Republican National Convention | View Alert

We welcome RNC delegates and visitors from around the world to Milwaukee County. Note that from approximately Thursday, July 11-Friday July 19, security measures during the RNC will impact bus stops in the downtown area and traffic will impact service systemwide. Please expect delays and service changes with short notice. Visit RideMCTS.com/RNC for the complete list of stops served & interactive map with detour routing.

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Lakefront Festivals

Lakefront Festivals

Get ready for summertime fun on Lake Michigan! Milwaukee’s Lakefront festivals celebrate our rich cultural heritage and MCTS is here for all of it! 

For each of these fests, riders are encouraged to download the Umo mobile app to plan the most convenient route. Don’t live along a bus route? Pro tip: Park the car near one of the bus routes (for free), then ride the bus to and from the festival.

Listed below are details on the MCTS transit options for all these great fests.

The Lakefront Fests We Serve

Festa Italiana (May 31-June 2)

The Italian Community Center organizes and hosts Festa Italiana, the annual celebration of Italian culture, heritage and entertainment, at the Henry Maier Festival Park. The “Little Italy on the Lakefront” will feature Festa favorites such as the Cucina Showcase, Heritage/Cultural Exhibits, an Italian Idol competition, a Bocce Tournament, Sunday Mass, fireworks, and of course, Italian food and wine.  

PrideFest (June 6-8)

PrideFest Milwaukee is the largest annual LGBTQ+ festival in Wisconsin since 1987 and a celebration of diversity, community, culture. Enjoy the festivities and partake in the amazing food, entertainment and marketplace. Sing and dance alongside musical legends from your local favorites to world class entertainers. 

German Fest (July 26-28)

Established in 1981, German Fest Milwaukee is one of the largest German festivals in North America and strives to keep the German culture alive and well. German Fest, a Milwaukee Tradition, is always held the last full weekend in July at the Henry Maier Festival Park. German Fest Milwaukee is also known for its authentic food, culture and entertainment.  

Polish Fest (June 14-16)

Polish Fest is an annual three-day celebration of Polish heritage and culture, established in 1982. Rooted in Milwaukee's long held Polish heritage, this festival brings the community together to revel in history, heritage, food, dance, and so much more. Through the Polish Heritage Alliance and Polish Center of Wisconsin Polish Fest became the largest Polish festival in America and the Polish community is constantly growing.   

Irish Fest (August 15-18)

Milwaukee Irish Fest is the world's largest celebration of Irish/Celtic music and culture. The festival lineup features an array of renowned Irish, Scottish and Irish American artists across several music genres. Over 130,000 people attend the Fest each year to watch nearly 250 acts on 17 stages. The four-day festival started in 1981 and was founded by Edward J. Ward. 

 

Mexican Fiesta (August 23-25)

Mexican Fiesta is a three-day celebration of Mexican and Hispanic culture held on the third weekend of August at the Milwaukee Summerfest Grounds. Mexican Fiesta is a cultural foundation concentrating on providing education and cultural events for the growing Hispanic community. From lively performances to delicious culinary delights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Black Arts Fest (August 3)

Black Arts Fest MKE exists to celebrate the deep roots of African Heritage and the creativity of Black Cultural Arts. The festival strives to educate all and strengthen pride in African ancestry for fest-goers of all ages. Black Arts Fest MKE is packed with fun-filled festivities with exciting programming featuring art, education, music, rntertainment, poetry, fance, fashion, literature, heritage, health, wellness, community, cuisine, vendor markets and more. 

How to Get to Henry Maier Festival Park

CONNECT 1 Bus Rapid Transit (Wisconsin Ave) 

  • The CONNECT 1 BRT has multiple stations in downtown Milwaukee just north/northwest of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stations closest to the grounds are inside The Couture Transit Concourse, at Wisconsin & Van Buren & Wisconsin & Water. 

  • The CONNECT 1 BRT routing runs primarily along Wisconsin Avenue and Bluemound Road between the lakefront (on the east end) and the Watertown Plank Park & Ride Lot (on the west end). 

  • It travels along portions of Watertown Plank Rd, through the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, W. Bluemound Road, N. Hawley Rd and W. Wisconsin Avenue to The Couture located on 909 E. Michigan St just a short walk from Henry Maier Festival Park. 

