Featured Events
1. Community Free Day for Violins of Hope
FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. | JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE
The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra is performing their Violins of Hope: Strings of Jewish Resistance and Resilience collection for free for one day only. Each instrument was once played by Jewish musicians and were taken by Nazis during the Holocaust. The show is themed around “a story of resilience, resistance and the enduring power of music to sustain hope in the darkest times.”
2. Permanently Visioned
SATURDAY FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. | STYLE POP CAFE
Style Pop Cafe is partnering with Hooked MKE for an evening of creativity and inspiration. The day is centered around manifesting and creating a vision board to set your path and intention for 2026. A ticket to the event includes one permanent bracelet with the option to add charms on-site and one vision board with all the supplies you need to make it. Full cafe services will be available. Tickets cost $60 for a silver bracelet or $72 for a gold bracelet.
3. Mural Painting
ALL WEEKEND FROM 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Local artist Nyia Luna is teaching a mural painting class, guiding guests in the creation of a collaborative mural. The drawings used in the mural are sourced from community members and represent joyful colors and peaceful days. The event is included with museum admission and is free for members and children 12 and under. Admission is $27 for non-members.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
More Events
4. New Year’s Day Bubbles & Brunch
THURSDAY FROM 6:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M. | SAINT KATE
Saint Kate is kicking off the new year with a specially crafted brunch including mimosa flights and an assortment of brunch entrees. A reservation is required and can be scheduled online.
5. Milwaukee Recreation’s New Year’s Day Yoga Fest
THURSDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 P.M. | BEULAH BRINTON COMMUNITY CENTER
Milwaukee Recreation is offering three different free yoga classes on New Years Day. The first class is regular yoga, the second class is a gentle flow for those looking to relax and the third class is a family friendly session suitable for children five and up. A list of the class times is available online. Please preregister on the website before attending.
6. New Year Intention Workshop
THURSDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. | ANGELIC ROOTS
Angelic Roots is welcoming guests to set their intentions for the new year. The full-day workshop includes guided reflection, meditation, Reiki energy, sound healing in the morning, and creation, intention-setting and manifestation in the afternoon. A ticket costs $144 and a full schedule is available online.
7. The Cool Fool Kite and Snow Carving Festival
THURSDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M. | VETERANS PARK
It’s the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois’ 39th year hosting their festival in Veterans Park and it’s free to the public. Jake the Kite Guy will put on a show of his giant kites, some over 100-feet long. Food will be available for purchase and free hot chocolate, coffee and snacks will be served while supplies last. The Quiet Snow and Ice Carvers will also be hand carving designs during the festival.
8. School’s Out Splatter Studio: Kids Painting and Pizza
FRIDAY FROM 1 P.M. TO 3 P.M. | FISK AVENUE
Get some creative energy out with the School’s Out Splatter Studio at Fisk Avenue. Choose from two different canvas sizes and get messy. Tickets are per project, so partners are welcome. Pizza and beverages will be served complimentary and all supplies and protective gear will be provided. Projects start at $50 each.
9. Streetwear/Vintage Pop-up Clothing Event
FRIDAY FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. | LAKE EFFECT COFFEE COMPANY
Lake Effect is staying open late on Friday night to bring you a streetwear and vintage pop-up clothing event. The market will feature multiple vendors, free admission, a DJ playing all night and the full coffee bar. This event is free to attend and suitable for all ages.
10. Charli XCX vs Kesha vs Chappell Roan
SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 A.M. | MAD PLANET
DJ Frank Straka is playing banger after banger at the Mad Planet this Saturday featuring nothing but Charli, Kesha and Chappell. This event is 21+ and the cover is $7 cash at the door.
11. I <3 00’s Party
SATURDAY FROM 9 P.M. TO 2 A.M. | THE MIRAMAR THEATRE
Celebrate Nuave Hurts’ birthday with the third edition of the Surf Club. The music will be all early 2000s hits with a mix of hip hop and R&B. Dress in your best early 2000s attire! This event is $10 at the door, presale is available online now.
12. Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Chinese Telephones
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 3:30 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
Milwaukee native pop-punk band Chinese Telephones is performing a free show at the Cactus Club during the Packer game half time as part of the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show. The game will be projected on a screen in the live room and free pizza from Transfer will be served. All ages are welcome and the full bar will be available with ID.
13. Time Travel Half-Marathon, 5K, 10K
SUNDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 P.M. | ESTABROOK PARK
The Time Travel run is back and this year, it’s ’90s themed. There are three courses to choose from ranging in length and a kids dash at 8:55 a.m. Registration for the 5K, 10K or half marathon includes a custom bib, shirt and a finisher medal. All three races are eligible for awards and the top three male and female racers will be awarded. Registration fees start at $25 and an option to bundle and save is available.
14. Cross-Stitch Bookmark Workshop
SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M. | THE LOCAL MAKERY
The Local Makery, a new workshop/wine bar in Milwaukee, is offering craft classes every Sunday. This weekend, they are hosting a cross-stitch bookmark workshop suitable for anyone curious about embroidery. The class will teach the basics of cross-stitch tools and materials, proper stitching techniques, how to start and finish stitches clearly and more. Everyone will go home with their own hand-made bookmark. The class is $30 per person and a ticket includes all materials.
Correction: This article was updated to remove the Evolve Mindful Market, which included an incorrect date.
