1. Festa Italiana
ALL WEEKEND | ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER
The beloved annual cultural festival invites all to celebrate Wisconsin’s Italian American heritage. For its second year at the Italian Community Center’s own property, Festa Italiana will present lots of food, live music, cooking demonstrations, food competitions, a bocce tournament and a pizza-making contest for kids.
2. DeRay Davis: Too Much? Tour
ALL WEEKEND | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
DeRay Davis’ extensive resume boasts many television and film roles and a stand-up special. Milwaukee Improv hosts the comedian and his raunchy comedy that melds his upbringing, acting career and fatherhood journey.
Architects, interior designers, renovators and landscapers: Submit your best work for consideration!
3. Prowl Radio Presents Battle of the Bands
FRIDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | SPAIGHTS PLAZA
UW-Milwaukee’s first student-run radio station is ushering in the new school year with a Battle of the Bands. Four local acts – Scam Likely, Lake Drive, 9 a.m. and Alley Eyes – will compete for a cash prize, and the winner will be chosen by audience vote.
4. Old Dominion: No Bad Vibes Tour
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | FISERV FORUM
The contemporary country band Old Dominion swings by Firserv Forum for an energetic show of their greatest hits. The Nashville group’s tour is off the heels of a CMA Award and is promoting their upcoming Oct. 6 album, Memory Lane.
5. The Astronomers with JADY and Emmett Mulrooney
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | THE BACK ROOM @ COLECTIVO
The genre-blending Oshkosh duo takes the stage at Colectivo’s Back Room to showcase their dynamic sound, with opening performances from Columbus alt-pop duo JADY and Milwaukee singer-songwriter Emmett Mulrooney.
6. Well + Good Album Release Show
FRIDAY AT 9:30 P.M. | COMPANY BREWING
Join indie-rock group Well + Good with special guests Glitzy and Royal Mill at Riverwest’s Company Brewing to recognize the release of the band’s latest album, i don’t wanna be bored. While you celebrate local music, grab a craft beer at a quintessential Riverwest hot spot.
7. NiteLight
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. | 710 W. HISTORIC MITCHELL ST.
Joy Engine brings a new art experience to Historic Mitchell Street that can only be enjoyed once the sun goes down. NiteLight will feature a multicolored light show projected on the side of the Mitchell Building and interspersed with live music, dance performances and a fashion show.
8. TosaFest
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. AND SATURDAY AT 9:30 A.M. | DOWNTOWN WAUWATOSA
With live music on three stages, five beer gardens, dozens of local vendors and a variety of activities and street games, TosaFest assembles the Village for another year of festive fun.
9. Fourth Annual Shorewood Feast and Street Festival
SATURDAY AT 12 P.M. | OAKLAND AVE., SHOREWOOD
Shorewood will close Oakland Avenue for its namesake fall festival that’ll include BMX demonstrations, rock climbing walls and live entertainment. Its harvest dinner – a 125-person feast in the street – is sold out, but hungry festivalgoers can still visit local food vendors.
10. Emo Nite at The Rave
SATURDAY AT 9 P.M. | THE RAVE
Don an all-black outfit and head to The Rave for an emo dance party Saturday night. Emo Nite will play the throwback and current emo hits for those who are keeping their edge in the present day.
11. Ferrari Challenge at Road America
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | ROAD AMERICA, PLYMOUTH
Get your adrenaline pumping with the Ferrari Challenge at Elkhart Lake’s famed track, Road America. This weekend will consist of thrilling races with famed Ferarri sports cars and Saturday night fireworks.
12. Trimborn Farm Harvest of Arts & Crafts
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 10 A.M. | TRIMBORN FARM
Browse wearable art, holiday decorations and handcrafted keepsakes at this 40th annual fall festival. While you’re shopping, snag some snacks and sips from food vendors and the Traveling Beer Gardens in the historical Milwaukee County park.
13. Frank Mots International Kite Festival
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 10 A.M. | VETERANS PARK
Colorful kites from around the world will fly the Milwaukee skies this weekend at the Frank Mots International Kite Festival. The event will begin with a grand launch of over 600 kites for an impressive display of this aerial hobby.
14. MILK Comic Fest 2023
SUNDAY AT 10:30 A.M. | THE COOPERAGE
Experience local and national comic artists at this one-day festival. MILK Comic Fest offers plenty of opportunities to interact with well-known illustrators and comic artists and will have art and comics for sale directly from the sources themselves.
15. Petty Union: Tribute to Howie Epstein and Brian Lynch Quartet
SUNDAY AT 7 P.M. | SHANK HALL
This concert honors two Grammy Award-winning Nicolet High School alumni: Brian Lynch and the late Howie Epstein. Featuring music from both Epstein’s time as part of the legendary band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Lynch’s decorated jazz career, the Tom Petty tribute band will celebrate the two men and their legacy in Milwaukee.
