WISCONSIN — There’s nothing quite like a summer in Wisconsin, with the smell of burgers on a far off grill, emerald green grass and a warm breeze.
And there are plenty of events happening around the Badger State to make the summer even more special.
Here’s your ultimate Wisconsin summer guide.
Milwaukee Area
Pridefest
Dates: June 1-3
Times: Thursday: 4 p.m.-midnight; Friday: 3 p.m.-midnight; Saturday: noon-midnight
Location: Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Cost: $15-$25 for single-day ticket
Returning for its 25th year, Pridefest is Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ+ festival and features a variety of different acts, such as drag performances, dance groups, acrobatics and more. Some of the performers across five stages include Betty Who, Murray the Magician, Big Dipper, Bright Light Bright Light, Peaches and more.
Summerfest
Dates: June 22-24, June 29-July 1, July 6-8
Times: Noon to midnight
Location: Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Cost: Tickets start at $26
Celebrating its 55th year in 2023, Summerfest will take place over three weekends this summer. At the festival, there are 12 stages for live music. But music isn’t the only thing visitors can enjoy. Food, drink, markets, immersive experiences and more are all a part of the Big Gig.
You can read about the festival line-up here.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
Dates: June 24-25
Times: TBA
Location: Historic Downtown Cedarburg, Wis.
Cost: Free
From plain old strawberries to strawberry wine, the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival takes visitors on a stroll along the historic main street. The family friendly festival features artists, shopping, children’s activities, contests, festival food, live music and more.
Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
Dates: July 13-16
Times: TBA
Location: Milwaukee, WI various locations
Cost: $110 and up for Veterans Park, free-$22 for museum, free for tours at operations facility
Celebrating 120 years of Harley-Davidson, this four-day festival will come with live performances by headliners Foo Fights and Green Day as well as interactive exhibits, tours of operations facilities and more. The event will take place over three main areas: Veterans Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum and Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations. Six local dealerships will also host activities at their locations.
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Dates: July 8-Sept. 4
Times: Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142
Cost: Free-$40
A sprawling 30 acres of fun, the Faire offers 20 stages of entertainment all day long. That includes an armored joust, the Queen and her Court, amazing arts and crafts, fine spirits, food, dances, parades and entertainers in the street. Many guests come in costume, though that’s not required.
Country Thunder
Dates: July 20-23
Times: Thursday-Saturday: 11:30 p.m.-2:30a.m.; Sunday: 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Location: 2305 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes, WI 53181
Cost: General Admission $300
Held every year in Twin Lakes, Wis., this country music festival is a weekend experience. Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Jon Pardi and Cody Johnson are some of this year’s big headliners. The festival has several vendors that provide food and beverage for guests.
Jazz in the Park
Dates: June 1-July 6, July 27-Aug. 31
Times: Thursdays: 5-9 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Square, 520 E Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Cost: Free
This live music event has been around for over 30 years. As the largest weekly free music venue downtown, it attracts up to 5,000 people per week. Those attending can come for Happy Hour, which is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Music goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Shakespeare in the Park
Dates: July 9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 and Aug. 5-6, 12-13
Times: 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. depending on the location
Location: Various parks around Milwaukee; check online schedule for more details
Cost: Free
This year’s Shakespeare in the Park will feature “Cymbeline,” a tale of fantasy, adventure and romance. It tells the tale of King Cymbeline and his daughter in a shorter rendition of only 90 minutes. Organizers said they’ll be debuting a new set design this year.
Wisconsin State Fair
Dates: Aug. 3-13
Times: Sunday–Wednesday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–Midnight.
Location: 640 S 84th St., West Allis, WI 53214
Cost: $13-$14
Wisconsin State Fair this year will celebrate 172 years of tradition. Guests can enjoy everything from the signature Original Cream Puff, free entertainment stages, agriculture exhibits, the iconic Giant Slide, rides in SpinCity, shopping and more.
Madison Area
Madison Farmers’ Market
Dates: April 15-Nov. 11
Times: Saturdays: 6:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
Location: Capitol Square, 2 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703
Cost: Free
A tradition in the city, the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square features cheeses, flowers, meats and about 275 vendors throughout the year. More than 150 people attend every Saturday. It’s reported to be the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country.
Cars on State Classic Car Show
Dates: June 3
Times: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: State Street, Madison, WI
Cost: Free
The 14th Annual Classic Car Show will span six blocks on State Street in Downtown Madison. A family-friendly event, it features an array of vintage cars. Visitors can talk to the owners, grab something to eat and shop at businesses downtown.
Concerts on the Square
Dates: June 28-Aug. 2
Times: Wednesdays: 7 p.m.
Location: Capitol Square, 2 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703
Cost: Free
Marking the 40th season, this year’s concerts will feature three-time Grammy nominated Latin band Tiempo Libre, trombone virtuoso Joël Vaïsse, a return of Jeans ‘N’ Classics and much more. Note that concerts are not rain or shine, so make sure to tune into the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Facebook page for announcements.
Art Fair on the Square
Dates: July 8-9
Times: Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Capitol Square, 2 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703
Cost: Free
Art Fair on the Square is one of the Midwest’s most popular outdoor celebration of the arts. Going into its 65th year, the event will feature music, entertainment, outdoor dining and over 500 artists exhibiting their art. It draws close to 200,000 visitors to Madison’s Captiol Square.
Taste of Madison
Dates: Sept. 2-3
Times: Saturday: 2 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-7p.m.
