1. War Memorial Beer Garden Opening
ALL WEEKEND | WAR MEMORIAL BEER GARDEN
The lakefront beer garden is having its grand opening on Thursday and will be open through Memorial Day. Enjoy an unobstructed view of the water while enjoying drinks, loaded brats and stuffed pretzels. Tables are first come first serve, or you can bring your own chairs and blankets to sit on the lawn. Dogs are welcome!
2. Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound
ALL WEEKEND | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
This weekend, experience classic soul and R&B sounds of Motown and famous hits from the Philly Sound face off in this concert experience. Chester Gregory, Cherise Coaches and Brik Liam lead a program with classic hits from The Spinners, The Stylistics, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and more.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Field of Flags – Ceremony
FRIDAY AT 11 A.M. | VETERANS PARK
Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a Field of Flags Ceremony. Veterans Park will be lined with thousands of American flags representing the lives of fallen Wisconsin soldiers. The flags will begin to be placed from Monday through Friday the 23rd. Volunteer opportunities to help place the flags are available, sign up online.
4. Margarita Cocktail Class
FRIDAY FROM 7-8 P.M. | LA PIÑA
Make three margaritas, drink three margaritas. This bartending workshop will teach you how to make a margarita three different ways using professional equipment. The workshop will be led by Sammi, La Piña’s bar manager and tequila enthusiast. Reserve your spot online.
5. Toni Romiti / Kara Marni
FRIDAY AT 7-11 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE
Toni Romiti and Kara Marni are performing live this weekend at X-Ray Arcade. Romiti is an independent artist and her music is a mix of pop, R&B and hip hop. Marni creates a smooth, energetic mix with influences like Lauryn Hill and Diana Ross. General admission and VIP tickets are available online.
6. Operation Finally Home 5K
SATURDAY AT 8 A.M. | MILL POND PARK
Run, walk or jog to support Operation Finally Home, an organization whose mission is to provide homes and home modifications to wounded, ill or injured veterans and first responders. Choose your route from a 5K run, 2-mile walk, 5K ruck or the kid’s 1K. If you are not looking to run, you can sign up as a volunteer to help run everything from aid stations to course marshal. All participants receive a custom finisher woodle (wooden medal) and a t-shirt.
7. Patriot Golf Day at Oakwood Park Golf Course
SATURDAY AT 9:30 A.M. | OAKWOOD PARK GOLF COURSE
This shotgun scramble supports military veterans through Folds of Honor. A ticket includes an 18-holes of golf with a cart, range balls, lunch, one drink, hole events, entry into a raffle and a donation to Folds of Honor. Space is limited, reserve your group’s spot by May 22.
8. Time Travelers Vintage Expo
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
Time Travelers Vintage Expo is the largest traveling retro market in the United States and is currently on tour visiting 16 cities around the country. Shop from vintage clothing, home goods, retro-inspired handmade items, and more. The event will feature 60-120 small businesses, curators and artists with a wide range of styles and price points.
9. Menomonee Falls Memorial Fest
SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.-9 P.M | MENOMONEE FALLS MAIN STREET
The Village of Menomonee Falls is hosting a street festival along Main Street this weekend. There will be three stages of live music, food trucks, beer and wine garden, an art fair, vendors market, car show, kid zone and more.
10. Community Drum Circle
SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.- 12 P.M. | 2518 N DOUSMAN ST
Centered Healing is hosting an event for folks to connect with fellow community members through music and drumming. This event is open to all ages and levels, just bring your own drum or percussion instrument. This event is free with a suggested $5 donation to go towards Centered Healing.
11. 5k Beer Run
SATURDAY FROM 11A.M.-1 P.M. | THIRD SPACE BREWING
This weekend is Third Space Brewing’s turn to host a 5K for the Run for Beer series. The run will take you through a scenic route that starts and ends at the brewery. Run, jog or walk through the course and enjoy a locally-made beverage once you are done. All participants will receive one craft brew at the finish line, a choice of a collector’s pint glass or season swag item and a chance to win prizes.
12. Poetics of Relation: Oracle & Guide
SATURDAY FROM 3-4:30 P.M. | WOODLAND PATTERN
Writer Liat Tzvi Meyer is hosting a generative writing workshop reading Édouard Glissant’s seminal book Poetics of Relation. This workshop will invite participants to experiment with collaborative and somatic writing practices using Glissant’s work as a guide.
13. An Evening with Vince Gill
SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M | THE RIVERSIDE THEATER
Vince Gill’s nationwide tour is coming to to Milwaukee this weekend. He is known for being a standout in modern country music for his songwriting and guitar playing.
14. Family Kite Festival
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 10 A.M. | VETERANS PARK
Spring means it’s time to fly kites! The 38th Family Kite Festival features entertainment from The Fabulous Windjammers, The Chicago Fire Kite Team and the grand launch of over 600 kites at noon. The first 100 kids that participate in the “Kids Mad Dash” will receive a free kite. This event is free for everyone.
15. Women, Wine and Watercolors
SUNDAY FROM 3-6 P.M. | VIBEZ CREATIVE ARTS SPACE
Celebrate National Wine Day at Vibez Creative Arts Space with a sip and paint event focused on community and sisterhood. No experience is required, and tickets include two glasses of wine, a charcuterie or snack box, all watercolor painting supplies and a souvenir wine glass. Spots are limited, reserve yours online.
16. Country Dance Party – Redd Rocks Red Rock
SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. | RED ROCK SALOON
Looking to better your line dancing skills? At this country dance party Redd will start the night with a line-dancing lesson, followed by open dancing. This event will feature music to old and new country, pop and more. All levels are welcome.
17. Memorial Day Commemoration
MONDAY AT 10 A.M. | OAK HILL CEMETERY
This program will honor the fallen soldiers, with special recognition for Nathan Hatch, a Revolutionary War veteran buried at Oak Hill. The program will last 45 minutes and will feature a variety of local speakers and groups. Additionally, there will be a rifle salute by the American Legion Post and light refreshments. Bring your lawn chair, as this program will be held on the lawn.
18. Civil War Memorial Day Event Led by Archbishop
MONDAY AT 10 A.M | CALVARY CEMETERY & MASUSOLEUM
This event will include the firing of the cannon of Cushing’s Battery by Milwaukee’s newest archbishop, Jeffrey S. Grob, Roman Catholic Mass at 10 a.m., the First Brigade Band playing vintage Civil War instruments and a keynote speaker. Plus, stay for the address by Abraham Lincoln and rifle salutes by the Iron Brigade Guard.
19. Celebrate our 175th on Memorial Day
MONDAY FROM 11 A.M.-2:30 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY
The Forest Home Cemetery is celebrating its 175 year anniversary. Orville Cadwell was the first to be buried here and the cemetery now has more than 100,000 buried. This Memorial Day event celebrates the cemetery’s history and the veterans who are memorialized there. The event’s schedule includes a memorial service, wreath-laying ceremony, stories with historical re-enactors, and a free Milwaukee history tour. This event is free for everyone.
20. Memorial Day Observance Service
MONDAY FROM 12-2:30 P.M. | ARLINGTON PARK
The annual Memorial Day Observance in Arlington Park will feature a reading of the names of veterans buried within the past year, the firing of antique cannons and music by Johanna Kaye. Also, attendees can drive through a line of 20-foot American flags in the “Avenue of Flags.” Small flags and carnations will be available for placing on veterans’ graves.
21. Memorial Day Walking Tour: Milwaukee History
MONDAY FROM 2:30-4 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY
Learn how the Forest Home Cemetery grew alongside the city with a tour led by Paul Haubrich, a historian, educator and author. Attendees will learn about prominent Milwaukeeans who helped expand the city in the 1800s such as Frederick Layton, Samuel Marshall, Guido Pfister and more. This tour is free, so there is no need to show a ticket. However, registration is encouraged to give an idea of how big the group will be.
