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Happy 4th of July weekend, Milwaukee! No matter if you're going to watch fireworks with the family or if you're looking for an event to make the most of the summer weekend, we've got you covered. Make your plans with the Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
Happy 4th of July!
Get your red, white and blue on, and head over to the best parade and firework displays in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee 4th of July Guide
Cedarburg 4th of July Hometown Celebration
The patriotic celebration filled with Americana continues in 2025 through the Cedarburg Historic District. The parade, noted for showcasing award-winning Division 1 drum & bugle corps, will start at 10am, followed by an all-day picnic in Cedar Creek Park, live music and fireworks display at dusk, set from Adlai Horn Park.
Event Info
West Allis Independence Day Concert and Festival
The City of West Allis Independence Day Concert and Festival Foods Fireworks will take place Friday at the West Allis Athletic Complex at Nathan Hale High School.
Event Info
Sail on a Vintage America's Cup Yacht
Enjoy the skyline lighting up with fireworks from the vintage America's cup yacht, the Red Witch II!
Event Info
43rd + Vliet Life is a Runway Fashion Show + Market
Music begins at 6 p.m., with a fashion show by Matee Black/Casita Prada. Afterwards, an open mic and shopping continues with an eclectic host of vendors at this regular event.
Event Info
Partner Pick
Frost Children, Blaketheman1000, Ariel Zetina at Cactus Club
A trio of DJ sets from New York City and Chicago will come to Cactus Club for a 4th of July party unlike any other!
Event Info
Pride Hangover 4th of July Burlesque Bash at X-Ray Arcade
The Brew City Bombshells are bringing a night of all-out debauchery to the very famous X-Ray Arcade!
Event Info
Partner Pick
SATURDAY
Painting on the Plaza at The New Fashioned
Enjoy a patio painting experience with step-by-step instruction, perfect for all skill levels.
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Kohl's Design It! Lab at Discovery World
Bring the whole family to the Kohl’s Design It! Lab to make wonderfully creative projects that you can take home. You’ll choose a project from our rotating menu and we’ll guide you through the creation process. Projects can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
Event Info
Partner Pick
Yoga at the Museum
Begin your Saturday with a calming 60-minute all-levels yoga class amid the serenity of the Quadracci Pavilion and stunning views of Lake Michigan.
Event Info
Ceramic Vessel Workshop
Kick back and enjoy some music while shaping clay into unique, functional pieces: think planters, bowls, catch-alls, and everything in between. In this hands-on class, Kat Harrison will guide you through the process of building coil and slab built vessels using simple, approachable techniques. No experience needed.
Event Info
Open Decks Series: Digital Edition at Cactus Club
All people of all levels of familiarity with digital DJing are invited, and guidance for the equipment will be readily available. Bring a USB with your music loaded. Play a couple tracks, chat about production and hear new music.
Event Info
Body Futures, Exitstatements, Key of Evil at Cactus Club
Milwaukee mathy power-pop indie rockers Body Futures return, and introduce new bass player Evan Gritzon. Check out their first Milwaukee show since summer 2018.
Event Info
40 Watt Sun, Serpentent, Ghost Cuts at X-Ray Arcade
40 Watt Sun is slow, sad, and really, really good. The kind of set that’ll quiet a whole room (like, please, actually, stop talking so we can get in our feelings).
Event Info
JAYXZ, Cyrus Chrome, r3algrl, Rangiii at Cactus Club
Head to Cactus Club for a late night queer rave, which is a fundraiser for Students for a Democratic Society. Dance with a purpose!
Event Info
SUNDAY
Cathedral Square Market
Browse a diverse selection of vendors offering fresh produce, prepared foods, farm-to-table goods and handmade art!
Event Info
Kids From Wisconsin: The Heat Is On!
Roll the windows down, turn up the volume and join us at this summer celebration with the 57th Kids From Wisconsin troupe! The Kids From Wisconsin have curated a Summer playlist to accompany the season, bringing together the most iconic medleys that transport you to lazy beach days, family road trips, backyard barbecues, and late-night sing-along bonfires.
