World's Largest Brat Fest

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The Gin Blossoms (left to right): Scott Johnson, Bill Leen, Robin Wilson, Jesse Valenzuela.

This year’s supersized Memorial Day weekend grill-out introduces the “corn brat” (like a corn dog but with a brat, natch), and brings back fireworks on Sunday night. As you fill your tummy with brats, fill your ears with music at four stages featuring performers from country to metal to contemporary Christian. This year’s headliners include former Staind frontman-turned-outlaw country singer Aaron Lewis (Friday, 8 pm), Southern rockers Black Stone Cherry (Sunday, 8 pm) and jangle-rockers Gin Blossoms (pictured, Monday, 4:30 pm). And a smorgasbord of local and regional bands makes for a full weekend for music fans. Find the full schedule below.

Hours: Friday: 6-9 am (Take Your Brat to Work Day) and 10am to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm; Monday: 10 am to 6 pm

FRIDAY: Grand Stage: Sleep Signals 1 pm, Good Morning V 2 pm, Morgan Whitney 3 pm, The Hootz 4 pm, Katie Scullin 5 pm, Rick Monroe 6 pm, Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey 7 pm, Aaron Lewis 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Band Eden noon, Lynn Stoneking 1 pm, Peter Eide 2 pm, Travis Agnew 3 pm, Adelaide 4 pm, Holly Starr 5 pm, Ayiesha Woods 6 pm, Seth & Nirvan 7 pm. Main Stage: Baby Rocket 11 am, Birth of Tragedy noon, Morningstar 1 pm, Untamed 2 pm, 7 Seasons Deep 3 pm, Revolution X 4 pm, Foo Foo Dollls 5 pm, Cherry Pie 6 pm. Island Stage: Jake O'McCluskey 1 pm, King Leopard 2 pm, Ethan Cox 3 pm, Rick Monroe 4 pm, Althea Grace 5 pm, Swing Crew 5 pm, WheelHouse 7 pm.

SATURDAY: Grand Stage: Sanctus noon, SuperTuesday 1 pm, The Adarna 2 pm, Winger 3 pm, Voodoo Fix 4 pm, Rip 5 pm, Mascot Theory 6 pm, Shallow Side 7 pm, Bobaflex 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Trinity Irish Dancers 11 am, Dance Dimensions 11:30 am, Lynn Stoneking noon, Holly Starr 1 pm, 6'10 2 pm, Adelaide 3 pm, Peter Eide 4 pm, Marc Martel 5 pm, Todd Agnew 6 pm, Stars Go Dim 7 pm. Main Stage: Rae 11 am, South City Revival noon, Teddy Davenport 1 pm, Ron Denson 2 pm, Beth Kille Band 3 pm, Virginia Liquor Co. 4 pm, Kirstie Kraus 5 pm, Madison County 6 pm. Island Stage: Technoir 11 am, Morgan Whitney noon, Go Play God 1 pm, Falcon 2 pm, Left of Reason 3 pm, Ultrea 4 pm, Metal Gonz 5 pm, Ultrea 6 pm, Denim n Leather 7 pm.

SUNDAY: Grand Stage: Jasmine Cain 1 pm, Sunspot 2 pm, Fall of Man 3 pm, Jessica Meuse 4 pm, Gwen Sebastian 5 pm, Royal Bliss 6 pm, Saving Abel 7 pm, Black Stone Cherry 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Redimer Musical 11 am, Rey y sus Diamantes noon, Mariachi Monarchas 1 pm, Ballet Folklorico de Maria Diaz 2 pm, Rock Impacto 3 pm, Terkos de la Sierra 4 pm, Maury Martin Bachata y Mas 5 pm, Sofi Martinez 6 pm, Orquesta M.A.S. 7 pm. Main Stage: Sucker Punch 11 am, Johnny Likes Noize noon, ZamTrip 1 pm, Torn Between 2 pm, Pacific Coast Highway 3 pm, Lords of the Trident 4 pm, Kings of Radio 5 pm, Stryper 6 pm. Island Stage: North Code 11 am, Jeremy Scruggs noon, Royal Bliss 1 pm, Lower 5th 2 pm, Schmoolio 3 pm, Last Crack 4 pm, Saving Abel 5 pm, Playground of Sound 6 pm, Angels & Outlaws 7 pm.

