1. Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration
JUNE 13 | BARABOO
Kicked up a notch for the semiquincentennial, the event begins at 11 a.m. with a parade through Baraboo – the former home of the Ringling Bros. and Gollmar Bros. circuses – featuring floats, animals, clowns, antique circus wagons and marching bands. Aerialists, jugglers, clowns and prancing ponies headline the big-top-style performances at Circus World.
READ MORE OF OUR 2026 SUMMER GUIDE HERE.
2. Up North Beer Fest
JUNE 13 | EAGLE RIVER
Featuring beers from more than 25 regional breweries, the four-hour fest at Hi-Pines Campground is the best in the Northwoods. Early-sample VIP tickets are also available.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
3. Cowboys and Craft Festival
JUNE 20 | STURGEON BAY
Door County Horsemanship, a boarding stable, hosts a Western-themed craft festival, along with wagon rides, pony rides and rider demonstrations. Admission is free.
4. Blue Ox Festival
JUNE 25-27 | EAU CLAIRE
This popular songfest among the trees of Pines Music Park features bluegrass, Americana and roots music. The 2026 lineup includes popular alt-country artist Charley Crockett and guitar virtuoso Marcus King, plus Wisco favorites Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Them Coulee Boys. Weekend camping is also a huge part of the festival experience.
5. Annual Oneida Nation Pow Wow
JUNE 26-28 | ONEIDA
Enjoy food, crafts and music, and see the dancing and drumming competitions, as the Oneida Nation shares its culture.
6. Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair
JUNE 27-28 | SPRING GREEN
Some 200 artists from around the country exhibit and sell their wares throughout the downtown of this hub of tourist attractions.
7. Hodag Country Festival
JULY 9-12 | RHINELANDER
Known for allowing camping and carry-ins (no glass), the music fest brings a solid lineup of country artists, including 2026 headliners Brothers Osborne and Old Dominion.
8. Belgian Days
JULY 10-12 | BRUSSELS
In the heart of the largest Walloon Belgian American settlement in the nation, the 65th annual fest features live music, heritage tours, a waffle breakfast and other Belgian foods such as trippe (a traditional sausage), potato jutt and the iconic soup booyah. Expect tournaments for cornhole and cooyah, a card game similar to euchre.
9. Pulaski Polka Days
JULY 16-19 | PULASKI
Featuring three stages of polka bands, plus fireworks and a parade, the polka party also offers arts and crafts, a pancake breakfast and a pageant to crown Ms. Pulaski Polka Days.
10. EAA AirVenture
JULY 20-26 | OSHKOSH
For America’s 250th anniversary, the annual fly-in’s theme is “Celebrating the Freedom of Flight.” Book a ride on the B-29 bomber named Doc, the featured performer this year. Ground and cockpit tours are also on offer for it and many other planes. There’s so much to see and learn here, and the daily air shows are amazing.
11. Blueberry Fest
JULY 23-26 | IRON RIVER
Come enjoy all things blueberry, from pie to locally crafted blueberry mead. The event sees a parade, tractor pull, pie-eating contest, cardboard boat race and a polka Mass.
12. Eaux Claires Festival
JULY 24-25 | EAU CLAIRE
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is bringing back his two-day, multi-stage festival after an eight-year hiatus. Performers include singer Aimee Mann, R&B artist Daniel Caesar and “Bon Dylan” – Vernon performing as Bob Dylan circa 1994.
13. Mile of Music Festival
JULY 30-AUG. 2 | APPLETON
Featuring 200 artists from near and far, and dedicated to original music only, the free festival lists 35 venues hosting 700 live sets in four days.
14. Sweet Corn Festival
AUG. 19-23 | SUN PRAIRIE
A 73-year tradition, this cob spectacular features a parade, carnival rides and live music, all playing a supporting role to the star here and the reason for the long concession lines: summer’s bounteous sweet corn.
15. Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
AUG. 21-22 | WAUSAU
The state’s longest-running blues festival is hosted on lush Fern Island in the middle of the Wisconsin River. Regional and national artists, including headliner Devon Allman, jam through the weekend. Tickets include single-day, weekend and VIP options, and food and drinks are sold on-site. Bring your own lawn chair!
16. Great River Folk Festival
AUG. 28-30 | LA CROSSE
Celebrating “50 folkin’ years” in 2026, this down-to-earth Driftless Area fest brings not just music but also folk arts, crafts and other performances.
