The Great Milwaukee Summer is HERE! Your guide to what you'll be doing, where you'll be drinking, who you'll be hearing and how you'll be getting a sweet tan this summer is on OnMilwaukee. The Great Milwaukee Summer guide is brought to you by Geis Garage Doors and Peoples State Bank!
The Great Milwaukee Summer has finally arrived – and with all sorts of fabulous festivals and glorious gatherings in tow. We've officially endured the winter and that grey cold unpredictable nonsense we politely call spring: Now it's time to start planning out your summer fun!
With seemingly a festival or live music event every weekend, however, it can be overwhelming to keep track of all the terrific options headed your way.
Luckily, the OnMilwaukee summer festivals guide is here to help.
Here's what you'll be doing, where you'll be drinking, who you'll be hearing and how you'll be getting a sweet tan this summer – and stay tuned for updates as more festivals announce their official dates, musical lineups and more.
Now get out there and have some Milwaukee summer fun!
Partner Pick
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol
Now through Sept. 2
renfair.com/bristol/
Grab your corset or your homemade chainmail armor: The Bristol Renaissance Faire is set to make its annual return. Open rain or shine every Saturday, Sunday and on Labor Day, the Bristol Faire takes visitors for a rollicking romp through Elizabethan England from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., complete with 16th-century arts, crafts, games, rides, food, music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a colorful cast of characters from the era. Don't miss out on its theme weekends either, like Steampunk Weekend from July 13-14 or Pirate Weekend on Aug. 3-4.
EAA AirVenture
Wittman Regional Airport, 525 W. 20th Ave.
July 22-28
eaa.org/en/airventure
Every year, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh earns its distinction as "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration." The members of the EAA make this annual event one of the world's most impressive showcases of attractions, representing innovation, history, technological advancement and current and future trends in aviation.
Rainbow Summer
Marcus Performing Arts Center
July 23-27
marcuscenter.org
In case your Milwaukee summer wasn't colorful enough, the Marcus Center will host its Rainbow Summer, a free outdoor gathering bringing Milwaukeeans together for food, drink and art – in particular the "Elysian Arcs," a colorful light and sound installation starring giant inflatable and illuminated rainbow-like arcs.
Washington County Fair
Washington County Fair Park
July 23-28
wcfairpark.com/fair
Enjoy good food and good music at the Washington County Fair. Country headliners tend to dominate the festival – and this year is no different with Ashley McBryde and Chris Young, as well as Foghat and Molly Hatchet, rockin' the grounds in 2024. Plus there's a multitude of vendors and all sorts of fair fun, so come out and see what all the fuss is about!
Chill on the Hill
Humboldt Park
July 23-Aug. 27
bayviewneighborhood.org
Hosted as always at Humboldt Park, Chill on the Hill will welcome a plethora of bands over the course of three beautiful summer months, surrounded by food vendors and trucks from popular Bay View eateries and community partners starting at 5 p.m. This year's lineup – taking the stage Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. – features excellent local acts like Emmitt James, B-Free, Pulpa De Guyaba, Combustor, The Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken, the MSO, the American Legion Band, and more. Click here for the full lineup.
Milwaukee Night Market
Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue
July 24, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11
westown.org/milwaukee-night-market/
Milwaukee Night Market is a glorious once-a-month collision of all wonder things Milwaukee has to offer. From 5-10 p.m., the Night Market puts on a free, open-air market that offers a wide variety of experiences for people of all backgrounds and ages, featuring a mash-up of art, craft and food vendors, live art creation, local music, Milwaukee businesses, tasty beverages and much more. Any day that ends with a Night Market is a good day.
Jazz in the Park
Cathedral Square Park
July 25 and August 1-29
easttown.com
Every Thursday, Cathedral Square Park fills with the sounds of summer from 6-9 p.m. (with a happy hour starting at 5 p.m.). Drinks will be available throughout various tents at the festival; however, it is asked that there are no carry-ins. This year's lineup for the weekly summer concert event has yet to be announced – but one can assume it will still offer its traditional diverse array of music while also really underlining the "jazz" in Jazz in the Park's name, all while surrounded by beautiful Milwaukee weather and Downtown scenery.
Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
Veterans Park and locations around Milwaukee
July 25-28
hdhomecoming.com
How do you celebrate one's 121st birthday? With the biggest, most bombastic party ever, obviously! That's the plan for the return of Harley's big anniversary festival, once again bringing in bikers from across the country for a weekend of celebration complete with a motorcycle parade, high-octane performers, gatherings around town and – the featured event – two days of incredible music in Veterans Park, headlined by rock icons Red Hot Chili Peppers and modern country superstar Jelly Roll. For the full schedule, click here.
Sounds of Summer
The Yard at Bayshore
July 26-Aug. 23
thebayshorelife.com
Head to the green gathering space in the heart of Bayshore and jam out to the Sounds of Summer live music series, with local bands and performers taking the mic every Friday night from 6-9 p.m. Food and drink are available as well from tasty taps nearby and food trucks parked all around the event. For the full lineup of music acts, click here.
Partner Pick
Riverwest 24
Riverwest
July 26-27
riverwest24.com
Calling all biking lovers! Come out to Riverwest for its 24-hour bike race, where you get in some exercise while experiencing the culture and camaraderie of one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Whether you're a hardcore cyclist aiming for a record time or a fairly pedestrian pedaler who just wants to have a good time in a great neighborhood, the Riverwest 24 is one tremendous day.
German Fest
Henry Maier Festival Park
July 26-28
germanfest.com
Prost to the return of German Fest, once again jam-packing three days on the lakefront with live music – this year including Die Alpenkracher, Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band, Alpine Blast, Cooper Box and many more – traditional dance, splinter-flinging timbersports, sheepshead battles, children's activities, an adorable Dachshund derby, history, wine tasting and much more. Oh, and of course plates upon plates of delicious authentic German food.
Milwaukee Brewfest
McKinley Park
July 27
milwaukeebrewfest.com/welcome
It wouldn't be Brew City without a summer festival dedicated entirely to beer. Hop on over to McKinley Park for the fourteenth celebration of hops, pouring unlimited samples of craft and micro brews, ciders, meads and more from around the world. Yes, you read that right: unlimited samples. So yeah, come with a good base in your belly (though Brewfest does have plenty of tasty food vendors on site as well).
Milwaukee Air & Water Show
Lakefront
July 27-28
mkeairwatershow.com
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, actually, it's both, as the Milwaukee Air & Water Show is back in the air on and over the lakefront. This year's show – its lucky number thirteenth edition – will bring back the famed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to headline the event, alongside other exciting demonstrations roaring to life on and above Lake Michigan. For more information, click here.
Milwaukee Makers Market
See website for location
July 28, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20
milwaukeemakersmarket.com
The Milwaukee Makers Market is the perfect seasonal stop for lovers of art, crafts, alliteration, designers and almost any other hobby. The market meets 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. generally every third Sunday of the month at either Discovery World, Ivy House MKE or The Society – so drop by and find your new favorite living room conversation piece, artistic inspiration or something else completely unexpected.
Partner Pick
New Music & Camping Festival in Oshkosh, WI
August 8-10, 2024
Xroads41.com Nestled in the heart of Oshkosh, WI, XRoads41 (pronounced Crossroads Forty-One) is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of the human spirit, a crossroads where music, art, and culture converge. For three Xhilarating days, attendees from all corners of the map gather amidst the beauty of the great outdoors, serenaded by the familiar melodies of their favorite artists. 3-day & single-day tickets are on sale now! Just 90 miles north of Milwaukee, right off Interstate 41 Get tickets
Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Aug. 1-11
wistatefair.com
It's the most Wisconsin time of the year: the Wisconsin State Fair! For ten days, enjoy some classic cream puffs, fried Oreos and all sorts of creative concessions by the winners of the Sporkies – then wear off all those calories by walking around the grounds, hopping on amusement park rides, checking out the brand-new circus, cheering on endless fair competitions, people-watching, animal-watching and listening to countless concerts. Speaking of which, this year's main stage entertainment includes local comedian favorite Charlie Berens, rock legends Foreigner, comedian Gabriel Iglesias, hitmakers TLC, viral star Yung Gravy, country stars Brothers Osborne and more.
