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 for 2020 in Milwaukee!
Due to this year’s Covid-19 Pandemic, most events are either cancelled or postponed to a later date. There are still great events going on so let’s make the best of it and enjoy this Summer as best as we can! For some festivals, we have listed some alternative activity ideas that are compliant with social distancing.
Our Favorite Milwaukee Festivals
Chocolate Fest Burlington: Sounds delicious! A festival in Burlington to celebrate chocolate, in Chocolate City USA! A Battle of the Bands, chocolate eating contest and Culinary Competition. Cancelled.
Family Kite Festival Milwaukee Lakefront: See the launch of 500 kites at the free 32nd Annual Wilde Subaru 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. Cancelled.
Community Street Festival Port Washington: Port Washington’s downtown moves their business out onto the street, with special offers and promotions. Outdoor food and beverage stands provided by restaurants and taverns, and entertainment for all – with music, dance, children’s activities, and more. Cancelled.
Scottish Fest / Highland Games Wauwatosa: Celebrate all things Scottish at the Milwaukee Highland Games, including food, dance, athletics…and sheepdogs! Cancelled.
Pride Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: The nations largest LGBT+ festival with permanent festival grounds, owned and operated entirely by volunteers each and every year. Postponed its 4-day event and is working with Summerfest on possible alternate dates. The board is also exploring the possibility of different formats and locations.
*Stay tuned for some alternative ideas to celebrate Pride Month with your family!
Jammin’ on Janesville Muskego: An event organized by the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. Postponed until further notice. Announcement will be made on their Facebook page.
Port Washington Pirate Festival Port Washington: This is the very best Pirate Fest in Wisconsin, located in the beautiful city of Port Washington, Wisconsin, has become the “must attend” event for boaters, bikers, Buccaneers, Revolutionary War re-enactors & families alike from all over the Midwest & beyond. The event includes: a Thieves Marketplace, a Gruel Galley, a Buccaneer Bash, Children’s activities, demonstrations, educational exhibits, musicians, comedians, a Pirate Ship & much more. Cancelled.
Touch a Truck Racine County Fairgrounds, Union Grove: A family-friendly event introducing everyone to the construction and trades industry. Pending status.
Locust Street Festival of Music and Art Locust Street, Milwaukee: Food, 6 Stages of Music and a Beer Run. Cancelled.
Polish Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: America’s Largest Polish Festival includes Children’s Activities, Youth Piano Competition, Polish Sheepdogs and learn to cook with Polish Flair! Cancelled.
Juneteenth Festival Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee: Parade, live music, kids games, exhibits, soul food and more! Cancelled.
*Looking for some other ways to celebrate Juneteenth and to celebrate Black History and Black Culture with your family? Check out this post!
Fawn Fest Fiserv Forum: A new series of weekly kids’ activities, at the plaza in front of Fiserv Forum. Some things that will be featured at Fawn Fest are kid-friendly food and beverages available for purchase, the Bucks Entertainment Network, a DJ and free activities such as giant slides, games and inflatables. Cancelled.
Greendale Lions Festival, Historic Downtown Greendale, July 2-4. Come celebrate Independence Day with the Greendale Lions in beautiful historic Downtown Greendale. Three days of music, food, domestic and craft been, wine, games, and a carnival for the young and old at heart!
Croatian Days Croatian Park, Franklin, July 18: Food, drinks, music, raffle prizes. Come see some ethnic dancing and delicious authentic Croatian lamb, pork, and chicken off the spit.
Brady Street Festival Brady Street, Milwaukee, July 25: Brady Street will be rockin’ the night and day away with 4 stages packed with live entertainment, including some of our favorite local bands. Pending status.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show July 25-26: The Grand Return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Grab a lawn chair, some earplugs and head to the lakefront for an amazing show. Cancelled.
Greek Fest State Fair Park: A free event hosted by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to celebrate the Greek community of Milwaukee. Authentic Greek cuisine, music, carnival rides and dance performances. Cancelled.
Lakefront Festival of Art Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee: Celebrating its 57th year, 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. Cancelled.
Strawberry Festival Cedarburg: 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… Cancelled.
*Alternative Activity Idea: Go Berry Picking as a family! Area berry farms will be opening this summer with social distancing guidelines in place. Remember to check in with the individual farms in advance to confirm they are open and any new guidelines.
