Submissions for Up-and-Coming Artists Now Open to Perform during Summerfest 2026

Milwaukee, WI (October 21, 2025) – Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance announced today that online submissions for up-and-coming artists to perform during Summerfest 2026 are now open. Artists can apply at Summerfest.com, courtesy of Amplead, through December 21, 2025.

Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is an independent music festival held on the shores of Lake Michigan, featuring a multi-genre lineup across 12 stages over three weekends – June 18-20, June 25-27, and July 2-4, 2026. The partnership between Summerfest and Amplead gives emerging bands an unforgettable opportunity to share the stage with some of the biggest names in music. Artists selected by Amplead to perform during the 2025 festival included:

• Bad Skin – Montreal, Canada
• Raine Stern – Los Angeles, California
• Lines in the Sky – Nashville, Tennessee
• Life After 5 – Chicago, Illinois
• Allison Mahal – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“We’re proud to team up once again with Amplead and provide rising artists a chance to take the Summerfest stage and connect with a community of music lovers” said Scott Ziel, Vice President of Entertainment, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with Summerfest for the second year running in providing our Apply to Play service,” said Gavin Barnard, Chief Relations Officer at Amplead. “Summerfest is world-renowned for creating opportunities and celebrating new talent, and this process gives emerging artists a real chance to shine at an incredible festival. We’re proud to work with Summerfest to help open that door and be part of their journey.”

For the opportunity to perform during Summerfest, APPLY NOW at Summerfest.com.

About Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance
Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance is one of the most iconic celebrations of music in America, hosting the industry’s biggest acts for an unforgettable live music experience. Since its inception in 1968, Summerfest continues to distinguish itself as a premier independent national music festival and has developed an unrivaled reputation, consistently featuring hundreds of performances across 12 stages, throughout the permanent 75-acre festival grounds along Lake Michigan. Summerfest 2026 will take place across three weekends: June 18-20, June 25-27, and July 2-4, 2026.

For the latest information, visit Summerfest.com, or Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok: @Summerfest.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., producer of Summerfest, continues to fulfill its nonprofit mission of bringing the community together and providing a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation to the public, through music and special events.

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.