Dining Month is brought to you through a partnership with Educators Credit Union, Potawatomi Hotel Casino and Saint Kate Arts Hotel.
The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, the smell of fresh cider fills the Riverwalk Commons. It’s that time of year again. Milwaukee Public Market is welcoming fall with its beloved Harvest Festival, this year’s celebration carries extra meaning: it marks the Market’s 20th anniversary.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., both the Market and Riverwalk Commons, 423 N. Water St., will come alive with the sights, sounds, flavors of autumn. Families and visitors can expect an array of activities designed to celebrate the season and honor two decades of community support.
All the fall fun
Festivalgoers can sip on Lakefront Brewery’s pumpkin lager, tapped straight from a giant pumpkin, or enjoy fresh apple cider pressed on-site using the Market’s antique cider press. Kids (and kids at heart) can get creative with pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, a s’mores station, while live music from bluegrass bands Pay the Devil and Bluegrass Allstars sets the soundtrack for a perfect fall day.
Returning this year is the Mini-Harvest Market, featuring local growers and producers. Attendees can taste and take home seasonal favorites like fresh and caramel apples, maple syrup, artisanal cheeses.
For those looking for a memento, limited-edition anniversary merchandise designed by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design student Eleri Extence will be available. The design, selected by community vote, also gives back—two dollars from each sale will support MIAD.
Inside the Market, the celebration continues with Harvest-themed goods from vendors and a giant pumpkin guessing contest, inviting everyone to take part in the fun.
“Harvest Festival is our way of thanking Milwaukee for supporting us,” said Paul Schwartz, Executive Director of Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement District #2. “This year is particularly meaningful as we celebrate and reflect on the past 20 years and what it means to continue supporting the Milwaukee and Historic Third Ward communities.”
Admission to the festival is free, with optional donations benefiting the Hunger Task Force. The 2025 Harvest Festival is made possible thanks to generous support from 333 Water, Radio Milwaukee, Beer Capitol Distributing, Educators Credit Union, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Duckhorn Vineyards.
Whether you’re stopping by for the cider, the music, or just to soak in the festive atmosphere, this year’s Harvest Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of Milwaukee’s community spirit and 20 years of Public Market magic.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
