Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Summerfest 2013 General Information | Parking - Hours - Stages


Summerfest 2013
Summerfest 2013 is roughly four months away, but music fans are already picking up tickets for the “Big Gig.” With just one Marcus Amphitheater date booked at the time of this post, there is sure to be a flurry of concert announcements in the coming weeks and months. For now, we can cover the “basics” of Summerfest 2013. 

Summerfest Dates and Times

Summerfest 2013 runs from June 26, through July 7.  The festival grounds are closed on July 1, as it has been for the past couple of seasons. The gates open at noon (just in time for the downtown lunch crowd,) and close at midnight. Most headline acts hit the stage between 9:30 and 10pm, but there are always great bands performing at any given time.

Ticket prices vary; depending on what time you get there.  A standard ticket will set you back $17, but if you head to the fest between Tuesday and Thursday, the cost is just $10 (as long as you get there before 4pm.) There are a number of discount days, and promotional offers that can save you a few bucks.  Don’t forget, there is a separate admission ticket for all Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest shows.

Summerfest Parking

There are a number of parking lots just to the west and south of the Summerfest grounds. Prices range from $20 per car for preferred, and $35 for premier.  Be advised that sticking around until midnight will slow your departure down big time.  Traffic jams leaving Summerfest are common, and quite frustrating.  We suggest that you park in private lots just ¼ mile from the grounds.  You will certainly avoid the worst of the slow traffic leaving the grounds.

Summerfest Stages

Summerfest has eleven stages, ranging from the 22,000 seatMarcus Amphitheater, to the small-but-entertaining Cascio Interstate Music Groove Stage.  Most stages have bench seating or picnic tables, but those premium spots are hard to grab if you arrive just before a band takes to the stage.  One of the newest stages is the BMO Harris Pavilion.  Reviews of that stage have been positive, and the powers that be plan to hold concerts at that stage throughout the summer season. 

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