Black Arts Fest MKE
Henry Maier Festival Park
Aug. 3
blackartsfestmke.com
Black Arts Fest MKE brings African heritage, culture, community, celebration, history, art, food and more – such as a Divine 9 party, celebrating the nine historically black sororities and fraternities – down to the lakefront from noon until 10 p.m. This year's musical acts include Growing Nation, Klassik, Peace Love & Soul, a Tina Turner tribute and many more.
Bronzeville Week
Several locations
Aug. 3-10
milwaukee.gov/Bronzeville
With the Bronzeville Cultural and Arts Festival taking place at its core, Bronzeville Week focuses on the historical and cultural importance of the iconic Milwaukee neighborhood, offering local art, dance performances, venues for social discussion, free health screenings, events, local business highlights and more. Stay tuned for more details – particularly with the festival itself – as Bronzeville Week draws closer.
Waukesha BluesFest
Naga-Waukee Park, Delafield
Aug. 9-10
waukeshabluesfest.com
Known as an "American Music and Art Festival," the festival features blues, R&B, soul, gospel and roots music mixed in with country and rock. In the past, the music celebration has seen the likes of Mavis Staples, James Hunter, John Mayall and many other nationally and internationally renowned musicians. This year, you can see headliners Ally Venable and GA-20.
Bloody Mary Festival
Henry Maier Festival Park
Aug. 10
thebloodymaryfest.com
From serving them with little beer chasers to topping them with whole chickens, Milwaukee knows how to do bloody Marys. And this summer, we'll celebrate these tomato-y treats with another delicious pour of the Bloody Mary Festival, headed to the Aurora Pavilion on the Summerfest grounds this summer. Expect food, drink, live entertainment, more drink, games and even more drink in the mix this August.
Morning Glory Art Fair
Deer District
Aug. 10-11
morninggloryartfair.com
Fiserv Forum is used to seeing masterpieces on the court inside the building, but for two days this summer, there will be art outside of the arena as well with the Morning Glory Art Fair. Running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Deer District, the festival brings well more than 130 artists together to show off their remarkable works and wares across multiple mediums.
Irish Fest
Henry Maier Festival Park
Aug. 15-18
irishfest.com
Don't miss the world's largest Irish music and culture celebration. The four-day family festival showcases an incredible plethora of live music and entertainment acts from all over the world – this year including Athas, Barry Dodd, Doolin', Frogwater, Goitse, Screaming Orphans, The Finns, Ulla and so many more – several local Irish dance groups and dozens upon dozens of vendors selling Irish crafts, food and retail items.
Milwaukee a la Carte at the Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
Aug. 15-18
milwaukeezoo.org
Go wild with this special culinary excursion courtesy of the Milwaukee County Zoo, featuring four days of delicious bites from several local restaurants served alongside wine tastings, demonstrations, entertainment and live music from star-studded headlining acts to be announced on a later date. Plus, you're at the zoo!
Center Street Daze
Center Street, from Humboldt to Holton
Aug. 17
centerstreetdazefestival.com
Celebrating more than a quarter century of fun, this Riverwest neighborhood festival is perfect for the whole family, featuring live music at a plethora of venues, vendors from around the community, tasty food and all sorts of wild events and entertainment. The opportunities are endless as you make your way down one of the city's most eclectic main drags, during one of the city's most eclectic days of the year.
Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin
Veterans Park
Aug. 18
prfestivalwisconsin.com
The U.S. territory has territory in the Great Milwaukee Summer festival calendar, bringing food, dance, live music – from salsa to merengue to reggaeton and beyond – culture and more to Veterans Park for its eleventh edition this year. The festival runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., with admission tickets currently available at their website – and for early bird pricing through June 1.
