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Your weekend starts now! There's a ton happening in Milwaukee this weekend, between the Wisconsin State Fair, Black Arts Fest, Milwaukee Milkmen baseball, and oh so much more going on. Check out your Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
Milwaukee Milkmen vs. Winnepeg Goldeyes
Check out some American Association baseball this weekend, as the Milwaukee Milkmen are home all weekend against the Winnepeg Goldeyes at Franklin Field!
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Painting on the Plaza at The New Fashioned
Join Splash Studio for a guided patio painting session with all supplies and a charcuterie board included. All skill levels are welcome.
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Firefly Fridays
Celebrate summer at Firefly Grove Park from 5–8 p.m. every Friday. Enjoy food trucks, beer from Vennture Brewing, music, and a play area hosted by The Little Village Cafe.
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Greendale Summer Movie Night: The Garfield Movie
The third and final movie for the Greendale Summer Night Movie series from Gift of Wings is The Garfield Movie! The show starts at dusk. Bring your blankets and chairs early to get a good spot!
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Forte at Pop
Dance to house, bass, and tech music from DJ Michael Fisher every first Friday. Enjoy drink specials while the kitchen stays open late.
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Live Band Karaoke at Paulie's Pub & Eatery
Join the monthly karaoke night at Paulie’s, where you’ll sing with a live band and a crowd cheering you on. Pick your song and step into the spotlight.
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Moons and Myths at UWM Planetarium
Explore moons like Io and Europa and hear the myths behind them during an indoor stargazing session.
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Tonight Only at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center
As part of the Starry Nights series, Tonight Only will play classic hits at Wilson Center’s outdoor theater. Bring a chair and a donation is suggested.
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Trey Kennedy at Pabst Theater
Comedian Trey Kennedy brings his latest tour to town, promising laughs and stories from life on the road with his family.
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TuneMaster Music Bingo at Sprecher Brewery
Match 45-second music clips to your bingo card and play themed rounds like ‘80s hits or one-hit wonders. Expect three or more chances to win.
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Nineteen Thirteen, Mea Jima at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
Mea Jima is the artistic persona of brothers Matt and Jim Meixner. They have been playing music together since their teenage years. Despite having releases with other projects they had never released a record with each other until 2021.
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Friday Afternoon Book Club at Copper Turtle
Held at Copper Turtle from 2–4 p.m., this weekly club discusses curated fiction picks with themes rotating each week. Participants get half-off beer and wine.
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Ultrabomb, Boss' Daughter, M545, Bellends at X-Ray Arcade
Ultrabomb is a band made up of punk legends who clearly never got the memo to slow down. Greg from Hüsker Dü, Derek from Social D, and Ryan from Soul Asylum? Let’s party!
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Live Magic at Wizard Works Brewing
Watch magician Chris Ivanovich perform bar-side illusions, mind-reading, and sleight of hand during this interactive magic show.
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Sail aboard Red Witch II
Board a replica of a 1906 America’s Cup yacht for a 90-minute sailing adventure every Friday through Sunday at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m.
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Ultimate Candle Making Experience at Greyhouse Studio
Create a custom candle at this workshop with fragrance blending, color options, and a take-home label. Choose from multiple start times and enjoy bar service.
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Music for the Masses: Darkwave Dance Party at The Cooperage
Head to The Cooperage for a dance party featuring music from Depeche Mode, New Order, Joy Division, The Cure, Sisters Of Mercy, Bowie, The Smiths, Nitzer Ebb, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Orchestral Manoeuvers In The Dark, Duran Duran, Echo & The Bunnymen, Front 242 and more.
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Broadway Rave at Falcon Bowl
Do you dig showtunes? Would you rave to them? Of course you would! Enjoy your favorites at Falcon Bowl in Riverwest.
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Carrellee, Lavish Waste, Dark Psychic, Goth Barge at Cactus Club
Carrellee is an ethereal synth-pop and darkwave artist based in Madison. Her debut album “Scale of Dreams” was released in 2022 on Negative Gain Productions (Twin Tribes). The album quickly sold out (and was repressed) as she embarked on 200 dates across the US and Canada from 2022 into 2024.
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Askysoblack, Shamewave, Overhand, Crash House at Sugar Maple
A little shoegaze, a little post-hardcore, a little “I’ve been thinking too much lately but in a cool way.” Askysoblack is headed to Sugar Maple! Don’t miss out!
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The Periodicals with Special Guests at Linneman's
Formed in 2013, The Periodicals are a British/American Wisconsin-based ten-piece band featuring guitars, horns, keyboards, violin, and sensational vocals that have been earning rave reviews for their tight live sets and unique blend of northern soul and alternative rock.
