Featured Events
1. Feed Your Soul
FRIDAY FROM 7-11 P.M. | HOUSE OF RAD
Going once… going twice… sold! Milwaukee’s biggest art auction will return for its 23rd year this Friday at House of Rad – paired with philanthropy. Featuring art from 80 local artists, unique installations, music, live art-making, an energetic auction and more, the goal is to “build community with art.” Powered by a host of community sponsors, funds generated from the event will benefit Community Advocates, an organization helping provide emergency shelter, meals and housing support for Milwaukee residents experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Individual tickets start at $100, with opportunities to support the cause through ticket upgrades, all available here.
2. Trainfest 2026
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 9 A.M.-4 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
Choo-choo! Trainfest is coming to the Baird Center this Saturday and Sunday for a locomotive-filled weekend of model trains, exhibits and family-friendly fun. All aboard to explore more than 50 operating model train displays of various shapes and sizes, browse hundreds of booths featuring manufacturers and retailers from across the U.S. or learn something new at educational seminars. Children, or aspiring conductors in this case, can even enjoy a free train ride! The two-day event will fill 170,000 square feet of the Baird Center with all things train-related. Tickets for adults start at $15 and vary in price throughout the weekend here, while children 12 and under with a ticket-holding adult get in free.
3. Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. AND SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M.-4 P.M. | CARROLL UNIVERSITY
Returning for its 17th year, this free festival at Carroll University in Waukesha brings book enthusiasts and writers together for a weekend of reading, writing and discussion. Friday will feature writing contest awards and a keynote speaker at 7 P.M. in the Campus Center; Edward Underhill, author of “The House of Now and Then.” Saturday offers a day of opportunities to meet authors and browse books at the Main Hall. It will feature more than 50 authors, panel discussions, book signings and (of course) books for sale – there’s a whole literary community to explore beyond the books themselves! This event is free and open to the public. There is no registration required, and free parking is available in designated campus lots.
Celebrate this year’s winners of the Betty Awards!
Other Events
4. Taste of Ireland
THURSDAY FROM 5:30-8 P.M. | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Who said you can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in November? Experience a pre-March taste of Ireland’s delicacies this Thursday at Turner Hall Ballroom. Some of Milwaukee’s best Irish pubs will face off in a stew competition, so make sure to sample their creations and other Irish-inspired bites, included with admission. Besides the food, the spirit will abound with live music from Uncle Fergus’ Magic Whiskey Band, a jam session with local musicians and traditional Irish dancing. General admission is $30 and can be purchased here.
5. Well Loved Fashion: Sewing 101
THURSDAY FROM 6-8 P.M. | STUDIO B & CO.
Have a pesky hole in an old jacket? Perhaps a missing button? Organizers The Workbench and Rinky Dink Workshops can help you fix that this Thursday at Studio B & Co. with their Well Loved Fashion: Sewing 101 Workshop. It’s a hands-on sewing class teaching participants machine basics, stitches and quick repairs. Build community with fellow sewing beginners while learning to up-cycle those clothes that haven’t yet reached the end of their lifecycle. To gain this valuable life hack, tickets are $27 each and can be purchased here.
6. Napoleon Dynamite LIVE! 20th Anniversary Celebration
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE PABST THEATER
The cult classic “Napoleon Dynamite” is taking over the Pabst Theater this Friday for a night of nostalgia, comedy and hopefully, lots of tater tots. The evening starts with a full screening of the 2004 film. Then, there will be an interactive show featuring original cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro). Expect audience Q&As, improv, games and plenty of relived moments from this very-quotable movie. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35-45 each before fees and are available here.
7. Kern Park Kross 2026
SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M.-4 P.M. | KERN PARK
Cyclists of all ages and skill levels, including beginners, will take over Riverwest’s Kern Park this Saturday for a full day of off-road racing at Kern Park Kross. Now in its fourth year, the event challenges riders with a winding course packed with obstacles, hills, Belgian stairs, barriers and more. Not much of a cyclist? The spectator-friendly course doubles back on itself six times, so the action is never far away. Plus, non-cyclists can enjoy music from DJ Topher, bites from Don Pastor’s food truck, a bake sale and a special squirrel-and-raccoon-themed beer release from Amorphic Beer. The event also features a free race for kids 8 and younger, plus a fixed-gear bike cycling competition to end the day. Registration is available online or on-site for those looking to join the biking fun, and spectating is free.
