Cool breezes roll in from Lake Michigan, leaves crunch underfoot and the call of a ballgame fills the air at American Family Field. Milwaukee doesn’t slow down when summer ends. Trade tailgates for Oktoberfest tents, swap fair food for pumpkin-spiced treats and raise a glass to a fall you’ll only find here.

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Harbor Fest

Sep. 28 | Harbor View Plaza

Milwaukee’s harbor turns into a festival backdrop filled with live music, local food and hands-on fun. A free water taxi from R1ver or Boone & Crockett makes getting there part of the adventure. Once you arrive, try your hand at art projects, watch baby sturgeon swim into the water and keep an eye out for a mermaid making waves.

 

Germantown Hunsrucker Oktoberfest

Sep. 27-28 | Germantown Historical Society

Celebrate German heritage with a weekend of music, traditional food and family fun. Feast on brats, kraut, red cabbage and potato pancakes with authentic German beers. Browse a silent auction and local crafts on Saturday, then come back Sunday for the classic car show favorite.

 

Zoo Brew

Oct. 2 | Milwaukee County Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side at the Milwaukee County Zoo, where local brews and bites line the path. This after-hours event spreads across three tasting zones, each offering a mix of beer, food and animal encounters. With a drink in hand and plenty of flavor to discover, it’s a one-of-a-kind way to experience the zoo.

 

Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival

Oct. 2-5 | Oriental Theatre

Now in its tenth year, the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival brings a weekend of powerful storytelling and global perspectives. Films showcase a wide range of voices and experiences, with discussions that dive deeper into each theme. Opening night sets the tone with a special performance, appetizers and a talkback to start the four-day fest.

A group of people sit side by side at a bar counter, each using a typewriter. The person in the foreground has purple hair tied back with a scrunchie, glasses, and a red-and-white shirt with a graphic print. Others focus intently on their typewriters, with drinks and cans on the counter. Behind them, arcade machines, merchandise, and a TV screen are visible, creating a lively retro atmosphere.

QWERTYFEST MKE

Oct. 3-5 | Various Milwaukee Locations

This quirky three-day celebration honors Milwaukee’s own Christopher Latham Sholes and the invention that changed how the world communicates. QWERTYFEST MKE brings together writers, artists, history lovers and typewriter fans for workshops, live music, presentations and even a literary cemetery tour. Events take place across the city, filling the weekend with creativity, conversation and a touch of mechanical nostalgia.

 

15th Annual Milwaukee Oktoberfest

Oct. 3-5 | Henry Maier Festival Park

Milwaukee Oktoberfest pours heritage and good beer in equal measure, filling the lakefront with polka beats, sizzling brats and a spirit that turns strangers into friends. Inspired by a mayor’s trip to Munich, the festival packs Henry Maier Festival Park with steins and stories. The Brewers aren’t the only ones rolling out the barrel this October. Prost!

 

Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival

Oct. 3-5 | Baird Center

The Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival brings more than 400 tattoo artists together for a weekend of ink, art and attitude. Creativity takes center stage with live tattooing, jaw-dropping sideshows and contests that prove tattoos are forever. Think ink and find your next masterpiece.

A band performs on an outdoor stage at Beet Street festival. Four musicians play keyboard, guitar, bass, and sing into microphones. The stage banner reads “Cactus Presents Beet Street” with colorful graphics, and pumpkins decorate the front of the stage.

Beet Street Fall Festival

Oct. 4 | Cactus Club

Beet Street is a mix of sound, art and community. Touring bands play outside while WMSE spins vinyl at Cactus Club. Zines, art and food fill the sidewalks, and a screenprint station turns out fresh tees next to the punk rock rummage. The Great Midwestern Pie Championship brings the cheers as neighbors crowd in for a slice.

 

Lost Arts Festival

Oct. 4 | Grohmann Museum

Step into a world of lost and found again at the Grohmann Museum’s Lost Arts Festival, where traditional skills are on full display through hands-on demonstrations. Inspired by the museum’s collection of paintings and bronzes, this family-friendly event showcases artisans preserving history in creative ways. Watch woodworkers, glass founders, shoe carvers and more bring these timeless crafts into the present with skill and artistry.