Location: Capitol Square, 2 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703
Cost: Free
An annual labor day weekend event, Taste of Madison is the largest picnic on Capitol Square. It features 80 food vendors with more than 200 menu items, 26 beverage stands and three live music entertainment stages. All food is priced between $1 and $6. Close to 275,000 people come during the weekend.
The Biergarten at Oblrich Park
Dates: Spring-fall
Times: Monday-Thursday: 4-10p.m.; Friday: 3-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: noon-10 p.m.
Location: Oblrich Park, 3527 Atwood Ave., Monona, WI 53714
Cost: Free
This Biergarten opened in 2017 to bring new activities and attract more people to Oblrich Park. Within the park, it serves Wisconsin craft beers and ciders as well as food from local farmers, butchers and cheese-makers.
Fox Valley Area
Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival
Dates: June 2-4
Times: Friday: 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday: 10:25 a.m.-midnight; Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Doyle Park, 100 Van Buren St., Little Chute, WI 54140
Cost: Friday-Saturday: $3-$5; Sunday: free
Celebrating your love of cheese has never been easier. This family-friendly festival features music, food, amusement rides, children’s entertainment, an animal petting zoo, a walk/run, parade, cheese samples and so much more.
Lifest
Dates: July 6-9
Times: Gates open at 8 a.m. daily
Location: Sunnyview Expo Center, 500 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Cost: Tickets for youth ages 8-15 are $41; for adults ages 16 and up it’s $82
A “Party With a Purpose,” Lifest is one of the largest Christian music festivals in the nation. It features over 100 acts across seven stages. It’s a family-friendly event with activities for all ages. Matthew West, Cory Asbury, Ben Fuller and Anne Wilson are among some of hte headliners this year.
EAA AirVenture
Dates: July 24-30
Times: Gates open each day at 7 a.m.
Location: EAA Aviation Center, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902
Cost: $41-$59
For seven days, Oshkosh is home to the sound of roaring jets and planes. At EAA AirVenture, guests can experiences aerobatic shows, informative programs, hands-on workshops and so much more. Many fly in for the aviation celebration and even camp on the grounds.
Mile of Music
Dates: Aug. 3-6
Times: Varies, but approximately 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Location: Downtown Appleton
Cost: Free
Taking place on a one-mile stretch of Downtown Appleton, Mile of Music features more than 200 up-and-coming artists. The shows are free to attend. Now in its 10th year in 2023, the music festival will host artists such as The Heavy Heart, Ken Yates, Alisa Amador, Fantastic Cat, and more.
Packers Family Night
Dates: Aug. 5
Times: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with practice beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lambeau Field, 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
Cost: $10
The 21st annual Packers Family Night this year will feature a full practice in a game-like atmosphere.
Downtown Appleton Farm Market
Dates: June 3-Oct. 14
Times: Saturdays: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Appleton, College Ave.
Cost: Free
More than 100 local vendors sell along a four-block stretch of College Avenue (Appleton Street to Drew Street) during the Saturday markets. Products include produce, handcrafted items, baked goods, flowers and more.
Oshkosh Farmers Markets
Dates: June 3-Oct. 28
Times: Saturdays: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: 400 & 500 Blocks of N Main St and 100 Block of Church Ave., Oshkosh, WI
Cost: Free
This market features around 130 vendors each week that sell everything from maple syrup to good ole’ Wisconsin cheese. It also includes a taste of live music. The market has been around for more than 20 years.
Waterfest
Dates: June 15, 22 & 29; July 13 & 20; Aug. 3, 10 & 17
Times: Varies by concert
Location: Leach Amphitheatre, 303 Ceape Avenue, Oshkosh WI 54901
Cost: Free for youth 12 and under and for U.S. veterans; ticket prices vary by artist
Taking place on the shores of the historic Fox River in Downtown Oshkosh, Waterfest celebrates the “quality of life” in the Fox Valley Area, according to the event website. Music ranges from Jazz, Pop, Rock, R&B, Blues and Roots.
Other Areas
Hodag Country Festival
Dates: July 6-9
Times: TBA
Location: 4270 River Rd., Rhinelander, WI
Cost: $80-$140
Since its inception, this festival has hosted some of the best country music artists in the country. This year, they’ll host Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Martina McBride, Brett Westgrove, Billy Dean and more.
Elkhorn Ribfest
Dates: July 12-16
Times: Wednesday: 3-11 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 East Court St., Elkhorn, WI 53121
Cost: Free
This annual event has ribs from professional BBQ champions and back yard grillers. Not only does it have mouthwatering barbeque but also entertainment, flat track racing, an artisan village and more. Armadillo’s BBQ, BBQ King, Howling Coyote BBQ and others are a part of this year’s lineup.
Pulaski Polka Days
Dates: July 20-23
Times: Thursday: gates open at 4 p.m.; Friday: gates open at 1 p.m.; Saturday: gates open at 11 a.m.; Sunday: gate open at 8 a.m.
Location: Pulaski, WI
Cost: Free-$20, depending on day
This annual polka festival last four days and brings thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. From Polish Connection to Steve Meisner to Keith Stras and Polka Confetti, there are many bands to enjoy while attending the festival.
Venetian Festival
Dates: Aug. 16-20
Times: TBA
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Cost: Varies based on desired activities
The 61st Lake Geneva Jaycees’ Venetian Festival is a five-day event that features a carnival, entertainment pavilion, a water ski show, a boat parade and fireworks, an art and craft fair and more.