Festivals
Locust Street Festival of Music and Art
The legendary Locust Street Festival of Music and Art returns Sunday, June 9, beginning at 11 a.m. The accompanying beer run begins at 11:30 a.m. but runners and non-runners are welcome to enjoy all the festivities. This year, expect six stages of live music, plenty of food vendors, local artists and more.
Celebrate pride all weekend long. PrideFest Milwaukee runs from Thursday, June 6, though Sunday, June 9, at the Sumemerfest grounds (200 N. Harbor Dr.). Check the daily lineup to plan out your weekend: expect live music, health and wellness activities, a marketplace with local vendors and more. Don’t forget to show your support at the Milwaukee Pride Parade on Sunday, June 9, beginning at 2 p.m. on South 2nd St. Plus, PrideFest and the Harley-Davidson Museum are teaming up for Ride with Pride, the world’s largest motorcycle ride honoring the LGBTQ community on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 11 a.m. at the museum (400 W. Canal St.).
The Water Lantern Festival is just as beautiful and meaningful as it sounds. The celebration takes place on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park (1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.). For a $25 ticket, participants will enjoy food trucks, music and other activities until later on when they can decorate their customized lantern. Once everyone has written their well wishes on a lantern, they will all be lit and released into Lake Michigan.
Beer
Another beer festival and Milwaukee favorite: Firkin Beer Fest returns to Cathedral Square Park (520 E. Wells St.) on Saturday, June 8, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. For a general admission ticket of $50, you get a pint for unlimited samples from nearly 50 different brewers from all over.
Music
The popular indie band is taking their talents to Milwaukee. Vampire Weekend performs Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m. at the BMO Harris Pavilion in the Summerfest grounds (200 N. Harbor Dr.). The foursome comes as part of their North American tour for their newest album, Father Of The Bride. It’s the start to a musical summer, indeed.
‘A Taste of Jazz’ with Midwest Sax
Some of the newest smooth jazz acts have come together to form the Midwest Sax and will perform ‘A Taste of Jazz’ on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 6 p.m. (6737 N. Teutonia Ave.). Expect to hear all kinds of jazz styles including soulful, smooth R&B and funky.
Cheers to Milwaukee with the Violent Femmes
Who wouldn’t love a free concert? Miller Brewing wants to thank the Milwaukee community for the last 160 years of support by throwing a free concert with the Violent Femmes on Thursday, June 6, at 8 p.m. at the Riverside Theater (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.). There are four different locations to receive a ticket, but they are first-come, first-served, so get them while you can. Cheers to MKE and cheers to summer!
Wine
Wine in the Ward: Spring Edition
There’s nothing quite like ending the week with a glass of wine…or two. Vino Third Ward (219 E. Erie St.) hosts Wine in the Ward, their seasonal wine tasting event on Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. A $15 ticket includes five wine pours, snacks and browsing wines picked just for the season.
It’s a day dedicated to rosé; need we say more? Ray’s Wine and Spirits (8930 W. North Ave.) presents their third annual Rosé Day Festival on Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. The parking lot party will be pouring over 100 different rosé wines. Tickets are selling fast!
Entertainment
Yes, you read the title right. For those who indulge in Bravo shows as their guilty pleasure, this could be the event for you. Watch What Crappens, a daily podcast discussing all things Bravo, comes to Milwaukee on Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. at the Turner Hall Ballroom (1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave.). The hosts and best friend duo Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam will spill their tea on Bravo’s stars, hit series and more.
Historic
Historic Pabst Mansion Estate Sale
Want a piece of true Milwaukee history? The Historic Pabst Mansion is hosting an estate sale on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine across the street from the Pabst Mansion (2000 W. Wisconsin Ave.). The mansion has done some spring cleaning and is selling some items from the attic, including fragments from lost Milwaukee buildings, antique furniture, framed artworks and more.
