Summerfest 2018: A guide to a great time.
Prepare for warm summer nights on the shore of Lake Michigan eating great food, spending quality time with family and friends, getting outside and listening to great music — it’s safe to say Summerfest 2018 is in sight.
Here are the deets you need before you head out to the Summerfest grounds this year.
When: Noon to midnight June 27 to July 1 and July 3 to 8.
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the new northern entrance, Community Plaza and the recent additions and improvements to the grounds. Every year, Summerfest has a few changes. Here are the big ones to be aware of this year.
Security policies: This year, Summerfest has heightened security for entrance into the festival. The biggest change is that no backpacks or large bags (camera bags, messenger bags) will be allowed into the grounds. If bags like these are brought on site, Summerfest will not hold them at gates, and they will be either donated or thrown away. In addition, all bags will be searched, and attendees will enter the grounds through metal detectors. Earlier headliners: This year, headliners will perform in the late afternoons-early evenings on two days — which means top of the line acts for longer on those days, lucky for us. On June 28, billed headliners The Posies, The New Power Generation and Alien Ant Farm will play at 4 p.m. Matthew Sweet, another headliner, will also play that day at 6 p.m. Added bonus: As part of Throwback Thursday, tickets that day from noon to 6 p.m. are just $5.
In addition, headliner Nick Lowe featuring Los Straitjackets and A Flock of Seagulls will play at 4 p.m. on July 1. At 6 p.m., headliners Great White and The Edgar Winter Group are set to jam. New entrance and plaza: On your way into the biggest music festival in the world, stop and smell the roses ... er, the new entrance. The new entrance features interactive, musical sculptures to keep you entertained as you line up to get inside the grounds, as well as new digital displays, lighting, a public address system, a new box office, first aid station, more capacity with additional turnstile lanes, bike racks ... the list goes on and on.
Tickets
General admission: $21, single day. U.S. Cellular 3-day pass: $51.
Five-day pass: $80.
Weekday admission: $14, and the ticket is valid noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Summerfest Level Up Deck: $50.
Exit and re-entry: Wristbands are available from noon to 6:30 p.m. daily, and will remain valid for that day. No reentries will be allowed after 7 p.m. On July 8, no re-entry wristbands will be issued.
Parking
Summerfest lots open at 9 a.m. and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Parking passes are available online. Passes for Lot P are $25; Lot A passes are $40.
Riding your bike? The Summerfest grounds have parking for you, too, at the Mid, North and South gates.
Public Transit
The Milwaukee County Transit System will run Freeway Flyers from park-ride lots during the festival. Tickets for the shuttle cost $7.
In addition, there will be a downtown shuttle. Visit ridemcts.com for more information.
What if I live outside of Milwaukee County but want to take public transit? That’s an option, too.
Transit services are available from the Racine and Kenosha area, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties, and Madison.
Uber
Uber is the official rideshare provider of Summerfest.
There will be an “Uber Zone” for pickups and drop-offs, located outside the Mid Gate at E Chicago St. and N Jackson St. If you’re new to Uber, download the app and use the code SJ2018 for a free ride (up to $15).
What NOT to bring
Because it’s easier than specifying what you can bring, we’ve compiled a short list.
❚ Backpacks and large bags
❚ Picnic baskets, food and beverages, cans or bottles
❚ Alcohol and illegal drugs or substances
❚ Weapons (firearms, knives, etc.)
❚ Aerosols
❚ Fireworks
❚ Professional grade cameras, recording devices
❚ Pets (service animals are allowed)
❚ Selfie sticks
❚ Banners or flags on poles
❚ Laser pointers
❚ Lawn chairs
❚ Skateboards, skates
❚ Wagons
For more information about what to bring and not bring or other logistics for the ‘Fest, check Summerfest’s FAQ webpage.