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. Pending status
The Bloody Mary Festival Fiserv Forum, Aug 22: The Bloody Mary Festival is a celebration of the most beloved brunch cocktail and the largest event of its kind. Our mission is to bring together the most innovative and crafty bloody mary mixes, curated by our team of bloody mary aficionados. Pending status
Summerfest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: The World’s Largest Music Festival, including a little something for everyone. Originally rescheduled for September, this is now CANCELLED for 2020.
Bristol Renaissance Faire IL/WI Border, Weekends, July 11 through Sept 7: 30 acres of pure fun! 20 stages offer variety entertainment all day long. arts and crafts, music, dance, parades, rides and games plus a Queen and her glittering Court. Cancelled for Summer 2020
Bastille Days Cathedral Square Park: 38th Anniversary of Milwaukee’s French festival. Bastille Days is one of the largest french-themed celebrations. Storm the Bastille Run and Wine Tastings! Summer event is cancelled and will postpone possibly until Fall.
Festa Italiana Henry Maier Festival Park: Traditional Italian entertainment, food, games and fireworks every night. Cancelled.
Fish Day Port Washington: The World’s Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry! Festivities include a car show, walk/run, parade, art and craft show. Cancelled.
German Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: Authentic German food and entertainment including the 14th Annual Dachshund Derby. Cancelled.
North Shore Bank’s Taste of Lake Country Pewaukee: Food, art vendors, music, and shopping. Cancelled.
Hartland Kids Day Nixon Park, Hartland: Bounce houses, Rock wall, face painting, food and more! Pending decision.
Oconomowoc Kids Festival Roosevelt Park, Oconomowoc, August 11: Join the fun and come see what local organizations have to offer your family and our community! Enjoy games, entertainment, music, inflatables, arts & crafts, food, and more! Pending status.
State Fair State Fair Park, August 6-16: Ten days of fun, food, animals and shopping. How many items on a stick can you try? Cancelled.
Mexican Fiesta Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, August 21-23: Three days of fun, food, Mariachi and Fiesta for everyone. Cancelled.
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. Cancelled.
Black Arts Fest MKE Milwaukee: This annual festival honors African and African American culture, creating a positive atmosphere that unifies all ages. Black Arts Fest MKE will expose attendees to African and African American heritage and inspire and strengthen pride in our ancestry. We hope all leave the festival with a greater understanding of our history. Cancelled.
Dragon Boat Festival Veterans Park, Milwaukee: Presented by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center the festival will include an authentic Chinese experience. Dragon boat races! Cancelled.
Kid’s Fest Oconomowoc: Games, entertainment, music, inflatables, arts & crafts, food and more! No date set until further notice.
Irish Fest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: A baking contest, Celtic Canines, Cultural Village, Family activities and Jameson Lounge. Cancelled.
*Alternative Activity Idea: Register for a Virtual Irish Dance Class with Trinity Irish Dancers! Try a one time FREE class with the Trinity Irish Dancers from the comfort of home. No special equipment or shoes are necessary.
Sounds of Summer Whitefish Bay, August 15: A musical street festival on the east end of Silver Spring Drive. Postponed. New date will be announced.
India Fest Humboldt Park, Milwaukee : Filled with the colors of courage, peace and happiness. A free day of culture, collaboration, history, diversity and inclusion. Postponed. New date will be announced.
DandiLion Daze Muskego: Largest free admission festival in Southeast Wisconsin, including festival parade and carnival rides! Update on status will be announced soon.
Third Ward Art Festival Milwaukee, September 5-6: Live music, great food and fun activities for kids.
Indian Summer Festival Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: Thirty years of Native Traditions. This year includes Indian Summer Music Awards. Cancelled.
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. Pending status.
Petfest Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee: Bring your dog and/or cat. Free parking and Free admission. Cancelled.
Doors Open Milwaukee Milwaukee, September 26-27: Take the opportunity to see over 150 wonderful Milwaukee Buildings free of charge. Some buildings not usually open to the public.
Summer this year may be a little different, but we can make the most with what we can do and enjoy it with our favorite people. What are your favorite festivals to enjoy around the Milwaukee area?
