summerfest 2026 lineup unveiled: over 150 acts span metal, pop, K-pop and more

Festival organizers revealed the headliner roster on Feb. 19 (ET), announcing a sprawling lineup that reinforces the event's reputation for genre breadth. The 58th edition will bring more than 150 acts to Milwaukee's lakefront this summer, with multiple weekends of concerts and two kickoff shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

Standout headliners underscore range from metal to K-pop

Big names anchor the bill: metal titans Megadeth sit alongside alt-rock mainstays Third Eye Blind and the genre-blending singer and voice actor Audrey Nuna, billed as a breakout presence. Pop and hip-hop appear prominently with Flo Rida, All Time Low and Post Malone, while classic-rock and veteran performers include David Lee Roth, Gene Simmons and The Family Stone carrying on the legacy of Sly Stone.

EDM and electronic acts are well represented by Subtronics and others, and regional favorites and singer-songwriters such as Trapper Schoepp get stage time alongside international and cross-genre artists. Organizers framed the collection as deliberately eclectic: the programming spans multiple generations and styles to appeal to wide audiences over the festival's three weekend blocks.

Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO of the festival's parent organization, said she was thrilled to present the lineup for the 58th edition, noting the festival's long history of mixing established superstars with rising acts and local talent.

Weekend-by-week highlights and kickoff concerts

Summerfest will return to Maier Festival Park June 18–20, June 25–27 and July 2–4 (all dates ET). Two special kickoff concerts take place June 16 and 17 at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, with a major country superstar headlining those opening nights.

Notable date highlights revealed Feb. 19 (ET) include:

• June 16: major country headliner for the amphitheater kickoff.
• June 18: a mix of country and indie acts, plus Third Eye Blind and Passion Pit among the evening draws.
• June 19: hip-hop and rock collide with Don Toliver, Father John Misty, Styx and Amyl and the Sniffers scheduled across stages.
• June 20: a diverse Sunday slate featuring Carín León, David Lee Roth and Trapper Schoepp.
• June 25–27: headliners include Ed Sheeran and Subtronics, with additional sets from The Roots, Kaleo, Louis Tomlinson and Post Malone across those days.

Beyond those marquee names, the revealed schedule lists dozens of additional performers across genres, ensuring full days of music and a rotating cast across stages.

What attendees should expect and practical notes

Organizers emphasized both the scale and the logistical planning needed for a festival that spans multiple weekends. Attendees can anticipate a mix of stadium-caliber headliners and smaller-stage discoveries; the programming intentionally balances legacy artists and emerging acts to maintain broad appeal.

As with past editions, the festival returns to a multi-stage format on the lakefront, offering attendees the chance to catch headline performances as well as lesser-known artists who often become breakout finds. With daytime and evening sets across weekdays and weekends, the schedule is designed to accommodate both daytrippers and multi-day ticket holders.

The announcement marks the start of the lead-up to summer, and with more than 150 acts now listed, the event is shaping up as one of the city's largest cultural draws for the season.