Summerfest 2020 Canceled; Safety Of Large Gatherings Cited

MILWAUKEE, WI — Summerfest 2020 has been canceled amid ongoing concerns about the safety of large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, organizers said Thursday morning.

Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., said the Board of Directors met Thursday morning and made the decision to cancel this year's festival. This is the first time the festival has been canceled in its 53-year history. The dates of Summerfest 2021 will be announced in the coming weeks.

Organizers initially hoped to push Summerfest back to three weeks in September, but those plans ultimately fell through.

"After careful, diligent, and thoughtful consideration and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our community - including artists, fans, vendors, participants and staff – Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance will not take place in September 2020, as previously announced," Smiley said in a statement Thursday. "With five decades of festivals, countless legendary performances and millions of memories, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. explored numerous options to ensure the Summerfest tradition could continue in 2020 in a safe and healthy manner."

Thursday's announcement comes after staff, sponsors and vendors tried over the past two months to reformulate the festival for the rescheduled 2020 dates. "Our commitment to doing everything possible to preserve the social and economic impact of $186 million, which Summerfest generates annually is paramount, yet the uncertainties are too great," Smiley wrote. "The immediate future presents multiple levels of risk for our fans, and we choose the side of safety."

Refunds on Summerfest admission tickets purchased via Summerfest.com or Ticketmaster are available.