From tequila to Tejano music, here's what you need to know about Mexican Fiesta Milwaukee
Milwaukee's Mexican Fiesta, one of the largest Mexican festivals in the Midwest, returns to the Summerfest grounds the last weekend in August to celebrate half a century of tradition, music, food and fun.
The 50th annual festival will feature big-time performances, a car and motorcycle show, traditional art and music, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
Festival-goers can experience the Día de los Muertos parade, compete in the jalapeño eating contest and try authentic tequila and Pan de Feria.
From exciting music performances to educational cultural activities and more, here's what you need to know about Mexican Fiesta 2023.
When is Mexican Fiesta?
Mexican Fiesta 2023 runs for three days, from Friday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 27. Festival hours are noon to midnight all three days.
Where is Mexican Fiesta?
Mexican Fiesta takes place on the Summerfest grounds, Henry Maier Festival Park at 200 North Harbor Drive.
What is the Mexican Fiesta entertainment lineup?
At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, Mexican pop band Los Bukis ― led by five-time Latin Grammy winner Marco Antonio Solís ― will kick off Mexican Fiesta with their only Midwest appearance of 2023. The concert will take place at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in the festival park.
Tickets to Los Buckis at Mexican Fiesta are available on Ticketmaster. Anyone with tickets is granted free admission to Mexican Fiesta on the Friday of the festival.
Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m., folk-rock Americana band the Lumineers will take the American Family Insurance Amphitheater stage with special guest James Bay. Tickets are available online, starting at $38. Concert-goers receive free admission to Mexican Fiesta on Saturday with the purchase of a Lumineers ticket.
Throughout the festival, Mexican Fiesta will also feature numerous entertainment performances free with the purchase of admission. Festival organizers are currently finalizing the entertainment lineup, but scheduled performers include Tejano artists Lucky Joe and three-time Grammy-winner Sunny Sauceda, Cuban salsa singer Rey Ruiz and popular artists Gerardo Coronel and Hijos de Barrón.
An up-to-date lineup of Mexican Fiesta performers can be found online at mexicanfiesta.org.
Discover tradition, treats and crafts at the Cultural Pavilion
The fiesta Cultural Pavilion aids in Mexican Fiesta's mission of encouraging "individuals from all ethnic backgrounds to share the beauty of Latin countries’ history, art, music and food."
Pavilion visitors can explore an exhibition of Mexican arts and crafts from over 150 artisans, coming directly from various Mexican states, and can even purchase handmade items. Festival-goers can also check out the "Festival de los Muertos" exhibit, take part in Friday's Catrinas contest or watch the Día de los Muertos parade taking place Friday at 8 p.m.
Additionally, the Cultural Pavilion will feature a genealogy exhibit, folkloric dancers and freshly baked Pan de Feria.
Milwaukee Mexican Fiesta will feature a 'wide variety' of Mexican food and drinks
According to the festival website, Mexican Fiesta will have a "wide variety" of food and beverages, with multiple restaurants and food stands located throughout the festival grounds. Fest-goers can also purchase Jarritos and other beverages with beverage tickets.
All beverages at the festival, including water, soda and alcoholic beverages, must be purchased with beverage tickets, which can be purchased at the ticket booths located throughout the festival grounds. However, all food vendors can take cash and credit or debit cards.
Mexican Fiesta food offerings in 2022 included tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, gorditas, carnitas, pinchos, burritos, pizza, corn in the cup and a large selection of desserts. Pan de Feria, a traditional Mexican bread, will be available at the Cultural Pavilion.
The festival will also offer tequila tasting, with tequila showcased directly from Jalisco, Mexico.
When is the Mexican Fiesta car and motorcycle show?
The popular fiesta car and motorcycle show will take place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the festival grounds.
The show will feature vintage and custom vehicles from across the Midwest, including street rods, custom cars and motorcycles, pickups and street machines.
You can register your vehicle to take part in the show for $40 on the Mexican Fiesta website. All vehicles are subject to inspection before entering the Summerfest grounds.
When and where can I celebrate mass at Mexican Fiesta?
A free Catholic mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at the BMO Harris Pavilion on the festival grounds. Gate 10 will be open for mass from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Although mass is free, afterwards, promotions and gate ticket prices still apply.
Following mass, a lakefront procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will take place at 12:15 p.m. The procession meeting point is at the lakefront side of the Water Street Brewery building, south end.
A sanctuary honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will be open all three days of the festival from noon to 10 p.m. Catholics can take part in confession at the sanctuary from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
What else is there to do at Mexican Fiesta?
Mexican Fiesta offers many activities that celebrate Mexican culture and the city of Milwaukee. Fest-goers can support local businesses at the festival's new Viva MKE Plaza, watch the children's soccer tournament or discover helpful resources at the Community and Health Fair.
The festival will also hold contests with cash prizes, including a dance contest and a jalapeño eating contest.
How do I get tickets to Mexican Fiesta?
Mexican Fiesta tickets can be purchased online at mexicanfiesta.org/admission-information or at the festival gate.
General admission at the gate for guests ages 9 and up is $24. Presale tickets can be purchased for $19 online, at all Milwaukee-area El Rey grocery stores or at the Mexican Fiesta office at 2997 South 20th Street. Children 8 and under enter the festival for free with an adult.
All three days, stamps for re-entry into the festival will be available, however, there is no re-entry after 9 p.m.
Mexican Fiesta ticket discounts and deals
Friday only admission is free for all from noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, admission is free from noon to 1 p.m. for seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, active duty military personnel and veterans with current identification.
Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. only, general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate for $15.
Through Aug. 10, you can purchase the Family Pack online, which includes four general admission tickets for $68. Tickets purchased online can be printed at home or scanned from your mobile device if they've been downloaded to your phone.
What cause does Mexican Fiesta support?
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. WHSF provides scholarships to Latino students enrolled in Wisconsin colleges and universities who provided volunteer service for WHSF events, including Mexican Fiesta.
Since its founding in 1987, WHSF has provided over $1.8 million in scholarships to Wisconsin residents.
Where do I park for Mexican Fiesta?
According to the festival website, parking is available in the Summerfest General Parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. The price of parking is determined by Summerfest, not Mexican Fiesta.
Where can I learn more about Mexican Fiesta?
For more information about Mexican Fiesta, visit mexicanfiesta.org or call the Mexican Fiesta office at (414) 383-7066.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mexican Fiesta Milwaukee 2023: lineup, food, tickets, deals and more
