What you need to know about 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee
Why wait five years?
That's how much time would pass between Harley-Davidson's major anniversary bashes in Milwaukee, headlined over the years by superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Aerosmith.
But in 2023, the Harley festivities were rebranded as the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, with Green Day and Foo Fighters headlining a two-day music festival in Veterans Park in honor of the motorcycle company's 120th anniversary.
And now for the first time, the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is becoming an annual event. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and Hardy will headline a two-day Veterans Park music festival this time out, with special events scheduled for all over the city July 25 to 28.
Here's everything we know that you need to know about the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival.
When and where is the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2024?
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is happening in Milwaukee July 25 to 28. Festivities are planned at these locations, including a brand-new venue for 2024, Harley-Davidson's Davidson Park. More details are to be announced.
Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Davidson Park, 3700 W. Juneau Ave.
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
House of Harley-Davidson, 6221 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
Suburban Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St., Thiensville
Uke's Harley-Davidson, 5995 120th Ave., Kenosha
West Bend Harley-Davidson, 2910 W. Washington St., West Bend
Wisconsin Harley-Davison, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc
When and where are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and Hardy performing?
The centerpiece of the Homecoming again will be a two-day music festival in Veterans Park, July 26 and 27.
Fast-rising country superstars Jelly Roll and Hardy will co-headline night one July 26.
Drug dealer and felon-turned-rapper-turned-country-hitmaker Jelly Roll played to a sold-out crowd of about 23,000 people at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater last year, one of the Journal Sentinel's top Milwaukee concerts of 2023.
Hardy, meanwhile, performed in front of more people in Milwaukee than nearly any other artist last year, as the primary opener for Morgan Wallen's stadium tour kickoff at American Family Field over two nights last April in front of 84,800 people.
The Chili Peppers will close out the music fest-portion of Harley Homecoming July 27.
The last time they played Milwaukee was 2017, for the opening night of Summerfest's 50th celebration at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Their best-known guitarist, John Frusciante, has since reunited with Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Chad Smith, following a 10-year absence.
What other bands are playing Veterans Park for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Last year, the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival had 10 acts play Veterans Park. This year, there'll be a full dozen.
Preceding Hardy and Jelly Roll July 26 are country up-and-comers Warren Zeiders, Priscilla Block, Hueston and Shaylen, with the latter expected to kick things off.
The second day will be more rock-focused, with punk veterans the Offspring; female-led emerging punk bands Destroy Boys and Otoboke Beaver (the latter from Japan); and alternative-rock act Irontom kicking things off. Seminal rap group Cypress Hill will also take the Harley stage July 27.
Set times have yet to be announced.
What else is happening at Veterans Park during the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
Details have yet to be announced, but Harley-Davidson is promising a "family-friendly" setting "for riders and non-riders" with "moto-culture inspired entertainment," plenty of food and beverage offerings and custom merchandise.
How much are tickets for the Veterans Park concerts? How do I get them?
As of Jan. 18, the date tickets went on sale at hdhomecoming.com, single-day general admission tickets are $125, single-day "GA+" tickets are $235, and single-day VIP passes are $325.
Two-day general admission passes are $200, two-day "GA+" tickets are $350, and two-day VIP passes are $475.
"GA+" perks include access to the "GA+ Lounge"; access to a shaded seating area; air-conditioned restrooms, private full-bar service and dedicated food vendors; a dedicated concierge; and a water refill station.
VIP passes include access to an exclusive viewing platform at the main stage; a dedicated entrance lane; express lane access at the merch store; access to a VIP lounge; access to a shaded seating area; air-conditioned restrooms; private full-service bar and dedicated food vendors; access to a jumbo screen with livestream of the main stage; access to an exclusive own merchandise pop-up store; a dedicated concierge; water refill station; and lockers and mobile charging units available for rent.
Will the Harley-Davidson Museum be open during the 2024 Homecoming Festival? What free activities will they have?
The museum will be open, with tickets available for $22 for adults; $8 for children ages 5 to 17; and free for children younger than 5, at hdhomecoming.com. Along with the customary exhibits, the museum campus also will host concerts, bike shows and other activities that are free to attend without a museum ticket. Details are to be announced.
What's planned at the Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations during the Homecoming?
A self-guided half-hour tour is being offered for $15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the homecoming where some insight into the engine assembly process will be offered. The factory will be fully operational on July 25, and employees will be on site for interactions, but there'll be limited production on July 26 and 27. Tours are popular so expect lines. Eye and ear protection is required (available on site if need be), and everyone must wear fully enclosed shoes with a heel that's less than one inch. Children younger than 12 are not permitted on the tour. Everyone who takes the tour will receive a special keepsake. Tour tickets are available at hdhomecoming.com.
How are Milwaukee-area Harley dealerships celebrating the 2024 Homecoming?
Details have yet to be announced, but area dealerships often offer free live music and other activities during the Homecoming Festival.
What's Davidson Park, and what's planned there for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
New for 2024, Davidson Park is a 5.8 acre-site just south of the company's Juneau Avenue headquarters, the first phase of a "repurposing" of the west side campus. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 to 28, the park will be the starting point for a historical walking tour, and there'll be free concerts, and food and drinks for sale, throughout the festival. More details are forthcoming.
Will there be a motorcycle parade at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival may now be an annual event — but the festival's customary closing motorcycle parade through downtown won't be. The next Homecoming Festival parade is planned for 2028 for what would be the company's 125th anniversary.
Is there a special theme for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Harley may not be celebrating a milestone birthday, but it will be honoring Willie G. Davidson during the 2024 festival. The son of former Harley-Davidson president William H. Davidson and grandson of company co-founder William A. Davidson, Willie G. Davidson is a Harley-Davidson folk hero in his own right, retiring from the company in 2012 after 49 years of employment, concluding with his role as chief stylist officer.
What hotel, campground and home rentals options are there for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Harley-Davidson recommends visiting the Visit Milwaukee website (visitmilwaukee.org), which has its own dedicated page for people visiting the festival, including access to lodging options.
Where can I get more information about the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
More information — including accessibility details, perks for H.O.G. members, prohibited items, directions and more — is available or will become available at hdhomecoming.com and the Harley-Davidson app. This Homecoming Festival guide also will be updated through July 2024.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What you need to know about 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
