June
1. Art 64
JUNE 5-6 | TOSA VILLAGE
Artists square off en plein air in a painting competition for a $20,000 prize. The head-to-head tournament gives contenders a theme for each of three rounds, and spectators vote for their favorites to take the crown.
2. Polish Fest
JUNE 12-14 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Did someone say nonstop polka? Packed stages of lively music are part and parcel of this long-running heritage festival. Polish food and drink, a cultural village, fashion show and marketplace (with pierogi plushies!) are also on tap.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Lakefront Festival of Art
JUNE 12-14 | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Long rows of 145 jury-selected artists make the Art Museum’s lawn shine during this annual daytime art fair. As the sun sets, grab a drink in the wine garden and listen to live music from Field Report, Brett Newski and more.
4. Tosa Greek Fest
JUNE 12-14 | STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
The star of the show is on a spit. This food-filled fest boasts hundreds of roasted chickens and spits of lamb, along with gyros, souvlaki and other authentic Greek eats. Top the feast with traditional dancing open to anyone. Opa!
5. Water Lantern Festival
JUNE 13 | VETERANS PARK
Decorate a heartfelt message on a paper lantern, set it adrift on Lake Michigan and watch the water glow with dozens of other warm missives. The all-ages fest also includes food trucks, live music and a scavenger hunt.
6. Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
JUNE 27-28 | DOWNTOWN CEDARBURG
This popular party is dedicated to the humble strawberry, and you’ll find it in all the offerings: shortcake, wine, even bratwurst. The event features family-friendly activities such as bounce houses, a rubber ducky race and more.
July
7. Bastille Days
JULY 9-12 | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
Milwaukee’s French fête kicks off with the nighttime Storm the Bastille 5K. The following days offer a cornucopia of French and Cajun food, roaming buskers and an international marketplace. At the center of it all? A 43-foot replica Eiffel Tower.
8. Festa Italiana
JULY 10-12 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
All things Italian rule this lakefront festival. That includes an “Italian Idol” singing competition, a cannoli-eating contest, a bocce tournament, pizza-making for the kids and lots of delizioso food.
9. Falls Lavender Fest
JULY | DOWNTOWN MENOMONEE FALLS
It’s a purple palooza! Find fresh-cut and dried lavender for sale, snag a lavender lemonade and wander the grounds dotted with live music stages, a marketplace and a kid zone at this flowery festival.
10. Midsummer Festival of the Arts
JULY 18-19 | JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER
The Sheboygan art fair serves up more than 100 juried vendors selling ceramics, paintings, jewelry and more. Attendees can also check out hands-on demonstrations and an educational area for emerging artists.
11. South Milwaukee Heritage Days
JULY 19-26 | SOUTH MILWAUKEE
Why spend only a couple days partying when you can have the whole week? South Milwaukee fills a jam-packed stretch of eight days with an art fair, band concert, a brat fry and much more before closing the extravaganza out with Lionsfest and a street parade.
12. German Fest
JULY 24-26 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Cultural traditions (polka and folk dancing) and delightful antics (dachshund racing and a stein-holding contest) enliven one of the biggest German festivals in the country. But a visit is not complete without a pretzel and a bier.
13. Milwaukee Brewfest
JULY 25 | MCKINLEY PARK
Beer is the name of the game, but this sprawling sampling event has drinks for all sorts of imbibers: craft cocktails, ciders, wine, hard seltzers and even THC drinks. Each ticket comes with unlimited samples.
14. Air & Water Show
JULY 25-26 | MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT
For two decades, fighter jets and show planes have streaked across Milwaukee’s skies and thrilled the crowds below with loud sounds and aerial acrobatics. This year promises more action and family-friendly activities – all that’s needed are lawn chairs.
15. Brady Street Festival
JULY 25 | BRADY STREET
It makes sense that the home of Milwaukee’s marquee street fest is Brady Street – no stranger to partying. That boisterous spirit is turned up a couple notches one day every summer, with dozens of local vendors, three performance stages and plenty of food.
August
16. Art & Chalk Fest
AUG. 1-2 | MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART
See sidewalks come to life when chalk artists draw large-scale, colorful, often perspective-shifting pieces outside the West Bend museum. Kids can give it their own go at the community chalk station or watch other kinds of creation, like papermaking and balloon sculptures.
17. Wisconsin State Fair
AUG. 6-16 | STATE FAIR PARK
Take your pick of the manifold sights, sounds and flavors that usher thousands of Wisconsinites to our state’s grand fair: cream puffs, deep-fried delicacies, rides and shows from The Beach Boys, Nelly and more.
18. Irish Fest
AUG. 13-16 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
This Celtic celebration is a lakefront staple. Hear the 100-plus Irish musical acts packing the stages, and try the classic corned beef and Guinness-flavored donuts.
19. Center Street Daze
AUG. 15 | CENTER STREET
Beyond the live music and makers market is an enthralling cart race, where crafty competitors speed down the street in wacky hand-propelled vehicles. You’ll also find a classic car show and a mannequin fashion show.
20. Mexican Fiesta
AUG. 21-23 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Vibrant artistry, flavorful cuisine and dance-inducing music take center stage at this festival celebrating Mexican heritage – the largest of its kind in the region. Stop by the cultural pavilion, custom car show and the youth soccer tournament.