MONDAY: Grand Stage: Pilot 11:30 am, Ben Haggard 12:25 pm, Brandon Gibbs Band 1:20 pm pm, Vajra 2:40 pm, Wayland 3:35 pm, Gin Blossoms 4:30 pm. Lifest Stage: Kehl School of Dance 11:40 am, Matt Kolb noon, AJ the Animated Illusionist 1 pm, Noah John & Ringing Iron 2 pm, Jamie Kimmett 3 pm, Tom Coverly 4 pm, Travis Agnew 5 pm. Main Stage: Perry Hutchins 11 am, Otherwise noon, Old Soul Society 1 pm, Autumn Reverie 2 pm, Jessi Lynn 3 pm, Kasey Tyndall 4 pm, Dead Horses 5 pm. Island Stage: Trick Shot 11 am, Sam Ness noon, Michael Reed Band 1 pm, Hook Up 2 pm, Madpolecats 3 pm, Claudettes 4 pm, Mad City Funk 5 pm.

Kids Sport Zone: For kids who love to move around! There's something for every kid, all day, every day! Soccer, sack races, bounce house inflatables, flag football, pony rides, a petting zoo, mascot races and Brat Toss. New this year is a log-rolling exhibition.

Take Your Brat to Work Day: Friday (May 25) from 6am to 9am, Brat Fest will be cooking for local businesses to pick up lunch for their employees while helping local charities. Eat Street is back again this year, offering delivery for orders over 60-count from 9am to 12pm. 

(NEW) Take Your Brat to Senior Day: Sunday (May 27) from 10am to 1pm, Brat Fest will deliver sponsored brats to local senior communties.

Custom Car Show: On Sunday (May 27), enjoy our amazing Custom Car Show from 10am to 4pm, near the south exit to Willow Island. Cars Curing Cancer will have over 100 cars on display!

(NEW) Island Tent Stage: A new, high-energy way to enjoy free live music and experience table service, craft and domestic beer, and a variety of Wollersheim wine or Yahara Bay cocktails.

Kids Art Zone, presented by EZ Office Products: Cool down or just take a break in one of our shaded tents with tables and chairs.  Try our art activities, books and games.

Military Salute to Veterans: Monday (May 28), Brat Fest will display equipment, have exhibits, and provide a free t-shirt and brat to all current and former military personnel. Vouchers can be redeemed at the merchandise tent.

Hometown Heroes: On Saturday and Sunday (May 26-27), Brat Fest salutes local police and fire departments for their efforts in the community. Stop and see the engines and squad cars, SWAT vehicles and many more! An Honor Guard will present the colors and will join us together to sing the National Anthem at 12pm.

Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo Shuttle: In partnership with the Dane County Henry Vilas Zoo, Brat Fest will provide a free shuttle between the Zoo and the festival Saturday through Monday every 30 minutes (at the top and bottom of each hour).  Zoo admission is free between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bratteyball: A grass volleyball tournament at Willow Island will return to Brat Fest this year at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 26 - rain or shine. The teams are coed 6s. The tournament offers prizes in both power and intermediate divisions. All registered players get a Bratteyball t-shirt, brat and a choice of beer or soda.

The 6th Annual Brat Fest Run (with the Hot Dog Jog): The Tom Metcalfe Memorial Run on Saturday morning (May 26) features a 5K and 10K run, in addition to a Saturday 5K Hot Dog Jog. Online registration for all run events is open through May 24th (walk-up registration also available).

Sunday Night Fireworks: Join us Sunday evening at the World's Largest Brat Fest to witness a dazzling firework show light up the evening sky! Brat Fest offers one of Madison's most spectacular fireworks displays of the year, all free of charge. Bring family and friends, blankets and chairs, and your appetite for entertainment, and we will provide all the amazing fireworks you can handle.

Brat Fest Boot Camp: Join us Monday (May 28) with Gym 608 at 9am for an hour of fitness before all the brats and funnel cakes. Open to all ages and fitness levels. Tickets must be purchased by May 27th through Eventbrite.

Destination Zero Waste: The World's Largest Brat Fest has added composting in addition to recycling in disposing of event waste. Our goal is to divert 60 percent of trash that would go to the landfill to compost, which will then be reused. Brat Fest is also working with their food vendors to use compostable supplies.