It's time for Dining Month, presented by Deer District and its spooky Halloween-themed alter ego, Fear District. Throughout the month of October, we'll be serving up fun and fascinating content about all things food. The signature dish, however, is our 2019 Best of Dining poll, who's winners we will dish out all month long. Get hungry, Milwaukee!
The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and the pumpkin spice is back in the lattes. That can only mean one thing: Fall is here, that wonderful time between the heat and humidity of the summer and the polar vortex winter, where flannel is basically a second skin and the heat gets turned on at bar patios.
There are so many events happening during the fall in Milwaukee, so we at OnMilwaukee have put together a guide to some of the most exciting of the bunch. Whether you're looking for something in your neighborhood or something off of the beaten path, we've got you covered – and will keep you covered as we update this guide throughout the season.
Fear District
Deer District
Oct. 3-Nov. 3
Milwaukee's newest neighborhood is getting a little spooky for October. With a trio of haunted mazes, multiple food showcases, a toasty fire bar, weekly horror movie classics and so much more, Fear District is fun for the whole family during the day – and after 6 p.m., the scariest place to be in Milwaukee. Fear District is open Thursday through Sunday until Nov. 3, and admission is free.
More info: Free general admission, kid friendly until 6 p.m.
Myspace Emo Prom
Pabst Brewery, 1037 W. Juneau Ave.
Oct. 4
A ten-year reunion for all of us who still agonize over who to put into our Top 8, hosted by Pabst Brewery and Tap Room, and featuring live music from Taking Back Emo. Be sure to wear your strongest eyeliner and studded belts and be prepared to relive all your teenage angst.
More info: $10 general admission, 21 and over
Lost Arts Festival
Grohmann Museum at MSOE, 1000 N. Broadway
Oct. 5
The tenth annual festival celebrates the lost arts, including shoecarving, blacksmithing and glass founding. Each art is remembered through paintings and bronze statues, and there will be skilled craftsmen throughout the festival to show that these arts are not so lost after all.
More info: $5 general admission, all ages
Cedarburg's Oktoberfest
Downtown Cedarburg
Oct. 5-6
Celebrate Milwaukee's German heritage with polka, lederhosen and, of course, lots and lots of beer. Historic Downtown Cedarburg turns into Hamburg for the weekend, as multitudes – both German and not – descend to dance, drink, shop and drink some more.
More info: Free admission, all ages
Autumn Celebration
Washington Park
Oct. 12
Hosted by the Urban Ecology Center, Autumn Celebration allows you to become one with nature in scenic Washington Park during this celebration of the season. Featuring a caramel apples, canoeing, a nature hike and more, this is the perfect way to get your fill of the crisp fall air.
More info: Free admission, all ages
Beet Street Fall Harvest Festival
Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Oct. 12
The fourth annual Beet Street Fall Harvest Festival will have live music, food and drinks, films and so much more. Hosted by Cactus Club, this Bay View block party is sure to satisfy all your street dancing desires. Oh, and the Great Midwestern Pie Championship, crowning the tastiest, prettiest and overall best pies, will be awarded here, which you surely don't want to miss.
More info: Free admission, all ages
Flannel Fest
Boone & Crockett, 818 S. Water St.
Oct. 12
Calling all lumberjacks, farmers and any other lovers of flannel: Boone & Crockett is holding a celebration of all things flannel, with food and drink to satisfy your desires. While this isn't the first Flannel Fest (the original happened seven years ago), it is the first to feature local vendors like Hacienda Beer Co., Taco Moto, Bad English and many more.
More info: $12 admission, all ages
Milwaukee Film Festival
Multiple locations
Oct. 17-31
One of the largest film festivals in the country, the Milwaukee Film Festival calls six theaters home this year, including the newly added Rivoli Theatre in Cedarburg and Broadway Theatre Center in the Third Ward as well as the Oriental Theatre as its home base on the East Side. With over 350 films and events over the course of two weeks, there's something for everybody to see and enjoy.
More info: Multiple ticket price levels, all ages
MAM After Dark: Mystery
Milwaukee Art Museum
Oct. 18
Do you have what it takes to become a world-class detective? Become Milwaukee's Sherlock Holmes at the Art Museum, where you'll be searching for clues, solving museum mysteries and winning exciting prizes. All good detectives need something to lighten the mood, so of course there will be mystery food and drink tastings, plus much, much more.
More info: $14 general admission, 21 and over
Yoga @ the Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Oct. 19 and Nov. 16
Become one with yourself within the scenic views of the Milwaukee Art Museum in Windhover Hall. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat), and along with your registration, you'll get free admission to the museum. Hosted by the Art Museum and omTownYogis.
More info: $15 general admission, all ages
Day of the Dead
Mitchell Park Domes
Oct. 25
Bring the whole family to the Domes for a celebration of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. There will be face painting, a photo booth, a Mariachi band and local food vendors such as El Ray and Senor Sol. There will also be traditional ofrendas located throughout the domes to view, so be sure to check this out!
More info: $10 general admission, all ages
Zoo Halloween Spooktacular
Milwaukee County Zoo
Oct. 26-27
This Halloween Spooktacular features costume contests, a haystack maze, trick or treating, and, of course, all the animals that you love at the zoo. The kids won't be the only ones having fun, as each animal is getting a pumpkin filled with their favorite treats. Be sure to register for the Spooktacular Costume Contests and stay for the costume parade on Saturday. It's sure to be a ghoulishly good time for the whole family.
More info: $10.75 for ages 12 and up, $8.75 for ages 3-12
Ponyville Ciderfest
Hyatt Regency, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Nov. 1-3
The perfect place for "My Little Pony" fans, the sixth annual Ponyville Ciderfest sets up its stable at the Hyatt Regency at the beginning of November. A celebration of everything fans love about both "My Little Pony" and the holidays, the convention also features multiple cider tastings and a bar crawl for those ponies 21 and over.
More info: $35-50 single day passes, all ages
Winter Farmers Market
Mitchell Park Domes
Nov. 2 through March 28
While fall brings many great things, one event that people miss are their farmers markets. Well, mourn no longer, because the Winter Farmers Market at Mitchell Park will surely fill all your fresh food cravings. Fifty weekly vendors bring high quality produce, meats and all other kinds of food to the Mitchell Park Domes Greenhouse Annex every day of the week.
More info: Free admission, all ages
Trainfest
State Fair Park
Nov. 9-10
Be sure to check out America's largest operating model railroad show. With over 70 different layouts over miles of tracks, you're in for a train experience like one you've never seen before. Whether you're a model railroader, a railroad enthusiast or someone who just wants to see what all the fuss is about, there's something for you at Trainfest.
More info: $16 for ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 4-12
MAM After Dark-Friendsgiving
Milwaukee Art Museum
Nov. 15
Celebrate Thanksgiving with all of your closest friends, old and new, at the Art Museum. Friendsgiving will feature all of your favorite comfort food, live music and drinks – all within the confines of the majestic art galleries. This event also serves as a celebration of Native American Heritage Month, so you surely don't want to miss it!
More info: $14 general admission, 21 and over
Holiday Lights Festival
Downtown
Nov. 21 through Jan. 1
The end of fall brings on the true ramping up of the holiday season, and nothing says holidays like city sidewalks dressed in holiday style. The season kicks off on Nov. 21 at Pere Marquette Park, where the lights will be flipped on and the city will truly shine in the dark. Be sure to bring your jackets and some hot cocoa, because knowing the Wisconsin weather, it's going to be a cold one out there.
More info: Free admission, all ages
