Things to Do in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI is full of events, but sometimes it’s so hard to keep track of them all. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most notable activities in the area.
Date
Event
Location
Jan 1
Polar Bear Plunge
Bradford Beach
Jan 1
Cool Fool Kite Festival
Veterans Park
Jan 18-19
Gallery Night and Day
Downtown Milwaukee
Feb 2
Burnhearts Mitten Fest
Bay View
Feb 15-17
Anime Milwaukee
Wisconsin Center
Feb. 15-17
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show
Harley-Davidson Museum
Feb. 16
Food and Froth Fest
Milwaukee Public Museum
Feb. 16-17
Winter Festival
Cedarburg
Feb. 23 - March 3
Greater Milwaukee Auto Show
Wisconsin Center
March 9
Shamrock Club of WI’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Downtown Milwaukee
April 11-14
Art in Bloom
Milwaukee Art Museum
April 14-20
Black Restaurant Week
Downtown Milwaukee
April 26-27
Gallery Night and Day
Downtown Milwaukee
May 30 - June 6
Downtown Dining Week
Downtown Milwaukee
May 31 - June 2
Midwest BrewHaHa
Milwaukee Panther Arena
May 31 - Aug 31
Jazz in the Park (Thursdays)
Cathedral Square Park
June 1
Scottish Fest/Milwaukee Highland Games
Hart Park, Wauwatosa
June 2
Brewtown Rumble
Walker's Point
June 2
UPAF Ride for the Arts sponsored by Miller Lite
Downtown Milwaukee
June 2 - 9
Bead & Button Show 2016
Wisconsin Center
June 6-9
PrideFest
Festival Park
June 8
Firkin Fest
East Town
June 9
Locust Street Festival & Beer Run
Riverwest
June 12, July 10, Aug 14, Sept 11
NEWaukee Night Market
Downtown Milwaukee
June 12 - Aug 28
River Rhythms (Wednesdays)
Pere Marquette Park
June 14–16
Polish Fest
Festival Park
June 19
Juneteenth Day
Martin Luther King Drive
June 20-30
Tour of American's Dairyland
Various locations
June 21-23
Lakefront Festival of Art
Milwaukee Art Museum
June 22-23
Strawberry Festival
Cedarburg
June 23
Garlic Fest
Walker’s Point
June 26-30, July 2‑7
Summerfest
Festival Park
June–August TBD
Tosa Tonight (Select Wednesdays)
Hart Park, Wauwatosa
TBD
Pabst Street Party
Bay View
July 3
Downtown Milwaukee Fireworks
Milwaukee Lakefront
July 11-14
Bastille Days
East Town
July 12-13
Gathering on the Green
Mequon
July 19-20
Gallery Night and Day
Downtown Milwaukee
July 19-21
Festa Italiana
Festival Park
July 20
Port Fish Day
Port Washington
July 16
Garfield Avenue Blues, Jazz, Gospel & Arts Festival
Garfield Ave to King Drive
July 22-28
EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh, WI
July 26–28
German Fest
Festival Park
July 27-28
Air & Water Show
Bradford Beach
July 26-27
Riverwest 24
Riverwest
July 27
Brady Street Festival
Farwell to Van Buren Streets
July 27
Milwaukee Brewfest
McKinley Park
July 31-Aug 4
Milwaukee Comedy Festival
Downtown Milwaukee
August 1-11
Wisconsin State Fair
State Fair Park
August 2
Urban Island Beach
Lakeshore State park
August 10
Dragon Boat Festival
Lake Shore State Park
August 10-11
Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair
Marus Center
August 15-18
Irish Fest
Festival Park
August 15-18
Milwaukee A La Carte
Milwaukee County Zoo
August 17
India Fest
Humboldt Park
August 23-25
Mexican Fiesta
Festival Park
Sept. – October
Oktoberfest
Various Venues
August 30 - Sept. 2
Milwaukee Rally
Dealerships in Milwaukee
August 31 - Sept. 1
Third Ward Art Festival
Third Ward
Sept. 7-9
Indian Summer Festival Henry W. Maier
Festival Park
Sept. 8
Harbor Fest
Harbor District
Sept. 12–21
10 Days in Tosa
Wauwatosa
Sept. 21
Bay View Bash
Bay View
Sept 21 - 22
Wine & Harvest Festival
Cedarburg
Sept 27, Oct 7, Nov 15
LGBT Film/Video Festival
Milwaukee
Sept. 28
Brewers Mini Marathon
Miller Park
Sept. 28-29
Doors Open Milwaukee
Downtown Milwaukee
TBD
Milwaukee River Challenge
Schlitz Park
October 6
Lakefront Marathon
Lakefront
October 17-31
Milwaukee Film Festival
Various Venues
TBD
Harvest Fair/Maker Faire
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Oct. 19-20
Gallery Night and Day
Downtown Milwaukee
TBD
Hunting Moon Pow Wow
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
TBD
Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Walkers Point
Nov. 9
Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Milwaukee
Nov. 9-10
Trainfest
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Nov. 15 - Jan 1
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Downtown Milwaukee
Nov 23-24
Holiday Folk Fair International
State Fair Park
Nov 29 - Dec 1, Dec 6-31
Country Christmas
Pewaukee
TBD
Christkindlmarkt
Best Place at Pabst Brewery
TBD
MillerCoors Holiday Lites
Miller Valleys
Dec 6
Christmas in the Ward
Historical Third Ward
Nov. 18
Holiday Folk Fair International
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Dec 31
MKE NYE Eve
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
What Our Guests Are Saying…
“This was a hidden gem. Was not sure what to expect. The house, owners, food, room and accommodations were first rate.”