What you need to know about 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee
Why wait five years?
That's how much time would pass between Harley-Davidson's major anniversary bashes in Milwaukee, headlined over the years by superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Aerosmith.
But in 2023, the Harley festivities were rebranded as the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, with Green Day and Foo Fighters headlining a two-day music festival in Veterans Park in honor of the motorcycle company's 120th anniversary.
And now for the first time, the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is becoming an annual event. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and Hardy will headline a two-day Veterans Park music festival this time out, with special events scheduled for all over the city July 25 to 28.
Here's everything we know that you need to know about the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival.
When and where is the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2024?
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is happening in Milwaukee July 25 to 28. Festivities are planned at these locations, including a brand-new venue for 2024, Harley-Davidson's Davidson Park.
Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Davidson Park, 3700 W. Juneau Ave.
Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St.
Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, W156-N9000 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls
Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, 11310 W. Silver Spring Road
House of Harley-Davidson, 6221 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St., Thiensville
Uke's Harley-Davidson, 5995 120th Ave., Kenosha
West Bend Harley-Davidson, 2910 W. Washington St., West Bend
Wisconsin Harley-Davison, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc
When and where are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and Hardy performing?
The centerpiece of the Homecoming again will be a two-day music festival in Veterans Park, July 26 and 27.
Fast-rising country superstars Jelly Roll and Hardy will co-headline night one July 26.
Drug dealer and felon-turned-rapper-turned-country-hitmaker Jelly Roll played to a sold-out crowd of about 23,000 people at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater last year, one of the Journal Sentinel's top Milwaukee concerts of 2023.
Hardy, meanwhile, performed in front of more people in Milwaukee than nearly any other artist last year, as the primary opener for Morgan Wallen's stadium tour kickoff at American Family Field over two nights in April 2023 in front of 84,800 people.
The Chili Peppers will close out the music fest-portion of Harley Homecoming July 27.
The last time they played Milwaukee was 2017, for the opening night of Summerfest's 50th celebration at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Their best-known guitarist, John Frusciante, has since reunited with Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Chad Smith, following a 10-year absence.
What other bands are playing Veterans Park for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Last year, the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival had 10 acts play Veterans Park. This year, there'll be over a dozen playing two stages.
Jelly Roll closes out night one on the main stage, the Davidson Stage, on July 26, performing from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. Co-headliner Hardy will play the Davidson Stage from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Preceding them both on the Davidson Stage are country up-and-comers Warren Zeiders (5:45 to 6:45 p.m.) and Priscilla Block (4:15 to 5 p.m.), with an opening act to be announced performing from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
The secondary stage, dubbed the Iron Stage, on July 26 will feature DJ Chill from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and 5 to 5:45 p.m., followed by emerging country artists Shaylen (6:45 to 7:30 p.m.) and Hueston (8:45 to 9:30 p.m.).
July 27 will be more rock-focused. Red Hot Chili Peppers close it out from 9:15 to 10:45 p.m. on the Davidson Stage, preceded by punk veterans the Offspring (7:30 to 8:30 p.m.), seminal rap group Cypress Hill (5:45 to 6:45 p.m.), female-led emerging punk band Destroy Boys (4:15 to 5 p.m.), and an opening act to be announced (3 to 3:30 p.m.) On the Iron Stage, Milwaukee's own DJay Mando kicks things off from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and 5 to 5:45 p.m., followed by alt-rock act Irontom (6:45 to 7:30 p.m.) and Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver (8:30 to 9:15 p.m.).
What else is happening at Veterans Park during the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
Motocross stunt crew Nitro Circus will once again be on hand with four shows each day on their very own Mototainment Stage. See them July 26 at 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., 6:15 to 6:45 p.m., 7:15 to 7:45 p.m., and 8:15 to 8:45 p.m. On July 27 they'll perform from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m., 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. and 8 to 8:30 p.m.
Each day there'll also be special interactive experiences for Harley fans from 2 to 7 p.m., and experiences provided by fest sponsors from 2 to 9 p.m. Stores selling Harley and artist merchandise, and food and drink vendors, will be open from 2 to 11 p.m. each day.
How much are tickets for the Veterans Park concerts? How do I get them?
As of April 17, single-day general admission tickets are $125, single-day "GA+" tickets are $235, and single-day VIP passes are $325.
Two-day general admission passes are $200, two-day "GA+" tickets are $375, and two-day VIP passes are $500.
"GA+" is new this year. Perks include access to the "GA+ Lounge"; access to a shaded seating area; air-conditioned restrooms, private full-bar service and dedicated food vendors; a dedicated concierge; and a water refill station.
VIP passes include access to an exclusive viewing platform at the main stage; a dedicated entrance lane; express lane access at the merch store; access to a VIP lounge; access to a shaded seating area; air-conditioned restrooms; private full-service bar and dedicated food vendors; access to a jumbo screen with livestream of the main stage; access to an exclusive merchandise pop-up store; a dedicated concierge; water refill station; and lockers and mobile charging units available for rent.
You can get tickets at hdhomecoming.com/tickets.
Will the Harley-Davidson Museum be open during the 2024 Homecoming Festival? What free activities will they have?
The museum will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 25 to 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28, with tickets available for $22 for adults; $8 for children ages 5 to 17; and free for children younger than 5, at hdhomecoming.com.
The Harley-Davidson Shop and Harley-Davidson Factory Outlet at the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 25; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 and 27; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 28. The 2024 new product showroom will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 25 to 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28.
The Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team Experience will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the museum campus each day. The V-Twin Visionary Custom Motorcycle Showcase is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25 to 26 and July 28. On July 27, V-Twin Visionary will instead present the Willie G. Davidson Ride In Custom Bike Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with bike show awards set for 4 to 5 p.m.
