair
