Featured Fourth of July Events
1. Summerfest
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM NOON TO 11:30 P.M. | HENRY MEIER FESTIVAL PARK
Every year, Summerfest seems to zoom by in just the blink of an eye! This is the last weekend for the Big Gig, which is going all out for America’s 250th on the Fourth of July. The weekend will be part of the nationwide “America’s Block Party” festivities, including a performance by Jelly Roll. The first 5,000 attendees on the Fourth will receive a gate giveaway and a special admissions promotion, and a 20-minute fireworks show will close out the night starting at 9:30 p.m.
2. Lakefront Drone Show
FRIDAY FROM 9:20-10:30 P.M. | MCKINLEY BEACH
Join Radio Milwaukee at McKinley Beach for Milwaukee County’s synchronized drone show in celebration of the Fourth. This is the second year Milwaukee County has put on a drone show in lieu of lakefront fireworks. Family friendly events will take place before the show, including face painting and bounce houses, with food and drink vendors on site. The drone show lasts about 45 minutes and has a special soundtrack courtesy of Radio Milwaukee.
3. Independence Day Weekend at Old World Wisconsin
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M.- 4 P.M. | OLD WORLD WISCONSIN
Old World Wisconsin is celebrating its 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th. All weekend, the days at the historic recreation town will be filled with patriotic festivities, music, food and games as well as a pie-eating contest, wagon rides and more. General admission is $24 for adults and teens and $16 for children.
4. Fireworks and Parades Across Milwaukee
ALL WEEKEND | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
There are so many fireworks shows and Fourth celebrations happening across Milwaukee public parks and surrounding suburbs this weekend, that we could easily fill this guide with them all. Instead, we filled a different guide to fireworks shows – linked here! Check out all the smaller celebrations going on through the metro.
Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating great design!
More Events
5. Patiopalooza
THURSDAY FROM 4-8 P.M. | LITTLE VILLAGE PLAY CAFE
Calling all parents! Little Village Play Cafe is hosting a family-friendly night on the patio. The festivities will include food from Heirloom food truck, popsicles, music and more to keep your kiddos occupied while you relax. A happy hour, including $6 sangria and taps and $11 charcuterie boards, adds some extra fun for the adults. Entrance to this event is free.
6. Patiopalooza
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | MALONE PARK, NEW BERLIN
New Berlin turns out for three days of family-friend fun on the Fourth. The festivities kick off on July 2 with a drone show at 9:30 p.m., followed by the next day by a flashlight candy hunt and a parade and fireworks show on July 4.
7. Sundae Give Away at Purple Door
FRIDAY AT 12 P.M. | PURPLE DOOR ICE CREAM
Purple Door is giving away 500 complimentary patriotic sundaes on Friday in collaboration with the MLB for “Star Spangled Sunday.” Starting at 12 p.m. at Purple Door’s Walker’s Point location, you can grab a free “old timey” hot fudge sundae made with Purple Door vanilla bean ice cream, homemade hot fudge, whipped cream, a cherry and red, white and blue sprinkles. Move fast, because they’re first come, first served!
8. America250 Champagne Art Tour at Saint Kate
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. | SAINT KATE – THE ARTS HOTEL
Saint Kate’s Curator-in-Residence Shane McAdams will lead an art tour through the hotel’s “Drawn to Sculpture” exhibition. The description explains: “The show brings together artists who approach three-dimensional work with a draftsman’s instinct, building form through accumulation and improvisation rather than carving it away. It’s a fitting lens for a milestone that asks us to examine what this country has constructed, layer by layer, over 250 years.” And each tour comes with a red, white and blue cocktail. Tickets are available online.
9. Starry Night Concert Series: The Wisconsin Philharmonic
FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. | SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER
Food trucks, a full outdoor bar, kids zone and more will be on the Wilson Center’s Outdoor Theater before the music starts at this free concert series. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or camp chairs – picnic tables are available to rent.
10. 4th of July Tea
SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.-2 P.M. | THE PFISTER HOTEL
Teas will be presented by a Pfister tea butler, and the pairings include Independence Day-inspired scones, finger sandwiches and more. Hosted in Blu on the 23rd floor of the hotel, guests will also enjoy the view of Lake Michigan. Tickets start at $98 per adult and special children’s pricing is available.
11. $4 on the Fourth
SATURDAY FROM 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Celebrate the Fourth with $4 admission at the Milwaukee County Zoo! A digital scavenger hunt will take guests through the many diverse animals that come from the U.S.
12. Pride Hangover
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE
Rid yourself of the post-June gloom with the Brew City Bombshells at their annual burlesque show. The show is 18+ and tickets are available for $25 cash at the door.
13. Sopra Mare
SUNDAY FROM 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. | VILLA TERRACE
Listen to Neal Bardele performs jazz at this concert series at one of the most scenic and unique lakefront spots in the city.
14. 414Flea Market
SUNDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M. | ZÓCALO FOOD PARK
Check out more than 40 vintage and handmade vendors during the 414Flea Market this Sunday. 414Flea curates vintage and handmade vendors while bringing together DJs and food and drink vendors to create a third space for creatives. The market is free to attend and open to all ages.
15. M&M Club: the 50th Anniversary Reunion
SUNDAY AT 1 P.M. | LACAGE NITE CLUB
Fifty years ago the M&M Club opened its doors in the Historic Third Ward, growing into one of the city’s top night life destinations and LGBTQ+ clubs before its closure in 2006. This Sunday will mark a M&M reunion and celebration with a retro drag show, drink specials, historic photo exhibit and more at LaCage Night Club.
