This story is part of our Summer Guide from the June Issue of Milwaukee Magazine. To read our full guide to summer fun, order your copy today!
June
1. Bay View Gallery Night
JUNE 3 | BAY VIEW
This event is about connecting artists, local businesses and the community. Expect block party vibes, as many of the galleries offer refreshments and stay open late.
2. Art64 Live
JUNE 3-4 | WAUWATOSA VILLAGE
Sixty-four artists go head-to-head at this bracket-style performance painting tournament. Each round, attendees vote for who advances, ultimately choosing the winner – who gets the grand prize of $20,000.
3. Revolution: The Music of the Beatles at MSO
JUNE 3-5 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Listen to the orchestra play the best of the Beatles, accompanied by photos, videos and animations on the screen above in this one-weekend-only performance.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Unity Awards!
Know an individual or group committed to bridging divides in our community? Nominate them for a Unity Award by Oct. 31.
4. Lager & Friends
JUNE 4 | OLD HEIDELBERG PARK, GLENDALE
With unlimited samples – including some not usually found in Wisconsin – this festival showcases a wide range of lager beers and the brewers who make them. Tickets come with a four-pack.
5. West Allis a la Carte
JUNE 5 | GREENFIELD AVENUE FROM 70TH TO 76TH STREETS
There’s food, live entertainment, local vendors and fun for all ages – including Animal Avenue, a side street with rescue pets you can take home.
6. Nabil Ayers Author Talk at Boswell Books
JUNE 14 | BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
Nabil Ayers will sit down with Justin Barney, music director at 88.9 RadioMilwaukee, to discuss his new book My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family.
7. Milwaukee Night Market
JUNE 15 | WEST WISCONSIN AVENUE
The main drag in Westown transforms into a market
filled with local businesses, food vendors, artists and performers for a few Wednesdays each summer. This year’s
other markets are on July 13, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.
8. Touch a Truck
JUNE 18 | KONKEL PARK, GREENFIELD
Explore, sit in and learn about excavators, big rigs, dump trucks and more. Plus, enjoy a bite to eat from local food vendors while you’re there.
9. Juneteenth
JUNE 19 | ALONG DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DRIVE
Milwaukee’s Juneteenth is one of the largest and longest-running in the Midwest. Start with the parade, then hit the all-day street festival and close out the celebration with an evening concert that kicks off a summer-long music series.
10. Father’s Day Pig Roast
JUNE 19 | OLD HEIDELBERG PARK, GLENDALE
Celebrate dad at Bavarian Bierhaus with this roast in the park. There will be live music, and every father (with proof, so bring your kid) gets a free liter of beer.
11. Wild Ones: Vintage Motorcycle Rally
JUNE 25 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Riders on vintage 1940s Harley-Davidson motorcycles participate in field games like the plank ride, barrel race and weenie bite – an event where bikers bite a hot dog dangling from a string while riding.
July
12. Family 4th Fest
JUNE 30-JULY 3 | NEAR GAZEBO ON BROAD ST., GREENDALE
Get the family together and go to the Greendale Lions Club’s Family 4th Fest with amusement rides, food, music and a beer tent!
13. Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks
JULY 3 | VETERANS PARK
The Milwaukee Parks tradition returns this year with the booming display over the lake, preceded by the annual Fireworks Kite Festival and a pop-up beer garden.
14. Fourth of July Parades
JULY 1 (WEST ALLIS), JULY 4 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Grab the kids, throw on some red, white and blue, pop open a lawn chair and watch a parade in West Allis, Greendale, Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay or Greenfield. Milwaukee plans to have its annual celebration in parks across the city as well.
15. $4 on the Fourth at the Zoo
JULY 4 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Head to the zoo for Independence Day and receive $4 admission!
16. Potted Potter
JUNE 7-12 | VOGEL HALL
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience, a parody play that crams all seven Harry Potter books into a 70-minute performance, will charm audiences at the Wilson Theater.
