Summerfest Announces 2025 Promotions, Discounts & How to Get Free Tickets

Milwaukee's massive Summerfest festival has arrived for 2025, and the admission price is $30 this year.

However, Summerfest has announced a series of promos and discounts for the festival that include multiple ways to get free tickets. There are promotions for military veterans and police, for college and high school students, if you donate blood, or socks, and a variety of other discounts.

Summerfest, which hosts a variety of free musical acts along with major headliner concerts, runs over three different weekends, June 19-21, June 26-28, and July 3-5.

Here are some of the promotions: 

Sock & Oral Hygiene Promotion

Saturday, June 21 from 12 – 3 p.m.

The first 1,500 patrons who arrive between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. and who donate new socks, deodorant, and/or "oral hygiene items (toothbrush and toothpaste) with a total minimum value of $10 (per person), will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only," Summerfest says.

All donations "benefit he Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership," Summerfest says.

Summerfest described the socks as the greatest need.

Summerfest App Promotion

June 19, June 20, or June 21 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The first 15,000 people who download the Summerfest app "will be able to claim a free digital admission ticket," Summerfest wrote. "The tickets are valid for one admission on June 19, June 20, or June 21 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. only."

To claim the free promo ticket, "go under the tickets tab in the app and select the "Pepsi Promo Ticket button," Summerfest advises:

• "Enter your name, email, and phone number.
• Select the Summerfest 2025 First Weekend 1 day admission ticket that is displayed
• Select the GET TICKETS button and add 1 (one) to your cart
• Checkout and complete your order! You can then view your barcode."

"Good for 1 Admission before 4 p.m. on either June 19, June 20, or June 21. Limit (1) one per device. While supplies last. Not valid for admission to American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows," Summerfest wrote.

Discounted Tickets & Beverages 

Thursday, June 26 from 12 to 6 p.m.

Summerfest is offering $5 admission and 50 percent "off select beverages. Enjoy a collection of music through the decades from various throwback artists," the site says.

From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., "all beer, seltzer, Cherry Vodka Lemonade, Aquafina Water, and soda will be 50% off!" the festival advises. 

College & High School Student Promotion

Friday, June 27 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

All patrons "who arrive between 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. wearing a shirt or hat representing a participating college or university, or showing a valid high school ID, will receive one FREE admission ticket," Summerfest says. 

"Tickets are only valid for the day and time of the promotion. Stop by the Mid Gate Promotions Booth to claim your ticket...Only shirts or hats from the following colleges or universities will be accepted:"

• Beloit College
• Carroll University
• Herzing University
• Marquette University
• Milwaukee Area Technical College
• St. Norbert College
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• University of Wisconsin-Parkside
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

All high school students "who begin their FAFSA before July 5 will receive a code redeemable for a FREE General Admission Summerfest Ticket. For more information on how to request your ticket code, visit Mepwisc.org(opens in new tab at www.mepwisc.org)."

Military, Police, Fire & EMT Promotion

Saturday, June 28 from  12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"Active-duty military personnel and veterans, police, fire and EMT (along with up to four family members) arriving between 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. who present a valid Military ID, copy or photo of a DD-214 form, driver’s license with Veteran classification, law enforcement or fire department agency-issued credentials at the designated turnstile at any gate will be admitted for FREE," Summerfest says. 

"Police and fire union ID cards will also be accepted with a photo ID."

Children's Book Promotion

Saturday, June 28 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The first 2,500 patrons "who donate new or gently used children’s books with a $10 minimum value will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only," Summerfest noted. "Picture books and early readers for children ages birth through 10 are preferred. All books collected at the Mid Gate Promotions Booth will be donated to Next Door."

Kwik Trip Promotion

Friday, July 4 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"All patrons arriving between 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. will be admitted FREE, and the first 5,000 attendees to enter through the Mid-Gate will receive a commemorative can cooler," Summerfest wrote, noting that Kwik Trip is sponsoring this promotion.

Potawatomi Promotion & $1 Million Drawing

Saturday, July 5 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

"All patrons arriving between 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. will be admitted FREE, compliments of Potawatomi Casino Hotel and Summerfest," Summerfest wrote. 

"Plus, the first 30,000 patrons arriving through the gates will receive an admission ticket for Summerfest 2026 AND a BIG WIN entry ticket," Summerfest noted. 

"To participate in the BIG WIN drawing, simply drop the perforated BIG WIN Entry ticket in a specially marked bin inside the Summerfest Mid Gate between the hours of 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. on July 5, 2025 p.m. on July 5 to be entered for the opportunity to win $1 million dollars and a guaranteed share of $10,000."

Blood Donation

"All patrons who donate blood at a Versiti Blood Center location in Wisconsin or Illinois between June 9 – June 15, will receive access to one FREE General Admission Summerfest ticket, while supplies last," Summerfest wrote.