Big Top Chautauqua

Big Top is such a great venue, with courteous staff, reasonable prices, and an amazing location at the base of a ski run. I went last summer to see Elephant Revival & The Avett Brothers perform. It was so great. With a down to earth setting, there are people of all ages and all walks of life. You can get tickets to sit under the tent, or you can bring your own chair/​blanket and sit in the grass for a cheaper price.

I’m absolutely in love; incredibly friendly, awesome crowd, crazy-​neat venue, and the best shuttle service between campsites I’ve ever seen. The tent is a very intimate setting– not a bad seat in the house. You can’t officially bring in beer, but drinks are definitely very reasonably priced — $ 2.75 for a Leinie’s.
The whole experience had a more music festival feel than any individual concert I’ve ever been to.
The shuttle service is freaking awesome — if you like raucous singalongs on a bus full of strangers after an awesome concert, be sure to stay at one of the many locations in town that offer shuttle service to and from Big Top Chautauqua.
I will definitely return for another concert!

What a gem in the northland! The setting is classic and the show was fantastic.
We saw «The Best of the Big Top — the Blue Canvas Orchestra and Singers break out the best of their musical chops, illuminated by big screen visuals and punctuated by comedy, poetry and stories.»
I was particularly impressed by the musicians and the baritone singer. Songs ranged from charming originals about the Wisconsin lands, forest, people, and history to classics like Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The bar was empty — apparently due the the very advanced age of nearly all of the audience — making it very easy to get drinks.
A great time and highly recommended!
p. s. A few years ago I saw their «Riverpants» production in Oshkosh — a MUST SEE for any Wisconsin fisherman.

This is definitely interesting… a huge tent show. not bad at all!
I’ve only been to a couple shows here, but have never really been let down doing so. I saw The Big Wu here. that was fun. Pretty much, it is a huge tent show between Ashland and Bayfield, on Mout Ashwabay in the summertime. Now you would think that it sounds sorta weak, but they actually pull some big names, as well as locals! It is fun. Willie Nelson, The Big Wu, Garrison Keillor, The Smothers Brothers, Warren Nelson, Corey Carlson, um… look up a list to see the rest. It is worth checking out though!
Listen to music, and dance, under the big Blue and white tent, then grab some barbecue food and beer to eat and drink as you enjoy a Northern Wisconsin summer night… It doesn’t get any better… well it does, but not here!

What an interesting experience to find your way some nice summer evening to rural Washburn to attend a performance at «The Carnegie Hall of Tent Shows»! I consider this one of those diamond-​in-​the-​rough American cultural gems.
Warren Nelson and his group often are the performers and do an excellent job. Their shows often have a regional theme.
They have a pot pourri of guest concerts through the summer, e.g. Leo Kottke, Garrison Keillor, Willie Nelson!!!
Don’t set your sights too high in terms of expecting a top notch act but do expect to be entertained and somewhat enchanted by the whole experience.