Featured Events
1. Oktoberfest
ALL WEEKEND | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Milwaukee’s Oktoberfest is returning for its 16th year at Henry Meier Festival Park. Come and grab a beer, bratwursts and participate in the quintessential Milwaukee celebration. Beyond the bites and beverages Oktoberfest has live German music, a Miss Oktoberfest contest and a Weiner dog beauty competition. Tickets are available on the festival’s website.
2. Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival
ALL WEEKEND | ORIENTAL AND DOWNER THEATRES
Celebrate the 11th annual Milwaukee Muslim film festival this weekend, presented by Milwaukee Film and the Muslim Women’s Coalition. The Oriental and Downer theatres will be showing eight different movies throughout four days; each showcasing Muslim experiences. Information on how to purchase tickets for each film can be purchased on Milwaukee Film’s website.
3. Nō Studios Dance Fest
SATURDAY 3-9 P.M. | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Enjoy the power of live dance at Nō Studio’s DanceFest this weekend. The show – which is split into a daytime event at the Peck Pavilion, starting at 3 p.m. and an indoor show in the Wilston Theater at 7:30 p.m. features a mixture of local and regional dancers from 14 different dance companies across the country. They’ll be performing a range of styles from contemporary to Jit to Irish and classical. Tickets can be purchased here.
If someone has inspired you through their service, leadership or dedication, the Unity Awards are your opportunity to recognize them!
Other Events
4. Emo Night with Midnight Anthem at Nashville North
THURSDAY 7–10 P.M. | 1216 EAST BRADY ST.
Are you ready to rock this weekend? Stop by Nashville North on East Brady Street for Emo Night, a night of pop-punk, emo nostalgia and live music from the three-part band Midnight Anthem. Grab a drink and enjoy the hits from My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Good Charlotte and more. The event is free to attend.
5. Creature Fear: Milwaukee Premiere—Shocktoberfest Kickoff
THURSDAY 7–9:30 P.M. | AVALON ATMOSPHERIC THEATER
Prepared to get scared this October with the Milwaukee premiere of the awarding winning horror film, “Creature Fear.” Set in a small Wisconsin town, the film follows a felon who after eating diseased meat, begins to slowly slip into madness. The film’s director and Wisconsin native, Manny Gumina, will be in attendance. Tickets can be purchased here.
6. Reggie Wilson Artist Talk and ‘POWER’ Performance
THURSDAY 6:15–7:15 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Head to the Milwaukee Art Museum for the debut performance of “POWER” by the Fist & Hell Performance Group and hear a talk from its creator Reggie Wilson. The performance dance piece draws from Wilson’s own research on African American spiritual traditions, the history of the Shaker movement and more. The event is included with museum admission.
7. Recognizing Us Art Exhibition
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY 11:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. | SPAIGHTS PLAZA AT UW-MILWAUKEE
For the first time, UW-Milwaukee is hosting a makers market, selling goods from more than 50 students, alumni and community members. The market will fill Spaights Plaza with artisanal foods, handcrafted jewelry, original artwork and more. A food truck and live music will also enliven the scene.
8. Bright Eyes Concert
FRIDAY 7:30 P.M. | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Grab a ticket and jam to the indie band live. Made famous for their impact on the indie-music scene and collaborations with Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers and more, doors open at 6:30 p.m. General admissions tickets are $59.50 and can be purchased here.
9. Mt. Joy Concert
FRIDAY 8 P.M. | LANDMARK CREDIT UNION LIVE
Indie-rock band Mt. Joy is celebrating their 10-year anniversary with a North American tour, and they’re stopping right here in Milwaukee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m., tickets can be purchased here.
10. Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association Show and Sale
FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M.-6 P.M. AND SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | WAUKESHA COUNTY EXPOSITION CENTER
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association is hosting its 75th annual Antique Dealers Show and Sale at the Waukesha County Exposition Center. Check out the antiques of 61 different collectors from 10 states. The Friday night show also includes a fish fry. Admission is $8 upon entry and is good for both the show and the fish fry.
11. Illuminating the Dark Tour
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 4:30-6:00 P.M. | THE PABST MANSION
Spooky month has begun, and with it so have Pabst Mansion’s Halloween tours which run on Fridays and Saturdays through the end of the month. This exploration offers visitors dimly lit candle views of the historic venue, inviting them to take a closer look at spaces that usually go unnoticed. Attendees can explore the mansion’s lower levels, iconic architecture and hidden compartments, however the Pabst Mansion does not recommend this tour for children. Times and tickets can be reserved on the Pabst Mansion’s website.
12. Tosa Locally Made Pop-Up Market
SATURDAY 10 A.M.-3 P.M. | THE LANDING AT HOYT PARK
Head to Wauwatosa to enjoy a classic fall market. Sip on some drinks and check out the creations of more than 30 Wisconsin based artists. Browse handcrafted jewelry, baked goods and apparel or just stroll and chat with a group of friends. The event is free to attend.
13. Edible Trees of Lynden
SATURDAY 10 A.M.-NOON | LYNDEN SCULPTURE GARDEN
Join Lynden Sculpture Garden’s land manager Robert Kaleta in River Hills and embark on a stroll around the outdoor sculpture park. Located about 25 minutes outside of Milwaukee, Lynden Sculpture Gardens was originally built as an estate and houses more than 50 sculptures and statues spanning across a 40-acre property. There, Kaleta will teach you how to forage, identify plants and you might even get a chance to snack on some tree nuts. Register here or call 414-446-8794 to purchase tickets.
14. The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration
SUNDAY 7 P.M. | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration presented by Marcus Performing Arts Center brings to life the career and impact of Karen and Richard Carpenter. The tribute concert will perform all the hits from The Carpenters discography including the fan favorites “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Close to You.” Tickets can be purchased here.
15. Fall Food Truck Frenzy
SUNDAY 11 A.M.-3 P.M. | 4320 S. KIRKWOOD AVE., ST. FRANCIS
Sip on some beer, soda and sweet drinks at the 6th annual Food Truck Frenzy pop-up in St. Francis. Attendees can munch on anything from a bento box to a burger, enjoy live jazz from the Milwaukee-based consortium Jazz Flux or explore their pumpkin patch. Beverage proceeds go to the non-profit organization Rotary International. The event is free to attend.
