Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals thanks to a packed calendar of vibrant festivals at the city’s lakefront permanent festival grounds, as well as street festivals, fairs, and parties all year round. There are more than 100 festivals throughout the year, and more than half of them fill the summer months with good food and great cheer.
Bastille Days
Milwaukeeans are all proud Francophiles each year at this free festival in downtown’s Cathedral Square Park. One of the nation’s largest French-themed fests celebrates with French cuisine, live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demonstrations, roaming busker entertainment, and the annual “Storm the Bastille” 5K run/walk.
Riverwest 24
It’s not a bike race. It’s a community event.What’s the longest amount of time you’ve ever spent riding your bike? An hour? Maybe a couple hours? How about 24 consecutive hours? The Riverwest 24 encourages cyclists to do just that – bike for 24 hours throughout Milwaukee’s eccentric and tight-knit Riverwest neighborhood.
Bronzeville Week
African American culture, art, and history merge together at the weeklong celebration of Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville District during Bronzeville Week. Don’t miss the Bronzeville Cultural and Arts Festival, where you’ll find food vendors, booths selling African-inspired clothing and jewelry, live music, and much more. The rest of the week is chock-full of events to promote local businesses and residents.
Mexican Fiesta
Spice things up at Mexican Fiesta, an authentic, south-of-the-border experience, featuring mouth-watering food, rousing mariachi bands, foot stomping rhythms, and an elaborate swirl of traditional dancers. Walk through the cultural pavilion and learn about the history and traditions of Mexican and Latin cultures from ancient civilizations to the present.
German Fest
Grab a stein, put on your finest lederhosen and cool off with your favorite brew at North America’s largest annually held German festival. Indulge in unforgettable German cuisine, marvel as craftsmen demonstrate old world artistry, enjoy a colorful brass band, or stroll through the Marktplatz for unique German gifts. You won’t want to miss the Dachshund Derby, the genealogy area or the Glockenspiel.
Summerfest
Love music? How does the world’s largest music festival sound? It’s Summerfest, and it happens right here in Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan! For 11 days in late June and early July, Henry Maier Festival Park is the place to be for all music fans. Rolling Stone called it one of the U.S.'s "must-see musical festivals." With over 800 acts playing on 11 stages, you’ll find alternative, rock, country, R&B, pop, reggae, and more, from national headliners to indie bands. Your Summerfest ticket gets you access to all 10 of the ground stages, plus, the newly renovated American Family Insurance Amphitheater hosts some of the biggest tours in music for nightly ticketed concerts. All of this takes place right on the lakefront, in Milwaukee's scenic permanent lakefront festival grounds.
