1. Local 4th of July Fireworks and Festivals
ALL WEEKEND | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Even though the lakefront fireworks are canceled, there are still plenty of parks around the city with firework displays. Check out our guide to find an event near you!
2. Elevate: Stories of Art + Hope+ Change Temporary Exhibition at ABHM
ALL WEEKEND | AMERICA’S BLACK HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
This is the last weekend to see the first exhibit in the collaboration between Vel R. Phillips School, America’s Black Holocaust Museum and the MKE Roots Project. The exhibit features “young minds engaging the arts and public history to imagine and reimagine their past, present, and future selves,” and the students borrowed inspiration from African American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Tickets can be purchased at the door for regular admissions price.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Greendale Family 4th Fest
WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY | GREENDALE HIGH SCHOOL
Greendale is hosting its Fourth of July celebration from July 3-6. There’s a carnival, live music, games, beer, food and more. The festival will take place near the gazebo on Broad Street, with parking available at Greendale High School. Click here for a listing of daily activities.
4. $4 on the 4th
THURSDAY FROM 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Head over to the Milwaukee County Zoo on the Fourth of July for a $4 admissions deal from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular attraction and parking rates still apply.
5. Summerfest
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY | SUMMERFEST GROUNDS
This weekend concludes the final weekend of Summerfest 2024. You can expect to see headliners AJR with Carly Rae Jepsen and MXMTOON on July 4, Maroon 5 with special guests on July 5 and Lil Uzi Vert with Lil Yachty, JID, Rico Nasty and LIHTZ on July 6. For tickets and a full lineup, click here.
6. Bayshore Sounds of Summer: VO5
FRIDAY FROM 6-9 P.M. | 5800 N. BAYSHORE DRIVE
Bayshore Sounds of Summer is hosting VO5, a live band performing ’70s disco covers and originals. The free music will take place in The Yard. It is recommended to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and both carry-in alcohol and animals are prohibited.
7. Black Cat Rising Concert Series
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | CROSSROADS COLLECTIVE
The first day of the Black Cat Rising Concert Series is this Friday with Motherwind performing. The free live music will take place just around the corner of Crossroads Collective, which has dining and a pop-up bar in the alley from Shanghai Speakeasy. The concert series runs every Friday in July.
8. Waco Brothers
FRIDAY AT 8 P.M. | VIVARIUM
The Waco Brotheres, with special guests Jon Langford and Alice Spencer of the Bright Shiners, will be on stage at the Vivarium this Friday. Their most recent album The Men That God Forgot, is their first release since their 2016 album Going Down in History. Buy tickets here.
9. Mrs. Fun Trio
FRIDAY FROM 4-8 P.M. | METRO MARKET IN SHOREWOOD
Performing in Shorewood, Mrs. Fun Trio’s live and free event will be Friday at the Metro Market. They will be performing jazzy rhythmic piano grooves and more.
10. Matt Froelich – It’s Alive on the RiverWalk
FRIDAY FROM 4-6 P.M. | THE RIVERSIDE THEATER
This free and live performance of Matt Froelich is part of the Milwaukee Theater District’s “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” series. Froelich is a local artist who writes songs about love, life and growing up. For more information, and a list of future artists performing in the series, click here.
11. Kid Laroi
SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. | THE RAVE
Two-time Grammy Award winner Kid Laroi is performing at The Rave Saturday. His most recent album The First Time was released in 2023. Opening for Laroi is Glaive and Chase Shakur. Buy tickets here.
12. Independence Day at Old World Wisconsin
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | OLD WORLD WISCONSIN
Old World Wisconsin is hosting a weekend full of Fourth of July festivities, including historic games, live performances, butter-churning, a children’s parade and more. For tickets and more information, visit their website.
13. Prairie Walk
SATURDAY FROM 9:30-10:30 P.M. | DISCOVERY WORLD
Friends of Lakeshore State Park is hosting a Prairie Walk. On the walk, one of Lakeshore Park’s Naturalists will guide you and teach about the more than 200 native plants in the park. Meet at the north end by Discovery World.
14. African Cultural Festival
SATURDAY FROM 12-7 P.M. | BROWN DEER PARK
This year’s African Cultural Festival is themed around family, culture and bridging communities. Activities include a traditional authentic African Art exhibition, music, Pan African cuisines tasting, dance demonstration and a marketplace.
15. Shakespeare in the City
SUNDAY FROM 2-3 P.M. | MORGAN TRIANGLE PARK
Sunday marks the halfway point of Optimist Theatre’s Shakepeare in the City 2024. Sunday’s performance will be Macbeth, by the Pocket Park Puppet Players. For a list of other showtimes, click here.
16. Brunch By the Beach
SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M-2 P.M. | LAKESHORE STATE PARK
Friends of Lakeshore State Park is hosting Brunch by the Beach. There will be food trucks, drinks, music and a kite flying demonstration.
17. Hyperlocal MKE at Villa Terrace
SUNDAY FROM 4-5:30 P.M. | VILLA TERRACE
Hyperlocal MKE – Milwaukee’s collaborative improvisation ensemble featuring music and dance – will perform “Sonorous Space” in the Villa Terrace. Doors open at 3 p.m. with a cash bar available. Buy tickets here.
18. Paddle Board Yoga On Pewaukee Lake
SUNDAY FROM 10:30-11:45 A.M. | 145 PARK AVE.
Paddle boarding and yoga come together at this event at Pewaukee Lake with instructor Caitlin Moyer. Guests will meet at the dock to get sized to a paddle and life jacket. Space is limited, register in advance here.
19. Bon Triers Sunday Blues
SUNDAY FROM 1-4 P.M. | 2235 N. FARWELL AVE.
Bon Triers Sunday Blues will perform a duo with Rick Holmes on Sunday. The free, live event is hosted by Robert Allen Jr. at Von Triers. For future Robert Allen Jr. events, click here.