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Ternion Sound at the Miramar Theatre
After a sold-out Brew City Boat Party, head to the Miramar for a night of dancing with Ternion Sound, Wolfbiter, Ribbit, and Trip Kwik.
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SATURDAY
Sprecher Root Beer Bash
Held at the Bavarian Bierhaus Festival Grounds in Glendale, this all-ages event features live music, a float giveaway, petting zoo, games, food, and Sprecher root beer.
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The Red Clay Strays, Michael Marcagi at BMO Pavilion
The Red Clay Strays is one of music’s fastest-rising bands and is poised for a huge breakout this year. See them live singing their hit single, “Wondering Why" and more on Saturday.
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39th Annual Firefly Art Fair
Enjoy a weekend of art, music, food, and fun on the scenic grounds of the Wauwatosa Historical Society. Over 75 artisans will display paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and more.
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Black Arts Fest MKE
Head to the Summerfest grounds on Saturday for a full day celebrating African heritage and Black cultural arts. Expect music, dance, food, poetry, shopping, and fun for all ages.
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Clocktower Antiques Vintage Pop-Up Market
Celebrate Clocktower Vintage’s 5-year anniversary with an outdoor pop-up market in Walker’s Point. Shop vintage treasures and enjoy 20% off in-store all weekend long.
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Summer Celebration Health Fair at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Midtown Clinic
Children’s Wisconsin is hosting a family-friendly event at the Midtown Clinic on Saturday. Join in on the fun from 12-3 p.m. for backpack and school supply giveaways, community resources, lead testing, snacks, giveaways and so much more. This event is open to the community to attend and is free of charge.
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Dance Fest 2025
NÅ Studios hosts a full day of free, family-friendly events at Peck Pavilion including yoga, dance classes, live music, a pre-show, and a headline performance by Ailey II. Styles featured range from salsa to ballet.
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Free Range Art: 2025 Summer Show
Support local artists at this fine art and craft show on a historic Wisconsin farm. Browse a curated selection of jewelry, pottery, woodworking, fiber arts, and more.
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Punk Rock Rummage Sale at Falcon Bowl
The Punk Rock Rummage Sale is all of the sass you can fit in a bag and more. Check out vintage items, vinyl, collectables, art and more at Falcon Bowl.
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myWheels Car Show
Head to Bayside for a community car show with judging, food trucks, and brews by Torzala Brewing. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
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Native Art Marketplace at Hillside School
Explore traditional and modern crafts from LEAF artists inside the iconic Taliesin Hillside School. Pre-registration is encouraged due to limited capacity.
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Open Decks - 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. If you don’t have your own music and you’re interested in learning about digital DJing, you are welcome to play the club's.
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Summer Open Studio Workshop at Flowers For Dreams
Visit Walker's Point for a self-guided floral design experience that includes tools, instructions, and a welcome drink. Bring your own vase or purchase on-site.
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Summer Vibes Maker’s Market at Eagle Park Brewing
Celebrate International Beer Day at Eagle Park Brewing with a vendor market, family-friendly activities, and outdoor seating that welcomes dogs.
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West Coast Swing Lesson & Dance at Delaware House
Milwaukee Rebels Swing Dance Club hosts a beginner workshop at 7:30 p.m. followed by open dancing until 11:30 p.m. at Delaware House.
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Wisconsin IPA Fest at Third Space Brewing
Sample craft beers from over 40 Wisconsin breweries at this annual fest. Enjoy food trucks, a DJ, a VIP hour, and a People’s Choice vote for the best IPA.
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Yoga at the Museum
Start your morning at the Milwaukee Art Museum with an 8 a.m. outdoor yoga class. Café and store open at 9 a.m., and discounted parking is available.
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2025 Bronzeville Week
Celebrate the start of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Week with music, art, and cultural events in the city’s historic African-American entertainment district.
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Kohl’s Design It! Lab at Discovery World
Families can explore their creativity with hands-on projects from a rotating menu at this interactive lab. Projects take 5–20 minutes to complete.
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MKE Murder Mystery Walking Tour
Join an immersive tour to solve a fictional murder mystery tied to Milwaukee landmarks. Enjoy samples and clues along the way in this walking investigation.
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Secret Market at Brookfield Square Mall
Discover vintage and handmade treasures from 90+ vendors at Brookfield Square Mall. Shop retro décor, jewelry, art, and more with $1 entry.
