1. Find Fresh Food at the Tosa Farmers Market
THROUGH OCT. 12 | TOSA VILLAGE Oct. 12
It’s the last chance to swing by the Tosa Farmers Market before its season ends. Stock up on local produce, shop from artisans and treat makers, and take part in outdoor yoga and cooking demonstrations.
2. China Lights
THROUGH OCT. 27 | BOERNER GARDENS
See over 40 exquisite paper lantern sculptures light up the night in kaleidoscopic colors. Take in the artful details, or run through the expanded interactive playground. It’s the Year of the Dragon, so expect the mythical creatures in different forms throughout the garden.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Waitress
OCT. 4-27 | SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
Sugar, butter, flour – Jenna takes solace in her delicious pies and eccentric co-workers amid a loveless marriage – until she lets herself dream bigger. This musical has become a new favorite thanks to its positivity and songs by Grammy-nominated artist Sara Bareilles.
4. Milwaukee Oktoberfest
OCT. 4-6 | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
Prost! Once again, Milwaukee breaks out its steins for this 14th annual Oktoberfest. Ample beer is poured, of course, but revelers can also enjoy a brat-eating contest, a cornhole tournament and a wiener dog pageant.
5. Walk on the Hoan Bridge
OCT. 5 | HOAN BRIDGE
You don’t need to be a marathon runner to race across the Hoan Bridge. Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon is pairing its 5K with a new walk to encourage all interested participants to enjoy the skyline and raise money for the This Time Tomorrow Foundation.
6. MKE Studio Tour
OCT. 5-6 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
About 50 local artists in 18 studios around Milwaukee County are opening their doors to give the public a peek behind the artistic process. Check out participating creators making jewelry, ceramics, glass, woodwork and much more.
7. Illuminati Hotties
OCT. 9 | VIVARIUM
Sarah Tudzin started her music career as a sound engineer, doing production on numerous hit indie albums like Boygenuis’ The Record. Her own project, Illuminati Hotties, plays tender rock that packs a punch.
8. World of Oddities Expo
OCT. 12 | BAIRD CENTER
This traveling expo celebrates all things weird with a bazaar of the bizarre. Expect oddball circus performers, strange wares, freaky tattoos and rat taxidermy.
9. Boo at the Zoo
OCT. 17-20 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Costumes and candy are par for the Halloween course, but what about wild animals? At this family-friendly spooky season party, guests can walk a trick-or-treat trail, watch pumpkin carving demonstrations and learn about nocturnal creatures.
10. Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival
OCT. 17-20 | ORIENTAL THEATRE
This ninth annual festival shares Muslim stories from around the world, with nine films followed by engaging conversations and tasty food.
11. Gallery Night MKE
OCT. 18-19 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
The quarterly art party serves as a premiere for much of Milwaukee’s fall exhibition season. It’s a great chance to catch several new shows at once in the Third Ward, Walker’s Point, Downtown and other neighborhoods.
12. Marie and Rosetta
OCT. 22-DEC. 22 | MILWAUKEE REP
In the late 1940s, legendary guitarist and singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe holds a rehearsal with a powerful young talent named Marie Knight. This musical delivers early rock ’n’ roll and gospel classics to tell how two creative forces united for a historic tour.
13. Remember Loved Ones with Ofrendas
OCT. 23-NOV. 15 | LATINO ARTS
For Día de los Muertos, families honor those who have passed by creating ofrendas – altars that celebrate and welcome back the dead. Latino Arts’ yearly exhibit showcases local ofrendas and highlights the history of the tradition in and outside of Mexico.
14. Henry Winkler
OCT. 23 | ORIENTAL THEATRE
The man known as the Fonz has found his way back to Milwaukee to talk about his new memoir, Being Henry: The Fonz … and Beyond. It covers his experience living with dyslexia and finding his path forward after “Happy Days.” Tickets include an unsigned copy of the book.
15. The Queen’s Six
OCT. 26 | ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Straight out of Windsor Castle, these vocalists sing for the British royal family and performed at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. They come to Milwaukee, courtesy of Early Music Now, with a program inspired by Elizabethan-age espionage. earlymusicnow.org
16. Under the Baobab Tree: Spirit
OCT. 26 | FATHER ROBERT V. CARNEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The latest performance from Ko-Thi Dance Company takes inspiration from the magnificent power of African baobab tree. Compelling rhythms from live percussionists paired with expressive dances promise to “stir the senses and ignite the spirit.”
17. ‘What We Do in the Cider Haus’
OCT. 29-NOV. 2 | POMONA CIDER CO. .
Fans of the hit FX show “What We Do in the Shadows” need not despair after the series finale. Pomona Cider Co. is transforming its taproom into a Gothic mansion for vampires, styled after the show’s trademark dark humor.
18. GWAR
OCT. 31 | THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
If getting sprayed with fake blood to deafening thrash metal sounds like an ideal Halloween, GWAR’s the band for you. The group’s live shows are known for graphically grotesque antics and gnarly monster costumes.
