World's Largest Brat Fest

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courtesy Brat Fest

A whole lot of grillin' goin' on at a past World's Largest Brat Fest.

A whole lot of grillin' goin' on at a past World's Largest Brat Fest.

Schedule:

Friday: Take Your Brat to Work Day 6-9 a.m.; Island Stage: Super-Lit 12:10 p.m., Midnight Angel 1:10 p.m., Sean Kay 2:10 p.m., The Solution 3:10 p.m., TJ Stone 4:10 p.m., Mighty Electric 6:15 p.m.; Main Stage: Long Gone Henry 11 a.m., Spine Stealers 11:50 a.m., Abby Spencer 2:55 p.m., Circus 3:55 p.m., Mickey Magnum & the Mayhem 4:55 p.m.; Grand Stage: Mad City Funk 1:40 p.m., Saturday Morning Cartel 2:40 p.m., Gravel 3:40 p.m., Sunspot 4:40 p.m., Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey 5:40 p.m., Royal Bliss 6:45 p.m., Ace Frehley 8 p.m.

Saturday: Island Stage: Richard Hildner Armacanqui 11:10 a.m., No Limits 12:10 p.m., Shawn Schell 1:10 p.m., Tha Mid City Kid 2:10 p.m., Trash Pandas 3:10 p.m., Matt Schmidt 4:10 p.m., Pilot 6:15 p.m.; Main Stage: Angels & Outlaws 3:55 p.m., The Hounds 4:55 p.m., Badwolf 5:55 p.m., Madison County 7 p.m.; Grand Stage: Matt Jordan 1:40 p.m., Granny Shot 2:40 p.m., Colorado Battle 3:40 p.m., Harper Grace 5:40 p.m., Mackenzie Carpenter 6:45 p.m., Tyler Farr 8 p.m.

Sunday: Island Stage: Bobby Bullet 12:10 p.m., West on 12 1:10 p.m., Andy Meyer 3:10 p.m., The Remedy 4:10 p.m., Ty Smith & the Minor Offenses 6:15 p.m.; Main Stage: Jackson Taylor 11 a.m., Project Brave Band 11:50 a.m., Erin Oakley 12:55 p.m., Howard Gripp 5 p.m., Danny Gokey 6:30 p.m.; Grand Stage: John Masino Band 12:45 p.m., Rick Monroe & the HItmen 1:50 p.m., Lonely Ones 2:40 p.m., Black Moods 3:40 p.m., Quad City DJs 4:40 p.m., Skee-Lo 5:40 p.m., Digital Underground 6:45 p.m., Steven Adler 8 p.m.

media release: Grills will be sizzling and music will be playing as the World’s Largest Brat Fest will be back again on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., over Memorial Day Weekend May 23-May 25, 2025.

Free, live musical performances from 75 local and Midwest entertainers will take place all weekend, featuring headliners Ace Frehley, Tyler Farr, Steven Adler of Guns N Roses on the Grand Stage and Danny Gokey on our Faith based Stage on Sunday. Other notable acts performing at this year’s festival include: MacKenzie Carpenter, Harper Grace, Digital Underground, Skee-Lo, and Quad City DJ’s.

“This is one of the best line-ups we have ever had! We are so excited for this year’s festival, kicking off summer in Wisconsin while giving back to over 100 area charities!” said Brat Man and festival organizer Tim Metcalfe. Last year’s festival was tough on all of us with two days of rain and lightning. Many volunteers stepped up to help regardless, making it possible to donate $105,000 to Brat Fest Charities.

Metcalfe added, “To our sponsors, volunteers, and all of YOU who came out to enjoy a Brat (or two) and have a fun and safe time with your family last year...we THANK YOU! Let’s do it again in 2025!”

Non-profits and School Organizations who are interested in being a Brat Fest Charity should visit the event website at www.BratFest.com to learn how to apply! Applications accepted until March 15th!

Sponsors – If you are interested in being a Sponsor for this year's Festival, let us know! Let us help find a way to brand your business and showcase your support of Brat Fest and the 100+ Non-Profits that benefit from the festival. Email eric.s@bratfest.com to learn more!

Exhibitors who would like to set up a booth or activation on island to promote your business and services to the 150,000 who attend on average every year, apply on our website!

*NEW* this year: Brat Fest Marketplace – 90 - 10x10 spots will be available for our inaugural Brat Fest Marketplace. This marketplace will allow an area for vendors to showcase their products at a lower cost than other areas of the festival. The Brat Fest Marketplace will take place in the Arena on the Alliant Energy Center grounds, vendors selling items (no food or drink vendors) will be able to have a 10x10 space or greater for folks who want to check out and shop vendors who are local and from around the state! Applications are on our website and will be available until all spots are sold out.

Additional information about music, events and food will also be added on our website as we continue to get closer to The World’s Largest Brat Fest.

About the World's Largest Brat Fest

Brat Fest has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1983 as a fundraiser for local charities and has grown to support over 100 non-profits today. Tom and Margaret Metcalfe held the very first Brat Fest in front of their Madison, WI family-owned grocery store, Metcalfe's Market, with a 22” Weber Grill, a table and three chairs. It was a way for them to say "thank you" to their customers. In 2001, Johnsonville came on-board as the ‘Official Brat” for the Festival. In 2005, Brat Fest outgrew Metcalfe's parking lot and moved to Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. Over 35 years after its small parking lot start, the still-family-friendly Brat Fest features 100 free musical acts, free parking, free admission, fireworks, a carnival and of course, brats - with more than $2.75 million donated to local charities since 1983. For a complete list of Brat Fest programming, events, and highlights, visit www.BratFest.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn (@bratfest/@bratfestoffical).

Sponsored by Metcalfe's Market

Metcalfe's Market is a fourth-generation, family run market with two locations in Madison (Hilldale and West Towne), and one in the Village in Wauwatosa. Proudly operating since 1917, Metcalfe's has been committed to sustainability for over 100 years. From creating a local food miles program featuring over 3,500 local foods to 100 percent green power and composting, Metcalfe's Market is committed to a more sustainable place where we all work, live and play. For more information on Metcalfe's Market, visit www.shopmetcalfes.com or follow-on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@MetcalfesMarket).

Sponsored by Johnsonville Sausage Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the No. 1 national brand of bratwurst, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville employs approximately 1,600 members. Each member takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and "Big Flavor" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today. www.johnsonville.com