MILWAUKEE — Summerfest is just a month away. While single-day general admission tickets typically cost $30, there are plenty of ways to get in for free or at discounted prices for all nine days of the festival. Many of these promotions help serve the community.

What You Need To Know

  • There are plenty of ways to get into Summerfest for free or discounted prices throughout the festival's nine days

  • One-day general admission tickets normally cost $30

  • Several of the promotions support local charity organizations

Thursday, June 19

From noon to 3 p.m., bring three shelf-stable food items and get one free admission ticket. Food donations can be brought to any of Summerfest’s three gates and benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Northcott Neighborhood House. 

These tickets are limited to one per person and are only valid June 19 at the time of the promotion.

Friday, June 20

Everyone entering the Summerfest grounds between noon and 3 p.m. gets in free for Children’s Fest Day. Select vendors will also offer discounts on food and drinks.

Saturday, June 21

Between noon and 3 p.m., the first 1,500 people to donate hygiene items with a minimum value of $10 will receive a free admission ticket. The donated items help local public school kids through United Way of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha County’s Mary Lou’s Closet and the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership. 

Eligible hygiene items include new socks, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Organizers said socks are their most needed items.

These tickets are limited to one per person and are only valid June 21 at the time of the promotion.

Thursday, June 19 through Saturday, June 21

The first 15,000 people to download the Summerfest app will be able to claim one free one-day admission ticket. Tickets are valid from noon to 4 p.m. June 19 to 21. 

To claim the ticket while supplies last, select the "Pepsi Promo Ticket" button found under the tickets tab in the app. Enter the required information and click the Summerfest 2025 First Weekend 1 day admission ticket. Then click the "Get Tickets" button, add it to your cart and checkout.

Thursday, June 26

Tickets are $5 from noon to 6 p.m. Additionally, all beer, seltzer, cherry vodka lemonade, Aquafina Water and sodas are 50% off during this time.

Friday, June 27

Get a free general admission ticket by showing a valid high school ID or by wearing college or university apparel. Tickets can be claimed at the mid gate promotions booth between noon and 3 p.m. 

Only hats and shirts representing participating colleges and universities will be accepted, which include Beloit College, Carroll University, Herzing University, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, St. Norbert College, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Saturday, June 28

All active-duty military personnel and veterans, police, fire and EMT, as well as up to four family members, can get in free between noon and 6 p.m. at any gate with valid identification. 

Valid IDs include military ID, copy or photo of a DD-214 form, driver’s license with veteran classification, law enforcement or fire department agency-issued credentials, as well as police and fire union cards with a photo ID.

Additionally, the first 2,500 people to donate a new or gently used children’s book with a minimum $10 value between noon and 3 p.m. will also receive a free general admission ticket. Books will be collected at the mid gate promotions booth and donated to Next Door.

These tickets are limited to one per person and are only valid July 4 at the time of the promotion.

Friday, July 4

For the Fourth of July, admission is free between noon and 6 p.m.

Additionally, the first 5,000 people to enter through the mid gate will receive a free can cooler.

Saturday, July 5

Admission is free between noon and 3 p.m.

Additionally, the first 30,000 people to enter Summerfest between noon and 3 p.m. will receive a free general admission ticket for Summerfest in 2026 and be entered into a drawing for $1 million.

Additional Promotions

Get a free general admission ticket by donating blood at a Wisconsin or Illinois Versiti Blood Center location between June 9 through 15.

High school students can also claim a free general admission ticket by starting a FAFSA application before July 5. This can be redeemed through the Milwaukee Education Partnership’s website.

To learn more about Summerfest, including its 2025 lineup, click here.

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