It's the week the Big Gig takes over the lakefront. Summerfest opens its first weekend TODAY and runs three weekends straight through July 4. Whether you're going for one easy afternoon or all three weekends, a little planning makes it a lot smoother. Here's everything your family needs to know to do Summerfest right this year.

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Summerfest Opening Weekend

First, know the schedule at Henry Maier Festival Park. The Big Gig runs three weekends: June 18–20, June 25–27 and July 2–4. Gates run noon to midnight, and general admission is $30 through June 17 before it jumps to $33. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

How to Get into Summerfest for Free

About one in five people get into Summerfest free. If you want to get in free TODAY for opening day, there are two ways:

Noon–3 p.m. — Saz's Stomp Out Hunger Day with FOX6. Everyone who arrives between noon and 3 p.m. and donates three shelf-stable food items gets one free admission ticket, valid that day only.

Noon–3 p.m. — Show Your College Pride Day with OnMilwaukee and CW18/MY24. Running simultaneously: arrive wearing a shirt or hat from Carroll University, Marquette University, MATC, UW-Milwaukee, or UW-Whitewater — or show a valid high school ID — and claim one free ticket at the Mid Gate Promotions Booth.

Two more days to circle with kids are both Fridays — Children's Fest Day on June 26 and Fan Appreciation Day on July 3 — when everyone gets in free from noon to 3 p.m. (and on July 3, the first 30,000 also grab a free 2027 ticket). Most other days have a food-, book-, or diaper-donation window too. See our full guide on how to get into Summerfest for free.

Getting There

The easiest way in for most North Shore families is the MCTS shuttle from the Brown Deer Road East Park & Ride — free parking, buses about every 15 minutes, and a direct drop at the Mid Gate. The GreenLine is the budget pick, CONNECT 1 makes sense if you're starting downtown, and driving runs $40 and up per day.

Family-Friendly Shows

Most festival-stage shows are included with admission; only American Family Insurance Amphitheater concerts need a separate ticket. A few family-friendly picks: Ed Sheeran, Walk Off the Earth, and Lisa Loeb (all June 25), The Family Stone (June 19), and Baha Men with Tag Team on July 4. Say it with me: WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?? WHOOMP! THERE IT IS! (Sorry)

For the full summer festival calendar, bookmark our Milwaukee Summer Festivals 2026 guide.

See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures

P.S. Forward this to anyone still asking, “What should we do at Summerfest???”