What you need to know about the Harley-Davidson Homecoming 120th anniversary festival in Milwaukee

Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·7 min read

Harley riders and fans, start your engines.

Every five years, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle company hosts a big bash in its hometown. But for its 120th anniversary in 2023, they're really going all out, with a four-day citywide party featuring a parade, several free events, and two of the biggest rock bands in the world: Foo Fighters and Green Day.

Here's everything we know about the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival.

When and where is the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?

The 120th anniversary bash takes place July 13 through 16 at several locations in the Milwaukee area. They include:

  • Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive

  • 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

  • Suburban Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St., Thiensville

  • Wisconsin Harley-Davison, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc

  • House of Harley-Davidson, 6221 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield

  • West Bend Harley-Davidson, 2910 W. Washington St., West Bend

  • Uke's Harley-Davidson, 5995 120th Ave., Kenosha

When and where are the Foo Fighters and Green Day performing for Harley Fest?

Veterans Park will be the site of the Homecoming Festival's main event: a two-day music festival July 14 and July 15.

Green Day will headline the Veterans Park concert July 14. It will be their second Milwaukee show in the past 19 years, after kicking off Summerfest 2021 as part of the Hella Mega Tour. Their set runs from 8:45 to 10:45 p.m.

Foo Fighters will play Veterans Park the following night, July 15, also from 8:45 to 10:45 p.m. They were the first band to play a major concert in Milwaukee in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a grand opening bash for the remodeled American Family Insurance Amphitheater that topped the Journal Sentinel's list of best concerts of the year. The Harley show will be one of the first for Dave Grohl and company since the unexpected death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins last year. (Veteran drummer Josh Freese is now behind the kit.)

Foo Fighters frontman and guitarist Dave Grohl performs during their concert at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater at Maier Festival Park on July 30, 2021, the venue's grand reopening following a $51.3 million renovation.
Foo Fighters frontman and guitarist Dave Grohl performs during their concert at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater at Maier Festival Park on July 30, 2021, the venue's grand reopening following a $51.3 million renovation.

What other bands are playing Veterans Park for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?

Opening for Green Day July 14 are, in order of appearance: Milwaukee native Abby Jeanne (3 p.m.); Wisconsin-raised pop-punk artist KennyHoopla (4 p.m.); synthpop duo Phantogram (5:15 p.m.); and The Cult (7 p.m.). The Cult replaced punk-rock band Social Distortion, who had to drop out of tour dates this summer for health reasons.

Bands playing before Foo Fighters July 15 include: Ghost Hounds (3 p.m.), White Reaper (4 p.m.), Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (5:15 p.m.), and outlaw country artist Cody Jinks (7 p.m.).

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What else is happening at Veterans Park during the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?

Beyond the concerts, Veterans Park will feature entertainment and activities beginning at 2 p.m. each day, including stunt shows the Wall of Death, Nitro Circus and Ball of Steel (three showtimes daily); an auction each day from 2 to 8 p.m.; and a burger build-off competition Saturday hosted by chef and "The Bear" actor Matty Matheson, each day at 6:15 p.m.

Food and beverages from local restaurants and Harley Homecoming-exclusive merch also will be available for purchase at the park. For the full schedule visit h-d.com/homecoming.

How much are tickets for the Veterans Park concerts? How do I get them?

Single-day general-admission tickets are now $129.10 for Friday (including a $19.10 fee), and $139.94 for Saturday (including a $19.94 fee), at h-d.com/homecomingtickets. Two-day general-admission tickets are $232.05 (including a $27.05 fee). VIP tickets are sold out. Children 10 and younger get in free accompanied by an adult with a ticket.

Green Day will headline the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on Friday, July 14.
Green Day will headline the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on Friday, July 14.

What free activities will be part of the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?

The party will culminate with a motorcycle parade through downtown July 16, with spectating hours set for 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The Harley-Davidson Museum also will host free concerts, BMX stunt shows and Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike Races daily. The campus also will display custom motorcycles, 2023 motorcycles, and the IRONe and Serial 1 electric bicycles, and offer demos of Harley's Livewire all-electric motorcycle.

The Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls also will offer free tours, police skill demonstrations and demo rides.

In addition, there are several community events, including Bastille Days, that are partnering with the Harley Homecoming. We've got all the details on free things to do at the Harley fest, including scheduling and locations, and you can get more info at h-d.com/homecoming.

Will the Harley-Davidson Museum be open?

Even with multiple free events happening on campus July 13 to 16, the museum will be open to visitors. Tickets are available for $22, or $8 for children ages 5 to 17, at h-d.com/homecomingtickets. Members of the Harley Owners Group, or H.O.G will get free access to the museum every day during the festival.

Are Milwaukee-area Harley dealerships celebrating the Homecoming?

Six dealerships will be celebrating the Homecoming with free live music and other events throughout the week, including Milwaukee Harley-Davidson; Suburban Harley-Davidson; Wisconsin Harley-Davidson; West Bend Harley-Davidson; and Uke's Harley-Davidson.

The House of Harley-Davidson went all out booking some national acts for free concerts, including Pop Evil (July 13), the Marshall Tucker Band (July 14) and Sister Hazel (July 15). Each show has supporting acts, with area bands Bella Cain and Led Zeppelin tribute band No Quarter headlining their own House of Harley-Davidson shows on July 13 and 16, respectively. Headliners take the stage at 8 p.m. each day, with the exception of July 16, when No Quarter performs at 3 p.m.

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Are there special perks for H.O.G. members?

The company's official riding club is also celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023. Members will be able to check in at the museum for a special commemorative gift, and can participate in a "H.O.G. Ride Challenge" by visiting predetermined locations in the Milwaukee area to collect tokens that can be redeemed at the museum for a gift. There's also a free H.O.G. event at the Bud Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (640 S. 84th St. in West Allis) from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Members must present a card to get in with a guest.

Are any hotels, campgrounds or home rentals offering discounted rates for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?

Harley is encouraging visitors to use Eaglerider to rent motorcycles or book bike and lodging packaged tours at a discount. But beyond that, there aren't specific partner hotels or campsites offering discounts, at least none that are endorsed by Harley so far. The Homecoming website has links to Visit Milwaukee, Vrbo and Airbnb for rooms and rentals, and to Washington County Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair Park and Waukesha County Park Systems for campsite rentals.

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Where are the ride-ins to the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?

Harley has six suggested routes. The longest, at nearly 3,000 miles, is the southwest route, starting from Laidlaw's Harley-Davidson, a dealership in Los Angeles County, that hits 11 stops along the way, including Las Vegas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and St. Louis.

The northwest route is second-longest at 2,500 miles, starting from Paradise Harley-Davidson in Portland, Oregon, and passing by Mount Hood, the Great Salt Lake and through the Rocky Mountains.

The Canada west route is about as long, traveling from Vancouver to Winnipeg before crossing the border into the United States.

The Canada east route, spanning 1,800 miles, starts from Halifax, Nova Scotia, while the southeast route, also about 1,800 miles, zigzags across Florida and passes through the Great Smoky Mountains.

The northeast route, the most modest journey at 1,300 miles, starts from Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton, New Hampshire, and includes a stop at the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operation in York, Pennsylvania.

And along with the parade, there will also be multiple rides in the area during the festival, with details at h-d.com/homecoming.

Where can I get more information about the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?

This article will be updated as more information becomes available, with further details to come at h-d.com/homecoming.

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Harley Davidson Homecoming anniversary fest 2023: Tickets, concerts