Getting to Summerfest 2026
Transportation Options for Every Festivalgoer
MILWAUKEE (June 12, 2026) – Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance again offers your guide for getting to and from the festival in 2026. From driving routes and parking lot recommendations to Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) shuttles direct to the gate, Bubl’r Bikes, or bar shuttles, festival organizers encourage attendees to plan ahead and take advantage of the wide range of transportation options available.
Summerfest and City of Milwaukee officials continue to work together to support safe and efficient travel to and from the festival grounds.
Important Travel Tips – Know Before You Go
To help attendees prepare for their visit, here are some things to know before you go:
• Plan your route to and from the festival in advance
• Check recommended traffic routes to minimize delays and maximize your festival time
Driving to Summerfest
• Due to emergency repairs on the Clybourn Street Bridge, Summerfest recommends parking at the following lots:
Museum Center Park Lot (745 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive)
Lewis Center (616 E. Clybourn Street.)
US Bank Structure (716 E. Clybourn Street)
• Arrive early and utilize the following downtown exits to avoid lakefront congestion:
Plankinton Avenue
Greenfield Avenue / Lapham Boulevard
National Avenue
Jackson Street/ Van Buren Street
St. Paul Avenue/James Lovell Street
• Pre-purchase parking online prior to your arrival at Summerfest.com
Ride The Hop for FREE
Getting to Summerfest is easy with The Hop streetcar—and it’s completely FREE.
• Runs daily and stops just steps from the Summerfest North Gate at the Couture Transit Center
• Fans are encouraged to park at these nearby lots to ride The Hop to the lakefront
777 N Milwaukee Street
721 N Broadway Street
840 N Broadway Street
• The Hop Festival (F) Line offers increased frequency during all nine days of Summerfest
Ride Straight to the Gate with MCTS Shuttles
Skip traffic and parking hassles by taking the MCTS Summerfest shuttles, offering one of the easiest ways to get to and from the festival—with drop-off right outside the Mid Gate.
Three dedicated shuttle routes will operate from these three Park and Ride lots:
College Avenue
Brown Deer
Hales Corners
Shuttles provide direct, nonstop service to the Summerfest gates. Cashless fares are $18 round trip for adults and $9 for riders ages 11 and under, adults 65 and older, and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Riders can pay using mobile payment options for quick and easy boarding, and parking at these lots is FREE.
In addition to shuttle service, other options for festgoers riding MCTS:
• The CONNECT 1 BRT line offers fast, frequent rides to downtown Milwaukee within walking distance of the festival’s North Gate, offering frequent service every 10 minutes on Saturdays
• CONNECT 1 and regular route fares are $2.75 for riders ages 12 and up
• Multiple MCTS local routes also serve the area nearby
Visit Summerfest.com or RideMCTS.com for routes, schedules, fares, and service details.
Pedal In with Bublr Bikes
Beat traffic and enjoy a ride to the lakefront by biking to Summerfest using Bublr Bikes. Stations are located throughout Milwaukee and near festival gates. Simply pick up a bike at any station and return it to any of these convenient nearby stations:
Discovery World
Erie & Menomonee
The Couture
Trestle Park (Erie & Jackson)
Bar Shuttles, Scooters, and Rideshare
• Many Milwaukee bars and restaurants offer free or low-cost shuttles directly to the festival gate – A full list of participating shuttle locations is available at Summerfest.com.
• Users can rent a scooter and park it at designated locations near the North and Mid Gates
• Dedicated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone is located outside the North Gate
Plan Ahead
• For maps, routes, and further details, visit the Get Around Guide at Summerfest.com
Find more press releases HERE.