Featured Events
1. Hunting Moon Pow Wow
ALL WEEKEND AT VARIOUS TIMES | BAIRD CENTER
Celebrate Native American culture and heritage at the annual Hunting Moon Pow Wow, a three-day extravaganza bringing dancers, drummers and singers from across the country to Milwaukee. This free event features dance competitions, Native American art and food vendors. It brings together and encourages Native and non-Native communities alike to celebrate. Free parking and a shuttle service will be offered by the Potawatomi Casino Hotel.
2. Milwaukee Paracon
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-6 P.M. | KOCHANSKI’S BEER GARDEN
Get into the spooky spirit with this paranormal convention – Milwaukee style. It’s a day chalked full of Cream City’s weirdest stories, from local folklore to nearby UFO sightings told by paranormal experts, haunted historians and guests alike. The first hour sets the mood with an open mic dedicated to attendees’ personal ghost stories, and then pivots to an afternoon of book chats, an eerie violin performance and chilling stories from paranormal enthusiasts. Amidst the tales, vendors will sell a variety of oddities and local wares geared toward the Halloween-obsessed. Note that the event is 21+, but those underage can be accompanied by a guardian. Registration is required, but admission is free.
3. 38th Annual Halloween Haunts
ALL WEEKEND FROM 6-8:30 P.M. | WEHR NATURE CENTER
Take a nighttime guided walk through the woodlands of Wehr Nature Center, transformed into an “enchanted forest” lit by over 300 jack-o-lanterns. The annual nature hike is family friendly Halloween fun – spooky, but not too spooky. With appearances including (but not limited to) a witch, a talking owl, musically-gifted arthropods and a cast of legacy characters. Get there early to take a pre-hike stroll with a story time, or stay afterwards for indoor Halloween crafts and snacks. Tickets are $16 each and are available here.
Celebrate this year’s winners of the Betty Awards!
Other Events
4. 414Flea Night Market
THURSDAY FROM 4-8 P.M. | ZOCALO FOOD PARK
Make the most of 414Flea’s final outdoor market of the year. Browse through 40+ vendor booths selling vintage clothing, handmade wares and unique finds while grooving to tunes from a live DJ. Plus, grab a bite to eat from Zócalo’s food trucks, sip on a fun drink and spend the afternoon supporting local makers, talented artists and small businesses. Better yet, admission is free!
5. Two Brothers One Mind Comedy and Magic Show
THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE LAUGHING TAP
Experience this one-of-a-kind night full of giggles and illusions at The Laughing Tap, as comedy and magic duo Two Brothers One Mind take the stage. Known for their stint on “America’s Got Talent,” these seasoned comics masterfully combine mind-reading tricks, audience immersion and witty banter. Tickets cost $20 in advance here or $25 at the door.
6. Murder Mystery at the Villa
FRIDAY FROM 6-10 P.M. | VILLA TERRACE MUSEUM & GARDENS
Become a detective for the night by discovering the many secrets at Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens. Live actors will guide the murder mystery by revealing hidden clues to piece together, as well as introduce suspects for guests to interrogate. As night descends over the gardens and nearby Lake Michigan, be warned – nothing is as it seems in this adventure. There will be a cash bar, and light bites will be provided. Feeling extra mysterious? Come in costume! Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.
7. Milwaukee Admirals VS. Colorado Eagles
FRiDAY AT 7 P.M. AND SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. | UW-MILWAUKEE PANTHER ARENA
Cheer on Cream City’s professional minor league hockey team – the Milwaukee Admirals, as they electrify the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in a two-game face-off against the Colorado Eagles. Come ready to experience action on the ice, or simply to meet Roscoe, the quirky orange dog mascot, who proudly sports an Admiral’s hat and jersey. Tickets can be purchased here.
8. Florentine Opera- La Traviata
FRIDAY AT 7:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 2:30 P.M. | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Sprinkle a bit of family fun into your spooky season at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum this Saturday. Hang around a cozy campfire as you hear not-so-scary Halloween stories, watch the children costume parade and meet owls from the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Tickets for members are $10 and $20 for nonmembers. Both can be purchased on the museum’s website.
9. Braille Trail Ribbon Cutting
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-12 P.M. | HAVENWOODS STATE FOREST
Celebrate the grand opening of Havenwoods State Forest’s new Braille Trail. The one-third-mile long loop hiking trail has inclusive audio and tactile elements, along with Braille descriptions of the forest’s history and wildlife. Visitors can explore the new trail, participate in interactive activities and connect with local organizations that serve people who are blind or visually impaired. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11 A.M., and cake will be served afterwards. This event is free and all ages.
10. Autumn Celebration in Washington Park
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-2 P.M. | URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – WASHINGTON PARK
Explore all sorts of autumnal fun for the whole family in Washington Park, hosted by the Urban Ecology Center. Get creative with pumpkin painting and leaf art, meet creepy-crawly insects, see animal skulls and furs or gather around the campfire for s’mores. Face painting and fall treats will also be available. Free tickets are required through registration.
11. Haunted Halloween on Downer Avenue
SATURDAY 1-4 P.M. | DOWNER AVENUE
Get into the Halloween spirit with an afternoon of family-friendly festivities across Milwaukee’s iconic Downer Avenue. Local businesses will welcome trick-or-treaters, and visitors can enjoy face painting, balloon animals, a pumpkin carving contest and story time at the Boswell Book Company. The neighborhood celebration is free to attend with no registration required.
12. “Weird Al” Yankovic: The Bigger & Weirder Tour
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | FISERV FORUM
Comedy music artist Weird Al Yankovic will bring his Bigger & Weirder Tour to Milwaukee. Expect classic parodies from the past four decades like “Smells Like Nirvana,” “Amish Paradise” and “White & Nerdy,” alongside fan favorites never-before-seen live. The five-time Grammy winner will be joined by his longtime band and four additional musicians for a larger-than-life show. Get the laughs going early with Puddles Pity Party, a tall clown specializing in comedy and opera, who will set the stage as Yankovic’s opener.
13. Inside a Dream: The Music of David Lynch
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | THE ARGO
In a tribute to the late-and-great director David Lynch, Whitefish Bay’s The Argo will transform into “The Roadhouse” – a tavern in Lynch’s acclaimed show “Twin Peaks” – with musical scores from his shows and movies as the backtrack. A ten-piece band will explore songs from his many beloved works, such as Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Eraserhead and more. For dinner and a show, the Argo’s restaurant and lounge opens at 4 P.M. for early birds to grab a bite and a cocktail beforehand. This event is 18+ or requires a legal guardian. Tickets are $21 and can be purchased here.
14. Trinket Swap + Market
SUNDAY FROM 11 A.M.-3 P.M. | STORY HILL FIREHOUSE
Trade with fellow collectors at Story Hill FireHouse, and maybe make some fellow trinket-loving friends in the process. This community-focused event is a collaboration with Fresh to Death Vintage and will feature local vendors selling vintage clothing finds, as well as artisans with handmade wares. Besides the nostalgic goodies to discover, a full bar and food truck make this event all-the-more enticing. General admission is free starting at noon, with first-hour early access tickets available for $5 here.
15. Bangle Making Workshop
SUNDAY FROM 1-3 P.M. | HAVEN CAFÉ
Milwaukee’s Haven Café is hosting a bracelet making workshop for beginners and bangle experts alike. The workshop is hands-on and guided, with a variety of 100% plastic materials, gems, sparkles and paint provided for unique recycling opportunities. Bring a friend or make a new one, and leave with some cool new jewelry. This event is 18+, and tickets can be purchased online for $5 each or at a reduced price of two for $10, plus fees.
