1. Peeps Art Exhibition
APRIL 1-18 | RACINE ART MUSEUM
Few other art shows are quite this sweet. Creative minds draw upon – and in most cases, actually use – the seasonal marshmallow confections for paintings, sculptures, dioramas and more.
2. Frida … A Self Portrait
APRIL 3-MAY 17 | MILWAUKEE REP
This one-woman play, written and performed by Vanessa Severo, captures the extraordinary life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The performance explores her artistic practice, her ups and downs and her uncompromising vision.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Milwaukee Zoo’s Egg Day
APRIL 4 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
During this springtime celebration and parade, little ones can hunt for those ever-elusive eggs and meet the famed bunny who hides them. And be on the lookout for the animals, who will find surprise-filled eggs of their own.
4. Imani Perry
APRIL 6 | AMERICA’S BLACK HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Black in Blues, the latest book from the Harvard professor and National Book Award-winning author, meditates on the color blue’s close ties to the concept of Blackness. Perry will speak with local literature influencer Cree Myles.
5. Men I Trust
APRIL 10 | THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
This Canadian electropop band has chill distilled to the essence: hazy vocals, slick grooves and sparkling guitar. They arrive at The Rave on the heels of two 2025 albums – Equus Asinus and Equus Caballus – that push their sound in a folkier direction.
6. Beyond the Shimmer
APRIL 10-11 | JAN SERR STUDIO
Space is the place for Wild Space Dance Company, whose latest multisensory performance launches the audience into the cosmos as the dancers perform with mirror balls, flashlights and more in a theatrical narrative.
7. A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream
APRIL 10-26 | SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
Would William Shakespeare have loved rock ’n’ roll? Hard to say, but this musical adaptation of his comedic classic – about lovers entangled in Athens, fairies, a troupe of amateur actors and more – energizes the original text with hair-raising numbers and a rebellious spirit.
8. Little Blue Crunchy Things
APRIL 11 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Milwaukee’s own ’90s alt-funk sensation is reuniting for a two-set hometown show, preceded by a screening of the band’s documentary, Florence. Expect boisterous horns and rockin’ crowds.
9. Frozen
APRIL 11-MAY 17 | FIRST STAGE
The blockbuster Disney movie hits the stage with magic ice powers, snowmen and all. Young performers lead this full two-hour production with dazzling sets and new songs in addition to the beloved showstoppers.
10. Milwaukee Makers Market
APRIL 12 | DISCOVERY WORLD
What better time to buy local than right before 414 Day? This popular market series starts its season celebrating the city and its creativity, with vendors selling art, soap, candles and much more.
11. Art in Bloom
APRIL 16-19 | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Dozens of vibrant, ornate floral arrangements reimagine works of art in the museum’s collection for this lush weekend. Friday night brings the Floral Fashion Show, where blooms cross with haute couture.
12. ‘Good to See You’
APRIL 18-NOV. 8 | JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER
Wellness culture gets a playful, earnest inquiry from artists Ilana Harris-Babou and Yoshie Sakai in this exhibition. The former creates quirky beauty products questioning health as a luxury, and the latter confronts ageism with fun spaces for older adults.
13. Laughs for Lincoln
APRIL 19 | X-RAY ARCADE
Chastity Washington and Rachel Mac lead the local lineup for a comedy revue at noon raising money for Cudahy’s Lincoln Elementary PTO. A prize-filled raffle will also support the cause.
14. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
APRIL 21 | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Founded by the trailblazing dancer/choreographer, the premier modern dance company continues to fuse styles, costuming and storytelling into thrilling, one-of-a-kind performances.
15. Midwest Gaming Classic
APRIL 24-26 | BAIRD CENTER
Press start on thousands of arcade games and gaming consoles – plus try pinball machines, tabletop games and more – at this massive annual event for newbies and fanatics alike. Competitions, panels, workshops and more add to the fun.
16. Bug
APRIL 25-MAY 9 | BROADWAY THEATRE CENTER
Broadway Theatre Center
While staying at a motel, a divorced waitress in dire straits falls into paranoia and then conspiratorial thinking after meeting someone new. Running on Broadway earlier this year, this early-career play by Tracy Letts is staged by Milwaukee’s The Constructivists.
17. Michelada Fest
APRIL 25 | ZÓCALO FOOD PARK
Back for a second year, this ode to the salt-rimmed Mexican drink – beer, lime juice, spices and often tomato juice – pits Milwaukee’s top bars against each other to craft the best. Miches are paired with live music, food trucks and more.
18. Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman
APRIL 28 | RIVERSIDE THEATER
It’s two healthy helpings of country-tinged rock. Both artists released breakthrough albums in 2024 – Waxahatchee’s Tigers Blood and Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks – and collaborate extensively. Expect plenty of duets.
