Summer at its peak, rooftops and patios filled, Bradford Beach alive with volleyball games and sunbathers, and Lake Michigan dotted with sailboats coasting over bright blue waters. Summer just means more in Milwaukee, and everyone is eager to make the absolute most of it, packing the calendar with festivals every weekend that celebrate the art and culture that makes our city special. Here's a taste of every fest taking place in Milwaukee this month. 

Greendale Village Days 

July 30 - August 2 | Historic Greendale Welcome Center 

Greendale Village Days return with even more to explore. With live bands, BMX stunt shows, a car show and a rummage sale that takes over the lawn, this neighborhood tradition brings energy to every corner of the village. 

Four adults stand outdoors clinking their beer glasses together in a toast at a festival. Each person wears a pretzel necklace, a common accessory at beer events. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves. The background includes a brick building and other festival attendees, with overcast skies overhead.

10th Annual Wisconsin IPA Fest 

August 1 | Third Space Brewing 

Hoppy, hazy, citrusy or crisp, Wisconsin IPA Fest is your chance to explore the bold flavors of craft beer from more than 40 local breweries. Between pours, hit the dance floor with a live DJ and grab a bite from featured food trucks like Off Shore, Roll MKE and Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds. And don’t leave without stopping by the make-your-own t-shirt station where you can design a custom souvenir as memorable as the brews. 
 

Black Arts Fest MKE 

August 1 | Henry Maier Festival Park 

Held on Milwaukee’s lakefront each August, Black Arts Fest MKE honors African heritage through a full day of music, art, culture and community. This year, the main stage belongs to R&B legend Dave Hollister. His smooth vocals and soulful hits will close out a lineup that also features the Latimore Brothers and a Michael Jackson dance contest. Don’t miss your chance to be there when he takes the stage. 

 

Art & Chalk Fest 

August 1-2 | Museum of Wisconsin Art 

This free, two-day festival brings together artists from across Wisconsin for a weekend of live art and hands-on creativity. Chalk artists transform 10×10-foot squares of pavement into large-scale compositions, evolving from early outlines into finished pieces you can watch come to life. Around the grounds, you’ll find glassblowing and pottery demos, live music and an expanded Activity Zone with community chalking and interactive art projects. And with free museum admission all weekend, you can step inside and explore even more. 

Bronzeville Week 

August 1-8 |  Bronzeville Neighborhood

Bronzeville Week celebrates the culture, history and businesses that define Milwaukee’s African American community. Held throughout the Historic King Drive Business District, the week features art, live music, neighborhood events and more. It’s a chance to explore the past, support the present and be part of the future of one of Milwaukee’s most important neighborhoods. 

 

Jewish Food Festival

August 2-3 | Mequon 

The Jewish Food Festival brings two days of tradition, flavor and family fun to Mequon. Fill your plate with favorites like pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup, then head over to the petting zoo or stop by the face painting tent. Proceeds from the event support the community outreach efforts of the Peltz Center. 

WI State Fair

Wisconsin State Fair

August 6-16 | Wisconsin State Fair Park 

A celebration of Wisconsin’s rich agricultural roots, the State Fair brings together racing pigs, carnival rides and just about anything you can imagine fried and served on a stick. But the one thing worth standing in line for is the limited-edition Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff. Made fresh each day in the newly reopened Dairy Building, this seasonal flavor sells out fast. Get there early if you want a bite because once they’re gone, they’re gone. 

 

ArtBlaze

Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 | McKinley Beach and South Shore Park

At McKinley Beach and South Shore Park, ArtBlaze returns for its third season of interactive art experiences, dance performances and live music from local artists. Presented by Joy Engine, the event also includes a break dance lesson from Your Move MKE on Thursday, Aug. 6, at South Shore Park, where activities run from 4 to 9:30 p.m. This year’s centerpiece is a new large-scale inflatable art installation from FuzzPop Workshop in collaboration with students from UWM’s Architecture and Urban Planning program.

 

Red Magic Art Festival 

August 9 | Jackson Park

Gather the family and head to Jackson Park for a one-day festival that celebrates Native American arts and culture. Red Magic Art Festival features local and regional Native artists working in both traditional and contemporary styles across a wide range of disciplines. Between the live music, hands-on art activities and vendor market, this is a full afternoon of culture, creativity and community. 

 

Summer Park Jam 

August 14-15 | Marcus Performing Arts Center 

More than an event, Summer Park Jam Weekend is an intergenerational platform for connection, pride and community impact. Designed to support Milwaukee’s vision for talent attraction and retention, this downtown experience celebrates culture, sparks creativity and brings visitors in from across the Midwest. More details to come. 

