Featured Events
1. Doors Open Milwaukee
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | CITY-WIDE
Doors Open Milwaukee, an annual celebration of Milwaukee’s architecture, history and neighborhoods, is back for its 15th year. This two-day event will open more than 160 locations throughout the metro area for free, many of which are usually off-limits to the public. You can review the full list of participating buildings here, and if you’re interested, our staff shared their must-see Doors Open picks here.
2. Milwaukee Fashion Week
ALL WEEKEND | THREE LOCATIONS
See the best in local fashion during this annual celebration. Friday’s High Fashion Night at the Milwaukee Public Museum and Saturday’s Streetwear Showcase at the Rivulet will be performed as traditional runway shows, while Sunday’s “Forms and Figures” exhibition will display local talent with live models at City Hall. You can grab tickets to all three events online.
3. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: Disco Divas
ALL WEEKEND | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be performing three nights of disco hits, powered by Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling, to open the MSO Pops season. Sing along to “I’m Coming Out,” “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” “We Are Family” and more hits at any of the 7:30 p.m. shows.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
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4. UWM Faculty Exhibition: ‘Sum Total’
ALL WEEKEND | KENILWORTH SQUARE EAST GALLERY
“Sum Total,” a biennial exhibition that celebrates the artistic faculty and teaching staff of the Peck School of the Arts’ Department of Art & Design, ends this weekend. Before it closes, you can see what’s on view at the Kenilworth Square East Gallery from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.
5. Adam Ray
ALL WEEKEND | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
Catch seasoned comedian and actor Adam Ray during his weekend at Milwaukee Improv. Some may recognize the Seattle-raised comic from his roles in shows and films like HBO Max’s “Hacks” and Barbie. Others may have heard Ray on popular podcasts like “Kill Tony,” or his own, “About Last Night Podcast.” He has five showtimes across the weekend, and you can grab tickets to sets on Friday and Sunday here.
6. Brewers vs. Reds
ALL WEEKEND | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Watch the Brew Crew take on the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fan Appreciation Night is this Saturday, and the first 30,000 fans who enter the gates get a free Brewers tumbler. Find tickets to all three games here.
7. Milwaukee Flavor Live: Dana Spandet
THURSDAY AT 5:30 P.M. | MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
Join Flour Girl & Flame’s Dana Spandet, as she leads this fall’s second Milwaukee Flavor Live at the Public Market. On her menu is a globally inspired shakshuka and her Dutch baby brunch staple. Tickets will include a live demo by the chef, tastings of featured dishes and an audience Q&A.
8. Santa Barbara Wine Tasting
THURSDAY FROM 6-7:30 P.M. | WATERFORD WINE & SPIRITS
Explore Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 Wine Region of the Year at this Thursday night tasting at Waterford Wine & Spirits. Santa Barbara wine country’s history stretches back more than 200 years. But those traditional, hand-made techniques have combined with the latest innovations in grape-growing and wine-making we have today. Sommeliers will guide guests through this evolution, with nine wines to-be-tasted, and you can reserve a spot here.
9. StorySlam: Second Chances
THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE SUGAR MAPLE
Come to this storytelling session to listen to others, or throw your name in the hat for a shot at sharing your “second chance” story with the audience. Tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door. “Pay-it-forward” tickets are also available for purchase or request online.
10. Bay View Gallery Night
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. | BAY VIEW
Head over to Bay View for another free Gallery Night! Starting at 5 p.m., more than 50 locations will celebrate local art, music and Milwaukee small businesses, with their individual events spotlighting different art forms. Check out the list of participating venues here.
11. Beginner Kayaking Class
FRIDAY FROM 5:30-7 P.M. | URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – WASHINGTON PARK
Want to get out on the water this weekend? The Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park is holding a kayaking class for beginners. Register here to learn basic paddling techniques, safety essentials and boat handling. Kayaks and life jackets will be provided.
12. OktoBEARfest
FRIDAY FROM 6-9 P.M. | RACINE ZOO
You can enjoy this German-themed night at the Racine Zoo, with beer tasting from a souvenir sampling glass, a selection of hors d’oeuvres and a visit with an animal ambassador. Get tickets here.
13. Friday Night Freak Show: To Sir, with Love
FRIDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | ORIENTAL THEATRE
Okay, movie lovers. The Friday Night Freak Show is back at the Oriental Theatre! The pick of the night? The 1967 classic To Sir, with Love – a powerful British drama starring Sidney Poitier. The night will kick off at 6:30 p.m., with a live DJ set from Dave Cornils of One Man’s Trash on WMSE. The film will start rolling at 7:30 p.m. Grab your tickets here.
14. Eric Church
FRIDAY AT 7:30 P.M. | FISERV FORUM
The country singer is in town for his “Free the Machine” tour. He’ll be at the Fiserv Forum on Friday night, with supporting group the Marcus King Band. Tickets to the “Drink in my Hand” singer are on sale here.
15. Morning Yoga at Davidson Park
SATURDAY AT 9 A.M. | DAVIDSON PARK
The last Saturday of this summer yoga series, presented by Davidson Park, is this weekend. Join in for the free 9 a.m. class, and stick around for self-guided tours of the park – thanks to Door Open Milwaukee! Register online.
16. SAVOUR 2025: Garden Gala – Cultivating Creativity
SATURDAY FROM 5:30-10:30 P.M. | RACINE ART MUSEUM’S WUSTUM MUSEUM
The annual fundraiser will highlights the diverse flavors of local cuisine paired with art created by local artists. You can purchase tickets here. Proceeds from the event will support programs at both museum campuses, along with local artists and restaurants.
17. Sunset Tower Climb
SATURDAY AT 6:10 P.M. | WIND POINT LIGHTHOUSE
The Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine is hosting a Sunset Tower Climb. The tour will start at 6:10 p.m., climbing to catch the 6:39 p.m. sunset. Tickets are available online.
18. Americana Matinee
SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. | THE COOPERAGE
Head to The Cooperage for an early matinee, with performers from Texas, Tennessee and (of course) Wisconsin performing their own Americana sound. Stick around to watch the Green Bay vs. Dallas evening game.