8. St. Camillus Annual Holiday Art & Craft Fair
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-3 P.M. | ST. CAMILLUS EAST RESIDENCE
With Halloween behind us, less than two months remain before Christmas, so get a head start on your holiday shopping this Saturday at the St. Camillus Annual Holiday Art & Craft Fair. From handmade jewelry and knitted goods to festive ornaments, soaps, candles and baked treats, there’s plenty to choose from – for anyone and everyone on your gift-giving list this year. Shoppers can also taste test Chef Giuseppe’s famous chili, enter a themed basket raffle or enjoy the homemade treats at the bake sale. Proceeds support the St. Camillus Foundation and its work serving community members in need. Better yet, admission and parking are free!
9. Xtreme Raptor Day 2026
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER
Earn your wings this Saturday at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center’s Xtreme Raptor Day, a festival celebrating predators of the sky. Get up-close with resident owls, hawks, falcons and eagles along the center’s trails, while learning about these species’ habitats and lifestyles along the way. The day includes (but is not limited to) an adventure hike, eagle meet-and-greet and raptor shows. Bird-themed crafts, immersive activities, conservation education and even a photo op with your favorite feathered creature (through in-person, day-of photo registration) are also perks of this avian-filled extravaganza. Proceeds support the center’s raptor program and its birds that cannot be released into the wild. General admission tickets are $18 for youth (ages 3-17), $20 for adults and free for children aged 2 and under, available here.
10. Milwaukee Admirals Vs. Iowa Wild
SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. | UW-MILWAUKEE PANTHER ARENA
The Milwaukee Admirals are back at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena this Saturday to face off against the Iowa Wild for another evening of electrifying hockey. Experience action on the ice whether you’re a longtime Admirals fan or just looking for some sports fun this weekend after the Brewers craze, so grab your favorite jersey and cheer on Milwaukee’s home team from the stands. Better yet, bring the family and meet Roscoe, the orange sea dog mascot! Tickets vary in price and can be purchased here.
11. Poetry and Pie
SATURDAY FROM 7:30-9:30 P.M. | THE COFFEE HOUSE
Head to The Coffee House this Saturday for an evening of homemade treats and readings from three Wisconsinite poets. Milwaukee writers Chris Straw, Bill Murtaugh and Stephen Anderson will share their work, bringing a mix of poetry, storytelling and local talent. Straw is also known for her music with the Moxy Chicks, and Murtaugh has been a regular at Milwaukee poetry readings for decades. Anderson’s poems have been featured on WUWM’s “Lake Effect,” and his work is currently being archived in a special collection. Come for the poetry, stay for a homemade slice! This event is free with a $5-15 donation suggested at the door.
12. Big and Tall Presents Family Dinner
SATURDAY FROM 8-9:30 P.M. | COMEDY SPORTZ
The table is set for Family Dinner, but not the kind you might expect. Milwaukee comedy duo Big and Tall is inviting audiences to a different kind of gathering this Saturday at ComedySportz Milwaukee. The duo – Mike Peck and Christian Alvirez – are bringing a night of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy, joined by special guests Geordi Haerr-Hartmann and Unsponsored Content. Get ready to laugh and enjoy some not-so-dinner-table-friendly quips. Admission is $10, and cash or Venmo is accepted at the door.
13. Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
ALL WEEKEND AT VARIOUS TIMES | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Get a dose of country and classical this weekend at Bradley Symphony Center when husband-and-wife country duo The Dryes bring “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” to Milwaukee. Its three-day stay in Cream City is part of a broader U.S. tour that brings the late-great country legend’s music to life with a full symphony orchestra and performances by the duo. Co-produced by Parton herself, it’s the official orchestral touch to her hit songs. Expect “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”… but with a twist. Tickets vary in price and can be purchased here.
14. Milwaukee Ballet Presents: Mirror Mirror
ALL WEEKEND AT VARIOUS TIMES | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what happened before Snow White bit the apple? Milwaukee Ballet is putting a darker spell over the classic fairytale this weekend with “Mirror Mirror.” Rather than retelling the original story, the production explores what happened between Snow White and her wicked stepmother prior to that infamous apple. Choreographed by renowned artistic director Michael Pink, come ready for a dramatic tale of good and evil brought to life through enchanting ballet and an original score performed by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Tickets vary in price and can be purchased here.
15. Kurt Vile
SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Get ready for a laid-back (but groovy) Sunday night of psychedelic folk-rock as singer-songwriter Kurt Vile takes the stage at Turner Hall Ballroom. Known for hazy riffs and a relaxed vocal style with some electric guitars thrown in the mix, the indie rocker is bringing this sound and more to Milwaukee, after the release of his 2026 album “Philadelphia’s been good to me,” released in May. He’ll be joined by his band, the Violators and Twisted Teens, a genre-defying duo that blends Americana, garage rock and more are slotted to open. General admission is $35, and tickets can be purchased here, with doors opening at 7 P.M. and the show at 8 P.M.
