Summerfest is just over a month away – yes, just a single month! – and by now, they've announced their musical lineups, their sweet admission deals and much more. And yet there's more, as today the Big Gig revealed all of their special attractions and experiences throughout the grounds this summer – including a bonus free concert right on the water.
Here's the full list of awesome places, promos, parades, parties and more you'll be able to find at Summerfest 2022.
Summerfest Landing
This aquatic-themed attraction – sponsored this year by All Blue Planet and Freedom Boat Club – is no stranger to Summerfest, featuring water activities from noon until 6 p.m. daily including free boat rides on the lake, classes on boating and other lakefront fun, paddleboard demos, prizes, giveaways and more. What IS new this year to the Summerfest Landing is a free concert! On Thursday, June 23 at 5:45 p.m., country star Rodney Atkins will play a special free acoustic concert out on the lake for fans on the shore. Now that's a splashy new addition to the Big Gig!
Brewers Tailgate at Summerfest
Two summer classics become one with the brand new Brewers Tailgate at the Big Gig. On Saturday, July 2 beginning at 3 p.m., cheer on the Brew Crew from the Gruber Law Offices SportsZone at Summerfest, complete with the ballgame broadcast on 620 WTMJ, Brewers street team members in attendance – including Bernie Brewer and Barrelman – classic ballpark concessions and even some games of your own to play like cornhole and giant Jenga. It's everything you love about the ballpark – but at the Big Gig!
Wheel & Sprocket Test Rides
What is an electric bike? Find out throughout the day on Saturday, July 9 as Wheel & Sprocket will provide test drives in Urban Park to showcase some of the latest and greatest in biking.
Summerfest Big Bang Fireworks
It just wouldn't be Summerfest or the great Milwaukee summer without the Big Bang fireworks show, taking to the skies over the lakefront once again at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 and bringing in the Big Gig with a bang. Missed the show? Don't worry: WISN 12 will replay a taped version of the fireworks extravaganza later that night at 10:30 p.m. too.
Gruber Law Offices SportsZone
Play ball (or puck ... or a different kind of ball ... or wrestle) at the Gruber Law Offices SportsZone, hosting all sorts of sports-related activities and events every day throughout the fest. See demos, clinics, programs and much more from the likes of the Brewers Street team, the Milwaukee Admirals, Brew City Wrestling, the high-flying Division BMX Stunt Team and many more.
Generac Military Appreciation Day
In addition to offering free admission for veterans and active-duty military members on Friday, July 1, Summerfest will also host a special Military Appreciation Day ceremony at 3 p.m. at the Generac Power Stage. The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors and a number of performances and presentations – headlined by Keni Thomas, a bronze star for valor recipient as a member of the Army and country singer-songwriter.
Latin Music Day
Sponsored by Advocate Aurora Health and Telemundo Wisconsin, Latin Music Day will bring a variety of Latin music acts – including Clave y Afinque, Making Movies, Gilberto Santa Rosa and more – to the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage on Friday, July 8.
Northwestern Mutual Community Park
One of the newest additions to the Summerfest grounds, the all-ages Northwestern Mutual Community Park is back open for the summer season – including Summerfest, where it'll host a variety of entertaining kid-oriented performers and presentations alongside the always fun playground space.
Miller Lite Brewhouse
Head on over to the Miller Lite Brewhouse, where you'll find a fun time and much more brewing up. Found on the right side of the Miller Lite Oasis stage, the Miller Lite Brewhouse features fun games courtesy of Bars & Rec such as mini-putt golf and shuffleboard. Winners don't just win a hearty handshake and a sense of accomplishment, either; they can win seriously impressive prizes, most notably front row access passes for the Miller Lite Oasis' headlining acts. Think of it as an oasis next to the Oasis.
Bubly Bar Experience
When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Summerfest main drag, float on over to the Bubly Bar. Found near the lakefront, the chill hangout offers tasty Bubly refreshments, the Bubly swing photo op, lawn games and more.
Summerfest Dockside Bar
Another great spot to catch your breath amid all the Big Gig fun, the Summerfest Dockside Bar offers cozy secluded seating with views of Lake Michigan and Downtown Milwaukee – complete with fireplaces at night for bonus atmosphere and heat when the sun and temperatures go down. You can find the Dockside Bar on the south end of the grounds.
MKE Airport Skyglider
As if you need me to explain the Skyglider. Be sure to take a ride on this iconic summer festival favorite, taking over and above the Summerfest crowd for impeccable views of the grounds, the stages, the lake and beyond. A great place to grab a breath of fresh air amid the delightful festival fan-demonium, the Skyglider is a must.
Summerfest Wheel in the Sky
Want to get even higher than the Skyglider? Hop aboard the Summerfest Wheel in the Sky, a classic giant Ferris wheel that takes festival goers on a happy spin over the south end of the Summerfest grounds. Enjoy lovely views of the city and Summerfest from noon until 11:30 p.m. each day during the Big Gig.
Elizabeth "Bo" Black Family Fountain
Need to keep cool on some of the hottest days of the year? And for a price that's just the right temperature? You can always make a stop at the family fountain, found right at the mid-gate entrance. Whether young or old, just hop in for a quick cooling splash and burst of fun, then head back into the Big Gig feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the sunny times that'll ensue.
Summerfest Parade
What's a festival without a parade!? Summerfest gives attendees several chances to check out the parade, starting at the south end of Summerfest by the AmFam Amp and marching a lap around the festival grounds at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 24; Thursday, June 30; Saturday, July 2; Thursday, July 7; and Saturday, July 9.
Big Gig Giveaway
There's no bad way to do the Big Gig – but with the Big Gig Giveaway, you can do Summerfest the best way possible: with two tickets to an AmFam Amp festival show, VIP passes, a gift card to the Summerfest store, dinner from Cousins Subs, festival parking and an overnight stay, all for free! Enter for a chance to win that impressive prize package by submitting a contest entry at this link between now and June 10. Good luck!
Summerfest will take place across three weekends this summer: June 23-25, June 30 through July 2 and July 7-9. For more information on Summerfest, visit the Big Gig's website – or check out OnMilwaukee's Summerfest content, running throughout the season until the clock strikes Big Gig o'clock!
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.