(Scroll down for a printable version of these can’t-miss events of the summer.)
Best of the Fests
SCOTTISH FEST AND HIGHLAND GAMES, June 1, Hart Park
PRIDEFEST, June 6-9, Henry W. Maier Festival Park
FIRKIN FEST, June 8, Cathedral Square Park
LOCUST STREET FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & ART, June 9, Riverwest
POLISH FEST, June 14-16, Maier Festival Park
LAKEFRONT FESTIVAL OF ART, June 21-23, Milwaukee Art Museum
SUMMERFEST, June 26-30, July 2-7, Maier Festival Park
BASTILLE DAYS, July 11-14, Cathedral Square Park
FESTA ITALIANA, July 19-21, Maier Festival Park
GARFIELD AVENUE FESTIVAL, July 20, Bronzeville
GERMAN FEST, July 26-28, Maier Festival Park
BRADY STREET FESTIVAL, July 27, Brady Street
MILWAUKEE BREWFEST, July 27, McKinley Park
MILWAUKEE COMEDY FEST, July 31- Aug. 4, multiple locations
BLACK ARTS FEST, Aug. 3, Maier Festival Park
DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, Aug. 10, Lakeshore State Park
IRISH FEST, Aug. 15-18, Maier Festival Park
INDIAFEST, Aug. 17, Humboldt Park
MEXICAN FIESTA, Aug. 23-25, Maier Festival Park
THIRD WARD ART FESTIVAL, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, Third Ward
Editor’s Pick
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
June 22-23, Cedarburg
You’d be surprised how many foods can benefit from a strawberry boost. Shortcake, of course. But also brats, nachos and wine. And you can walk off what you’ve eaten while admiring the artisans and exhibitors who set up booths along historic Washington Avenue.
Fairs and Friends
JUNETEENTH DAY, June 19, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
GATHERING ON THE GREEN, July 12-13, Mequon
PORT FISH DAY, July 20, Port Washington
EAA AIRVENTURE, July 22-28, Oshkosh
RIVERWEST 24, July 26-27, Riverwest
WISCONSIN STATE FAIR, Aug. 1-11, Wisconsin State Fair Park
URBAN ISLAND BEACH PARTY, Aug. 2, Lakeshore State Park
CENTER STREET DAZE, Aug. 10, Riverwest
MORNING GLORY FINE CRAFT FAIR, Aug. 10-11, Fiserv Forum
MILWAUKEE RALLY, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, Multiple locations
Editor’s Pick
WAUKESHA COUNTY FAIR
July 17-21, Waukesha
County Fairgrounds
The Wisconsin State Fair gets a lot of attention each year. But the Waukesha County Fair has been around even longer, since 1842. And it features the same winning mix of live music, live animals and drop-dead delicious fried foods – with much more manageable crowds, to boot.
Weekly Winners
MOVIES UNDER THE MOONLIGHT, Tuesdays through Sept. 17, Plaza outside Fiserv Forum
JAZZ IN THE PARK, Thursdays May 30-Aug. 29, Cathedral Square Park
CHILL ON THE HILL, Tuesdays June 4-Aug. 27, Humboldt Park
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE, Wednesdays June 5-Aug. 28, Budweiser Pavilion at Wisconsin State Fair Park
TOSA TONIGHT, Wednesdays June 12-Aug. 21, Rotary Performance Pavilion
RIVER RHYTHMS, Wednesdays June 12-Aug. 28, Pere Marquette Park
WASHINGTON PARK WEDNESDAYS, Wednesdays June 12-Aug. 21, Washington Park
MUSICAL MONDAYS, Mondays July 8-Aug. 26, Lake Park
LIVE @ THE LAKEFRONT, Wednesdays July 10-Aug. 28, Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World
SKYLINE MUSIC SERIES, Tuesdays July 9-August 20, Kadish Park
Download and Print
Keep this festival guide handy – download this printable version and hang it on your fridge all summer long.
