Every month in the Milwaukee Theater District, you’ll find tons of incredible shows to see, but summers here are special. It’s a season of album releases and summer tours and friends made in the merch line. It’s cold beers on warm nights and shows with lakefront sights, your favorite bands and up-and-coming acts all taking the stage. It’s a city in rhythm, every corner of Milwaukee playing its own tune. From outdoor concert series to the world’s largest music festival, here are 24 of the best shows to see in June.
And Then There Were None
May 26 – June 28 | Milwaukee Rep
Did the butler do it? If you’re a fan of suspense, murder and the timeless prose of Agatha Christie, there’s some good news for you. Christie’s “And Then There Will Be None” pulls you into the pages of your favorite mystery novel and captivates you as ten strangers with dark secrets find themselves stranded on an island. No one can be trusted, not even the grand estate’s electricity, as a sinister phantom picks off characters one by one in a wonderfully macabre fashion. You’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole night, and you won’t ever guess what’s coming next.
Kevin Morby
June 1 | The Argo
This is a concert description, a window to the show. Of a performer in the North Shore, with a full band. Come see a new album at a (nearly) new venue in Whitefish Bay to kick off the month as Kevin Morby rolls into town on his little wide open tour. Last playing Milwaukee in 2022, the Kansas City rocker is a lock to bring the energy that wanders through genres. One moment you’ll see classic acoustic folk, then a sprawling jam band-style full-band collab and another a hypnotic rocker that’ll have you singing along by the end. There’s only one Kevin Morby, and you can catch him at The Argo on June 1.
It’s Alive! With Cullah
June 4 | Milwaukee County Historical Society
Live music, a flowing river as the backdrop and warm, sunny weather in Pere Marquette Park. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of outing, you just might be in the wrong place. Although It's Alive! On the RiverWalk kicks off a few weeks earlier, this busker performance outside of the Milwaukee County Historical Society is the perfect way to start your weekend a little early, with the musical stylings of local musician Cullah as your soundtrack. You can pull up with a picnic or swing by on a late lunch break, stop by for a song or two, or catch the full performance for free.
Rachmaninoff & Saint-Saëns
June 5-6 | Bradley Symphony Center
Wordless, but soulful, this symphony show may not have any words, but this performance by the MSO will strike a chord. Through the power of music alone, you can feel the heartbreak and romantic melancholy throughout every note of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, before concertmaster Jinwoo Lee steps into the spotlight with the dazzling showpiece from Saint-Saëns.
Milwaukee Metal Fest
June 5-7 | The Rave / Eagles Club
Moshing and headbanging await at The Rave / Eagles Club in June, with Milwaukee Metal Fest screaming back to the historic music hall for three days of some of the hottest metal around. Kicking off with a pre-party on Thursday, June 4, you can catch over 80 of your favorite metal bands playing everything from death metal to doom, hardcore to metalcore to thrash to industrial to underground extremity, along with special guests and more, all in one place as Milwaukee Metal Fest celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Sakeshivili – The People’s Democratic Circus
June 5-13 | Next Act Theatre
As the name would suggest, absurd comedic delights headline this Next Act Theatre show. The U.S. premiere promises a series of bizarre situations as four caricature characters struggle to hold on to their personalities, dignity and everything that makes them human, amid constant brainwashing. It sparkles with sarcasm, is packed with parity and will leave you questioning what exactly you just watched.
Sophie B. Hawkins
June 6 | PrideFest
Damn, You’ll Wish You Were at PrideFest if you miss out on this one. A part of the two-day festival celebrating Pride in Milwaukee, Sophie B. will take the stage as one of the festival’s headliners on Saturday night, bringing hits like “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,” “As I Lay Me Down,” “Right Beside You” and so many more. And it’s all free with your ticket to PrideFest!
Five Nights at Freddy’s Rave
June 6 | Shank Hall
I mean, do we really need to say more? There are raves, and then there’s a Five Nights at Freddy’s Rave, with cosplay, prizes for best costumes, themed drinks, dance music and an existential question that faces both fans and ravers alike: Will you survive the night?
& Juliet
June 9-14 | Marcus Performing Arts Center
Star-crossed lovers are overrated, and happily-ever-after is a matter of perspective, anyway. What if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Instead of the fatal twists of fate that brought the two together, what if she had a second chance at life and love? Well, this Broadway hit from an Emmy-winning “Schitt’s Creek” writer will take you on an adventure of laugh-out-loud whimsy as Juliet’s new path unfurls to the tune of iconic pop anthems like “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” There’s life after Romeo, we promise.
