In Wisconsin, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for live music during summer. And it’s more than just the music — festivals like these make some of the best memories with friends we love. Here’s our selection of outdoor music festivals sure to satisfy any musical taste.
June
Porterfield Country Music Festival – Marinette
Enjoy three days of performances by top Nashville recording stars at the Porterfield Country Music Festival, where you can camp on the Marinette grounds with friends or just come to rock out for the day.
Blue Ox Music Festival – Eau Claire
The Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire is the biggest concert of its kind in the upper Midwest features three days of the finest acoustic, bluegrass and string band groups touring the nation. In addition to all the great music, you and your crew can do yoga together at the wellness tent, take a songwriting workshop, browse art installations and bring the kids to the family stage for fun activities.
Metro Jam – Manitowoc
National and regional acts with a variety of music styles will perform at Metro Jam, a two-day, free-admission event. Bring the whole family to lay out a blanket and enjoy food and great tunes at Manitowoc’s scenic Washington Park.
Willard Polka Fest – Willard
Willard Polka Fest takes place indoors, but we couldn’t resist including some polka music! Enjoy three days of bands and dancing at the local community center, with campsites available nearby.
Country Fest – Cadott
Camp in style at Cadott’s Country Fest, which features a glamping village, a natural amphitheater, superb sound system, and over 50 amazing country acts.
Summerfest – Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival and offers 3 full weekends of top-notch musical entertainment on 11 stages, along with great food, comedians, a children’s play area, daily demonstrations and activities and thrilling amusement park rides. Visit with friends to sing along with your favorite bands right on Lake Michigan.
July
Rock Fest – Cadott
Enjoy the best of rock music, food and camping over three days at Cadott’s Rock Fest in northwestern Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley. This is the largest rock and camping event in all of the U.S. with over 70 bands and 7,500 campsites in the gorgeous Wisconsin landscape.
Hodag Country Music Festival – Rhinelander
Come to the Northwoods for Rhinelander’s Hodag Country Music Festival that features four days of top country music stars, on-site camping, unique vendors and a statewide band contest.
Lifest – Oshkosh
Lifest in Oshkosh is Wisconsin’s largest Christian music festival and offers 100 acts on seven stages, entertainment, games, fireworks, worship services, sports and other activities.
Driftless Music Festival – Viroqua
Stop by Viroqua’s Driftless Music Festival for a day of concerts in Eckhart Park that features jazz, swing, bluegrass, zydeco and other genres.
Country Jam USA – Eau Claire
Country Jam USA in Eau Claire is a great place to spend time with friends while jamming out to your favorite songs. Enjoy three days of country music’s top entertainers, along with vendors, food and camping (with a glamping option, too!).
Country Thunder – Twin Lakes
Take in the biggest names in country music over four days at Twin Lakes’ Country Thunder, with helicopter and thrill rides, camping, food, specialty vendors and late-night entertainment.
Acoustic Fest – Manitowoc
Spend the day in the park listening to a lineup of diverse and accomplished acoustic musicians, including local artists. Manitowoc’s Acoustic Fest takes place on the third Saturday in July and is a great way so spend time with family and friends in the summer air.
Prairie Dog Blues Festival – Prairie du Chien
Blues bands, from regional to internationally renowned acts, will perform at Prairie Dog Blues Festival, a two-day event in Prairie du Chien offering concessions, on-site camping and a hotel shuttle.
Country Boom - West Salem
Enjoy the sounds of Nashville right here in the Midwest at Country Boom, a three-day fest in West Salem with camping on site, a cornhole tournament for charity and other fun.
August
Mile of Music - Appleton
Appleton's downtown, an amazing mile of unique, walkable experiences, is serving up Americana music at its very best, from roots and indie rock to country, soul, jazz and folk. And the best part? It's all free. Visit the Mile of Music festival for over 700 live music sets throughout 40 venues and experience this one-of-a-kind Wisconsin event.
Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival - Madison
Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival is a two-day outdoor fest in Madison featuring artists keeping traditional music (and dance) alive! You’ll hear genres such as bluegrass, western swing, and Hawaiian slack, and kids 17 and under are admitted for free.
Blues on the Chippewa – Durand
Bring canned goods to donate locally at Blues on the Chippewa, a free-admission event in Durand featuring three days of blues bands, camping and artisan vendors.
Ashley for the Arts – Arcadia
Featuring a car show, a hot air balloon launch and, of course, great music, Ashley for the Arts festival in Arcadia is a can’t-miss event this summer! This three-day fest will host both local talent and big-name headliners.
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest – Wausau
Not only is Big Bull Falls Wisconsin's longest-running blues fest, but its location — an island in the middle of the Wisconsin River — couldn't be groovier. See two days of regional and national acts.
Voices of Peace Gospel Music Fest – Hilbert
Visiting groups will play two days of country, bluegrass and southern gospel music at Voices of Peace Gospel Music Fest in Hilbert. Bring lawn chairs and your family to enjoy the summer air together.
Check out even more festivals happening this summer in Wisconsin.
