Festivals
Burn major beer calories at the final HIIT-N-Hops event of the season on Thursday, August 16. The event follows the traveling beer garden to Juneau Park (801 North Lincoln Memorial Drive). Purchase tickets online and get ready to sweat.
Experience the luck of the Irish on Thursday, August 16, through Sunday, August 19, at the Henry Maier Festival Park (200 North Harbor Drive). Head to the website to buy your tickets in advance and to see what kind of discounts you can score. Expect dancing, food and a whole ‘lotta fun.
Indulge in Indian culture for the day on Saturday, August 18, through the colors, cuisine and concerts of the country. Entering in its sixth year of celebration, the festival, taking place in Humboldt Park (3000 South Howell Avenue), is free for all to enjoy.
Head to Cathedral Square Park (520 East Wells Street) on Saturday, August 18, to celebrate art in Milwaukee. Don’t miss out on this free event, with food, dance, art and everything else you need for a relaxing Saturday.
You don’t have to take an eight-hour flight to experience Spain this weekend. Hotel Madrid (600 South Sixth Street) is paying tribute to the world’s biggest food fight in Spain with their festival on Sunday, August 19. Though there won’t be food to throw, the bottomless plates of veggies and live music make this ticket worth a purchase.
Boats
If you’re into the classics, the Pewaukee Boat Show (222 West Wisconsin Avenue) will have just what you’re looking for. Bring the whole family on Saturday, August 18, to spend the day admiring antique and classic boats alike.
Milwaukee Venetian Boat Parade
Watch the water glisten on Saturday, August 18, at the Milwaukee Venetian Boat Parade, located at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (1450 North Lincoln Memorial Drive). Boats will float by starting at 8 p.m., done up in dazzling twinkling lights.
Beer
C.T. Melms’ 199th Birthday Party
Take one down, pass it around: You may be familiar with the old tune that starts with “99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer…” but Melms Brewing Company is upping the ante in honor of their namesake’s 199th birthday. Stop by the Melm’s Taproom (418 Merton Avenue) on Saturday, August 18, to celebrate Melms Brewing Company founder Charles T. (C.T.) Melms’s 199th birthday. The event starts at 7 p.m., and they hope to sell 199 beers in his honor.
Eat
August 16-19 will be even wilder at the Milwaukee County Zoo (1001 West Bluemound Road) than normal. Twenty-six area restaurants will setting up shop in the zoo, so come for the animals but stay for the food (and the music, too!). Look for Wynonna & The Big Noise performing Friday night, or check out the entire entertainment lineup.
Art
The MAM is going biker for its monthly nighttime event series. Celebrating Harley Davidson’s 115th anniversary, the Milwaukee Art Museum (700 North Art Museum Drive) is opening up its doors on Friday, August 17, at 7 p.m. for motorcycle and art enthusiasts alike to enjoy food, music and a great time after museum hours!
Entertainment
Gladys Knight at The Pabst Theater
The legendary Gladys Knight will grace the stage at The Pabst Theater (144 E Wells Street) on Friday, August 17. With seven Grammys in her back pocket and number-one hits in various genres, Knight is a jack of all trades.
Grammy-winning artist Shelby Lynne comes to Shank Hall (1434 North Farwell Avenue) on Sunday, August 19. You might know her from her early-aughts track “Dream Some,” featured in Bridget Jones’s Diary. This veteran to the music scene will be a show worth seeing.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily
Take part in a night of theatrics every day this weekend that continues until August 26. Mystery takes center stage at the Cabot Theatre (158 North Broadway) with the Milwaukee Chamber Theater’s rendition of the classic detective duo. Get your tickets to a nail-biting-night of mystery!