 

Greenfield Fall Family Fest

Oct. 4 | Konkel Park

Celebrate the season in the heart of Greenfield at Fall Family Fest. At Konkel Park you’ll find food and games, horse carriage rides, bingo and a pie-eating contest. Don’t forget to dress up for the Youth & Adult Costume Contest! It's the kind of event that brings neighbors together and keeps families coming back year after year.

 

Port Washington Fall Street Festival

Oct. 4 | Port Washington

Port Washington’s Fall Street Festival blends lakefront charm with festive flair. Stroll the historic downtown, where more than 100 artisan vendors line the streets with handmade crafts and local eats. Families can head to the Family Fun Zone, while adults can savor street food, drinks, classic cars and live music on two stages.

 

Cedarburg Oktoberfest

Oct. 4-5 | Downtown Cedarburg

Oktoberfest in downtown Cedarburg is all about oom-pah beats, Bavarian dancing and the ring of the glockenspiel echoing down the streets. Brats, pretzels and steins of German beer keep hands full while vendors and contests add plenty of reasons to linger. It’s free, family-friendly and feels like one big block party.

Four people gather around a small round table inside a bar, smiling and holding drinks. A small dog with a pink flower collar sits on one person’s lap, tongue out happily. Neon signs and a Lakefront Brewery sign are visible in the background, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Brady Street Pet Parade

Oct. 5 | Brady Street

Brady Street is going to the dogs (and cats...and lizards...and more) in this celebration designed for animal lovers and pet owners alike. Sidewalk sales, giveaways and vendor booths line the street while live entertainment adds to the fun. Bring your furry friend, strike a pose at a photo op and enjoy a paws-itively family-friendly day that’s as lively as the pets themselves.

 

Milwaukee Comedy Festival

Oct. 7-12 | Milwaukee East Side

Milwaukee is bringing the laughs with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, a week of stand-up, special events and national headliners on the East Side. As the largest event of its kind in Wisconsin, it fills local venues with rising stars and seasoned pros. Every show brings something new, and all guarantee laughs from start to finish.

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Oktoberfest

Oct. 10-12 | Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

This cozy church festival offers polka, pastries and plenty of fall fun. Settle into the beer garden, catch live music from the Squeezettes and the Yankovic Tradition, and stop by the Black Forest Café for homemade strudel and tortes. Kids can enjoy art activities and s’mores by the fire, while Sheepshead games and a Saturday Polka Mass complete the weekend.

A crowd gathers at Boone & Crockett for an outdoor event at night. People in flannel and jackets socialize with drinks around a fire pit under string lights and hanging plants. The rustic bar sign hangs above the scene, creating a cozy festival atmosphere.

Flannel Fest

Oct. 11 | The Cooperage Milwaukee

Let your flannel fly at this fun fall fest. Flannel Fest packs Milwaukee with food trucks, local vendors, a petting zoo and a high-flying BMX stunt show. Boone & Crockett serves drinks inside, while outside taps pour craft brews and specialty cocktails, with a portion of sales supporting Courage MKE. The soundtrack runs all day with hip hop, indie and rock, leading up to the reunited Milwaukee legends Platinum Boys taking the stage for their final show.

 

Milwaukee Public Market Harvest Festival

Oct. 11 | Riverwalk Commons

The Milwaukee Public Market is turning 20, and they’re throwing a Harvest Festival to celebrate. The day is packed with live music, family activities and seasonal treats that capture the best of fall. Kids can paint pumpkins, build scarecrows and sip fresh cider straight from an antique press, while adults sample local flavors like Lakefront Brewery Pumpkin Ale tapped out of a giant pumpkin or seasonal pours from Point Beer, Draft & Vessel and more. Local vendors add even more to explore with orchard favorites, handmade goods and sweet treats. Food from Market staples keeps the celebration delicious, and every activity is free as a thank you to the community.

 

Center Street Park Fall Fest

Oct. 11 | Center Street Park

Fall Fest is back with live music, food and drinks from Venture Brewing and plenty of seasonal fun. Browse for pumpkins, let the kids dive into activities and enjoy a crisp fall day surrounded by neighbors. It’s the kind of community gathering that makes celebrating the season with friends and family feel extra special.

 

Hunting Moon Pow Wow

Oct. 17-19 | Baird Center

For three days, Baird Center hosts a celebration of Native American culture with singing, drumming and dancing. The gathering honors rich traditions and history while welcoming the community to experience the power of the pow wow. Dancers and drummers travel from across the country to compete for cash prizes, creating an event that is both meaningful and full of energy. Admission is free and open to all.