17. Bastille Days
JULY 14-17 | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
It’s hard to miss the 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower when you’re walking through Milwaukee’s French cultural festival. And you won’t want to miss the wine and chef demonstrations – or the French and Cajun cuisine.
18. Gallery Night MKE
JULY 15-16 | HISTORIC THIRD WARD
Peruse the galleries, dine in the restaurants and shop the boutiques of the Third Ward – and download the free app as a guide.
19. Red Bull Flugtag
JULY 16 | VETERANS PARK
Watch daredevils fly over, and ultimately into, Lake Michigan in their weird and wild flying machines that will be judged by Wisconsin celebrities.
20. Bark After Dark
JULY 22 | KONKEL PARK, GREENFIELD
Listen to music from local band Doghouse Charlie, grab a beer from the “pup-up” beer garden and make sure to get a “Puptini” (dog-friendly cocktail) or two. There’s also a Midnight Trail Walk for $25.
21. Jersey Boys
JULY 22-23 | UIHLEIN HALL
This 2006 Tony and Grammy award-winning show is back in Milwaukee for two days with its hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and more.
22. Milwaukee Air & Water Show
JULY 23-24 | VETERANS PARK
See air performances including the Blue Angels, helicopters, parachuters, jet skiing, a fire-boat, antique wooden boats and more. On the ground, check out the new “fun zone” for kids and grab a bite to eat along the shores of Lake Michigan.
23. World’s Largest Coffee Break
JULY 26 | CATALANO SQUARE
As part of Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, Third Ward businesses will offer free coffee, doughnuts and live music from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
24. Ru Paul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour
JULY 26 | THE RIVERSIDE THEATER
Drag stars from Ru Paul’s Drag Race will take the stage at Turner Hall in this time-travel themed show.
August
25. Wisconsin State Fair
AUG. 4-14 | STATE FAIR PARK, WEST ALLIS
Eat cream puffs, take a ride on the Giant Slide, listen to local bands and visit farm animals at the 171st annual (!!!) State Fair. Watch for spork signs to find the best new foods and catch big names like Toby Keith, Jeff Dunham and Nelly at the Main Stage.
26. Black Arts Fest
AUG. 6 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
This 12-hour festival cele-brates the roots of African heritage and the excellence of Black cultural arts. Expect music, poetry, dance, fashion, literature, health and wellness, cuisine and more.
27. Bronzeville Week
AUG. 6-13 | BRONZEVILLE
Support the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District and celebrate our city’s African American culture, history, art and commerce during this week full of events.
28. Brewtown Rumble
AUG. 7 | DEER DISTRICT
Cruise right on into the Deer District for this motorcycle show and see vintage bikes of all kinds, along with live music, vendors and food.
29. Greendale Village Days
AUG. 11-14 | GAZEBO PARK, GREENDALE
A weekend full of live music and local beer is what you can expect at this community festival.
30. Field of Sweet Dreams
AUG. 13 | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Watch an away game on the big screen at this slumber party in the middle of American Family Field – and don’t forget your tent and sleeping bag.
31. Milwaukee a la Carte
AUG. 18-21 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Grab a bite to eat from one of the local food vendors, stroll around and look at the animals or relax and listen to live music at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
32. Indulge Milwaukee
AUG. 20-21 | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Sample bites from more than 30 of Milwaukee’s top restaurants and chefs, then try our state’s finest cheeses paired with wine or spirits. And learn something new at the many culinary and mixology demonstrations throughout the event.
33. Superhero/Princess Night at Milwaukee Milkmen
AUG. 27 | FRANKLIN FIELD, FRANKLIN
Get dressed up in your finest princess or superhero attire (or both, if you’re feeling it) to watch the American Association’s Milkmen play the Kane County Cougars. Oh, and there’ll be fireworks!
34. ARCA Sprecher 150
AUG. 28 | MILWAUKEE MILE, WEST ALLIS
The ARCA Menards Series features white-knuckle stock car racing at the Milwaukee Mile.
