Cultural

Bastille Days – One of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations in honor of Bastille Day hosted in Cathedral Square Park.  

Black Arts Fest MKE – A festival for people of all ages that honors African and African American culture. 

China Lights – Celebrate Chinese culture by taking in the dazzling sights of lantern sculptures, performances, beautiful art, and delicious food at Boerner Botanical Gardens.  

Festa Italiana – A celebration of Italian food, arts, culture, and religion held on Milwaukee’s lakefront.  

German Fest – A festival honoring German culture and traditions held the last full weekend of every July.  

Hunting Moon Pow Wow – Three exciting days that bring together a host of Native American cultures filled with singing, drumming, and dancing.  

IndiaFest – Celebrating India’s Independence Day, this festival celebrates Indian culture, heritage, and history in Wisconsin.  

Irish Fest – A festival celebrating all-things Irish along the sparkling Milwaukee lakefront.  

Mexican Fiesta – A festival that’s more than just a celebration, this event is a declaration of community spirit.  

Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival – This festival presented by the Milwaukee Chinese Community celebrates Chinese culture through traditional dance, Chinese folk music, martial arts, and, of course, Dragon Boat Races. 

Milwaukee Greek Fest – The Annual Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Greek Fest celebration includes authentic Greek food, live music, rides and fun for all ages!  

Milwaukee Highland Games – One of Wisconsin’s oldest traditional Scottish celebrations, this event features food, bagpipes, Highland dancing, and working sheepdogs. 

Polish Fest – Celebrating Milwaukee’s strong and vibrant Polish community.  

PrideFest (Pridoberfest in 2021) – Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ+ festival since 1987   

Tosa Greek Fest – Be Greek for the weekend with this festival in Wauwatosa. 

Holiday 

Christmas in the Ward – Add a little Historic Third Ward to your holidays with entertainment and shopping and dining discounts.  

Holiday Folk Fair International – A multicultural festival featuring music, food, dance and arts. 

Holiday Lights Festival – Take a stroll or drive through the 500,000 lights that illuminate downtown parks and streets during the months of November and December.  

Juneteenth Day Celebration – A street festival with a parade, delicious food and more that celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.  

Milwaukee 414 Day – In honor of Milwaukee’s 414 area code, this event held every April 14 celebrates the people, places and businesses that make the city unique.  

Milwaukee Hmong New Year – A two-day event held in early December celebrating the Hmong New Year with food, entertainment and a pageant. 

Milwaukee Krampusnacht – A holiday combination of Christmas and creepiness, this festival celebrates Krampus and is hosted at the Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale. 

Music and Film 

Jazz in the Park – It’s not a summer in Milwaukee without taking in some outdoor jazz every Thursday.  

Jewish Film Festival – A celebration of Jewish film and storytelling from all around the world.  

LGBT Film Festival – A festival telling stories from the LGBT community through documentaries and film.  

Milwaukee Film Festival – Sharing the best of the best from the film-festival season. 

Muslim Film Festival – A festival presenting topics and issues that are relevant and spark meaningful conversation about Muslims and the Muslim world.  

Summerfest – The world’s largest music festival and a Milwaukee institution.  

Neighborhood and Village 

Bay View Bash – Community festival featuring food, art, music, crafts, books, and community organizations.  

Brady Street Festival – Enjoy what Brady Street has to offer at this popular Milwaukee festival.   

Bronzeville Week – Annual celebration of African American culture, history, art, entertainment and businesses.  

Center Street Daze Festival – A festival to showcase businesses, arts, and other vendors of the Riverwest neighborhood community.  

Harbor Fest – A celebration of all things fish, water and ships, including a boat parade and much more!  

Garfield’s 502 – A neighborhood celebration that includes a youth talent show and over 150 vendors.  

Walker’s Point Week – A festival to show off the best of what the Walker’s Point neighborhood has to offer.  

Truly MKE

Cedarburg Strawberry Festival – A celebration of all thing strawberry. 

Food Truck Fest – A festival with a little bit of almost every kind of food that you can get from a truck.  

Fringe Fest – A festival celebrating local artists of all ages, ethnicities, and disciplines.  

Lakefront Festival of Art – Bringing creativity and variety of art to a festival located on Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront.  

Mitten Fest – This outdoor winter festival includes a mix of outdoor music, beverages, and charity, all curated by Burnhearts Bar in Bay View.  

Milwaukee Brewfest – A festival offering unlimited tastes of what some of the world’s best brew masters have created. Designated drivers are encouraged. 

Milwaukee Comedy Festival – Get in some laughs from top-notch comedians, improv and sketch comedy artists for seven days straight.  

Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival – A true two-wheeled, four-day event for bikers and bike enthusiasts alike!  

Wisconsin State Fair – A Wisconsin tradition filled with music, unique foods, pig races, and so much more!  

Taco Fest – This festival brings together local restaurants, taco lovers, and lucha libre fans!  

Tomato Romp – One of Wisconsin’s only tomato festivals, known for its Rotten Tomato Fight for Hunger and Bloody Mary challenge.  

Weird Fest – Celebration of all things weird! Enjoy funky foods, weird beer, and live music. Weird costumes are encouraged.  

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