Smoke on the Water MKE’s BBQ & Brews Fest Returns Saturday, May 30 at Henry Maier Festival Park

MILWAUKEE, WI (March 11, 2026) – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF) is excited to announce the return of Smoke On The Water – MKE’s BBQ & Brews Fest presented by Harley-Davidson, the ultimate celebration of bold flavors, cold brews, and live music, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Henry Maier Festival Park (HMFP).

Kick off festival season lakeside as top BBQ vendors take over the lakefront, serving up slow-cooked favorites and mouth-watering bites. Smoke on the Water food vendors will offer tasting sized portions of their signature menu items starting at just $5, along with full-size favorites, providing an opportunity for fans to try a wide variety of BBQ. The vendor list and sample menu items are listed below:

• Atwood Hwy BBQ Shack – Jalapeno Brisket Twinkie’s, BBQ Chicken
• Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que – St. Louis Ribs, Texas Burnt Ends
• Johnny’s Kitchen Creations – Jerk Tips. Smoked Corned Beef Sandwich
• Nino’s Southern Sides – BBQ Chicken Wings, BBQ Ribs
• Pop’s BBQ Memphis Style – Pulled Pork Sandwich, Beef Brisket Dinner
• Real Urban BBQ – Chicago Baby Back Ribs, Mac Attack
• Roll MKE – Loaded Hog Sandwich, Korean Pork Belly Slider
• Smokin’ Jack’s Bar-B-Que – Jamaican Jerk Smoked Chicken Sandwich, Smoked Pork Shoulder Slider

Inside the Mid Gate, live music takes over the Aurora Pavilion featuring electric country rock band, Crossfire, and a dynamic lineup of Top 40 hits from The Playlist. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of onsite activities including a local marketplace, 9-hole mini golf course, classic yard games, and the Northwestern Mutual Community Park featuring inclusive and accessible play equipment for children of all ages.

Beer lovers can enjoy various Molson Coors products, along with new selections from Leinenkugel’s. For those looking beyond beer, Smoke On The Water will offer a wide assortment of seltzers, non-alcoholic beverages, and specialty cocktails.

Tickets are on sale now HERE – buy early and save! General Admission tickets are just $6 in advance.

Smoke On The Water Ticket information:

• General Admission: $6.00 – (children 10 and under admitted free)

• VIP: $75 – includes the following:

• Three Complimentary Tasting Size Menu Items
• Two Complimentary Beverages (Beer or Seltzers)
• Private Deck with Bar
• Whiskey and Bourbon Tasting
• Complimentary Soft drinks and Water
• Dedicated Entry Lane

For further information visit Smoke On The Water – MKE’s BBQ & Brews Fest.

About Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is an independent, private 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1965 that produces Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance, a three-weekend independent music festival featuring over 600 artists across 12 stages. Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. also maintains and improves Henry Maier Festival Park, located on 75 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park hosts a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, concerts, family programming, walks, runs, and other special events. The mission of the organization is to promote an understanding of different ethnic cultures, the histories and traditions of various nationalities, harmony in the community, civic pride as well as to provide a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation for the public and employment opportunities for the youth of the community. For more details, visit MilwaukeeWorldFestival.com or Summerfest.com, and on socials @MilwaukeeWorldFestival or @Summerfest.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.