Last Updated on June 3, 2025 by Kristin
Heading to the Summerfest this year? This massive music festival in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin brings together more than 600 artists performing an eclectic mix of genres across several stages. Renting a car is a convenient option for heading to the festival, as on-site parking is available. Here’s how to snag a cheap car rental for Summerfest.
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How to Get a Cheap Rental Car for Summerfest
Book early.
Don’t wait—book your rental car to Summerfest as soon as you make plans to go to the festival. The event is hugely popular, drawing in more than half a million people every year. Rental car companies can run out of vehicles during periods of high demand, so it’s best to book as early as possible. Choosing the “pay later” option allows you to reserve a car without paying anything until you pick it up. To get the best possible rate, ask AutoSlash for a free quote before booking.
Track your reservation with AutoSlash.
One of the perks of booking a car rental early is that you can always rebook later if a better rate pops up later. AutoSlash will do this for free so you don’t have to spend hours constantly monitoring prices. We’ll track your reservation and send you an alert for any price drops before your trip so you can rebook at the cheaper rate.
Check airport and off-airport rates.
Are you flying into Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)? An airport rental might be convenient, but it might not be the best deal. A short Uber ride to a nearby neighborhood rental location could cut your rate in half. Then again, off-airport rates aren’t always cheaper, so it pays to ask us for two separate quotes.
Make the most of a weekend rate.
Car rental companies can offer very attractive weekend promo rates—but it’s important to understand how pricing works. Knowing a little about rental car logic will help you get the most bang for your buck out of a weekend rental.
Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops
Reserve a parking pass.
Summerfest has its own parking lots, and you can buy parking passes online in advance. The spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also check out online platforms such as SpotHero or ParkWhiz to find parking at downtown Milwaukee garages.
Summerfest Dates: June 19-21, June 26-28 and July 3-5, 2025
Summerfest is one of the country’s biggest music festivals. The nine-day event takes place during three weekends in June and July, and will feature more than 600 artists performing at the Henry Maier Festival Park in downtown Milwaukee. The lineup is eclectic, spanning genres including rock, pop, country, hip hop and indie.
Some of the most notable headliners at Summerfest 2025 include:
- Def Leppard
- James Taylor
- Hozier
- Lainey Wilson
- Gigi Perez
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Benson Boone
- The Lumineers
- The Killers
How to get to Summerfest: Summerfest takes place in downtown Milwaukee at the Henry Maier Festival Park, right on the Lake Michigan shore. Be aware that some roads near the festival grounds will be closed. While typing in “Summerfest” on Google Maps and Waze should take you to the park, festival organizers encourage concertgoers to exit the highway before arriving at the lakefront to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Check the Summerfest website for detailed instructions about the best way to arrive at the festival and a list of recommended parking garages.
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