Event Info
Partner Pick
Military & Veteran Family Day at Milwaukee County Zoo
All military service members, veterans, and their families can enjoy free admission and parking on July 6. Advance tickets are required through local County Veterans Service Offices (CVSO.)
Event Info
North Point Mansions Tour
From Tudors to Frank Lloyd Wright, see the impressive mansions of the North Point Neighborhood! The area is known for its intact early twentieth-century architecture and historical importance.
Event Info
Partner Pick
Solidarity Supper Club Community Meal at Cactus Club
A ragtag bunch of food service industry members are putting togehter a monthly, donation-based community meal. This is for anyone who needs a meal, a break from feeding yourself or just some connection and community.
Event Info
Grills & Thrills Summerween: Milwaukee Horror Fans Meetup at X-Ray Arcade
Who says horror season can’t start in July? Swing by X-Ray Arcade for a lil’ Summerween hang featuring vegan BBQ, Sleepaway Camp (1983), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (and the staff, sweating in their favorite black horror tees).
Event Info
Lipsticism, Devin Shaffer, Apollo Vermouth at Cactus Club
Lipsticism is the electronic dream pop/ ambient house solo project of musician and producer Alana Schachtel. Born and raised near Chicago, she spent the majority of her adult life in the Pacific Northwest, where she first started experimenting with sound.
Event Info
ALL WEEKEND LONG
Summerfest 2025 - Weekend Three!
The final weekend of Summerfest is here! Head to the lakefront for music, food, and fun at Henry Maier Festival Park! We've got you covered with all things Summerfest right here!
On/Summerfest
Kinetic Garden, Summer Floral Show at The Domes
The harmony between nature and art finds colorful expression in “Kinetic Garden,” a floral exhibit on view at The Domes June 7th - September 7th.
Event Info
Chris Martin at Milwaukee Improv
His Edinburgh Comedy Festival shows have sold out and had extra dates added on multiple occasions. As well as touring the U.K. he’s been invited to tour Australia and New Zealand several times. Catch him for shows on Saturday and Sunday in Brookfield!
Event Info
Exploration Dinosaur at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Dig into dinos! Unearth the past and explore prehistoric life, including the bones, teeth, and more from mighty dinosaurs like the T. Rex and Triceratops! Walk among more than 20 full-size and scientifically accurate animatronic displays, plus four activity stations
Event Info
The Kalmbach Art Collection: Pairing Words and Imagery
Don't miss the first public exhibition of Kalmbach Media’s historic art collection. Totaling fifty-nine original paintings, "The Kalmbach Art Collection: Pairing Words and Imagery" is a pillar of rail-themed art filled with landmark works from Howard Fogg, George Gloff, Gil Reid, Ted Rose, John Swatsley, and many others.
Event Info
100 things to do in Milwaukee (and beyond) this summer
Looking for a way to get out and enjoy summer with your friends and family? We have ideas. From eating at a restaurant with a great patio view to enjoying local festivals to exploring the many outdoor attractions around town and more, here's everything you need for a great Milwaukee summer.
100 things to do in Milwaukee
100 things for families and kids to do in Milwaukee this summer
Milwaukee provides fun for the whole family all summer long! Your mission is to see how many of these you can cross off of your checklist during the Great Milwaukee Summer.
100 Things to Do!
It's beer garden season!
Beer garden season has arrived in Milwaukee! Here's the dish – or should we say, the pour – including when they're open and more.
Beer Garden Guide
Enjoy some free music!
In just about every corner of Milwaukee, you'll hear live music in the summertime. The neighborhoods of the city come alive when the sun stays out late, and that means plenty of free concert series and a wide array of music for you to enjoy.
Free Live Music Guide
Try a new restaurant!
Regularly supporting our locally owned restaurants is among the most impactful things we can vow to do. Lori Fredrich's list of 52 Restaurants for 2025 is here!
#52Restaurants
