1. Falls Memorial Fest
ALL WEEKEND | VILLAGE PARK, MENOMONEE FALLS
Head up to Menomonee Falls for a special military tribute, including a 5K on Saturday and a veterans concert in Village Park Sunday evening. The weekend will be packed with live music, food and drinks, marketplace vendors and more. And it wraps up with a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Monday along Menomonee Falls’ Main St. and Grand Ave.
2. Oddities and Curiosities Expo
ALL WEEKEND | BAIRD CENTER
Lovers of the weird and bizarre might pop into the Oddities and Curiosities Expo this weekend. The two-day expo will feature hand-selected small businesses and artists showcasing all the wacky products you can dream of – from taxidermy to funeral collectibles. Doors are open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Buy tickets here.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Burlington Jamboree
ALL WEEKEND | 681 MARYLAND AVE.
You can celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the Burlington Jamboree with live music, carnival games and duck races. Admission is free and food and drink will be available for purchase.
4. IKEA Family Kite Festival
ALL WEEKEND | VETERANS PARK
Sit back and watch the grand launch of over 600 kites over Milwaukee’s lakefront at noon this Saturday and Sunday. Gift of Wings kite shop is hosting its annual kite festival this weekend, with daily performances from the Fabulous Windjammers kite flying team and other professional kite flyers. Starting at 10 a.m. in Veteran’s Park, Gift of Wings will teach free kite flying lessonsk and they’ll be giving away free kites to the first 100 kids to participate in their “KIDS MAD DASH.”
5. Moulin Rouge! The Musical
ALL WEEKEND | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
This is the last weekend to catch Moulin Rouge! at the Marcus Center. Showtimes are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Buy tickets here.
RELATED: WHY YOU SHOULD SEE ‘MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL’ AT THE MARCUS CENTER
6. Paper Airplane Day
FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M.-2 P.M. | DISCOVERY WORLD
Friday is National Paper Airplane Day, and Discovery World is celebrating with paper plane making and other family-friendly activities. Aviation professionals will be there to share their knowledge on the art of flight and help you make the perfect paper airplane. The event is included in admission to Discovery World.
7. Spring Scavenger Hunt
FRIDAY FROM 6-7 P.M. | DISCOVERY WORLD
Pick up a checklist from the Friends of Lakeshore State Park at 6 p.m. on Friday to search for hidden items while you walk along Milwaukee’s scenic lakefront. The starting point will be at the north entrance of the park next to Discovery World. No registration needed!
8. DIY Wood American Flag Workshop
FRIDAY FROM 6-8 P.M. | FISK AVENUE
Get ready for Memorial Day by making your own wooden American flag. Fisk Avenue will provide everything you need to construct your patriotic creation. Buy tickets here.
9. Radio Radio 15th Anniversary Blowout
FRIDAY FROM 7-11 P.M. | THE COOPERAGE
Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Milwaukee’s new wave radio station at The Cooperage this Friday night. General admission tickets are $15. Buy them here.
10. Cedarburg Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
SATURDAY FROM 8 A.M.-12 P.M. | CEDARBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Get outside and participate in either the half marathon or 5k run/walk this Saturday. The race starts at 8 a.m. at Cedarburg High School. The proceeds will go directly to Family Sharing of Ozaukee County, which provides food and assistance to those in need in Ozaukee County. Celebrate your victory with flapjacks and live music at the finish line! Register here.
11. A Horrifying Book Fair
SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.-4 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE
Be prepared for a truly terrifying experience this Saturday at X-Ray Arcade with over a dozen independent horror authors and DJs all afternoon. Admission is free, and guests can browse local vendors, such as Omen Alternative Music and Media and Goth and Green.
12. Bikerfest Block Party
SATURDAY FROM 12-9 P.M. | FISERV FORUM
This year marks the “5 Gear” anniversary of the BikerFest Block Party! BikerFest brings new and seasoned riders together with the goal of creating a more inclusive motorcycle culture in Milwaukee. Admission is free for everyone, with or without a bike.
13. Aura Portraits With Auradome
SATURDAY FROM 12-4 P.M. | WAUWATOSA
Find your aura in Wauwatosa this weekend with Auradome. Auradome uses a rare film that is no longer produced to photograph portraits that reveal your personal aura. Buy tickets here.
14. X Ambassadors
SATURDAY FROM 8 P.M. | THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
X Ambassadors is performing at The Rave/Eagles Club at 8 p.m. this Saturday with openers New West and Rowan Drake. The concert will highlight their new album Townie, which includes their newest lead single “No Strings.” Get general admission tickets here.
15. Paint Your Pooch: Pop Art
SUNDAY FROM 12:30-3:30 P.M. | THE HOUNDS AND TAP
Animal lovers can stop by The Hounds and Tap this Sunday to create their own pop art portraits of their pet. Registration is required, and each $25 ticket includes a canvas with a pre-sketched outline of your pet, painting materials and one tap beer or seltzer. No artistic experience needed! Buy tickets here.
16. Kraken the Firkin Cask Ale Festival
SUNDAY FROM 1-6 P.M. | SIR JAMES PUB
The beer enthusiasts of the Sir James Pub in Port Washington are hosting a festival full of free samples and wacky cask concoctions. Get tickets here.
17. Memorial Day Celebration
MONDAY FROM 8:30 A.M.-4 P.M. | WISCONSIN MEMORIAL PARK
All are welcome to this free Memorial Day celebration in Brookfield, where there will be food, live bands and carriage rides all day. Military memorabilia will be on display in the Great Lounge of the Chapel of Chimes and “Taps” will play every hour of the event. Admission is free for all ages.
18. Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery
MONDAY FROM 11 A.M.-3:30 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY
Forest Home Cemetery will host a memorial service followed by the opportunity to “meet” notable Milwaukeeans at their graves, portrayed by actors who will share their stories. There will also be hot dogs and brats available for purchase, and a history tour led by Forest Home historian Paul Haubrich. See the full schedule and details, and reserve a spot here.
