Milwaukee PrideFest is loading up the lakefront this summer, rolling out a star-heavy lineup as it returns to Henry Maier Festival Park for a three-day 30th-anniversary run from June 4–6. Organizers say the weekend will mix drag powerhouses, TV talent-show standouts, comedians and local DJs, all capped with an expanded fireworks finale. The plan is to balance nostalgia with fresh faces and family-friendly programming that pulls in everyone from first-timers to festival lifers.
Who’s Headlining
The 2024 headliners read like a greatest-hits reel of queer pop culture and club energy. RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Lydia B. Collins, Kori King, Suzie Toot and Olivia Lux will share top billing with America’s Got Talent performers Brody Ray, Brian Justin Crum and Jake Wesley Rogers, plus comedian Dulce Sloan, '90s hitmaker Sophie B. Hawkins and hometown favorite DJ Shawna. The acts are spread across PrideFest’s five stages and late-night slots, according to WISN.
Anniversary Programming and Fireworks
This summer marks PrideFest’s 30th season at Henry Maier Festival Park, and organizers are sticking with the familiar Thursday–Saturday format. Wes Shaver, Milwaukee Pride’s president and CEO, said in a statement to WISN, “This year’s 30-minute fireworks show (the longest in our history) reflects that celebration.” The weekend’s schedule is built around music, comedy and nightlife programming meant to pack the grounds and give long-time attendees and new visitors plenty of ways to plug into the festivities.
What to Expect
Beyond the headliners, festival-goers can expect carnival rides and more than 120 vendors serving up food, art and community resources, along with dedicated programming for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Daily hours and stage schedules are posted on PrideFest’s official lineup and ticket pages, and the online box office is already selling single-day and multi-day passes, according to PrideFest.
Why It Matters
PrideFest has grown into one of Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ+ gatherings, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and serving as a major cultural and economic driver for Milwaukee’s lakefront, per Travel Wisconsin. Festival leaders say this year’s anniversary tilt underscores inclusivity and youth engagement, part of a broader push to expand community resources and build out local partnerships, a strategy outlined in a recent profile of Milwaukee Pride’s CEO by Shepherd Express.
Tickets and Details
Tickets and the full stage schedule are available through PrideFest’s online box office. For maps, transit options and lodging near the lakefront grounds, visitor guides from Travel Wisconsin can help plan the trip. Organizers say additional activations and scheduling details will roll out as the festival weekend gets closer.