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Wine Tasting Workshop
Learn how to taste wine like a pro during this relaxed evening class. Choose from full pours or curated samplers and explore flavor profiles with fellow wine lovers.
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Rabbitology, Sparkbird at Cactus Club
Rabbitology is the world created by the odd-running mind of Michigan-based alternative-folk singer/songwriter Nat Timmerman. A little land of the harebrained and burrowing. Venture into these eclectic soundscapes, and there you will discover a collection of memoirs turned into fantastical sonic short stories.
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The Mighty Deerlick, Hello Face, Bellends at Falcon Bowl
The volume gets turned up at Falcon Bowl for an evening show with long-running punks The Mighty Deerlick. Head to Riverwest as they headline a night of rock.
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Rematch, Eternal Boy, Gold Steps at X-Ray Arcade
This one’s got all the makings of a night you’ll be yelling about in group chat for a week. Check out a night of pop punk at X-Ray Arcade!
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Cube, Pod Blotz, Scatterbrainmane, DJ Chad at Cactus Club
A busy day at Cactus Club comes to an end with a dance party to close things out. Join for a night of electronic music with four acts at the Bay View venue.
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SUNDAY
Cyndi Lauper at American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Cyndi Lauper launched her farewell tour in October and has since performed around the world in that time. The U.S. leg of the tour kicked off in July and includes an August 3 stop at American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Jake Wesley Rogers will open.
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Bouquet Café at Happy Day Farmhaus
Spend a peaceful morning arranging fresh flowers at this family-friendly event on an organic farm. Coffee, community, and custom bouquets await.
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Grown Up Summer Camp
Relive your camp days with canoeing, crafts, hikes, and yoga at this adults-only retreat from the Urban Ecology Center. Support local makers at the Camp Store and enjoy a full day of summer fun.
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Brews and Brushes at MKE Brewing
Sip and paint at MKE Brewing with a step-by-step guided art session. All supplies and your first drink are included in the $35 ticket.
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Cathedral Square Market
Browse handmade goods, produce, and brunch bites downtown. Free morning yoga and live music make this market a Sunday favorite.
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King of Drag
Watch the premiere of King of Drag with host JJ O’Ryder at Pop. Enjoy live performances during commercial breaks at the viewing party.
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Em Spel, SSAANN, *aya at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
Em Spel's intricate, flute-driven alt-folk sounds like nothing else in Chicago. Led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emma Hospelhorn, Em Spel's debut album, The Carillon Towers, was hailed as "Scintillating" and "a folktale turned oddly, surreally modern, a magical realist scenario set in the right now."
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North Point Mansions Tour
Explore the architecture and history of the North Point neighborhood with a guided tour.
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Pilates in the Park
Join Anointed Hands for a free, all-levels Pilates mat class outdoors. Breathe in the fresh air while stretching and strengthening with the community.
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Riverwest Farmers Market
Shop local fruits, veggies, bread, honey, body care items, and flowers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Pierce Street.
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Special Needs Swim Time
The Springs Water Park offers a discounted swim session for individuals with special needs and their families from 4-7 p.m.
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Walker Square Farmers Market
This revived market honors local advocate Jason Cleereman with fresh produce, community spirit, and live music from 12-2 p.m.
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Robot Witch, Bellends, Local Legends at Cactus Club
Robot Witch was formed in 2019 in Milwaukee by Matt Lubus. The experienced songwriter merged his love for psychedelic, punk, guitar rock and electronic music to form the group’s identity. Celebrate the release of the band's new record on Sunday!
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Boundaries, Stick To Your Guns, Gates to Hell, Psycho-Frame at X-Ray Arcade
Boundaries play heavy metalcore with zero interest in subtlety. They’re rolling through with Stick To Your Guns, so yeah, things are gonna get loud.
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ALL WEEKEND LONG
2025 Wisconsin State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair is here! The fair features agriculture, food, rides, and entertainment. Now in its 174th year, the fair continues a long-standing Wisconsin tradition.
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"Wicked" at Marcus Performing Arts Center
The hit Broadway musical returns with the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Follow Elphaba and Glinda’s journey from rivals to friends in a dazzling, emotional story full of surprises.
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ARTchitecture at The David Barnett Gallery
Running July 18 through October 14, this show explores the relationship between art and architecture through various mediums.
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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.
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Carlos Mencia at Milwaukee Improv
Comedian Carlos Mencia is best known for his raw and unfiltered style of comedy, which he has showcased to great success on comedy stages, and in television shows and movies. He has recently gone back to his comedic roots on his No Hate No Fear comedy tour, sharing his newest material with smaller, more intimate audiences.
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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
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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.
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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