The official Harley-Davidson Member check-in will be at the museum campus from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 25 to 27, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28. Real Deal Revolution Workshops and Harley-Davidson Insurance Services are on hand 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 and 27. There'll be interactive experiences provided by festival sponsors operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The on-site Motor Bar and Restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 25; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 26 and 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28. Food trucks and concession stands will be open on the museum campus from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 25; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 and 27; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28.
And if all that isn't enough, there'll be free concerts too. The biggest name is guitar master Kenny Wayne Shepherd, performing from 9:30 to 11 p.m. July 25 on the Rockford Fosgate Stage, preceded by Austin Meade (7:45 to 9 p.m.) and War Hippies (6:15 to 7:15 p.m.).
Free concerts continue July 26 with God's Outlaw (4 to 4:45 p.m.), Hillbilly Casino (5:15 to 6:15 p.m.) and Big Guns (6:45 to 8 p.m.).
Shows July 27 start with local group Cold Sweat and the Brew City Horns (Noon to 3 p.m.), then tribute acts Poison Overdose (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) and Motley Crucial (7 to 8 p.m.).
A band has yet to be announced for an 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. set July 28. Sons of Sconnie close out the museum stage the last day from 2 to 4 p.m.
What's planned at the Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations during the Homecoming?
A self-guided half-hour tour is being offered for $15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 to 27, where some insight into the engine assembly process will be offered. The factory will be fully operational on July 25, and employees will be on site for interactions, but there'll be limited production on July 26 and 27. Tours are popular so expect lines. Eye and ear protection is required (available on site if need be), and everyone must wear fully enclosed shoes with a heel that's less than one inch. Children younger than 12 are not permitted on the tour. Everyone who takes the tour will receive a special keepsake. Tour tickets are available at hdhomecoming.com.
There'll also be food and beverage vendors and a retail shop on site open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. And attendees can take a demo ride on a new 2024 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and watch a police skills demonstration.
How are Milwaukee-area Harley dealerships celebrating the 2024 Homecoming?
House of Harley-Davidson is bringing in a big act - Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke - for a free show at 8 p.m. July 25. There'll be more free live music July 26 to 28 with bands to be announced. The party will last from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 25 to 27, with the dealership itself open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. those days. The party and dealership will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28.
Wisconsin Harley-Davidson will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 25 to 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28. They'll host 22 bands on two stages across the four days. July 25 features The First Wave (11:45 a.m.), Six Pack Sammy (12:45 p.m.), Bad Boy (3:15 p.m.), Boo! The Band (4:15 p.m.), Love Monkeys (7 p.m.) and Almighty Vinyl (8 p.m.). The bands July 26 include Dirty Boogie (11:45 a.m.), Driving Miss Crazy (12:45 p.m.), ZZ Top tribute Eliminator (3:15 p.m.), Addiction (4:15 p.m.), Rebel Grace (7 p.m.) and Metal Men (8 p.m.). On July 27 the dealership hosts Vintage Groove (11:45 a.m.), Brent Bel (12:45 p.m.), 33RPM (3:15 p.m.), Joe 2.0 (4:15 p.m.), Sam Llanas (7 p.m.) and Kings of Radio (8 p.m.). The last day July 28 features Our House (10 a.m.), 5 Card Studs (11:15 a.m.), King Kong (1:45 p.m.) and Too Hype Crew (3 p.m.).
Milwaukee Harley-Davidson and West Bend Harley-Davidson will both be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 25 to 27, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28. At each dealership there'll be two live bands from 3 to 9 p.m. July 25; three bands each day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 26 and 27, and a final band from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28, all to be announced. Vendors and food and beverage stands will be open from 3 to 9:30 p.m. July 25, 11 to 9:30 p.m. July 26 and 27, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28.
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson and Uke's Harley-Davidson are also planning special events to be announced.
What's Davidson Park, and what's planned there for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
New for 2024, Davidson Park is a 5.8 acre-site just south of the company's Juneau Avenue headquarters, the first phase of a "repurposing" of the west side campus. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 to 27, the park will be the starting point for a historical walking tour; the first 1,000 tour attendees each day will receive an exclusive Juneau Ave Historical Tour coin. The park will also be the site of a "Building a Milwaukee Icon" photo exhibit and vintage motorcycle showcase, and food and beverage vendors and a retail shop will be on site.
Additional events at the park and Harley-Davidson headquarters include a "Homecoming Rev-Up!" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 and an opening ceremony from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; a "Ste(a)magination Day" event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 26; and an interactive art and culture fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27.
Will there be a motorcycle parade at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival may now be an annual event — but the festival's customary closing motorcycle parade through downtown won't be. The next Homecoming Festival parade is planned for 2028 for what would be the company's 125th anniversary.
Is there a special theme for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Harley may not be celebrating a milestone birthday, but it will be honoring Willie G. Davidson during the 2024 festival. The son of former Harley-Davidson president William H. Davidson and grandson of company co-founder William A. Davidson, Willie G. Davidson is a Harley-Davidson folk hero in his own right, retiring from the company in 2012 after 49 years of employment, concluding with his role as chief stylist officer.
What hotel, campground and home rentals options are there for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Harley-Davidson recommends visiting the Visit Milwaukee website (visitmilwaukee.org), which has its own dedicated page for people visiting the festival, including access to lodging options.
Where can I get more information about the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
More information — including accessibility details, perks for H.O.G. members, prohibited items, directions and more — is available or will become available at hdhomecoming.com and the Harley-Davidson app. This Homecoming Festival guide also will be updated through July 2024.
Ricardo Torres contributed to this report.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, what you need to know
