Harley riders and fans, start your engines.
Every five years, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle company hosts a big bash in its hometown. But for its 120th anniversary in 2023, they’re really going all out, with a four-day citywide party featuring a parade, several free events, and two of the biggest rock bands in the world: Foo Fighters and Green Day.
Here’s everything we know about the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival. Make sure to check back as more details and events are revealed.
When and where is the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
The 120th anniversary bash takes place July 13 through 16 at several locations in the Milwaukee area. They include:
- Veterans Park, 1010 N Lincoln Memorial Drive
- Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St.
- Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, W156-N9000 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls
- Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, 11310 W. Silver Spring Road
- Suburban Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St., Thiensville
- Wisconsin Harley-Davison, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc
- House of Harley-Davidson, 6221 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
- West Bend Harley-Davidson, 2910 W. Washington St., West Bend
- Uke’s Harley-Davidson, 5995 120th Ave., Kenosha
When and where are the Foo Fighters and Green Day performing?
Veterans Park will be the site of the Homecoming Festival’s main event: a two-night music festival July 14 and July 15.
Green Day will headline the Veterans Park concert July 14, only their second Milwaukee show in the past 19 years, after kicking off Summerfest 2021 as part of the Hella Mega Tour.
Foo Fighters will play Veterans Park the following night, July 15. They were the first band to play a major concert in Milwaukee in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a grand opening bash for the remodeled American Family Insurance Amphitheater that topped the Journal Sentinel’s best concerts of the year list. The Harley show will be one of the first for Dave Grohl and company since the unexpected death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins last year. (As of this writing, a new drummer for the group has yet to be announced.)
What other bands are playing the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
Opening for Green Day July 14 are Wisconsin-raised pop-punk artist KennyHoopla, synthpop duo Phantogram, punk-rock band Social Distortion and, to kick things off, a Milwaukee band yet to be announced.
Another yet-to-be-named Milwaukee band will kick off the Foo Fighters show July 15. Other bands on the bill that day include garage-rock band White Reaper, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and outlaw country artist Cody Jinks.
The schedule for the Veterans Park concerts has yet to be finalized. There’ll be more live music at multiple locations throughout the four-day weekend, with details to be announced.
What else is happening at Veterans Park during the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
Beyond the big shows, Veterans Park will feature family-friendly entertainment and activities throughout the day July 14 and 15. Food and beverages from local restaurants and Homecoming-exclusive merch also will be available for purchase at the park.
How much are Harley-Davidson Homecoming tickets? How do I get them?
Single-day general admission tickets are $99, or $180 for two-day tickets, at hd.com/homecomingtickets.
VIP tickets are also available on the ticket site, for $205 (single day) or $355 (both days). Perks include access to an elevated deck with views of the stage; an air-conditioned lounge with seating, restrooms, and dedicated vendor and bar (separate purchases required for food and beverages); concierge service; lockers and mobile charging units available for rent; and a pass to allow you to ride in the motorcycle parade on July 16.
Children ages 10 and under get in free accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
What free activities will be part of Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
The party will culminate with a motorcycle parade throughout the city July 16, with routing and schedule to be announced.
The Harley-Davidson Museum will also host free concerts, BMX stunt shows and Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike Races daily, schedule to be announced. The campus will also display custom motorcycles, 2023 motorcycles, and the IRONe and Serial 1 electric bicycles, and offer demos of Harley’s Livewire all-electric motorcycle.
The Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations will also offer free tours, police skill demonstrations and demo rides.
Will the Harley-Davidson Museum be open?
Even with multiple free events happening on campus July 13 to 16, the museum will be open to visitors. Tickets are available for $22, or $8 for children ages five to 17, at hd.com/homecomingtickets.
Are Milwaukee-area Harley dealerships celebrating the Homecoming?
Six dealerships will be celebrating the homecoming, likely with special events, but none has announced plans so far. Check back for more information.
Are there special perks for HOG members?
The Harley Owners Group, the company’s official riding club, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023. Members will be able to check in at the museum for a special commemorative gift, and can participate in a “HOG Ride Challenge” by visiting predetermined locations in the Milwaukee area to collect tokens that can be redeemed at the museum for a gift.
Are any hotels, campgrounds or home rentals offering discounted rates for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Harley is encouraging visitors to use Eaglerider to rent motorcycles or book bike and lodging packaged tours at a discount. But beyond that, there aren’t specific partner hotels or campsites offering discounts, at least none that are endorsed by Harley so far. The Homecoming site has links to Visit Milwaukee, Vrbo and Airbnb for rooms and rentals, and to Washington County Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair Park and Waukesha County Park Systems for campsite rentals.
Where are the ride-ins to the Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
Harley has six suggested routes. The longest, at nearly 3,000 miles, is the southwest route, starting from Laidlaw’s Harley-Davidson, a dealership in Los Angeles County, that hits 11 stops along the way, including Las Vegas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and St. Louis.
The northwest route is second-longest at 2,500 miles, starting from Paradise Harley-Davidson in Portland, Oregon, and passing by Mount Hood, the Great Salt Lake and through the Rocky Mountains.
The Canada west route is about as long, traveling from Vancouver to Winnipeg before crossing the border into the United States.
The Canada east route, spanning 1,800 miles, starts from Halifax, Nova Scotia, while the southeast route, also about 1,800 miles, zigzags across Florida and passes through the Great Smoky Mountains.
The northeast route, the most modest journey at 1,300 miles, starts from Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton, New Hampshire, and includes a stop at the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operation in York, Pennsylvania.
Where can I get more information about the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
This article will be updated as more information becomes available, with further details to come at hd.com/homecoming.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
More:Foo Fighters, Green Day headlining Harley-Davidson’s 120th anniversary bash in Milwaukee
Comments are closed.