8 Must-See Arts Events This Fall

8 Must-See Arts Events This Fall

This season offers a stacked lineup of exhibitions, music and much more. Find events that spark your interest here.

Illustration by Getty Images

Jan Serr: Summer Paintings

THROUGH NOV. 29 | VILLA TERRACE MUSEUM & GARDENS 

Jan Serr’s “Summer Paintings” draw inspiration from Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan – the very landscape neighboring Villa Terrace. Spanning the last 50 years, with pieces as recent as 2026, these beach-themed figurative works have rarely been exhibited as a collection. This Villa Terrace Museum show marks a local homecoming for Serr, following a distinguished career exhibiting and teaching in Canada. She has previously had retrospectives at the Rahr-West Art Museum and UW-Milwaukee and is represented in Wisconsin by the Tory Folliard Gallery.

Cathedral Fine Arts Series

2026-2027 SEASON | CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST

Enjoy a lunchtime concert every Wednesday afternoon at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Refer to the website below for a complete schedule of performances. Other upcoming highlights at the Cathedral include the Third Annual Milwaukee Sings at Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. The Journey of Faith Collaboration between Cathedral Fine Arts, Danceworks MKE and Milwaukee Opera Theatre is set for Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027. And looking ahead, you can see Chanticleer in Concert on Tuesday, April 13, 2027. 

The Addams Family and Meet in Saint Louis

OCT. 8-25; DEC. 3-20 | BOMBSHELL THEATRE CO.

This fall, Bombshell Theatre is putting on these two must-see shows. The Addams Family is a delightfully dark musical comedy celebrating love, family, and everything wonderfully weird. Wednesday Addams must convince her parents to think differently when she falls for Lucas, a sweet, smart young man from a respectable, perfectly normal family. Meet Me in St. Louis invites audiences into the lively world of the Smith family during the year leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair. This charming stage musical captures the nostalgia and spirit of the beloved film, featuring treasured songs from the movie, plus 10 written for the stage. It’s a joyful celebration of home, family and hope.

Ghostbusters in Concert

OCT. 9 | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 

Experience the beloved 1984 classic film like never before, with the music performed on stage by an orchestra. Audience members will enjoy the ultimate movie concert experience as Ghostbusters is presented on a large HD cinema screen, fully synced to a live performance of Academy Award®-winning composer Elmer Berstein’s spine-tingling score.


Visit the John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Just a short drive north of Milwaukee, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center invites you to experience art that surprises, surrounds and stays with you. Explore ever-changing exhibitions, stop by the CAFE for a bite and a drink, try artmaking in the Social STUDIO, and browse art-inspired treasures in the SHOP. While you’re in Sheboygan, be sure to plan a visit to JMKAC’s Art Preserve, which is just a few miles away. The first museum of its kind, the Art Preserve is home to the world’s largest collection of artist-built environments. Two free museums. One unforgettable experience. Enter curiously.


Insite: En Route

OCT. 9-10 | WILD SPACE DANCE COMPANY 

Wild Space Dance Company’s InSite program returns for its fifth season with En Route, a free immersive dance experience at Pulaski Park. Wander through this vibrant urban greenspace and encounter original dances created specifically for the site. Inspired by the restored Kinnickinnic River and the park’s scenic vistas, En Route explores connections between people, nature and public space. Featuring guest artists from across Milwaukee, including Ghanaian dancer and storyteller Ishmael Konney, this unique event invites audiences to discover dance in unexpected places and uncover hidden stories within the landscape. Come early for a pre-show talk by a local water expert.

DEK of Hearts

OCT. 17 | CEDARBURG PAC INC. VISITING ARTISTS SERIES

DEK of Hearts is a powerhouse trio blending country, pop and bluegrass influences with soaring three-part harmonies and undeniable onstage chemistry. Featured on Season 28 of NBC’s “The Voice,” they earned a rare 4-chair turn and were later crowned Mic Drop Winner during the Knockout Round, advancing to the Top 3 acts of the season. Winners of Tennessee Songwriters Week, they released their breakout single “Taillights,” followed by “Something in the Well.” DEK of Hearts is working to redefine the modern country-pop trio! Underwritten by: O’Hare Wealth Management. dekofhearts.com.

Feed Your Soul

NOV. 6 | HOUSE OF RAD

Now in its 23rd year, Feed Your Soul brings together more than 80 local artists and 500 art enthusiasts for a one-of-a-kind evening. It is Milwaukee’s premier live art auction and fundraising event where creativity and community come together. Feed Your Soul features live art, a silent auction, entertainment, food and drinks, and opportunities to connect with Milwaukee’s creative community – all to raise funds for Community Advocates’ housing stability programs. Guests will enjoy a lively and meaningful evening, while supporting both Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community and neighbors in need.

The Flamenco Nutcracker

DEC. 5 | STUDIO K FLAMENCO 

The Nutcracker gets a fresh twist as choreographers Manuel Gutierrez  and Kerensa DeMars reimagine the classic story in a colorful, whirling spectacle of Spanish dance. A Sugar Plum Fairy playing castanets, sizzling  Spanish guitar by the internationally renowned Andres Vadin and the passion of flamenco combine in  this exuberant Milwaukee holiday favorite. A show for all ages with a run time of 75 minutes.


This story is part of Milwaukee Magazine’s September 2026 issue.

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