Featured Events
1. Harley-Davidson Homecoming
ALL WEEKEND | FOUR VENUES
Rev your engines – Harley-Davidson Homecoming is back. The annual celebration of music, motorcycle culture and one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable brands is taking over Veterans Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum, Harley-Davidson Headquarters, and Harley-Davidson’s Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls. Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. are headlining the lineup of live performances. Check out all the events and activities here.
2. Dragon Boat Festival
SATURDAY FROM 8 A.M.-5 P.M. | LAKESHORE STATE PARK
While the motorcycles take over the roads, dragon boats take over the waters. Fifty teams of dragon boat paddlers will be racing across Lake Michigan at Lakeshore State Park, competing in the ancient Chinese sport. Besides watching the race, spectators can also see traditional dragon dance performances and martial arts demonstrations, and sample Asian cuisine at this festival.
3. Smoke on the Water
SATURDAY FROM NOON-4 P.M. | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Missing the Summerfest grounds already? Well, come back for Smoke on the Water, a “BBQ and Brews Fest.” This lakeside party will feature barbecue from vendors, including Double B’s and Real Urban, along with beverage sampling and live music by Bobby Friss at the Uline Warehouse stage. Get tickets here.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
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4. Brewers vs. Nationals
ALL WEEKEND | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Watch the Brew Crew take on the Washington Nationals this weekend. Friday also marks the Brewers’ Negro Leagues Tribute Game, honoring Black history with a makers market and live music. Find tickets to all three games here.
5. Cedarburg Sidewalk Sale
ALL WEEKEND | CEDARBURG
Boutiques across Cedarburg will bring their stores outdoors for this weekend event. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the charming downtown will come alive with sidewalk shopping.
6. Milwaukee Milkmen vs. Kane County Cougars
ALL WEEKEND | FRANKLIN FIELD
If you’re not sick of fireworks after the Fourth, then be sure to stop by the Friday night game – there will be a fireworks show after the game. You can also catch the American Association Milkmen playing on Saturday and Sunday. Grab tickets here.
7. Gallery Talk: ‘The Brilliance of the Spanish World’
THURSDAY FROM NOON-1 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Tanya Paul, MAM’s curator of European art, will talk about the themes behind the museum’s new exhibition “The Brilliance of the Spanish World: El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán” at this gallery talk, open to drop-ins. The exhibition, which ends on July 27, showcases more than 50 paintings by influential Hispanic artists from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The talk is included with museum admission.
8. Sourdough Class
THURSDAY FROM 6-8 P.M. | MEQUON PUBLIC MARKET
You can take and bake your sourdough after Thursday night’s class at the Mequon Public Market. The two-hour workshop will cover all aspects of sourdough breadmaking, from starter maintenance to the crumb and the crust. Plus, attendees will get to sample two breads during the class! Reserve your spot here.
9. Groove for Good
THURSDAY AT 6 P.M. | AMPED: PRIVATE SUITE KARAOKE & EVENTS
Want to get down for a good cause? Groove for Good benefits Hope Street Housing and Community with a night of singing and dancing at Amped. Fifty percent of ticket sales and 10% of all food and beverage sales go directly to Hope Street.
10. Full Moon Canoe
THURSDAY FROM 6:30-8:30 P.M. | 1990 N. COMMERCE ST.
Thursday night marks the full moon – catch a scenic view of it at this canoeing session with the Urban Ecology Center. The UEC will lead paddlers through Downtown’s rivers to try spotting the full moon rising. The event is beginner-level for both adults and teens with previous canoeing experience. Register here.
11. Trevor Hall
THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Catch singer-songwriter Trevor Hall at the Milwaukee stop of his “Monsoon Nights” Tour. He aims to fill Turner Hall Ballroom with an immersive evening of music, storytelling and soundscapes, inspired and assisted by Indian musicians. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Get tickets here.
12. ‘Leave All the Doors Open’ Gallery Opening
FRIDAY FROM 6-9 P.M. | NO INSTRUCTIONS GALLERY
Bay View’s No Instructions Gallery is hosting a free reception on Friday evening to present “Leave All the Doors Open,” a solo exhibition of new work by Rachel Hausmann Schall. Her work explores themes of excess, information saturation and the instinct to find structure within visual chaos.
13. Fashion & Hair Show: A Fundraiser for the National Kidney Foundation
FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO PECK WELCOME CENTER
The Walk It Out Fashion & Hair Show is teaming up with the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin to showcase the latest trends in Milwaukee fashion, style and hair on the runway. A portion of the proceeds from this 18+ event will benefit the National Kidney Foundation. Get tickets online.
14. Offtide + Paper Flames + Stone Theory
FRIDAY AT 7:30 P.M. | ANODYNE COFFEE ROASTING CO.
Anodyne has curated a night of psychedelic rock, with local groups Offtide, Paper Flames and Stone Theory taking the stage. Pay $12 in advance or $15 at the 6:30 p.m. door to hear this lineup live.
15. Novapalooza: Britney Spears Drag Show and Dance Party
FRIDAY AT 9 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
From Baby One More Time to Blackout, you can celebrate the pop princess by paying $10 in advance or $15 on Friday to see this drag show and dance party.
16. Troy Bond
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
New York City comic and writer Troy Bond is spending his weekend at The Improv, with four shows across Friday and Saturday. Get tickets here to hear him tackle everything from politics to superheroes, with a sprinkle of crowdwork.
17. Artists in the Garden
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | SANGER HOUSE GARDENS
Looking for new art to fill your home? Sanger House Gardens will be hosting eight local artists selling pottery, glass, photography and more this Saturday. Guests are invited to shop and chat with the artists.
18. Robin Trower
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | PABST THEATER
Last year marked five decades since Robin Trower released his 1974 commercial breakthrough album Bridge of Sighs. The critically acclaimed work was recently remastered and re-released, and Trower is performing to celebrate the anniversary. Get tickets to the show here.
19. Clark House Museum Ice Cream Social
SUNDAY FROM NOON-4 P.M. | CLARK HOUSE MUSEUM
Guests are invited to play old-timey kids games, tour the Clark House Museum and grab a sweet treat at this family-friendly event.
20. Jewelry Workshop
SUNDAY FROM 2-4 P.M. | MEQUON PUBLIC MARKET
Learn how to create your own unique pair of earrings using polymer clay at this two-hour jewelry-making class at the Mequon Public Market. Template instructions, along with all materials and supplies, will be provided. Reserve your spot here.
