Rock Fest 2023

Cadott, Wisconsin

Rock Fest 2023: USA’s Largest Rock and Camping Festival

Cadott is the top venue for people of all ages to come together for one common purpose, to congregate with other rock fans from across the world and listen to a line up of over 65 rip roaring bands.

Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold, Kiss, Motley Crue, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Kid Rock, Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Korn & many more rock legends have graced this permanent Main Stage over the course of the last two and a half decades.

Renew your vows or even get married at Rock Fest. There are also giant games, plenty of photo opps, hammocks to relax in, helicopter rides and a ton of other crazy fun activities. The Rock Fest Zombie Crawl on Friday Friday invites revelers to come dressed up in their best zombie costume to win a meet & greet or pit pass.

Check out “Colours Couture” located at the top of the hill to get a tattoo or check out the crazy stunt shows happening throughout the day.

This rock festival offers plenty of food, drinks, and merchandise, along with a bean bag toss and other games that give you a break from the music. Food includes Mexican, BBQ, Corn dogs, and the signature Wisconsin cheese curds! Camping for this festival is literally just across the street, making it easy to enjoy a night of rock music, and then hit the pillow in fast fashion.

‘Visit the city that was built on Rock and Roll, for a true Rock experience shared with 50,000 of your best friends, eating only the best all-American food as well as enjoying four beer pavilions serving up music on their stages.’

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Your experience at Rock Fest

If you enjoy camping, eating food and rock music there really isn’t a better place to be other than Rock Fest. The energy at this music festival is truly one-of-a-kind and even though raves get down, Rock Fest has a special vibe with a whole lotta passion. There’s something about being up close and personal with your favorite band nearly blowing your ears out as you throw up the Sign of the Horns.  

The best part is that the event is not centered around one area. There’s almost always something going on at one of the side bars or side stages each with their own theme and mix of great live music.

As if incredible music and food weren’t enough, other fest activities include epic professional wrestling matches, games like giant foosball and magic shows. After several days of partying it’s also nice to head over to Hammock Haven to Rock ‘N’ Relax on a hammock with a free complimentary massage! 

Best views at Rock Fest

Hands down, the best way to experience this 3-day rock festival is to set up shop with friends on the camping grounds. Whether you are staying in a tent or RV nothing matches sleeping under the Wisconsin sky alongside a community of avid rock fans. It’s one big tailgate and you are sure to have a blast just by walking through each camping site. Fire rings are available for rent for nighttime hangouts and several convenience stores are nearby the North campground. 

Once inside, you should really consider the Pit Pass which gives you admission to standing room directly in front of the stage. Prices vary per artist so choose wisely! If you are aiming for general admission, the venue is structured nicely with the stage at the bottom of a hill so views are not too shabby no matter where you are. 

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What to wear

Bring a good mix of clothes to Rock Fest. You are likely going to be dancing heavily during the event so t-shirts will do you fine. It’s your classic summer camping 3-day festival so bring comfortable shoes. Better make sure to rock your favorite band’s apparel to truly represent and show out your fandom.

What to pack

If you have been to any sort of multi-day camping festivals you know the drill. Maybe you need a reminder or it’s your first time. Here are the essentials:

Sleeping items (pillows, sleeping bags, hammocks etc.)
Folding camp chairs
Bluetooth speaker
Portable chargers
Multi-tool or knife
Binoculars
Sunscreen and shades 

Buy tickets

Rock Fest 2023 has a diverse range of ticket packaging so be sure to purchase what is best for you! For the festival-goer on a budget, the Reserved Lawn is probably the best fit with general admission tickets starting at around $225. Although it’s the bare minimum, you get a free chair at the end of the festival. 

VIP packages include bronze, silver and gold each with their own perks on seating and cocktail options. Additionally, there are several camping ticketing options that range from general grounds all the way up to Glamping which includes luxury tents equipped with electricity. 

Every ticket order is shipped out to your address until 2 weeks before the event. During this time frame, tickets are picked up at Will Call. Make sure to bring your ID! 

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Rock Fest 2023 Event Schedule

This epic festival will take place from July 13-15 2023. Check back for Rock Fest 2023 lineups and event schedules! 

Top Tips

Check opening times: Campgrounds and gate times differ so be sure to note when they open. Concert Grounds open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 11 a.m. from Thursday through to Friday. Camping Grounds open 9 a.m. on Wednesday and remain 24/7 access through the entire festival.

Don’t loose your wristband: Re Entry is allowed with the wristband. Cashless payment options are available to set up through your wristband.

Look for water stations: No water hookups in campgrounds but fresh water stations are located in several locations

Rock Fest History

Cadott, Wisconsin is a city built on Rock n’ Roll. The first festival took place in 1994 with headliners including Eddie Money, Survivor, Big Grin and several others. It’s one of the few festivals that has truly stayed exactly the same as when it started. 

Twenty-six years ago, the Amphitheater Venue became home to Rock Fest and featured the best of classic and modern rock and metal. In today’s editions, the venue notches over 7,000 attendees over their campgrounds for a rock n’ roll party unlike any other. 

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Things to do in the Midwest

EC Adventures provides kayak & canoe rentals, shuttle services, and overnight lodging/camping for an array of customized excursions along the Eau Claire River and Lake Eau Claire. There is a variety of trips for all levels of experience with beautiful scenery and a great calm forest atmosphere.

There are many craft beer brewing companies in the area. The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company is one of these places. The history of this place is fascinating, the process of making favorite beers and blends is intriguing. The Leinie Lodge has beer tastings with a tour guide that allows visitors to see virtually all parts of the brewing and bottling process.

What to eat at the festival

In the Midwest, people are all about their food and shopping. On both sides of the concert grounds, you will be able to find an assortment of food stands. Fan favorites include soft pretzels, All Beef Corn Dogs and the classic Wisconsin cheese curds. 

How to get there

Most of the Fest Family will be coming from out of town and although it seems as if the event is in the middle of nowhere, getting to the festival grounds is a lot easier than it seems. With close proximity to major regional centers, traveling to and around Cadott is quite easy and there are many transport options.

The closest airports to the festival grounds include Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, Central Wisconsin Airport and Chippewa Valley Airport, with bus connections from all available to the festival campgrounds.

There is a shuttle service available for those staying at partnering hotels in the surrounding area, purchase a weekend shuttle wristband that is associated with the hotel.

Where to stay at Rock Fest

There is a massive campground area with over 7,000 campsites catering for all the festival-goers. From Monday you can set up camp at the site, early arrival means the opportunity to win prizes for meet and greets and preview concert. Up to six people are allowed on one booked campsite, facilities including hot showers, toilets and drinking water.

There are also a multitude of Glamping and luxury accommodation tents on offer. A glamorous tent is set up personally for on-site in the Glamping Village, close to the concert grounds. A number of large, roomy canvas wall tents are available with the options of two to five single beds or one or two queen beds.

AmericInn by Wyndham Chippewa Falls is a budget hotel that is 2 miles from the Heyde Center for the Arts. The rooms provide complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges and microwaves, plus tea and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms and suites add sofabeds, living areas, some with in-room whirlpool tubs. Parking for RVs is free, as is breakfast served in a down-to-earth dining room. There’s also an indoor pool and a hot tub. 

For other options in Chippewa Falls head to the map below.

How to get around

Car hire, UBER and Lyft ridesharing options are all available to the festival and around the area itself unless you’re hauling your car or RV. 

Do you like rock music? Read more about the Rock Boat in Miami and 10 of the best Rock Festivals in Europe. Did you know that there is a Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series that is fiercely growing?

Photo credits: Rock Fest, Eau Claire County Parks & Forest