Morgan Jay
June 12 | Miller High Life Theatre
A night of comedy, music, laughs and entertainment that you know from TikTok and Instagram is now coming to the Miller High Life Theatre. A first-generation American, watch as Jay blends influences from his Brazilian and Italian background and 90s upbringing into a musical comedy show that’ll leave you in stitches. It’s his only Wisconsin tour stop, and one of only three Midwestern dates on the calendar before he heads overseas later this fall, so if you want to catch him, the ornate halls of the Miller High Life Theatre are the place to do it.
Dillstradamus
June 13 | Landmark Credit Union Live
If you’re attuned to the EDM world, odds are you’ve heard of Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus. You’ve probably even heard of a fabled colossus, a mashup known as Dillstradamus. Well, now it’s real. No longer the stuff of myth or legend, the collaboration is alive, and it’s heading for Milwaukee on their World Grand Championship Global Tour. In their own words, “Don’t let this historic electronic event pass you by” as the duo brings their heavy-hitting styles to Landmark Credit Union Live in June
Party Dozen
June 13 | Cactus Club
Aussie outfit, Party Dozen, will bring their unique noise rock stylings nearly 10,000 miles from their native Sydney to Milwaukee. Comprised of saxophonist Kirsty Tickle and drummer Jonathan Boulet, Party Dozen presents one of the more unique sonic configurations of the month. Fusing jazz with rock with electropop, Party Dozen has created a genre of their own. Their Cactus Club performance is one of the few solo headlining appearances for the band on the rise, so now’s the time to catch them if your interest is piqued.
Salsa in the Park
June 4 | Cathedral Square Park
Jazz in the Park’s taking a little Latin flair to kick off the 2026 season. The Thursday night local ritual brings thousands out to the Cathedral Square Park neighborhood each year, spreading their blankets out in the square and catching the night’s performance with a bottle of wine and a dish from a nearby food truck. The series starts on June 4 with a special Salsa in the Park, featuring performances by Junior Rivera y su Orquestra and special guest the Salsabrositas MKE. Take a short stroll from the East Side or downtown to be a part of this summer staple.
The Aquabats!
June 16 | Turner Hall Ballroom
If the band name caught your eye, you really have no idea what you’re in for. Let’s change that. The Aquabats describe themselves as punk rock’s superheroes, and in a genre that often takes itself too seriously, what better way to inject some whimsy than by rocking Paul Frank-designed “power belts,” “anti-negativity” helmets and black eye masks. As if you had to ask, there will be onstage antics, and the Aquabats’ show will be one you’ll never forget.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
June 16 | Chill on the Hill
Summer symphony on a hillside? Where do we sign up? Chill on the Hill is back this year, drawing thousands of Bay View residents and music lovers from around Milwaukee like moths to a flame. The outdoor concert series kicks off on June 9, but an eye-catching engagement arrives on the 16th, when members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra bring the rich stylings of a brass band to life on an early summer’s evening. The best part? It’s free. Come early, snag a bite from a vendor onsite, kick back and soak up the vibes.
Garth Brooks
June 16-17 | American Family Insurance Amphitheater
You might need some friends in [high] places to get tickets to this one. Before Summerfest’s Big Bang, before the first fans click through the turnstiles and the Big Gig is off and running in a big way, country music icon Garth Brooks will set the tone for the world’s largest music festival. Playing two nights of near-sold-out shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, the two-time Grammy-winner will stop the tour bus in Milwaukee on his only U.S. tour dates this summer, with songs like “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The Dance,” and yes, “Friends in Low Places.”
Another One Bites the Dust – A Tribute to Queen
June 17 | Tosa Tonight
They will, they will rock you. Another One Bites the Dust – A Tribute to Queen kicks off the Tosa Tonight series over in Wauwatosa. The outdoor concert series kicks off Tosa’s weekly music series with some stadium rock for all ages. You know Queen. You love Queen. And even if you don’t, it’ll still get you out of your seat, clapping your hands and stomping your feet to the sounds of a generational band. Music kicks off at 6 p.m. Pack your picnic, pull up a lawn chair, stock the cooler and check this one out.