  • The CONNECT 1 BRT operates between the hours of approximately 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekdays and approximately 5am-1:30am on weekends. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

GreenLine (Bayshore – Airport) 

  • The GreenLine has multiple stops in the Historic Third Ward, just west of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are Water & Chicago and Water & St. Paul. 

  • The GreenLine’s routing runs north and south between Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (on the south end) and Bayshore (on the north end). 

  • It travels along portions of S. Howell Avenue, S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, S. 1st Street, N. Water Street, E. Brady Street, N. Oakland Avenue, E. Hampton Avenue, N. Marlborough Drive, E. and W. Silver Spring Drive and N. Port Washington Road. 

  • The GreenLine operates nearly 24 hours a day on weekdays and approximately 4:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on weekends. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

Route 14 (Humboldt) 

  • Route 14 has multiple stops in downtown Milwaukee just north/northwest of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are at Wisconsin & Cass and Prospect & Mason. 

  • Route 14’s routing runs from Bayshore on the north end to Wisconsin Avenue and Cass in Downtown Milwaukee on the south end. 

  • It travels along portions of W. Wisconsin Avenue, N. Van Buren St. N. Prospect Avenue, N. Humboldt Boulevard, N. Wilson Boulevard, N. Santa Monica Boulevard, W. Silver Spring Drive, and N. Port Washington Road. 

  • Route 14 operates between the hours of approximately 4:30 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. depending on the day of the week. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

Route 18 (National – Greenfield) 

  • Route 18 has multiple stops in the Historic Third Ward, just west of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are at Water & Chicago and Water & St. Paul. 

  • Route 18’s routing runs from Greenfield & S. 124th on the west end the Third Ward/downtown Milwaukee to the Milwaukee School of Engineering on the east end. 

  • It travels along portions of W. Greenfield Avenue, W. National Avenue, S. 1st Street and N. Water Street. 

  • Route 18 operates approximately 4:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekdays, 4:00 am. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Sundays. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

Route 15 (Holton – Kinnickinnic) 

  • Route 15 has multiple stops in the Historic Third Ward, just west of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are at Water & Chicago and Water & St. Paul. 

  • Route 15’s routing runs from Chicago & Drexel in South Milwaukee (on the south end) to Richards & Capitol in Milwaukee (on the north end). 

  • It travels along portions of Chicago Avenue, S. Packard Avenue, S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, S. 1st Street, N. Water Street, N. Van Buren Street and N. Holton Street. 

  • Route 15 operates from 2:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays and from approximately 4:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 4:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

Route 30 (Sherman – Wisconsin) 

  • Route 30 has multiple stops in downtown Milwaukee just northwest of Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are at Van Buren & Wisconsin (eastbound) and Wisconsin & Jackson (westbound). 

  • Route 30’s routing runs from UW-Milwaukee south to downtown Milwaukee, west to 35th & Wisconsin, and north to Sherman & Woolworth (near Florist). 

  • It travels along portions of N. Sherman Boulevard, N. 40th Street, W. Highland Boulevard, N. 35th Street, W. Wisconsin Avenue, N. Van Buren Street, E. Ogden Avenue, N. Prospect Avenue-N. Farwell Avenue, N. Maryland Avenue and Downer Avenue to UW-Milwaukee. 

  • Route 30 operates from 4:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekdays, from 4:30 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and from 4:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

 

Route 33 (Vliet – 84th) 

  • Route 33 has multiple stops in downtown Milwaukee, within walking distance of the lakefront and Henry Maier Festival Park. The stops closest to the grounds are at Prospect & State and Van Buren & State. 

  • Route 33’s routing runs along Juneau/Vliet from the lakefront to Wauwatosa, then south to National & S. 76th Street in West Allis. 

  • It travels along portions of W. Juneau Avenue, W. Winnebago Avenue, W. Vliet Street, W. Milwaukee Avenue, Harwood Avenue, N. Glenview Avenue, S. 84th Street, W. Greenfield Avenue, S. 76th Street and W. National Avenue. 

  • Route 33 operates from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekdays, from 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and from 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. See the full schedule and view a map of the routing here. 

Looking for info on Summerfest?

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