Featured Events
1. Summerfest Weekend Three
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | SUMMERFEST GROUNDS
The time has come – the third and final weekend of Summerfest 2025 is here, but there are plenty of ways to say your “see you laters” (it’s never goodbye). See the festival lineup here, or explore beyond the tunes with free experiences on the grounds.
2. July 3 Drone Show
THURSDAY | MCKINLEY BEACH AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Milwaukee County is replacing its annual July 3 fireworks with a drone show this year. Viewing areas will be available at McKinley Beach and McKinley Park. Viewing areas for the drone show will be available at McKinley Beach, McKinley Park and other spots along the city shoreline. Find details about parking, concessions and more here.
3. Fourth of July Celebrations and Fireworks
FRIDAY | MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS
No plans for the Fourth yet? Head over to your local, favorite Milwaukee County park to celebrate with “oohs” and “aahs,” as fireworks light the sky. Plus, you can enjoy parades and daytime activities at select parks. See individual park start times and activity details here.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
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4. Eco Book Club: The Nature Fix
THURSDAY FROM 5:30-7 P.M. | URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – RIVERSIDE PARK
The Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park is hosting a free book club for adults and teens on Thursday night. Conversation will focus on journalist Florence Williams’ The Nature Fix, a book that explores nature’s positive effects on the brain, health and creativity. Whether you’ve read it, skimmed it or just thought about it, you’re invited to the discussion.
5. Mosaics Studio
THURSDAY FROM 6-8:30 P.M. | RACINE ART MUSEUM’S WUSTUM MUSEUM
Looking for an eco-friendly way to create this weekend? You can learn the basics of mosaic design, glass cutting and safe handling techniques, while crafting your own piece at the first of four mosaics studios at RAM’s Wustum Museum. Reserve your spot here.
6. Milwaukee Milkmen vs. Cleburne Railroaders
THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | FRANKLIN FIELD
The Milwaukee Milkmen play against the Cleburne Railroaders at Franklin Field on Thursday night. Grab pasture tickets here.
7. Johanna Rose + Ellie Jackson + Old Pup
THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
The Cactus Club has a night of Americana, pierced with some indie rock, in store. Local groups, Ellie Jackson and Old Pup, and New Orleans-based artist Johanna Rose will take the stage. Pay $15 in advance or $20 at the 7 p.m. door to hear this lineup live.
8. Red, White and Brew Bar Crawl
FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. | DUKE’S ON WATER
There’s a Fourth-of-July-themed bar crawl on (you guessed it) the fourth of July! Tickets include free entry to participating venues, exclusive food and drink specials, a free after-party and more. Ticket-holders can head over to Duke’s on Water to receive a wristband starting at 5 p.m.
9. The Oz Escape: A Wicked Glitch in Milwaukee
SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. | MILWAUKEE
The magical world of Oz is coming to the streets of Milwaukee on Saturday in the form of an outdoor escape-game-style experience. Starting at 10 a.m., participants can use their phones to follow hidden clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges around the city. One ticket allows up to six participants.
10. 5K Beer Run
SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. | PERSPECTIVE BREWING CO.
Perspective Brewing Co. in West Allis is the host of this weekend’s 5K Fun Run, part of the 2025 Wisconsin Brewery Running Series. Cross the finish line to get a free pint of craft brew, a collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item, a chance to win prizes and more. Register here.
11. Open Decks
SATURDAY AT 1 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
The Cactus Club’s free Open Decks Series kicks off this Saturday. Guests can come ready to learn digital DJing equipment or play tracks of their own. This event is open to all ages.
12. Beginner Canoeing Class
SATURDAY FROM 1-2:30 P.M. | URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – WASHINGTON PARK
Want to get out on the water this Saturday? The Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park is holding a canoeing class for beginners. Register here to learn basic paddling techniques, safety essentials and boat handling. Canoes and life jackets will be provided.
13. Drop-In Tour: Celebrating American Artists
SATURDAY FROM 2-3 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
Lean into American art this holiday weekend at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This guided tour will cover a collection that features American stories, places and people. You can join the tour at 2 p.m. in Windhover Hall, near the admissions desks.
14. Brew City Boogie Bash
SATURDAY AT 9 P.M. | MAD PLANET
Riverwest’s Mad Planet is hosting another disco dance party on Saturday night. This 21+ event has a lineup of DJs starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $7 at the door.
15. Queer Rave: A Fundraiser for SDS
SATURDAY AT 11 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
In the mood for a late night? There’s an 18+ Queer Rave starting at 11 p.m. at the Cactus Club. $5-$15 donations will go to Students for a Democratic Society. Check the lineup of DJs and pop artists here.
16. Chris Martin
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
Catch a show by UK comedian Chris Martin at The Improv on Saturday or Sunday. Named “one of the UK’s best young observationalists” by The Guardian, the comic and show writer has 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. showtimes on Saturday and a 6 p.m. showtime on Sunday. Get tickets here.
17. Military & Veterans Family Day at the Zoo
SUNDAY FROM 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Sunday is Military & Veterans Family Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Military members and veterans can go to their local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) up until Thursday, July 3, to receive up to 10 tickets for free entry into the zoo.
18. Walking Tour: Funerary Art & Symbolism
SUNDAY FROM 10-11:30 A.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY
Ever wonder the meaning behind the symbols and monument styles you see in cemeteries? This walking tour at Forest Home Cemetery will guide guests through the basic ways of how art has been used for centuries to express bereavement for loved ones. Get tickets here to join the cemetery’s Jennifer Christ on the walk.
19. Wire Wrap Jewelry Class
SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M.-1 P.M. | CEDARBURG CULTURAL CENTER
There’s a wire wrap jewelry class at the Cedarburg Cultural Center on Sunday, where you can create four pieces of jewelry with your registration. The three-hour class is open to all levels of jewelry-makers.
20. Grills & Thrills Summerween
SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE
X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy is hosting Halloween in July, a free meetup for Milwaukee horror fans! This 18+ event will have a vegan BBQ and screenings of Sleepaway Camp (1983) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). Attendees are encouraged to wear their best horror shirts.
21. Folk Music with Nate Wooley, Chris Corsano & Ches Smith
SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. | THE SUGAR MAPLE
Head down to The Sugar Maple for an evening of folk music with Nate Wooley, Chris Corsano and Ches Smith — the trio is on their midwest tour. The door is at 3:30 p.m. for the front-room show.
