Milwaukee summer is in full swing, and with it comes many ways to celebrate local creativity. From art fairs at the Milwaukee Art Museum to pop-up indie thrift events, there are plenty of opportunities to find unique goods across the city and suburbs. Many markets come not just with artisan crafts, but also with live entertainment, hands-on art-making, food trucks and more.
Here are 15 to put on your calendar:
Lakefront Festival of Art
JUNE 12-14, 10 A.M.-7 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
The always-beautiful Milwaukee Art Museum fills its outdoor space with artists selling paintings, glasswork, ceramics and much more. You’ll also find art-making activities and a wine garden.
Gather & Grow Market
JUNE 14, JULY 12, AUG. 9, SEPT. 13, 8 A.M.-1 P.M. | LITTLE VILLAGE PLAY CAFE
Bring the kids to Little Village Play Cafe’s patio in Wauwatosa for an all-ages celebration with live music, food and drinks, kids’ activities, and a curated market with vendors from local businesses.
Summer Ope!-stice Maker’s Market
JUNE 20, 11 A.M.-4 P.M. | OPE! BREWING CO.
Grabbing a craft beer, seltzer or sour, and browse this indoor-and-outdoor market of local creators and artists. This is the longest day of the year, so why not make it the most fun, too?
Cream Fresh Vintage Market Series
JUNE 20, JULY 18, AUG. 22, SEPT. 12, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. | IVANHOE PLAZA
Jam out to music, grab a bite to eat and join vintage and streetwear vendors on Milwaukee’s East Side for this community-building (and closet-building) experience.
Milwaukee Makers Market
JUNE 21, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
JULY 19, AUG. 16, 10 A.M.-4 P. M. | DISCOVERY WORLD
Back for its tenth season, the Milwaukee Makers Market promises more than 40 local makers, designers and small business owners for a day of shopping-filled fun at the Brewers stadium and Discovery World.
Milwaukee Night Market
JUNE 24, JULY 22, AUG. 19, SEPT. 16, 5-9 P.M. | WEST WISCONSIN AVE. BETWEEN SECOND STREET & VEL R. PHILLIPS AVE.
West Wisconsin Avenue hadn’t yet reached its present-day renaissance when the first Milwaukee Night Market hit the scene in 2014. The street party was a smash, and in the 12 years since, the monthly summertime celebration has led the way for excitement on this side of Downtown. Case in point: The neighborhood’s newest addition, Vel R. Phillips Plaza (401 W. Wisconsin Ave.), will be home to the market’s food trucks this year. Scores of vendors, artists and oddball entertainers (like fire dancers!) will return, as well as the ever-popular dance floor – which sees everyone from families to just-clocked-out office workers breaking it down. “It’s a place for anyone to come,” says Westown marketing and events director Megan Kujawa.
Market on the Riverwalk
JUNE 25, 4-8 P.M, JUNE 27, 9 A.M.-4 P.M. | SCHLITZ PARK
Take a summer stroll along the Milwaukee River while shopping from artisan vendors, listening to live music, playing yard games and enjoying craft beer.
Annual 3-Day Rummage Sale
JUNE 25, 26, 9 A.M.-6 P.M, JUNE 27, 9 A.M.-4 P.M. | AMERICAN LEGION HALL
Help support Second Hand Purrs – a no-kill, volunteer-run shelter for abandoned cats – by participating in their annual rummage sale! All profits go toward their efforts.
Falcon Flea Block Party
JUNE 28, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. | FALCON HALL
Falcon Hall is one of Milwaukee’s most unique destinations – historic basement bowling alley, bar, concert hall, and on June 28, a marketplace. This market will have more than 40 vendors bringing handmade goods, art, vintage clothing and more, plus a DJ.
414Flea at Zócalo Food Park
JULY 5, AUG. 2, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. | ZÓCALO FOOD PARK
414Flea is a treat for avid thrifters and vintage enthusiasts. With curated clothing and an array of local vendors, the market makes it easy to find a unique piece. Plus, enjoy the live DJ set and grab a bite from one of the Zócalo’s many food trucks!
Time Travelers Vintage Expo
JULY 11, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
This vintage expo is visiting 17 US states this year, with one stop in Milwaukee. Browse retro and vintage clothing, handmade goods, housewares and more.
All Goods Fest
JULY 12, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. | ALL GOODS
Find local creativity galore at All Goods Fest. Shop for streetwear, vintage clothing, sneakers, handmade goods, collectibles and more.
ArtBlaze
JULY 30, AUG. 20, 4-9:30 P.M. | MCKINLEY BEACH
AUG. 6, 4-9:30 P.M. | SOUTH SHORE BEACH
Hosted by Joy Engine, a local public art nonprofit, the ArtBlaze events transform Milwaukee’s scenic beaches into an immersive experience for artists and non-artists alike. With interactive art activities for all ages, vendors, live music and lakeside s’mores, ArtBlaze is one of Milwaukee’s unique events – Don’t miss the giant inflatable installation!
Firefly Art Fair
AUG. 1-2, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | KNEELAND-WALKER HOUSE
Celebrate Wauwatosa’s two-day Firefly Art Fair for its 40th birthday with food, live music, a silent auction and more than 70 vendors in a beautiful garden setting.
Day Drinks & Handmade Things
AUG. 22, 10 A.M.-3 P.M. | STATION 1846
Station 1846 is a cafe-bar hybrid by the folks behind City Tours MKE. For two days this summer, local makers will take over the space to sell their wares.