 

Pilot Project Fest

Oct. 25 | Pilot Project Brewing

Take flight with brews, bites and beats at Pilot Project Fest. More than two dozen local and regional breweries come together for a day of tastings, music and fall fun. Sample beers, hard kombucha and ready-to-drink cocktails while enjoying live music, axe throwing and cornhole. Street tacos and a bonfire pit set the scene, and costume contests add a playful twist.

A mariachi group of six musicians poses outdoors on a sunny autumn day, holding violins, guitars, and a vihuela. The women wear traditional black mariachi suits with embroidered details, while the men wear black suits with ties or sashes. Fall trees with orange leaves create a colorful backdrop.

Dia de los Muertos Festival & 5K

Oct. 25 | Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum

Run through Milwaukee history at the Día de los Muertos Festival, a celebration of tradition, community and remembrance at Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum. The grounds feature music, dancing, colorful ofrendas, family crafts and the rich aromas of local food trucks. After the morning 5K, the space shifts into a tribute to loved ones with face painting, chapel altars and moments of reflection woven into a day of culture and connection.

 

Oak Creek Fall Festival

Oct. 25 | Drexel Town Square

Leaf your worries behind at Oak Creek’s Fall Festival in Drexel Town Square. This outdoor celebration is packed with autumn activities and family fun for all ages. It also marks the final day of the 2025 Oak Creek Farmers Market, giving you one more chance to shop local while enjoying the festival.

 

Uncorked Wine Festival

Oct. 25 | Harley-Davidson Museum

Rev up your fall at Milwaukee’s most spirited night of the season, where more than 100 wines, bubblies and craft cocktails flow alongside live music and after-hours access to the Harley-Davidson Museum. It’s part tasting event, part party and all about good flavor and great company. Each pour keeps the night rolling, blending culture, conversation and just the right amount of buzz to make it a fall standout.

 

14th Annual Latino Family Expo & Festival

Oct. 26 | South Division High School

A day of treats, connections and opportunities for the whole family. Kids can trick-or-treat indoors and join a lively piñata party, while adults connect with local employers at the job and career fair. A health fair with free wellness checks rounds out the day, creating a meaningful experience for everyone.

A man carries a young boy on his shoulders as they admire a large model train display at Trainfest. The model train runs across a detailed arched bridge, while other visitors walk and observe exhibits in the busy convention hall.

Trainfest

Nov. 1-2 | Baird Center

All aboard for Trainfest, where dozens of top model railroad manufacturers and dealers from across the country come together under one roof. Explore more than 250 booths with industry-leading products, watch hands-on demonstrations and catch exciting new announcements. With over 50 operating model train displays in different sizes and scales, there’s plenty to see. Kids can hop on a free riding train, making this a fun stop for the whole family.

 

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

Nov. 20- Jan. 1 | Milwaukee Downtown

It’s a glowrious time to be Downtown! Milwaukee’s parks and streets shine with holiday spirit and more than a half million brilliant bulbs. A flurry of shows, Santa photo ops and exceptional dining beckon friends and family to gather here all season long, making Downtown the brightest spot of the season.

 

Holiday Folk Fair International

Nov. 21-23 | Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park

The world takes the stage at Holiday Folk Fair International, where music, stories and instruments share the traditions of cultures across the globe. The festival highlights melodies and lyrics that carry history forward while connecting communities in the present. It’s a joyful showcase of heritage, identity and the spirit of coming together.

 

New Wave Fest

Nov. 22 | The Cooperage Milwaukee

The synths are loud, the hair is big and the hits keep coming. The First Wave, Xposed 4Heads and Weird Science deliver New Wave favorites that defined the ’80s. Sponsored by WMSE, this high-energy celebration promises a memorable night for fans of all ages.

 

Holiday Lights in the Domes

Nov. 22- Jan 4 | Mitchell Park Domes

Deck the Domes. The Mitchell Park Domes light up for the season with a holiday display full of color and glow. Step inside and you’ll find artists, gardeners and makers bringing the space to life with festive touches at every turn. It’s the kind of cozy escape that makes winter walks with family or friends feel extra special.

 

There’s no better time to see why Milwaukee shines in every season. Book your stay, lace up your boots and dive into autumn adventures waiting around every corner.