Summer is so short here in Milwaukee and since we are the City of Festivals, let’s plan out the coming months! We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite festivals in Milwaukee that we can’t wait to return to after having to miss out on so many in the last couple years.
Our Favorite Milwaukee Festivals
Family Kite Festival Milwaukee Lakefront, May 23-24: See the launch of 600 kites at the free Family Kite Festival. Watch professional Flying Team performances, Stunt kite demonstrations and kite lessons. Then try flying your own! Awesome family-friendly festival on the lakefront.
Dan Jansen Family Fest Greenfield, May 22-24:This longtime Memorial Day weekend tradition honors Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen with live entertainment, rides, delicious food, and activities for all ages
Memorial Day Parade Menomonee Falls, May 25: Celebrated on Memorial Day weekend, the event honors veterans and brings residents together for live entertainment, local food, and family activities.
Port Festival of the Arts Port Washington, May 30: FREE, family-friendly celebration of art, music, and creativity along our beautiful lakefront. Enjoy live performances, artisan vendors, hands-on art activities, and so much more… all right in the heart of downtown!
Locust Street Festival of Music and Art Locust Street, May 31: 4 live music stages, local vendors, artists, food, and great beer.
Milwaukee Highland Games Franklin, June 6: Celebrate all things Scottish at the Milwaukee Highland Games, including food, dance, athletics…and sheepdogs!
Pride Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, June 4-6: The nations largest LGBT+ festival with permanent festival grounds, owned and operated entirely by volunteers each and every year. The Pride Parade follows the festival on Sunday, June 7th.
Jammin’ on Janesville Muskego, June 5: An event organized by the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.
Petfest Milwaukee June 10,: Featuring live music, food & drink deals, and more.
Greek Fest Wauwatosa, June 12-14: A free event hosted by the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church’s to celebrate the Greek community of Milwaukee. Authentic Greek cuisine, music, carnival rides and dance performances. Located at 2160 N. Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa.
Polish Fest Milwaukee, June 12-14: America’s Largest Polish Festival includes Children’s Activities, Youth Piano Competition, Polish Sheepdogs and learn to cook with Polish Flair!
Lakefront Festival of Art Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, June 12-14: This rain or shine event features over 180 artists from around the nation, local food, beer and wine garden, PNC children’s experience and an entertainment lineup not to be missed.
Strawberry Festival Cedarburg, June 27-28: Art, vendors, strawberry everything, including wine! A pancake breakfast, pony rides, petting zoo, Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest, Strawberry Bubblegum Blowing Contest, Strawberry Ice Cream Licking Contest and more.
Festa Italiana Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, July 10-12: Traditional Italian entertainment, food, and games!
Summerfest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, June 10-20, June 25-27, July 2-4: Summerfest is The World’s Largest Music Festival, including a little something for everyone!
Dragon Boat Festival Veterans Park, Milwaukee, July 11: Presented by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center the festival will include an authentic Chinese experience. Dragon boat races!
Bastille Days Cathedral Square Park, July 9-12: Bastille Days is one of the largest french-themed celebrations. Storm the Bastille Run and Wine Tastings!
Falls Lavender Fest at Village Park in Menomonee Falls, July 18: Enjoy the sights, smells and decoration from lavender! Find us downtown, including vendors and a beer garden.
Waukesha County Fair July 15-19: This is the largest event in Waukesha County offering something for everyone with live entertainment on 5 stages, food, games, rides, animals, shopping, special attractions like demo derby, truck & tractor pulls and more.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show July 25-26: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels show at the Lakefront. Grab a lawn chair, some earplugs and head to the lake for an amazing show.
Hartland Kids Day Nixon Park, Hartland, July 29: The largest free family event in Hartland, Wisconsin. Held annually at Nixon Park on the last Wednesday in July, the event features kids activities, bounce houses, live entertainment, animals, food trucks, and local businesses.
German Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, July 24-26: Authentic German food and entertainment including the Annual Dachshund Derby.
Brady Street Festival Brady Street, Milwaukee, July 25: Brady Street will be rockin’ the night and day away with live entertainment, including some of our fave local bands.
Wisconsin State Fair State Fair Park, August 6 – August 16: The best eleven days of summer is BACK! Enjoy the best of fun, food, animals and shopping the state has to offer. How many items on a stick can you try?
Firefly Art Fair Wauwatosa, August 1-2: Held on 1.5 acres of gardens and grounds at the historic Kneeland-Walker House, the fair includes over 90 juried artists.
Jewish Food Festival Mequon, August 2-3: Flavors and Traditions of the Jewish Food Live Music, Family Fun, workshops and more!
Kid’s Fest Fowler Park, Oconomowoc, August 4: Games, entertainment, music, inflatables, arts & crafts, food and more!
Sounds of Summer Whitefish Bay, August 15: A musical street festival on the east end of Silver Spring Drive.
Irish Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, August 13-16: A baking contest, Celtic Canines, Cultural Village, Family activities and Jameson Lounge.
Zoo a la Carte Milwaukee, August 20-23: “Feast with the Beasts” during the Zoo’s annual a la Carte. Satisfy your cravings with food from favorite local eateries, as you let the music of local and national bands take you away.
Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts – Fowler Park, Downtown Oconomowoc, August 15-16: For over 50 years, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts has been a juried art festival enjoyed by artists and visitors alike. The festival is held on the shores of Fowler Lake in the heart of Oconomowoc. Shop for quality artwork in all media!
Muskego DandiLion Daze Festival Muskego, August 28-30: Largest free admission festival in Southeast Wisconsin, including festival parade and carnival rides!
Mexican Fiesta Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, August 21-23 Three days of fun, food, Mariachi and Fiesta for everyone.
Third Ward Art Festival Milwaukee, September 5-6: Live music, great food and fun activities for kids.
Bay View Bash Bay View, September 19: A community festival of food, art, music, crafts, books and community organizations. Striving to be a zero-waste festival!
Wine & Harvest Festival Cedarburg, September 19-20: Homegrown produce and award-winning wines from Cedar Creek Winery along with a food court, shopping and kids activities.
Doors Open Milwaukee Milwaukee, September 26-27: Take the opportunity to see over 160+ wonderful Milwaukee Buildings free of charge. Some buildings not usually open to the public.
Just like that, you have your whole summer planned! What are your favorite festivals to enjoy around the Milwaukee area?
I loved open doors Milwaukee, Waterford Balloon fest, Ren Faire, Irish Fest, India Fest. Really excited to try some new ones too. ????
Port Washington Pirate Fest page on Facebook days 2021 is cancelled
Falls Lavender Fest at Village Park in Menomonee Falls, July 23rd, 10-8 pm!