Fresh Coast Jazz Festival
The Pabst Theater
Aug. 22-24
freshcoastjazz.com
Featuring fresh nights of fresh music, the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival will return for another soulful year in 2024. Hosted in the historic Pabst Theater, the three-day music gathering booked a collection of excellent jazz artists for this summer – including Boney James, Kim Scott, Marcus Adams, Andrea Lisa and more. Stay into the evenings as well for the festival's Night Caps hosted at Hilton Milwaukee City Center, offering bonus live jazz along with conversation with fellow fans and even the musicians themselves.
Mexican Fiesta
Henry Maier Festival Park
Aug. 23-25
mexicanfiesta.org
Running for more than a half-century, Mexican Fiesta is a celebration of Mexican culture, history, art, music and food. Sample some wines, browse through art, participate in fun games and activities – past years have featured contests for jalapeno-eating, costumes and more – listen and dance to live music, and enjoy a delicious meal (or multiple meals) of tacos and then some.
Wisconsin Highland Games
Waukesha Expo Center
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
wisconsinscottish.org
Great Scott(ish Highland Games)! Make the most of your Labor Day weekend with the Wisconsin Highland Games, featuring all sorts of Scottish celebrations, traditions and of course competitions – from piping and drumming, to sheep and duck herding, to longbow and battle axe throw, and even a haggis hurl. Add in snacking on Scottish favorites like meat pies and sausage rolls – plus other festival favorites – and you'll ring in the start of September on a high note with the Highland Games.
Taco Fest
Henry Maier Festival Park
Sept. 14
milwaukeetacofest.com
Everybody loves tacos – and now we've got an entire festival dedicated to them! The latest foodie festival courtesy of OnMilwaukee, Taco Fest will return to the Summerfest grounds with delicious tacos of all shapes, sizes and shells – plus drinks, live entertainment, Mondo Lucha, games courtesy of Bars & Rec, and even a chihuahua pageant to wash them all down. And did we mention tacos? Because there's gonna be a ton of tacos. Learn more and buy tickets here!
Bay View Bash
Between Potter and Clement on Kinnickinnic Avenue
Sept. 21
bayviewbash.org
The Bay View Bash is back, delivering a community festival filled with food, art, music, crafts, books, community organizations and entertainment from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Kick it down Kinnickinnic with everything outstanding the Bay View neighborhood has to offer.
Petfest
Henry Maier Festival Park
Sept. 21
petfestmke.com
You've had all the festival fun this summer; it's only fair your cats, puppers and other furry friends have one dedicated to them as well. That's Fromm Petfest, a free festival running from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and featuring all sorts of fun activities and excitement for all your four-legged friends – from dock-diving to agility to just happy summery snacking. The best part: It's a festival for your pets, but you'll probably have a hoot too!
Doors Open Milwaukee
Sept. 28-29
doorsopenmilwaukee.org
Historic Milwaukee gets well over 100 buildings – big and small, new and old, landmarks and hidden gems – to quite literally open their doors to the city of Milwaukee for this adventure-minded early fall event. Guided tours are often times offered free of charge with no entry fee required – but if there is somewhere particularly interesting to you, check out the in-depth tours that are ticketed. Get out there and be a tourist in your hometown!
Harbor Fest
UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences, 600 E. Greenfield Ave.
Sept. 29
harbordistrict.com
We've spent a lot of time soaking in the sun this summer – let's give our water some shine too! That's Harbor Fest, returning from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. to celebrate all things aquatic with a number of performers, vendors, boat parades and more gathering around our great waters.
Milwaukee Comedy Festival
Venues across the city
Oct. 1-6
mkecomedyfest.com
Show of hands: Who's in need of a good laugh these days? Alright, let's tally this up, looks like ... yep, literally everybody. Luckily, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival is coming back around for its annual run of tight fives, with performers ranging in experience and style – from stand-up to sketch to improv and beyond – but all certain to hit your funny bone. Stay tuned for info on this year's headliners.