Jordan Jensen
June 19 | Pabst Theater
A rare non-musical performance in this month’s roundup, if you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, you’ll no doubt have seen clips of Jordan Jensen on your social media feed. Amassing a huge following online as co-host of “Bein’ Ian with Jordan” and “RIP Jordan Jensen,” one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know, is coming to Milwaukee. Moving from Turner Hall Ballroom to the Pabst Theater due to overwhelming demand, Jensen will bring her cutting, down-to-earth, everyday perspective on life to Milwaukee in June.
Father John Misty
June 19 | Summerfest
Mr. Tillman, it’s good to see you again. He might be a bit late for Father’s Day, but the Summerfest headliner has always been a bit unconventional anyway. Making a career of bridging genres from folk to rock to jazz, Father John Misty is a must-see every time he comes to town. Effortlessly floating between the soft, poignant “I Went to the Store One Day” to the rollicking Mahashmashana single, “She Cleans Up,” to the sharp-witted, if cynical, “Total Entertainment Forever,” Misty refuses to be pigeonholed by genre. He’ll be at the Generac Power Stage on the second night of the festival, and so should you.
Don Toliver
June 19 | American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Taking a brief detour from a nationwide tour with Post Malone and Jelly Roll, Don Toliver is having quite a year. Releasing his album, “Octane,” in January, Toliver has earned himself the nod as a two-time finalist for the American Music Awards for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Best Hip-Hop Album. On Friday, June 19, the rapper on the rise headlines the American Family Insurance Amphitheater alongside SahBabii, Che, SoFaygo, Chase B, Leio and sosocamo, all kicking off at 7 p.m.
Old Wolves
June 20 | Bremen Café
If you can define the Industrial/American-Roots/Doom genre by sound and sound alone, I’ll tip my hipster cap to you. I also have a concert you need to see. And if you’ve never heard of the genre, it might just be the music you’ve been waiting for. The musical fusion that is Old Wolves is currently slated to take over Bremen Café on Wednesday, June 20. Will it be an acoustic set or an electric set? Time will tell. But in a summer of shows, this intimate set could be a diamond in the rough.
The Roots
June 25 | Summerfest
If you know The Roots as Jimmy Fallon’s house band, you haven’t seen them perform live. So much more than backing music for late-night shows, the band is a collection of incredibly talented musicians that fuses jazz and hip-hop with a live band bringing it all to life. Headlining the BMO Pavilion on Thursday night, the band makes its return to Milwaukee for the first time since Summerfest 2019, bringing hits like “You Got Me,” “What They Do,” “Mellow My Man” and “Right On.” Your weekend starts on Thursday for this can’t-miss late-night show with The Roots (9 p.m.).
Petey USA
June 26 | Summerfest
If you’re in a quarter-life crisis and you can’t explain how you’re feeling so different about all the same things, Petey USA’s Summerfest show is for you. Headlining the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard at 10 p.m. on Friday night, the fast-growing artist has grown in popularity for his Midwest emo sound that’s equal parts earworm and repressed teenage angst. Finding a foothold on TikTok during the pandemic, Petey USA’s popularity spans generations with simple songs that capture a complex, kaleidoscopic and often existential array of emotions, ranging from “Don’t Tell the Boys” to “Lean Into Life” to “Haircut” to “We Go On Walks,” in a ways cut deeper than a viral social video.
Sincere Engineer
June 29 | Lilliput Records
You can catch this Chicago punk-rock outfit at Summerfest on June 25, too, but this is your chance to see Sincere Engineer play an intimate acoustic show, followed by a signing of their new album. It’s all taking place inside Lilliput Records on the city’s East Side. Amid the racks of records, you can catch the up-and-coming punk band take the stage as they play stripped-down versions of songs from their new album “Probably Claws,” followed by your chance to snag the new album and meet the band after their set.
This is just the start. There are so many shows to see in June that, no matter what genre you’re into, there’s a concert for you in the Milwaukee Theater District. Entertain a Milwaukee theater experience with shows, dining, places to stay and ways to plan your dramatic getaway today.
Adaptive Performances
Milwaukee’s performing arts scene is for every body! Don’t miss these adaptive performances across the city’s stages, giving everyone a chance to experience the magic of the theater.
And Then There Were None
Audio Described Performance: Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m.
ASL Performance: Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Open-Captioned Performance
