1. Rob Little
FRIDAY-SUNDAY | MILWAUKEE IMPROV (MAIN ROOM)
The self-dubbed “happiest comic in America” Rob Little is having a four-day stint at Milwaukee’s Improv’s (20110 Lower Union St.) main room this weekend. He’ll be making light of personal hardships in the energetic set.
2. Independence Celebration
FRIDAY-SUNDAY | LIONS LEGEND PARK
Franklin’s three-day Fourth of July festival has a carnival, a food court and live music. On Saturday, a 32-team cornhole tournament starts at 3 p.m., and the fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. The Independence parade takes place Sunday at 1 p.m., The day will also include an ice cream social, face painting and live music from The Jimmys Band and Almighty Vinyl Band.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Greendale Lions Family Fourth Fest
FRIDAY-MONDAY | BROAD STREET
Eight live acts play over this four-day Fourth of July festival. Bands include Smart Mouth, Cherry Pie and Mount Olive. There’s an amusement park with rides for the kids, and a craft wine and beer tent for adults. Food options include the Lion’s Club Friday night fish fry and food trucks. The festival runs from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night.
4. Sculpture Milwaukee Celebration Week
FRIDAY FROM 8 A.M.-4 P.M. | SAINT KATE – THE ARTS HOTEL
Sculpture Milwaukee Celebration Week closes out at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel on Friday. This week featured the opening of “Actual Fractals, Act I” curated by John Riepenhoff, the exhibition “Nature Doesn’t Know About Us” curated by Ugo Rondinone and the start of the 2023 arts season. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel will host a raffle for prizes and a membership discount.
5. Fun Friday with Ex Fabula
FRIDAY FROM 2-4 P.M. | MOODY PARK
Ex Fabula, a non-profit storytelling group, joins the Amani Youth Council for Fun Friday at Moody Park (2201 W. Auer Ave.). The afternoon features personal storytelling from volunteers, games and food. Snacks start at 50 cents for toddlers and $1 for youth and adults, and all snack proceeds go to the Amani Youth Council.
6. “Forward” Opening Reception
FRIDAY FROM 5-9 P.M. | LILY PAD GALLERY
The Lily Pad Gallery (215 N. Broadway) is hosting its second year of this exhibit, which features nine artists from the state of Wisconsin. Artists include Marc Anderson, Allison B. Cooke and Antwan Ramar. The art will be on view through Aug. 27.
7. The Deslondes, Esther Rose, Mama’s Broke
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
With recent performances by Wednesday and Crywank, Cactus Club is a quiet rival to Summerfest’s big draw, and The Deslondes are no exception. This group uses a blend of country, bluegrass, rock and roll and honky tonk to deliver soulful renditions by putting their genre’s conventions in a new light. Songs like “Real Deal” and “Those Were (Could’ve Been) the Days” draw listeners to the dance floor. The group is supported by Esther Rose, an indie-pop artist who constructs dreamy landscapes with uses of synthesizers, and Nova Scotia’s folk duo Mama’s Broke.
8. Okay Omen, Night Again, Sweettalk (GB), Static Palms Concert
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | PROMISES BAR
Walker’s Point’s Promises Bar (538 W. National Ave.) will showcase a few punk and indie rock bands Friday night. Okay Omen blends post-hardcore, emo and indie rock for a dark sound and confessional lyrics. Night Again is an indie-punk band with folk elements. Green Bay-based Sweettalk features dark, heavy guitars with a sound reminiscent of the Deftones. Static Palms is rooted in pop-punk and influenced by modern emo. Doors open at 8 p.m. and entry is $8.
9. Summerfest Weekend 2
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
It’s Weekend 2 at Summerfest! Check out performances from mainstays like Earth, Wind, and Fire, and newer artists like Yung Gravy and Odesza. Read our coverage of Summerfest here.
10. Jaws: Film with Orchestra
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Brave moviegoers can watch Steven Spielberg’s Jaws with a live orchestra accompaniment this weekend at the Bradley Symphony Center. Hungry patrons can stop by Sound Bites in the Atrium for a meal before the film. Be wary of making plans at Bradford Beach after this suspenseful creature feature…
11. Backyard Book Buffet at Mitchell Street
SATURDAY FROM NOON-2 P.M. | MITCHELL ALLEY
Check out Milwaukee Public Library’s Book-By-Book Summer reading program at this outdoor event with a picnic, games and stacks of books for all ages. Registration is required.
