Milwaukee’s Mexican Fiesta celebrates its 50th anniversary
Milwaukee’s Mexican Fiesta celebrates its 50th anniversary at the Henry Maier Festival Park
Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
One of the largest celebrations of Mexican culture, art, food and music in the Midwest is back: Mexican Fiesta will return to the Summerfest grounds this weekend.
Originally founded in 1973 as a street fair in honor of Mexican Independence Day, Mexican Fiesta has grown to a three-day celebration with food and drink vendors, musical performances, soccer and volleyball tournaments, a Catholic Mass, a 5K run and walk, and a popular car and motorcycle show.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentorship to Hispanic students in Wisconsin.
From fundraising efforts to ticket deals, here’s everything you should know about Mexican Fiesta 2025:
When and where is Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee?
Mexican Fiesta is at Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive. It runs from Friday, Aug. 22, to Sunday, Aug. 24, from noon to midnight all three days.
Who are the performers at Mexican Fiesta 2025?
Throughout the weekend, Mexican Fiesta will feature dozens of performers across three stages.
The big-ticket performers include Banda Corona Del Rey, Raymix, Adolescents Orquesta, Lila Downs, Los Rieleros del Norte, Banda La Auténtica De Jerez, Luis Ángel “El Flaco”, Leonardo Aguilar and Inspector.
The daily performance schedule is available in the festival’s Instagram post below:
Food and drinks at the Mexican Fiesta
Mexican Fiesta attendees will have their pick of more than 40 food and drink vendors throughout the weekend, with offerings including tacos, roasted corn, mojitos, margaritas and a Jarritos bar.
Find a full list of food and beverage vendors here.
Mexican Fiesta car and motorcycle show: time, location, registration
The car and motorcycle show, one of the most popular events at the festival, will return this year with everything from street rods to custom motorcycles.
The show will run from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the south end of the festival park.
Pre-registration for the show is closed, but limited same-day registration spots will be open for $70 each. Registration includes entry of one vehicle, driver and guest, plus admission for the driver to the festival for that day.
Mexican Fiesta 5K run and walk
The last day of the festival will kick off with the annual 5k run and walk for obesity and diabetes awareness.
The walk and run will be held Sunday, Aug. 24, starting at the South Pavilion on the Summerfest grounds. Early bird registration is sold out, but standard registration will be available for $25 each on race day. Registration includes free entry to the festival for that day.
Here’s the race day schedule:
- 8 a.m. – Day-of registration and packet pick-up
- 8:45 a.m. – Pre-race stretch (led by Buena Tierra Run Club)
- 9 a.m. – Run/walk begins
- 10 a.m. – Post run/walk activities
- Noon – Mexican Fiesta gates open
Holy Mass and Procession at Mexican Fiesta
On Sunday, Aug. 24, a free Catholic Mass will be celebrated with Our Lady of Guadalupe, followed by a lakefront procession.
Gate 10 will be open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for the mass. Attendees can meet at the lakefront side of the Water Street Brewery building at 12:15 p.m. for the procession.
A sanctuary honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will also be open from noon to 10 p.m. all three days of the festival.
How do I get tickets to Mexican Fiesta?
Tickets for Mexican Fiesta can be bought at the gate or online at https://mexicanfiestastore.sfgrounds.com/.
Here are the ticket prices:
- Online, pre-sale tickets are $20 each.
- General admission tickets at the gate for attendees age 9 and up are $25 each.
- Children 8 and under enter for free with an adult.
Mexican Fiesta ticket discounts, free admission deals
Mexican Fiesta is running several ticket deals and discounts during the festival. Here are the deals for each day:
- Friday, Aug. 22: Free admission from 12 to 3 p.m. for the general public.
- Saturday, Aug. 23: Free admission from 12 to 1 p.m. for attendees 65 and older, people with disabilities, military active duty personnel and veterans with current identification.
- Sunday, Aug. 24: Free admission from 12 to 1 p.m. for attendees 65 and older, people with disabilities, military active duty personnel and veterans with current identification. Tickets at the gate will also be discounted to $16 each from 12 to 2 p.m.
What is the re-entry policy at Mexican Fiesta?
You can get a hand stamp to exit and re-enter the festival on Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 8:30 p.m.
No re-entry stamps will be issued after 8:30 p.m., and re-entry is not allowed after 9 p.m., according to the festival website.
What is the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation?
Mexican Fiesta is the annual fundraiser event of the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, which awards scholarships to young Hispanic men and women across the state.
Since its founding in 1987, the organization has raised more than $1.7 million in scholarship funds, according to the festival website.
Milwaukee Mexican Fiesta parking, public transportation
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Summerfest general parking lot, with prices set by Summerfest, not Mexican Fiesta. According to the Summerfest website, parking at the festival lots starts at $40 a day.
If you want to avoid parking at the festival, The Hop’s L-Line runs directly to the Summerfest grounds. The streetcar is free to ride, and route maps and schedules are available online.
