Which festival is nicknamed “The Big Gig” in Milwaukee?

Summerfest is nicknamed “The Big Gig” in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee festival is an annual music event held at Henry Maier Festival Park beside Lake Michigan. Its nickname reflects both its scale and its broad programming, which has included rock, pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and local acts across many stages.

Summerfest began in 1968 after Milwaukee mayor Henry Maier supported the idea of a major city festival modeled partly on European events. The festival’s modern grounds occupy the former site of an airfield and are commonly called the Summerfest grounds.

The nickname is not the festival’s official title, and it should not be confused with the phrase “Big Gig” used informally for other large concerts. Summerfest is also separate from Milwaukee’s many ethnic and cultural festivals, which are held throughout the wider summer season.