Here's what you need to know about Summerfest 2023 tickets, parking and bag policy
One of the largest music festivals in the country is back.
Summerfest is celebrating their 55th anniversary on Milwaukee's lakefront this summer.
This year's lineup features about 800 different acts with everything from Imagine Dragons to the Zac Brown Band. Here's your guide for everything you need to know about the festival this year:
When is Summerfest?
Summerfest runs from June 22-24, June 29-July 1 and July 6-8 this year. The festival is at Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive in Milwaukee.
How do I get a ticket?
To purchases tickets, visit www.summerfest.com/ticket-info
General admission: $26, single pass. There are more than a dozen ways to get in for free to the festival this year.
UScellular 3-day pass: $62
UScellular 9-day pass: $130
BMO Harris Pavilion reserved seating: (includes general admission): Reserved tickets range in price starting around $60.
Level Up Viewing Deck at the Miller Oasis stage: (includes general admission and two drinks): Tickets range in price starting at $65.
American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Ticket prices vary by artist.
How do I get to Summerfest?
Take the bus: MCTS will be running two shuttles every half hour from College Avenue or Brown Deer Park and Ride lot. Shuttles are now cashless and you can pay using Umo app or card. MCTS Connect 1 CRT line can also drop you off on the corner of Wisconsin and Van Buren and you can walk a couple blocks to the grounds
Take a bar shuttle: Some bars run shuttles to festival grounds during Summerfest.
Bike: You can rent a bike from Bublr Bikes and dock it at the Discovery World station and walk to the grounds. If you're taking your own bike, bicycle parking is near the Mid, North and South gates.
Electric Scooter: If you see a scooter, you can download the app on your smartphone to rent an electric scooter. Users can park the scooters essentially anywhere in an upright position, without blocking traffic.
The Hop Streetcar: The streetcar stops at Broadway and St. Paul in the Third Ward and you can walk to the festival from there.
Where can I park my car?
Construction projects are going to impact drivers this year. The left turns from Lincoln Memorial Drive (the Lakefront Exit) to Clybourn Street will be prohibited throughout Summerfest.
Parking lots are open daily at 9a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. You can get a pre-paid parking pass for a specific date during Summerfest online at the Summerfest store. Preferred parking is $30 per day. For a list of public parking lots near the ground, visit Park Milwaukee.
If you're arriving in your own car, drivers are encouraged to exist at any downtown exit before the Lakefront exit and park at a downtown parking structure.
Here's a list of some parking spots recommended by the festival:
Museum Center Park- 719 N. Prospect Ave.
Lewis Center- 616 E. Clybourn St.
US Bank Structure-716 E Clybourn St.
411 E Wisconsin Ave. Garage-601 N Jefferson St.
Milwaukee Public Market-400 N. Water St.
Chase Tower Garage-525 N Water St.
The Pfister Hotel-421 E. Mason St.
Cathedral Structure-580 E. Mason St.
780 N. Jackson St. Parking-780 N. Jackson St.
777 Cass St. Garage-777 N. Cass St.
Wells Fargo Tower-632 N. Water St.
720 N. Water St.-720 N. Water St.
SP+ Parking-721 N. Broadway
The Avenue-615 N. Plankinton Ave.
Convention Center Ramp-615 N. 4th St.
Historic Third Ward Parking-212 E. Milwaukee St.
Historic Third Ward Parking-225 E. Chicago St.
Need a place to stay?
Here's a list of some nearby hotels:
There's no RV parking on the grounds. For information on nearby RV parking, visit the Wisconsin State Fair RV park.
What's Summerfest's bag policy?
All bags are subject to inspection before you enter the grounds. Backpacks and bags larger than 9x10x12 aren't allowed on the grounds.
If you need to bring any medication, medical equipment or diapers, you can store those items in a clear bag. If you have privacy concerns, you can put those items in a smaller bag within the clear bag.
What can't I bring with me to Summerfest?
Any prohibited items sill be confiscated by security and will not be returned.
Backpacks, with exceptions for parents with infants and those with medical needs
Large Bags over 9x10x12 inches
Camelback style hydration packs
Picnic Baskets
Outside food and beverages, except for infants, medical or dietary needs
Cans and glass or plastic or metal containers
Coolers
Stainless steel reusable drinking straws
Self-defense sprays
Aerosol cans
UAV-drones
Alcohol
Illegal drugs or substance
Firearms
Knives
Weapons
Fireworks, sparkler or explosives
Professional cameras
Recording devices
Brooms, selfie sticks, poles, trekking sticks and tripods
Pet, expect service animals or during special events
Banners or flags on poles
Laser pointers
Skateboards, roller skates, inline skates or hoverboards
Food powered or electric scooters
Bicycles, tricycles or unicycles
Wagons
Kites
Hula-hoops, frisbees or beach balls
Stadium seats, Sit-Upon, seat cushions and lawn chairs
What's the exit & re-entry policy?
Wristbands to leave and re-enter the grounds are available at all gate areas from noon until 6:30p.m. daily. The wristbands are valid for a single, same-day re-entry until 7p.m.
Is Summerfest cashless?
Yes, Summerfest is a cashless festival. No cash is accepted at the box office or on the grounds. Reverse cash machines are available.
Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Summerfest 2023 guide to tickets, parking and bag policy
