German Fest Milwaukee 2025: Complete Lineup Guide

Tom Schneider and the 2/5th's

July 25-27, 2025 | Milwaukee's Historic Summerfest Grounds

Get ready for three days of authentic German culture, music, food, and festivities at German Fest Milwaukee 2025! As one of Milwaukee's most beloved cultural festivals, German Fest brings together traditional and contemporary German entertainment across multiple stages. Here's your complete guide to this year's incredible lineup.

Friday, July 25, 2025 - Opening Day Highlights

Headliner Acts

Voxxclub takes the stage Friday night (9:45 PM - 11:45 PM) at the Miller Lite Oasis, bringing their modern take on traditional Alpine folk music.

Featured Performers

• Tom Schneider and the 2/5th's (3:00 PM - 7:00 PM) - Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard

• The Adlers Band (7:30 PM - 12:00 AM) - Lakefront Brewery Oktoberfest Pavilion

• Die Heimatklänge (7:30 PM - 12:00 AM) - Generac Power Stage

• Alpine Blast (7:45 PM - 12:00 AM) - Miller Lite Oasis

• Juhe Aus Tirol (4:30 PM - 7:15 PM, 7:45 PM - 9:30 PM) - Lakefront Brewery Oktoberfest Pavilion

Die Heimatklänge - HK

Traditional Dance & Cultural Performances

• German Fest Opening Ceremony (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

• Holzhacker Dancers (5:00 PM - 5:15 PM)

• Wendlstoana Dancers (7:00 PM - 7:15 PM)

• Oberlandler Kinder/Adults (7:15 PM - 7:30 PM)

• Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt (7:30 PM - 7:45 PM)

Local Favorites

• The Bierman (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM)

• Freistadt Alte Kameraden (3:00 PM - 4:45 PM, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)

• Alpine Echoes (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Evening Spectacular & Fireworks

Saturday night culminates with a spectacular fireworks display from 10:30 PM - 11:00 PM across all venues, followed by late-night performances.

Headliner Acts

Voxxclub returns for two performances (9:15 PM - 10:30 PM, 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM), ensuring no one misses this popular act.

All-Day Entertainment

• The Adlers Band (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM, 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

• Tom Schneider and 2/5th's (12:00 PM - 2:45 PM)

• Dorf Kapelle (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM)

• The Bierman (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM, 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

• Die Heimatklänge (6:45 PM - 10:30 PM)

Cultural Showcases

• Trachtenschau (Traditional Costume Show) (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

• Mardi Gras Show (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

• Milwaukee German Immersion (2:00 PM - 2:15 PM)

• United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee Kinder/Youth/Kultur (1:30 PM - 2:00 PM)

Regional German-American Groups

• Donauschwaben Society of Chicago (6:15 PM - 6:30 PM)

• Akron Donauschwaben (6:30 PM - 6:45 PM)

• Spielmannszug Milwaukee Drum and Bugle Corps (7:00 PM - 7:15 PM)

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Sunday features a more relaxed atmosphere perfect for families, with performances running from noon through early evening, plus the festival's most beloved special event!

18th Annual Dachshund Derby

The 18th Annual Dachshund Derby returns as German Fest's ultimate crowd-pleaser! This adorable competition welcomes 100 doxies for a day of fun, racing, and German-themed entertainment.

Derby Schedule:

• 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM: Dachshund Registration Table

• 12:00 PM: German Fest Gates Open

• 1:05 PM: Blessing of the Doxies

• 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM: Race Heats and Awards

• 2:30 PM: Costume Contest

• 3:00 PM: Dachshund Derby Concludes

• Until 5:30 PM: Free Doggy Day Care Available

Racing Categories (by age):

• Braunschweigers: Special Needs and Older dogs

• Knockwursts: 8+ years

• Schnitzels: 5-8 years

• Bratwursts: 3-5 years

• Frankfurters: 1-3 years

• Lil' Smokies: Puppies to 1 year

Registration: $18 (includes one German Fest entry ticket). Note: Only registered Dachshunds are permitted on festival grounds due to Summerfest regulations.

Featured Acts

• The Adlers Band (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM) - Extended performance

• Juhe Aus Tirol (3:30 PM - 7:00 PM) - Afternoon showcase

• Alpine Blast (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM)

• Die Heimatklänge (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

The Alpine Blast Trio

Family-Friendly Programming

• Dank Singers (2:30 PM - 2:45 PM)

• Dank Dancers (2:45 PM - 3:00 PM)

• United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee Kinder/Youth/Kultur (2:45 PM - 3:15 PM)

Continuous Entertainment

• Dorf Kapelle (12:00 PM - 2:30 PM)

• The Bierman (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

• Freistadt Alte Kameraden (Multiple performances throughout the day)

The Original Glockenspiel

Throughout all three days, catch The Original Glockenspiel for authentic German musical tradition with multiple short performances daily, including:

• Friday: 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM

• Saturday: 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM

• Sunday: 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM

What Makes German Fest Special

German Fest Milwaukee isn't just about the music—it's a complete cultural immersion featuring:

• Authentic German cuisine from bratwurst to schnitzel

• Traditional German beverages including craft German beers

• Cultural demonstrations and educational programming

• Family activities and children's entertainment

• Artisan vendors selling German crafts and imports

With over 30 different musical acts and cultural groups performing across three days, German Fest offers something for every age and interest. Whether you're drawn to traditional folk music, contemporary German rock, cultural dance performances, or family-friendly activities, this festival celebrates the rich German heritage that helped shape Milwaukee.

Pro tip: With performances running simultaneously across multiple venues, plan your schedule in advance to catch your must-see acts. The festival's compact layout makes it easy to move between stages.

Get Your Tickets

German Fest Milwaukee 2025 promises to be the largest celebration of German culture in the Midwest. Don't miss this opportunity to experience authentic German traditions, world-class entertainment, and Milwaukee's famous hospitality.

Visit the official German Fest Milwaukee website for tickets, parking information, and complete festival details, and here’s how to score free tickets through German Fest promotions.