Mile of Music

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MusicAppleton
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
CrowdMediumAbout 70,000 people
Best forLive music, late nightsMile of Music's founding principle, that
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Mile of Music in Appleton

Mile of Music is a free, all-original music festival spanning a walkable mile of downtown Appleton, Wisconsin, held each August since 2013. Co-founded by Cory Chisel and Dave Willems, it features hundreds of live sets by emerging singer-songwriters across roughly 40 venues, from coffee shops to museums, with no cover bands and no ticket required.

Mile of Music began in August 2013 as an experiment by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Grammy-nominated recording artist Cory Chisel, who grew up in the Fox Cities before building a career based partly in Nashville.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Mile of Music's founding principle, that every performer must play original music rather than covers, sets it apart from most American music festivals, which typically lean on tribute acts or familiar hits to draw crowds

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival launched in August 2013 with an estimated 15,000 attendees and a surprise appearance by Grammy nominee Norah Jones, a debut that immediately signaled its ambitions beyond a purely local event

03

The city starts moving

Co-founder Cory Chisel, an Appleton-raised, Nashville-based recording artist, and marketing executive Dave Willems built the festival around a coalition of nearly 100 community organizations rather than a single promoter, and it now packs more than 700 live sets by over 200 emerging artists into roughly 40 venues along one downtown mile, growing to an estimated 90,000 to 95,000 attendees by 2019

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's founding rule

Water and renewal

Living ritual

original music only

The sacred route

Living ritual

no cover songs

The local code

Living ritual

has remained non-negotiable since 2013 and defines its identity among singer-songwriter festivals nationally

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Its reliance on nearly 100 community organizations and downtown venues rather than a single fenced festival ground has also stayed constant

Tradition 6

Living ritual

keeping Mile of Music embedded directly in Appleton's existing downtown business community rather than built as a separate fairground event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Getting to Mile of Music works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Casual summer streetwear suited to walking between many indoor and outdoor venues over several days; comfortable shoes matter most given the festival's walkable-mile format, and light layers...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Appleton.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.26 N, 88.42 WOpen in Google Maps

Appleton, WI

Nearest airportATW — Appleton
TransportGetting to Mile of Music works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Appleton.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Appleton via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Appleton, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer streetwear suited to walking between many indoor and outdoor venues over several days; comfortable shoes matter most given the festival's walkable-mile format, and light layers help for venues that shift between air-conditioned interiors and warm August evenings outdoors.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mile of Music?

Mile of Music is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mile of Music take place?

The festival is listed in Appleton, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Appleton, WI

How big is it?

Medium: 70000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmileofmusic.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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