READ MORE FROM OUR SUMMER GUIDE HERE.
1. Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
THROUGH SEPTEMBER | BAYFIELD
For nearly 40 years, a large tent in the woods has brought great talent Up North. Over 60 acts will perform this year, such as Semisonic, Graham Nash and Wisconsin favorites like SistaStrings and Charlie Berens.
2. Taste of Wisconsin
JUNE 15 | BEAVER DAM
Attendees get a tasting glass and four hours to sample nearly 100 Wisconsin beers, wines and cheeses while enjoying live entertainment. Always the Saturday before Father’s Day, this fest is in its 17th year.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
3. Door County Wine Festival
JUNE 22 | BAILEY’S HARBOR
Enjoy unlimited tastings of award-winning wines from nine Door County wineries at this fest, which moves to a new location this year – About Thyme Farm. VIP tickets get early access to high-end wines.
4. 50th Annual Oneida Nation Pow Wow
JUNE 28-30 | ONEIDA
One of the largest pow wows in the Midwest invites the public to experience the food, crafts and music of the Oneida and other Native American communities. Dancing, drumming competitions and a lacrosse tournament are just some
of what you’ll see.
5. Iola Car Show
JULY 11-13 | IOLA
Wisconsin’s premier car show attracts over over 100,000 people each year to Central Wisconsin with 2,000-plus muscle cars and historic rides. Among this year’s special guests is the (unbronzed) Fonz himself, Henry Winkler.
6. Art Fair on the Square
JULY 13-14 | MADISON
Hundreds of artists from across the country set up booths in the shadow of the State Capitol for this free event. The Art Fair off the Square brings in exclusively Wisconsin artists on the same weekend. Expect great food and musical entertainment.
7. Pulaski Polka Days
JULY 18-21 | PULASKI
Roll out the barrel for the state polka capital’s four-day celebration. Three stages for alternating bands make sure the music never stops. Expect fireworks for the opener, a Ms. Pulaski pageant, pancake breakfast and a Sunday parade.
8. EAA AirVenture
JULY 22-28 | OSHKOSH
Nearly 3,000 historic and experimental planes will be on display at this massive fly-in and convention.Catch one of the daily air shows with aerobatics, formations and pyrotechnics – you can even book flights in historic planes.
9. Mile of Music 11
AUG. 1-4 | APPLETON
Up-and-coming acts and established bands and singer-songwriters play hundreds of sets along a mile of College Avenue. No tickets required – just download the app, make your picks and wander from show to show across dozens of venues.
10. Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival
AUG. 14-18 | SUN PRAIRIE
This harvest fest at Angell Park goes through 80 tons of sweet corn – steamed and served with butter and salt, or raw and sold in bags to take home. There’s also beer, live music, a parade and a hot-pepper-eating contest.
11. Cow Chip Throw
AUG. 30-31 | PRAIRIE DU SAC
They’ll provide the cow chips (dried dung, for the uninitiated); you just throw them. Kids, adults and teams compete for the farthest distance throughout the weekend. There’s also live music, food, a run-walk, arts and crafts vendors and the Tournament of Chips Parade.
