1. Germanfest
ALL WEEKEND | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
The 40th-annual celebration of Milwaukee’s German heritage begins at 3 p.m. Friday. Germanfest features live music from acts like Alpine Blast and Schürzenjäger, activities like the famous wiener-dog race and authentic German eats from Usinger’s Sausages. Germanfest runs from 3-9 p.m. on Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
2. South Milwaukee Lionsfest
ALL WEEKEND | SIXTEENTH & RAWSON AVE.
South Milwaukee Lionsfest returns with fish fry, chicken and brisket dinners over a weekend of activities and live music. On Saturday, the South Milwaukee Heritage Parade, with over 100 floats, takes off at 11 a.m. A vintage “Cruise & Car Show” takes place on Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Music acts range from the Doo-Wop Daddies to Almighty Vinyl. Raffles, amusement rides and more activities will also be there.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Intimate Gesture: Drawing on Desire by Yuna Kim
ALL WEEKEND | SAINT KATE
This is the last weekend to see Yuna Kim’s mixed media exhibit in the Closet at the Arts Hotel. Intimate Gesture is focused on contorting hand gestures and their meaning. Animations are paired with Kim’s hand drawn works of art. Kim graduated from Hong-Ik University after studying printmaking and art theory, and this is her first solo art exhibit.
4. Mike Viera
ALL WEEKEND | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
This sly New Yorker holds a residency at Milwaukee Improv this weekend. Viera has appeared on shows like “30 Rock,” and currently is developing a sit-com about his life produced by George Lopez. Known as the Latin Prince, Viera cracks jokes about the city life, marriage and his upbringing. Viera was also chosen to perform on the “Leatherneck” tour for U.S. Marines.
5. Jimmy Juiliano
FRIDAY AT 6:30 | BOSWELL BOOKS
Midwestern author Jimmy Juiliano talks about his debut horror novel set in Door County, Dead Eleven. In the novel, Willow Stone journeys to the eerie Clifford Island after finding the location written in her deceased son’s room. Clifford Island is a place stuck in 1994, hiding a dark truth that someone doesn’t want Willow to find out. Famed horror novelist R.L. Stine called the novel “dreadfully creepy.” The novel was released last month.
6. Riverwest 24
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | RIVERWEST
This wacky 24-hour bike race returns! The ride runs from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. Before the race begins, a vegetarian dinner will be served by Riverside Co-op from 4-6 p.m. From there, bikers race between different checkpoint objectives, like getting a tattoo or skinny dipping. We talked to last year’s winner to see how she did it.
7. Volbeat, Bad Wolves
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE RAVE
Volbeat and Bad Wolves will deliver gritty riffs and heavy metal hits at the Eagles Ballroom. Grammy-nominated Volbeat is known for its hits “Still Counting” and “Lola Montez” and is on its tour “Servants to the Road.” The opener, Bad Wolves, is known for its hit cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie.” This show is open for all ages.
8. Regina Spektor
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | RIVERSIDE THEATRE
Storied pop artist Regina Spektor plays Friday night at the Riverside theatre. Spektor used to be a member of NYC’s anti-folk movement that The Moldy Peaches emerged from, and now composes flourishing pop tunes. Her hits songs include “Two Birds” and “Fidelity.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
9. The 25th-Annual Famous Sausages Run and Walk
SATURDAY AT 8 A.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
The Brewers celebrate their 25th-annual run and walk with the famous Racing Sausages. Proceeds go to the Fischer House Veterans Center. The race can be completed in-person or virtually. The in-person 5K and 10K route both go from Frederick Miller Way to the parking lot nearby the Nock Dock, with the 10K route taking the Hank Aaron State Trail. Team or individual registration is open until the day of the race.
10. Brady Street Festival
SATURDAY FROM NOON TO 11 P.M. | BRADY ST.
Two new indoor stages are added to the Brady Street Festival this year, bringing the total number to five. The Nashville North Stage features acts like Wapatui, and Liliput Record’s stage, aptly titled “The Lilipad,” has local favorite Bug Moment headlining. The annual Brady Street Babes drag show returns for an awaited homecoming performance, and activities like dog yoga, a “Kids Boogie Down” and an adventure wall offer excitement for the whole family.
11. Milwaukee Food Truck & Beer Festival
SATURDAY FROM NOON TO 5 P.M. | DEER DISTRICT
The Deer District’s afternoon food festival has food, brews and artisan markets. What more do you need? From authentic Jamaican cuisine at Jamaica 1 Luv to sweet treats at Jackson’s Kool Cups, there’s plenty of great eats to check out. For the adults, there are nine brewery selections of beer, cocktails and seltzers. Markets include handcrafted candles at Lit MKE and portraits of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan at Digital Portrails.
12. Milwaukee Brewfest
SATURDAY AT 2 P.M. | MCKINLEY PARK
Over 100 breweries will offer samples of their brews at McKinley Park on Saturday. Gates open at 2 p.m. for VIP members and 3 p.m. for general admission. VIPs gain entry to special locations in the park. Food from Usinger’s, Sargento and other vendors are available to soak up the booze.
13. Jagged Little Pill: The Musical
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | MILLER HIGH LIFE THEATRE
Alanis Morissette’s musical adaptation of her double-diamond selling album Jagged Little Pill comes to Milwaukee this weekend. The jukebox musical centers around a “perfectly imperfect” dysfunctional American family. Diablo Cody, screenwriter of Juno, wrote the playbook, and the musical is directed by Diane Paulus, who directed Waitress.
14. Granville Blues Fest
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM NOON TO 10:15 P.M. | 8633 W. BROWN DEER RD.
Blues acts from around the country will bring deep grooves for the second week of the Granville Blues Fest. The fest’s sixth year features acts like Nu Blu Band, Mzz Reece and Laretha Weathersby. New Orleans Beau and Mike Wheeler are Saturday and Sunday’s respective headliners. Longtime musician New Orleans Beau blends blues, jazz and soul into his act. Mike Wheeler is a veteran of the Chicago blues community. His bassist, Larry Williams, has played with the likes of B.B. King, James Cotton and George Benson.
15. Mike McClure
SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. | THE BACK ROOM AT COLECTIVO
Country artist Mike McClure plays a solo set for The Back Room at Colectivo. McClure has performed for over 30 years and was a part of the Oklahoma “Red Dirt” scene with his group The Great Divide. McClure has produced for artists Whiskey Myers and the Turnpike Troubadours. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Folk musician Madisen Ward of the folk-duo Madisen Ward and Momma Bear also performs.
