1. Oktoberfest Artisan Fair
FRIDAY AT 4 P.M., SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. AND SUNDAY AT 9 A.M. | OUR LADY OF LOURDES
This fair features handcrafted items made by local artisans, as well as food, a beer garden, make-and-take activities and live music. Play a game of sheepshead, decorate a pumpkin and feast during the Friday night fish fry.
2. Live Film Scoring of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
FRIDAY AT 7 AND 10 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
In this 1920 German expressionist film, a hypnotized man makes a chilling prediction. Audio-visual artist Barry Paul Clark produced, composed and curated the live score, which will be played by a full ensemble.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
3. EDM Open Decks Presents Slasher Bash
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE, CUDAHY
The Open Decks series give budding DJs a chance to showcase their skills behind the boards. This Halloween-themed night of EDM includes a costume contest.
4. View and Learn About the Solar Eclipse
SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. | DISCOVERY WORLD
Milwaukee’s science museum will celebrate the annular solar eclipse with a morning of activities, projects and demonstrations. Attendees will learn more about the astronomical phenomenon and view it in a safe environment.
5. Annular Eclipse at the Observatory
SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. | MILWAUKEE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, NEW BERLIN
Attend a private viewing of the annular eclipse at the Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory, and watch a NASA livestream of the event recording directly under the totality. Eclipse glasses and solar binoculars will be provided, and there will be several telescopes to use from society members.
6. Día de los Muertos Market
SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. | ZÓCALO FOOD PARK
This celebration of the Day of the Dead includes local vendors, music and dance, calavera painting classes, tepache and a traditional altar. There will also be a 5K walk/run, in which participants are encouraged to come in their “best catrina look.”
7. MKE LGBT Big Night Out: Halloween Masquerade
SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. | POTAWATOMI CASINO HOTEL
Join MKE LGBT for a costume-filled masquerade party featuring a burlesque show, a silent auction, food, drinks and music. Proceeds from the event will help fund the organization’s community programs.
8. Halloween Poetry on Tap
SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | THE SUGAR MAPLE
This evening of live open-mic poetry, music and art is presented alongside 60 draft beers available at The Sugar Maple bar. The Halloween edition of this regular series will also have a film screening and other performances.
9. Midwest Video Poetry Fest
SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER
The fourth annual festival will have two screenings of new videos that include original poems, experimental visuals and animation.
10. Jacob Slade
SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE BACK ROOM @ COLECTIVO
Local indie singer-songwriter Jacob Slade plays The Back Room along with Sleepy Gaucho and Smushie. The show will celebrate the release of Slade’s third album, Soft Spoken.
11. Día de los Muertos Family Sunday
SUNDAY AT 10 A.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Celebrate the holiday’s traditions with family – add a passed loved one’s name to the community ofrenda, paint butterflies and create sugar skull masks. Ometochtli Mexican Folk Dance Group will perform as well as the Latino Arts Strings Program. Tours will show works in the museum’s collection by artists of Mexican heritage.
12. National Cheese Curd Day
SUNDAY AT 11 A.M. | LAKEFRONT BREWERY
Chocolate and cheese? During National Cheese Curd Day, Lakefront Brewery will serve two special cheese curd flavors – cookies and cream and street corn – alongside its usual offerings. And starting at noon, there’ll be a cheese-pull contest every hour.
Want more great Milwaukee events? Check out our calendar!