12. 414Flea
SUNDAY FROM 11 A.M.-5 P.M. | ZÓCALO FOOD PARK
The 414Flea Summer Series continues with its Fourth of July weekend flea market. Over 30 local vendors will sell art, crafts, vintage clothes and more. Drinks and cocktails are available in Zócalo’s Tavern and food at the surrounding food trucks. Free parking is available in the parking lot across from Stump MKE (601 S. 6th St.).
13. Milwaukee Card Show
SUNDAY FROM NOON-4 P.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Over 75 vendor tables will be set up at American Family Field on Sunday selling collectible cards. The rare cards range from Pokémon to F1 to Hockey. Food and drinks are sold by the Barrel Yard, and Bernie Brewer will make an appearance. Tickets are $6 with free parking in Stadium Lot 2.
14. Milwaukee County Zoo Deals
SUNDAY AND TUESDAY | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
In celebration of the Fourth, the Milwaukee County Zoo has two special admission days for families. On July 2, the zoo continues its annual event of free admission for military service members and their families. On the Fourth, the zoo offers $4 ticket prices for everyone.
15. Invalids, Snooze, Dilettante
MONDAY FROM 6:30-11 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE
Three math-rock bands take the stage Monday night at X-Ray Arcade. Invalids hails from New Jersey, Snooze from Chicago and Dilettante from Neenah, WI. Snooze has a metal tinge to their sound, and Dilettante will perform a “rare [two]-piece set.” The show is all ages. Doors open at 6:30 with tickets starting at $13.
16. Lakefront Fireworks
MONDAY AT 9:30 P.M. | MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT
The famous Milwaukee firework tradition returns. Before the show, check out the Fireworks Kite Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Veterans Park, where giant colorful kites will soar. In Veterans Park, beer stands pour pints from local breweries from 11 a.m. until the half-hour fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m.
17. Glendale Fourth of July Celebration
TUESDAY | KLETZSCH PARK
Glendale celebrates the Fourth of July with multiple music acts, a parade and a fireworks display. The Children’s Parade kicks off the day at 10 a.m. before the main parade at 10:30 a.m. Shorewood School of Rock will play from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Kletzcsh Park. The park also has bouncy houses, food trucks and a dunk tank. The Toys play fan-favorite covers in a three-hour set from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fireworks close out the celebration at dusk.
18. Hale’s Corners Fourth of July Celebration
TUESDAY | HALES CORNERS
There’s no shortage of activities at Hale’s Corners’ Fourth of July celebration. At the Firecracker Four, you can choose to run the four-mile course or leisurely walk the 1.7-mile alternate route. Holtz Chevrolet will host an antique car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the local library will have an all-day book sale. Noon marks the start of the pie-tasting contest, and the hot dog-eating competition starts at 1:30 p.m. The parade is slated at 4 p.m., and the main attraction, the fireworks are set to launch at 9:30 p.m. in the park.
19. West Allis Independence Day Parade
TUESDAY AT 10 A.M. | 77TH AND GREENFIELD AVE.
This Milwaukee suburb’s Independence Day parade has antique vehicles, marching bands and live performances. The Dancing Grannies and New Orleans’ 610 Stompers will make an appearance. The parade starts at 10 a.m., goes east on 77th St. and Greenfield Ave. and ends at Orchard Ave.
20. Cudahy Fourth of July Parade
TUESDAY AT 11:30 A.M. | S. PACKARD AVE. & E. GRANGE AVE.
This all-day celebration runs starts off with a bike parade at 11:30 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Cudahy’s Independence Day celebration has free ice cream and entertainment at the Cudahy Library, a veterans reception at 1 p.m., and a live performance from the Whiskey Belles, local female country trio, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
21. Whitefish Bay Fourth of July Celebration
TUESDAY FROM 11:30 A.M.-10 P.M. | KLODE PARK
Milwaukee’s northern lakeshore suburb has lots of activities on the fourth. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes east on Silver Spring Dr., turns onto Lake Dr. until it ends at Klode Park. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Klode Park (5960 N. Lake Dr.) will also have carnival games for kids. Live performances from Bigger Boat, Tinker Boys and Wire and Nail play at the park. Food vendors include Dr. Dawg, Flip’s Mini Donuts and Uyghur Grill. Fireworks close the night at 9:30 p.m.
