READ MORE FROM OUR SUMMER GUIDE HERE.
Music
1. T-Pain’s Wiscansin Fest
JUNE 8 | THE RAVE
In 2008, T-Pain uttered the legendary lyric “Put you in the mansion / somewhere in Wiscansin” in his hit song “Can’t Believe It.” Sixteen years later, Teddy Pain is returning to The Rave to host this third annual nostalgia-filled R&B/hip-hop fest named after his forced rhyme. Twelve other artists are also featured, including Akon and Soulja Boy.
2. Summer Soulstice
JUNE 15 | SURROUNDING BLACK CAT ALLEY
Celebrate the sounds of the city at Milwaukee’s largest free music festival, which is all about spotlighting local artists. Last year, the outdoor fest, spanning several East Side blocks, brought in over 10,000 attendees.
3. Phase Fest
JUNE 23 | FRANKLIN FIELD
This gathering of emo and emo-adjacent bands proves that “it’s not just a phase,” welcoming angsty rock lovers of all ages. This year’s fest features bands like 3OH!3 and Story of the Year.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
4. Fresh Coast Jazz Festival
AUG. 22-24 | THE PABST THEATER
The organizers of this weekend of smooth jazz performances call it a “party with a purpose.” Proceeds from the event support education, arts and health care in Greater Milwaukee. This year’s featured artists include saxophonist Boney James and father-son duo Lemek and Quintin Gerard W.
Food & Drink
5. Lager & Friends
JUNE 22 | GATHERING PLACE BREWING IN RIVERWEST
This festival brings the lager; you bring the friends. Lager & Friends is the only beer fest in Wisconsin that exclusively shows off this popular style, and brewers from across the state will offer samples of their offerings.
6. Sprecher Root Beer Bash
AUG. 3 | BAYSHORE
Kids love this fest, and why not? There are food trucks, a dance party, face painting, balloon artists and, of course, free floats made with root beer from Milwaukee’s oldest craft brewery.
7. The Bloody Mary Festival
AUG. 10 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Milwaukee loves its bloody marys – and it loves them crazy. We’re talking rotisserie chickens, cheese curds, bacon and even more outlandish garnishes on the refreshing, boozy beverage. You’ll find them in dozens of varieties from restaurants, craft mixers and bars at this festival.
8. Jewish Food Festival
AUG. 18-19 | ROTARY PARK, MEQUON
On the northern outskirts of the city, this festival is a showcase for traditional Jewish cuisine and culture, with live music, dining and plenty of activities for kids, too, like a bounce house and petting zoo.
Ethnic Festivals
9. Tosa Greek Fest
JUNE 7-9 | STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Come celebrate all things Greek, with live music, dancing and plenty of traditional food, including literally hundreds of chickens roasting on a spit – it’s a sight to behold!
10. Armenian Fest
JULY 21 | ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
What started in the 1930s as a yearly picnic has grown into a festival for Milwaukee’s Armenian community. Enjoy the traditional music, shop antiques and dine on lahmajouns, boregs and three kinds of kabobs.
11. Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival
AUG. 10 | LAKESHORE STATE PARK
The Dragon Boat Races are the highlight of this event, with bright boats cutting through the Lake Michigan waters at top speed, rowed by teams of 20 paddlers. There will also be Chinese dance performances, folk music and martial arts demonstrations.
12. Mexican Fiesta
AUG. 23-25 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Explore the rich culinary and cultural traditions of Mexico at this lakefront festival. Performances range from beloved mariachi groups to contemporary singers like Majo Aguilar and bands like Eslabon Armado.
Street Festivals
13. Locust Street Festival of Music and Art
JUNE 9 | LOCUST STREET
As the name suggests, this trendy Riverwest festival has music across six stages, and local artists showing off and selling their work. But there’s also the annual Locust Street Beer Run, a 1.6-mile trek through the neighborhood with four “beer stops” along the way.
14. Juneteenth Festival
JUNE 19 | PARADE BEGINS AT 14TH AND ATKINSON
Milwaukee boasts the longest-running Juneteenth celebration in the country, marking 53 years in 2024. The day is jam-packed, with a parade, a street festival, live music and much more.
15. Brady Street Festival
JULY 20 | BRADY STREET
Native Milwaukeeans know that Brady Street is synonymous with partying. And this annual festival brings that spirit out in full, showcasing restaurants, bars, shops and local musicians.
16. Center Street Daze Festival
AUG. 17 | CENTER STREET
It’s a day of daze at this long-running festival that mixes many events into one. There’s a cart race, car show, vendor market, eight music stages and lots to eat and drink.
