After more than a half-century of attending Summerfest, I know a thing or three about doing Summerfest right. Occasionally, my friends listen to me and they get to see some unexpectedly good bands. Last year, for instance, I dragged everyone to listen to Donavon Frankenreiter, and they – and their teenage sons and daughters – were duly impressed, even recognizing a song or two.
Likewise, for years, I was encouraging people to skip the high beer prices at Summerfest by getting a pass out of the grounds in mid-afternoon and finding a good nearby happy hour with cheap drinks in the Historic Third Ward. “As long as you’re back by 7 p.m., you’ll see the good shows without any need to buy more beer,” I’d say. So, what does Summerfest do? They started a daily happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m. And they even booked better bands at 4 p.m. Oh, I can still find cheaper drinks – last year it was $3 craft beer or margaritas at a nearby small brewery – but for those who don’t want to walk a mile to drink cheap, or don’t want to miss a favorite band, a $6 Happy Hour Miller Lite at Summerfest might do just fine.
So, now with a bit of street cred, let me offer a few more tips to ease your Summerfest visit:
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
• Don’t laugh at the bands you normally wouldn’t even consider for a concert. I’ve seen folks like Debbie Gibson, LeAnn Rimes and Wang Chung over the years and haven’t been disappointed.
• Wander around and follow the music. You’ll always find interesting music and performers. For example, I had never heard of Say She She but after last year’s crazily energetic show, I am now a fan. So, move around. I average about 25,000 to 30,000 steps a day at Summerfest – not bad for an old guy who likes beer.
• Also do the opposite and plan each day out meticulously. I spend a ridiculous amount of time researching the bands on the Summerfest website and also examine what people at radio stations and newspapers are recommending. And don’t forget to listen to your kids. My younger daughter had mentioned she wanted to see Noah Kahan back in 2023. I didn’t know the name and regretted not going to that show when I later connected his name to two songs that had been playing endlessly in my head, “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk.” In 2024, I didn’t make that mistake again and listened to my other daughter who was planning to see the Local Natives. I did attend that show, and it was an excellent performance by a harmonizing band that I had never heard of.
RELATED: HERE’S THE 2025 SUMMERFEST LINEUP
• No need to splurge on Amphitheater shows because the late-night bands on the other smaller stages usually are just as good, with a chance to move around. This year, check out the Head and the Heart, Lindsey Stirling, Gary Clark Jr., the Allman Betts Band, Cake, Allison Russell and even Chicago, all on those smaller stages. OK, I did splurge this year on Hozier, at the Amp.
• If you think Summerfest is costly, you obviously aren’t taking advantage of the all the free admission deals. Check Summerfest.com to learn the deals. And, remember, the fest’s last day (July 5 this year) is when they give away tickets in the early afternoon for next year’s fest. I keep those tickets locked away all year.
• Another way to think of the cost is to imagine how much money you are saving by attending Summerfest, where you can see five or six good bands essentially free each night that you’d have to pay $50 or $100 or more each to see at other concert venues. The money I spend in gas coming in from Colorado for the fest is peanuts compared to the thousands of dollars I’d otherwise be spending on shows to see these bands.
• Remember to explore some of the other aspects of Summerfest that add to its charm. A great cheeseburger from Major Goolsby’s is always my must-have treat. If you have kids, the playground is awesome. Watching the sports demonstrations is fun. Sitting along the rocks on the waterfront is perfect way to relax. And a ride on the Skyglider is an enjoyable way to safely check out all the craziness below.
• To get to Summerfest, hop on one of the many free shuttle buses that pick folks up at dozens of neighborhood bars all over town and drops them off at Summerfest. Usually you have to buy a drink at the bar, but the street parking in those city neighborhoods is free. The shuttles are very entertaining as midnight approaches. I’ve learned over the years that it’s best to leave at 11 p.m. if you don’t want to be crammed in next to a bunch of drunken festers. But sometimes that ride back can be the best part of the night, drunken singalongs and all. An alternative, the Hop streetcar isn’t as entertaining, but it is free.
• It’s more than likely to cool down considerably if the wind shifts off the lake as nightfall approaches. Pack one of the many Summerfest sweatshirts you’ve accumulated over the years as the chill arrived. That will save you some late-night bucks, too.
• Finally, plan some off time as well. Even though the latest version of Summerfest comes in three-day bursts, over three weekends, it still can be somewhat oppressive with the daytime heat and humidity of a Milwaukee summer. Forecasts are calling for a hot opening weekend, so just remember the Milwaukee Art Museum or the Harley-Davidson Museum or the Mitchell Park Domes provide nice, cool respites from the heat. While I have been known to go from noon to midnight for days straight at Summerfest, I’ve learned to appreciate a little time away from the fest – not necessarily at those nearby Happy Hours, of course.
Kris Kodrich has been attending Summerfest since it started in 1968, when his mom took the family to watch some activities collectively known as Summerfest. In his non-Summerfest life, he teaches journalism at Colorado State University.
