The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival has hosted more than 140,000 people in Milwaukee the past two years.
Now the motorcycle company is gearing up for the third annual festival, with help from Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr.
The country superstars and legends will headline two days of Veterans Park concerts, joining a list of past Homecoming headliners including Foo Fighters, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and Hardy. The concerts will again be the centerpiece of the four-day Homecoming Festival.
Here’s everything we know that you need to know. Come back to this story as the festival approaches for more updates.
Chris Stapleton performs at a sold-out Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.
When and where is the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2025 taking place?
The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2025 will happen July 10 to 13 in multiple locations in Milwaukee and surrounding suburbs, including:
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Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
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Harley-Davidson Headquarters and Davidson Park, 3700 W. Juneau Ave.
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Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St.
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Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, W156-N9000 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls
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Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, 11310 W. Silver Spring Road
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House of Harley-Davidson, 6221 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
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Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St., Thiensville
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Uke’s Harley-Davidson, 5995 120th Ave., Kenosha
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West Bend Harley-Davidson, 2910 W. Washington St., West Bend
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Wisconsin Harley-Davison, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc
Country music legend Hank Williams Jr. packed downtown Wilmington as he performed at the 2019 Azalea Festival Friday night. April 5, 2019.
When and where are Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. performing?
The Harley Homecoming’s central event will again be two days of concerts at Veterans Park in downtown Milwaukee that, for the first time since the festival’s inception in 2023, will be dominated by Americana and country music.
Hank Williams Jr. will headline night one of the concerts in the park on July 11. The son of country legend Hank Williams, the Country Music Hall of Famer will be 76 years old when he takes the Harley stage for his first area appearance since a Wisconsin State Fair headlining gig in 2021.
Country legend in the making Chris Stapleton will close out the Veterans Park concerts on July 12 — another noteworthy Milwaukee gig following three sold-out concerts in the city each year from 2021 to 2023: first at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during Summerfest, then at Fiserv Forum, then opening for George Strait (and performing with him) at American Family Field. One of country music’s most acclaimed and awarded stars of the moment, Stapleton has released another decorated album since the last Milwaukee show, “Higher,” that’s expected to be showcased in his setlist at the Harley Homecoming.
Turnpike Troubadours perform on Friday December 15, 2023 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
What other artists are playing Veterans Park for the 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
Several fast-rising Americana and country music stars will play Veterans Park ahead of Stapleton and Williams.
On July 10, arguably the buzziest band of the bunch, Treaty Oak Revival, will perform the last set on the main stage before Williams, preceded by Charles Wesley Godwin (a frequent visitor to Milwaukee the last couple of years at Summerfest and opening for Luke Combs at American Family Field), Ole 60 and Kendell Marvel.
Then on July 11, Turnpike Troubadours — who headlined Fiserv Forum in 2023 — will directly open up for Stapleton. Before them, the fest will see performances from Sierra Ferrell, who’ll be fresh off a stadium run opening for Jelly Roll and Post Malone, along with 49 Winchester and the Droptines.
Set times have yet to be announced. Additional artists also are expected to be announced.
What else is happening at Veterans Park during the 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
More information on other Veterans Park attractions during the Harley Homecoming is forthcoming, but if it’s like previous years, fans can expect Harley-related interactive experiences, performances by motocross stunt crews and more.
How much are tickets to the Veterans Park concerts? How do I get them?
There are three types of tickets available at hdhomecoming.com — general admission, GA+ and VIP — for either a single day or for two days.
General-admission tickets include park access, including free water refill stations, and free admission for a child age 10 and under per ticket.
GA+ tickets also include access to a special lounge area with shaded seating area (first come, first serve between performances), air-conditioned restrooms, a private full-service bar and dedicated food vendors, with access to a designated GA+ concierge.
VIP tickets include a special covered viewing platform of the main stage; access to a VIP lounge area (with similar amenities to the GA+ lounge, plus a dedicated Harley-Davidson merchandise pop-up store) and jumbo screen to watch the performances; a dedicated entry lane for the festival; and access to an express lane at the main merchandise store.
Info on prices isn’t available yet.
Museum-goers look inside of the Engine room exhibit inside of the Harley-Davidson Museum located at 400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee.
Will the Harley-Davidson Museum be open during the 2025 Homecoming? What activities will they have?
The museum will be open, with tickets available for $25 for adults, and $17 for children ages 5 to 17. Admission is free for children younger than 5, and also for Harley Owners Group, Access Pass Members and Museum Annual Passholders during the festival. Anyone planning to tour the Harley museum, Powertrain Operations and the company headquarters can purchase tickets for all three for $45, which amounts to a $10 discount off an adult museum ticket.
The museum is also expected to offer free events during the festival, which in past years has included live music. More details are forthcoming.
What’s planned at the Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations during the Homecoming?
The Menomonee Falls facility will again be offering 30- to 45-minute self-guided tours during the Harley Homecoming, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 10 to 13, for $15 per person, with tickets available at hdhomecoming.com. The tours will include a chance to walk the factory floor, see the assembly line and steel and aluminum machining areas, and interact with employees. While tours are during the factory’s operating hours, Harley-Davidson cannot guarantee that every area will be in operation.
No children younger than 12 are permitted, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Safety googles provided to guests must be worn at all times; cameras and recording devices are prohibited. Anyone requiring accessibility accommodations can call 262-502-8239.
People spend time at the recently opened Davidson Park in Milwaukee on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
What’s planned at Harley-Davison headquarters and Davidson Park during the Homecoming?
Davidson Park, which opened last year outside Harley-Davidson headquarters in time for the 2024 Homecoming, is expected to host free events. Details haven’t been announced.
The park also is expected to be on the route for the guided Harley-Davidson Juneau Avenue Historical Tour, which includes indoor and outdoor stops and details about the company’s history. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10-12 for $15, or $10 for children ages 5 to 10; tickets are available at hdhomecoming.com. Children younger than 5 can go on the tour for free.
Are there any discounts for people planning to do all three tours?
Anyone planning to tour the Harley museum, Powertrain Operations and company headquarters can purchase tickets for all three for $45, or $15 for children ages 5 to 17 (with the caveat that Powertrain tours are not available for children younger than 12).
What are area Harley dealerships doing to celebrate the Homecoming?
All six area Harley dealerships tend to host their own events during the Homecoming Festival, including performances from live bands. Details will be released later.
Will there be a motorcycle parade during the 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
No. The motorcycle parade that used to close out Harley hometown celebrations on milestone anniversaries will not take place this year. Expect the next motorcycle parade in 2028, for the company’s 125th anniversary.
What hotel, campground and home rentals options are there for the 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival?
The Visit Milwaukee website (visitmilwaukee.org) has its own dedicated page for people visiting the festival, including access to lodging options and other helpful information.
Where can I get additional information about the 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming?
More information — including accessibility details, 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 2025.
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: 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival: What you need to know
