Summerfest Facility Access

Summerfest is continuously making accessibility improvements to enhance the festival experience.

Accessible picnic tables, drinking fountains and accessible restrooms are located throughout the grounds and in the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Accessible seating is also available at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater and at all stage areas on a first-come, first-served basis.

For assistance or to share comments, please contact us at (414) 273-2680 (voice) or email us at frontdesk@summerfest.com.

American Family Insurance Amphitheater Accessibility Performances

A design priority within the new $51.3 million investment in the new venue was increasing accessibility for all patrons. Features include a new seating bowl configuration increasing accessible seating at every level, a raised stage to allow for better sightlines, expanded concourses allowing for increased mobility, and more. Specific accessibility upgrades include an accessible entrance, accessible pathways as well as elevators to reach all four levels of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

Availability of tickets for accessible seating include but are not limited to people who: use wheelchairs, are blind or visually impaired or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Summerfest Box Office at (414) 273-2600 (voice/TTY) or email us at ADATicketRequest@summerfest.com.  Online ordering of accessible seating is also available through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com. A map can be found here

  • Accessible seating is available on all levels including front row seating at all price levels including floor and lawn.
  • For each wheelchair space purchased by a disabled individual, three additional (“companion”) seats in the same row, contiguous with the wheelchair space shall be made available for purchase (provided they are available at the time of purchase). Summerfest will provide a folding chair as the companion seat in wheelchair accessible reserved seating areas.
  • The accessible seating configuration exceeds code by all standards including additional height separation to allow for a view above someone standing in front of them.
  • Distanced traveled seating accommodations at aisles with folding armrests and cup holders in all seats.
  • Bariatric seating available upon request.

For all Summerfest concerts, volunteer ushers are available to assist any persons who have disabilities, the elderly, or those who need special assistance to their concert seats. 

A sign language interpreter is available, and requests must be made in advance when purchasing these ADA tickets. Please contact the Amphitheater Box office at (414) 273-2600 for more information or make sign language interpreter requests.

Ground Stage Performances

Seating: During Summerfest all major stage areas throughout the festival grounds offer accessible viewing areas near the stage or on raised platforms, on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible seating at picnic tables are located throughout the grounds.

Performances: Sign language interpreters can be provided for specific performances upon request by calling  Summerfest  Guest Services at (414) 273-2680 (voice/TTY). A minimum of two weeks prior notice is required so that an interpreter can be secured and materials/lyrics can be obtained from the artist.

Accessible Parking and Loading Zones

Designated accessible parking spaces are located at the front Summerfest lots. Vehicles must have appropriate plates or a permit to park in accessible spaces. Accessible parking spaces are available in Lot H. Vehicles must have appropriate plates or permits to park inaccessible spaces. Show your valid Lot P parking pass and appropriate permit/plates to the attendant for access to Lot H, please note that lots fill up quickly. All parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

During Summerfest, passengers in personal vehicles may be dropped off and/or picked up near the North and South Gates. Please allow extra time during peak hours.

Transit Plus riders will be dropped off and picked up directly outside of the Summerfest Mid-gate. The new location provides a more central and accessible option for riders. Transit Plus eligible riders interested in attending the festival can contact their assigned provider to set up a ride.

Family Restroom

A large, private unisex restroom for families, patrons with disabilities and their companions, or anyone needing a little extra room and privacy is located in the Northwestern Mutual Community Park located near the Summerfest Mid Gate. The building is equipped with accessible restrooms with changing tables for babies, children, and adults requiring assistance, quiet spaces for nursing children, and three individual and wheelchair-accessible sensory rooms. These rooms are air-conditioned quiet rooms, creating a calm environment for children that may be overstimulated by the noise, environment, or experience.

Additional accessible restrooms are located throughout the grounds and in the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

First Aid Stations

Aurora Health Care logo

Aurora Health Care will support Summerfest's First Aid Stations, which provide critical services to festival patrons, from small cuts to life-threatening issues. 

First Aid stations are located: 

  • South of the Mid Gate between the Miller Lite Oasis and the Generac Power Stage
  • A First Aid station is located inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Amphitheater performances.

Information & Services

Information Centers are located adjacent to Summerfest Mid and South gate areas.

Large Print entertainment schedules are available at all Information Centers as well as at the NSCIA Respite Pavilion just south of the Mid Gate.

ABLE recordings for Summerfest 2024 can be found here.

The Summerfest Courtesy Assistance Program, staffed by Guest Services, promotes services available to people with disabilities. Guest Services personnel are stationed throughout the festival grounds to provide support if needed during Summerfest and are identifiable by their navy-blue polo shirt and hangtag. In addition, security personnel are stationed at all gate areas and throughout the grounds and are available to answer questions and provide directions.

United Spinal Association – Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Respite Pavilion

The Stephen J. Schwalbe Respite Pavilion on the Summerfest grounds is open from noon until 10:00 pm every day for every major event held at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park.  This building is intended as an oasis for persons with disabilities and other special needs.  It is available to individuals of all ages and their families to escape the elements, noise, crowds and take care of any special needs they may have.  

It is a clean and welcoming facility with two large accessible restrooms, a large shower (with shower chair), changing area with an adult changing table, storage lockers, electricity for charging wheelchairs/scooters, and seating in the comfort of a temperature controlled environment along with a sectioned off patio and area for service dogs.  

It is continuously staffed by volunteers from the United Spinal Association – SE Wisconsin Chapter (www.unitedspinalwi.com) who built and donated this facility in 1996 for all to enjoy with the help of many generous volunteers and donors.  Per the feedback of the 2,000+ visitors we receive a year; it enables many people to attend all of the wonderful festivals and events on the fairgrounds who could not do so without a dedicated facility to address their diverse needs.  To our knowledge it is the only facility of its kind in the country. Service dogs are welcome. Look on your event map for the heart icon with a wheelchair in the center to find us. 

The facility is not open for American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows or BMO Harris Pavilion shows outside of festivals. It is located on the south end of the Miller Lite Oasis stage, midway between the South gate and Mid gate. 

Service Animals

Summerfest gladly welcomes service animals and service animals-in-training. If you are a service animal trainer, the animal must wear a harness or leash and special cape denoting that the animal is in training and not merely a pet. If you require the use of the animal to enjoy Summerfest, we strongly encourage the use of an identifying vest, harness, cape, or leash, so other Summerfest patrons do not attempt to pet or play with your service animal. Upon arrival, Summerfest staff may ask you if the animal is a service animal required because of a disability or if the animal is being trained to be a service animal. If the animal is a service animal-in-training, please be prepared to produce certification or other credentials from a school for training animals that the animal is in training currently. Summerfest will NEVER ask for certification or other credentials of a disability. Please note that Summerfest reserves the right to remove both animal and patron if the animal jeopardizes the safety of other Summerfest patrons, staff, or volunteers. Summerfest will NEVER separate or attempt to separate you from your service animal or service animal-in-training. Service Animal relief is available near the United Spinal Cord Injury Association Respite Pavilion.

Wheelchair & Stroller Rental

A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available at the Mid and South Gates with proper identification. $15.00 for manual wheelchairs and $5.00 for single strollers. Summerfest is not responsible for strollers or their contents left unattended on the grounds. Strollers are not allowed inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Guest(s) must be 18 years or older with a valid ID to rent. Scooter rentals are no longer available. Wheelchairs and strollers rented from Milwaukee World Festival, inc. are not permitted off the grounds.