Featured Events
1. Spelling Bee Showdown
THURSDAY FROM 6:30-8:30 P.M. | LAKEFRONT BREWERY
Lakefront Brewery is hosting an adult spelling bee of epic proportions. Teams will compete in a contest that’s a spelling bee/trivia hybrid for a chance to win Lakefront gift cards. Reservations are limited, all other seating is first come, first serve. Throughout the week, Lakefront is also taking donations of new or gently used school supplies for the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation. This event is 21+ unless accompanied by a parent.
2. Locust Street Festival
SUNDAY FROM 11:30 A.M.-8 P.M. | LOCUST STREET
The 47th annual Locust Street Festival is here! Beginning in 1976, the festival celebrates a hard-fought win over the City of Milwaukee when it proposed widening the street and in turn demolishing buildings. The day kicks off with a beer run from local Riverwest breweries. After, the day is jam-packed with four live music stages, local vendors, artists, food and more.
3. UPAF Ride for the Arts
SUNDAY FROM 7 A.M.-12 P.M. | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Get together with friends and family and raise money for the arts! The UPAF Ride for the Arts is a 20-mile bike ride from Downtown Milwaukee to Cudahy and back across the Hoan Bridge. Since the ride began in 1981, over 300,000 participants have raised more than $12 million to support local performing arts organizations. Wellness activations, food and drinks will be available at the start and finish line. This event is suitable for all ages, with shorter tracks available for families with young children. Registration is required and can be done online for $75.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
More Events
4. MKE History Trivia
THURSDAY FROM 6-P.M. | RAY’S BAR
It’s trivia night – Milwaukee edition – down at Ray’s Bar. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Heirloom MKE’s food truck will be on-site for dinner. Guests are also welcome to carry in food from elsewhere. Trivia is hosted by Milwaukee County Historical Society and is free to play!
5. The Serve! Competition Edition
THURSDAY AT 10:30 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
So you think you can serve? Local drag queen Susie Starlet hosts a monthly drag showcase for newcomers to the Milwaukee scene, and this month’s is a competition. The prize? $75 cash and a guaranteed future show booking. This showcase is 18+ and free to attend.
6. Milwaukee Tattoo Festival
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT VARIOUS TIMES | BAIRD CENTER
Over 200 tattoo artists are coming to Milwaukee to this sprawling tattoo convention. Artists are doing tattoos, selling merch and art, and more all weekend. Many artists will have walk-up appointments available for those looking for fresh ink. A three-day pass is available for $60, and single-day passes are available for $27.
7. Moss Art Class
FRIDAY FROM 4-9 P.M. | THE LOCAL MAKERY
Learn to make art out of natural materials at The Local Makery. This moss art workshop is a hands-on class where participants make a piece of wall art using preserved moss. The class will go through preparing the moss, designing a composition and creating the piece. It’s suitable for all skill levels, and participants must be at least 8 years old. The registration fee is $65 and includes all materials.
8. SwiftProv featuring The Daily Harold
FRIDAY FROM 7:30-9:30 P.M. | INTERCHANGE THEATRE
All Swifties are invited to a night of improv with The Daily Harold. The improv will be based on randomly selected Taylor Swift songs and stories from audience members. Costumes and friendship bracelets are encouraged! Tickets can be purchased online for $10 each.
9. Tacos and Tequila Festival
SATURDAY ALL DAY | FRANKLIN FIELD
The Tacos and Tequila Festival is bringing together craft margaritas, locally crafted tacos, world-renowned hip-hop artists and more. This year’s headliner is rap icon Rick Ross, along with Ginuwine and Soulja Boy. General admission tickets are $29 and include access to the full festival experience. A VIP ticket is also available for $99 and includes faster entry, premium viewing zones and dedicated bars.
10. SummerFeast Preview Party
SATURDAY FROM 12-3 P.M. | METRO MARKET GREENFIELD
Sherman Park’s Greenwood Park Gallery and Framing is bringing live portraiture to Metro Market in Greenfield. At this event, artist Robert Goynes will sketch live portraits of attendees. The afternoon will also include food and drinks, a local artist showcase, live music and more.
11. Morning Glory Art Fair
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M.-5 P.M. | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Over 100 artists from 11 states are heading to the Morning Glory Art Fair this weekend. Hosted by Wisconsin Craft, the 51st edition of this annual fair features ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry and much more. Morning Glory is free and open to the public.
12. Friends of Wehr Native Plant Sale Fundraiser
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M. | WEHR NATURE CENTER
Plants for sale! The Friends of Wehr Nature Center are selling native plants this weekend. The sale will feature a large selection of plants that help keep our ecosystem in balance. Proceeds support the Wehr Nature Center and its habitat restoration activities.
13. Handmade with Pride Makers Market
SUNDAY FROM 12 P.M-5 P.M. | GREAT LAKES DISTILLERY
Kick off Pride Month at Great Lakes Distillery. The Handmade with Pride market celebrates and supports talented artists from across Milwaukee selling loads of crafts, from books to photography. During the market, the distillery’s Fox Den restaurant will be serving food, and the speakeasy bar will sling cocktails.
14. Wisconsin Bike Week
SUNDAY AT VARIOUS TIMES | DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
It’s officially bike week! This initiative by the Wisconsin Bike Fed promotes cycling and community in the state. Sunday is packed with fun rides including the UPAF Ride for the Arts, MKE Rec Sunday Touring ride and the Bay View Bike Club ride. Join in the joy of bicycling around the city, meeting new friends and getting involved in the community.
15. Live Inside at The Argo
SUNDAY FROM 1-8 P.M. | THE ARGO
Three stages, stacked with artists, all evening. At Live Inside, all three stages at the new Whitefish Bay venue are running all day and bringing something different, and guests can come listen for free. Wander between sets, grab a bite to eat and discover new artists. This event is open to all ages.
16. Deadly Prey Pop-Up Exhibition
SUNDAY FROM 6-10 P.M. | CHARLES ALLIS ART MUSEUM
If you’ve ever glimpsed those creative, outrageously violent hand-painted Ghanaian movie posters, here’s your chance to see them on canvas. The touring exhibition Deadly Prey is stopping by the Charles Allis Art Museum with hundreds of posters, T-shirts and more for sale – 100% of proceeds go toward the 10 artists that created them. The exhibition closes June 7.
