1. Holiday Folk Fair International
ALL WEEKEND | WISCONSIN STATE FAIR EXPO CENTER
This annual folk fair unites the many cultures that live in southeastern Wisconsin through music, food, dance and art. This year’s theme focuses on how different cultures express themselves through apparel.
2. Hip Hop Chess Club’s Fall Blitz Tournament
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. | YOUR MOVE MKE COMMUNITY CENTER
This tournament pairing competitive chess with hip-hop music is open to all young people, from beginners to prodigies. Competitions will be separated by age groups with prizes on the line, and kids will also have access to free chess lessons.
3. Beautifica 360
FRIDAY AT 6:30 AND 8 P.M. | HORWITZ-DEREMER PLANETARIUM
An extravaganza of astronomical animation and euphoric compositions from composer James Hood, this show promises an out-of-this-world experience. The passion project celebrates life through the imagery of worlds both real and fictional. Tickets start at $12.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
4. Merry Little Night Market
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. | PILOT PROJECT BREWING
The free-to-attend Chicago holiday market will swing by Milwaukee for a night of eating, drinking and shopping. New and returning vendors will sell prints, ceramics, candles and more, all set to music from DJ DRiPSweat.
5. Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival
FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. | THE STERLING CHALET, HUBERTUS
This festival ain’t nothin’ but the blues – on harmonica. This annual concert showcase features blues performances, raffles, a dance floor, a Friday fish fry and other food. Proceeds from this event will support several charities. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
6. Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
FRIDAY AT 8:30 P.M. | CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Turn off the lights and light the candles. This intimate, multisensory concert has a lineup of classics performed by a string quartet in a moody ambiance. Tickets are $28.
7. Fall Fest at The Stables
SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. | MKE URBAN STABLES
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs invites families to the stables for food, drink, horses, veteran resource information and a donkey kissing booth.
Want more great Milwaukee events? Check out our calendar!
8. Skywaukee
SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. | PLANKINTON ARCADE
As November gets colder, explore Milwaukee inside. This tour through the skywalk system that connects several Downtown buildings is a chance to see the city from a new angle while learning more about its history.
9. Friendsgiving Trivia Pub Crawl
SATURDAY AT 3 P.M. | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
This “Friends”-themed trivia pub crawl throughout Milwaukee will feature over $15,000 in prizes and free items such as shirts, koozies, cups and lanyards.
10. New Wave Fest 2023
SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE COOPERAGE
For fans of new wave music, this dance festival presents Xposed 4heads – an ’80s Milwaukee band that reformed in the 2010s – local tribute band The First Wave and cover band Mixtape performing as Blondie.
11. Veeze
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | THE RAVE
This pivotal musician in the Michigan rap scene is coming to Milwaukee off his debut album, GANGER. The rapper is known for amplifying the work of his collaborators and his relatable, humorous personality.
12. Carmen Nickerson Album Release Concert
SUNDAY AT 5 P.M. | SAINT KATE ARTS HOTEL
The local singer-songwriter celebrates the release of her newest album, Room to Grow, with a performance joined by Willy Porter, Kostia, John Wheeler and John Calarco.
