This story is part of our summer guide to the June issue of Milwaukee Magazine. To read our complete guide to summer fun, order your copy today!
1. Bay View Gallery Night
JUNE 3 | BAY VIEW
This event aims to connect artists, local businesses and the community. Expect a block party vibe, as many galleries offer refreshments and stay open late.
2. Art64 live
JUNE 3-4 | VILLAGE OF WAUWATOSA
Sixty-four artists compete in this parenthesis-style painting tournament. Each round, participants vote for who advances, ultimately choosing the winner – who takes home the grand prize of $20,000.
3. Revolution: Beatles music at the MSO
JUNE 3-5 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Hear the orchestra play the best of The Beatles, accompanied by photos, video and animation on the screen above during this weekend-only performance.
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4. Blonde beer and friends
JUNE 4 | OLD HEIDELBERG PARK, GLENDALE
With unlimited samples—some not usually found in Wisconsin—this festival showcases a wide range of lagers and the brewers who make them. Tickets come with a pack of four.
5. West Allis à la carte
JUNE 5 | GREENFIELD AVENUE FROM 70TH TO 76TH STREETS
There’s food, shows, local vendors, and entertainment for all ages, including Animal Avenue, a side street with pets you can take home.
6. Nabil Ayers Author Conference at Boswell Books
JUNE 14 | BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
Nabil Ayers will meet Justin Barney, Music Director of 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, to discuss his new book My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family.
seven. Milwaukee Night Market
JUNE 15 | WISCONSIN AVENUE WEST
Westown’s main street turns into a market
filled with local businesses, food vendors, artists and performers for a few Wednesdays each summer. This year
the other markets are held on July 13, August 17 and September 21.
8. Touch a truck
JUNE 18 | KONKEL PARK, GREENFIELD
Explore, sit back and learn about excavators, big rigs, dump trucks and more. Plus, enjoy a bite to eat at local food vendors while you’re there.
9. June 19
JUNE 19 | ALONG THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONDUCT
Milwaukee’s Juneteenth is one of the largest and oldest in the Midwest. Start with the parade, then take part in the all-day street festival and close the celebration with an evening concert that kicks off a musical streak throughout the summer.
ten. Father’s Day Pig Roast
JUNE 19 | OLD HEIDELBERG PARK, GLENDALE
Celebrate dad at the Bavarian Bierhaus with this roast in the park. There will be live music and each father (with proof, so bring your child) gets a free liter of beer.
11. Wild Ones: vintage motorcycle rally
JUNE 25 | HARLEY DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Bikers on vintage 1940s Harley-Davidson motorcycles compete in field games like planking, barrel racing and weenie biting – an event where bikers bite a hot dog hanging from a string while riding .
12. Family 4th Fest
JUNE 30-JULY 3 | NEAR GAZEBO ON BROAD STREET, GREENDALE
Gather the family and head to the Greendale Lions Club Family 4th Fest with rides, food, music and a beer tent!
13. Milwaukee Lakeside Fireworks
JULY 3 | VETERANS PARK
Milwaukee Parks tradition returns this year with the booming display on the lake, preceded by the annual Fireworks Kite Festival and a pop-up beer garden.
14. 4th of July Parades
JULY 1 (WESTERN ALLIS), JULY 4 | SEVERAL PLACES
Grab the kids, put on red, white and blue, open a lawn chair and watch a parade in West Allies, Greendale, Wauwatosa, white fish berry Where green field. Milwaukee plans to have its annual celebration also in city parks.
15. $4 on the fourth at the zoo
JULY 4 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Head to the zoo for Independence Day and receive $4 admission!
16. potter in pot
JUNE 7-12 | VOGEL ROOM
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience, a parody play that brings together the seven Harry Potter books in a 70-minute performance, will charm audiences at the Wilson Theater.
17. Bastille Days
JULY 14-17 | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
It’s hard to miss the 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower when strolling through Milwaukee’s French Cultural Festival. And you won’t want to miss the wine and chef demonstrations – or the French and Cajun cuisine.
18. MKE Night Gallery
JULY 15-16 | HISTORIC THIRD QUARTER
Browse the galleries, dine in the restaurants and shopping in the shops of the Third Ward – and download the free app as a guide.
19. Red Bull Flug Tag
JULY 16 | VETERANS PARK
Watch daredevils fly over and eventually into Lake Michigan in their weird and wild flying machines that will be judged by Wisconsin celebrities.
20. bark after dark
JULY 22 | KONKEL PARK, GREENFIELD
Listen to music from local band Doghouse Charlie, grab a beer from the “pup-up” beer garden, and be sure to get a “Puptini” (dog-friendly cocktail) or two. There is also a walk on the Midnight Trail for $25.
21. Boys jersey
JULY 22-23 | UIHLEIN ROOM
This 2006 Tony and Grammy Award-winning show returns to Milwaukee for two days with its hit songs “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and more.
22. Milwaukee Air and Water Show
JULY 23-24 | VETERANS PARK
Watch air shows including the Blue Angels, helicopters, paratroopers, jet skis, a fire-boat, old wooden boats and more. On the ground, check the new “fun zone” for children and grab a bite to eat along the shores of Lake Michigan.
23. The biggest coffee break in the world
JULY 26 | CATALAN SQUARE
As part of Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, Third Neighborhood businesses will provide free coffee, donuts and live music from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
24. Ru Paul Werq the World Tour Drag Race
JULY 26 | THE RIVE THEATER
The drag stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race will take the stage at Turner Hall in this time travel themed show.
25. Wisconsin State Fair
AUGUST 4-14 | STATE EXHIBITION PARK, WEST ALLIS
Eat cream puffs, take a ride on the giant slide, listen to local bands and visit farm animals at the 171st (!!!) State Fair. Watch for spork signs to find the best new foods and catch big names like Toby Keith, Jeff Dunham and Nelly on the main stage.
26. black arts festival
AUGUST 6 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
This 12-hour festival celebrates the roots of African heritage and excellence in black cultural arts. Expect music, poetry, dance, fashion, literature, health and well-beingness, cooking and more.
27. Bronzeville Week
AUGUST 6-13 | BRONZEVILLE
Support the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District and celebrate our city’s African American culture, history, art and commerce during this eventful week.
28. Brewtown Rumble
AUGUST 7 | DEER QUARTER
Cruise to the Deer District for this motorcycle show and see vintage motorcycles of all kinds, plus live music, vendors, and food.
29. Greendale Village Days
AUGUST 11-14 | GAZEBO PARK, GREENDALE
A weekend full of live music and local beer is what you can expect at this community festival.
30. field of sweet dreams
AUGUST 13 | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Watch an away game on big screen at this slumber party in the middle of American Family Field – and don’t forget your tent and sleeping bag.
31. Map Milwaukee
AUGUST 18-21 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Grab a bite at one of the local food vendors, take a walk and watch the animals or relax and listen to live music at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
32. Treat yourself Milwaukee
AUGUST 20-21 | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
Sample bites from more than 30 of Milwaukee’s top restaurants and chefs, then try our state’s finest cheeses paired with wine or spirits. And learn something new at the many cooking and mixology demonstrations throughout the event.
33. Superhero/Princess Night at Milwaukee Milkmen
AUGUST 27 | FRANKLIN FIELD, FRANKLIN
Dress up in your finest princess or superhero attire (or both, if you’re feeling it) to watch the American Association’s Milkmen take on the Kane County Cougars. Oh, and there will be fireworks!
34. ARCA Sprecher 150
AUGUST 28 | MILWAUKEE MILE, WEST ALLIS
The ARCA Menards series features white-knuckle stock car racing at the Milwaukee Mile.