A large crowd gathers at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater during twilight to watch a live performance on stage. The audience fills the venue, with some people standing and others seated. The stage is framed by bold red architectural panels, and overhead signage includes sponsors like Generac and Aer Lingus. The evening sky casts a purple hue as lights from the venue and city create a festive atmosphere. A banner reading “Irish Fest” is visible on the stage backdrop.

Irish Fest 

August 13-16 | Henry Maier Festival Park

Irish Fest brings four days of music, food and Celtic culture to Milwaukee’s lakefront. Acts like Elias Alexander, Skerryvore, SuperCéilí and more take over the stages, while the rest of the grounds offer everything from Gaelic language workshops to firkin tappings. Explore your heritage at the Genealogy Tent, sample a Guinness-glazed donut at the Celtic Kitchen or catch currach races along the lagoon. Whether you’re in it for the music, the history or the food, this festival offers plenty to dig into. 

 

Center Street Daze Festival 

August 15 | Center Street 

Since 1997, Center Street Daze has celebrated local creativity with music, art and community pride. Explore vendor booths, check out live performances and stick around for the homemade cart race at noon. These hand-built rides and their fearless drivers take to the streets in a tradition that’s equal parts competition and spectacle. 

 

Community Arts & Funk Festival 

August 16 | Davidson Park

Calling all art lovers! The Community Arts & Funk Festival is coming back to Milwaukee and makes for the perfect summer bucket list item. Throughout the day, they will have different art and poetry competitions with a $1000 “Best of Show” prize on the line. For a more relaxed afternoon, check out their local vendors and enjoy some live music at the Peck Pavilion.  

 

A La Carte at the Zoo 

August 20-23 | Milwaukee County Zoo

Live music, good food and larger-than-life animal encounters come together at A La Carte at the Zoo. With stages set throughout the grounds, you can catch a show between giraffe sightings and snack stops. This year’s headliners include lovelytheband on August 20, followed by Chris Lane on August 21, so plan ahead and catch them live in the rare setting of the Milwaukee County Zoo. 

Jazz musicians Kirk Whalum and Andréa Lisa perform together on stage. Kirk Whalum, wearing a white wide-brimmed hat and patterned black-and-white shirt, plays the saxophone with energy. Andréa Lisa, wearing a black top and light cargo pants, leans back with a joyful expression while playing an electric guitar. The stage is dimly lit with spotlights, highlighting the passion and connection between the two performers.

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival 

August 20-22 | Pabst Theater 

The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival brings smooth jazz stars and rising talent to Milwaukee for three days of unforgettable performances. With artists like Jonathan Butler, Spyro Gyra, Kandace Springs and Jarrod Lawson, this celebration of music blends rhythm and relaxation with events like the Fresh Coast Cruise and The Pairing, a wine-paired concert, and so much more. Proceeds benefit scholarships, music education, and local health programs. 

 

Serbian Days 

August 21-23 | American Serb Hall & St. Sava Cathedral 

Serbian Days brings four days of food, music and tradition to Milwaukee’s south side. Take a guided tour of the stunning St. Sava Cathedral, then head outside for grilled ćevapi, slow-cooked sarma and flaky gibanica. With folk dancing, live bands and a welcoming patio atmosphere, this is a weekend-long showcase of Serbian culture. 

A group of female dancers performs a traditional Mexican folklórico dance on stage. They wear vibrant magenta dresses with purple ruffles and floral headpieces. The lead dancer in the foreground smiles brightly while gracefully twirling her flowing skirt. The dancers behind her mirror the movement, creating a colorful, energetic scene against a modern stage backdrop.

Mexican Fiesta 

August 21-23 | Henry Maier Festival Park 

For more than 50 years, Mexican Fiesta has honored culture, tradition and family with a three-day lakefront celebration. Dig into authentic eats like elote, tacos al pastor and pan dulce, take in mariachi, ballet folklórico and cultural exhibits, and explore everything from a bustling marketplace to a children’s area packed with activities. 

 

West Bend GERMANfest 

August 27-30 | Regner Park 

West Bend GERMANfest has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a one-day street party in 1986. Now a four-day celebration, the festival fills Regner Park with live music on two stages, a packed Biergarten, a weekend-long sheepshead tournament and a Kinderzone for the kids. Traditional fare like bratwurst and fish fry is joined by local favorites, cheese curds and the famous desserts. With a full lineup of beers, wines and food vendors, there’s plenty to enjoy between polkas and rounds of bags. Every dollar raised supports Habitat for Humanity of Washington & Dodge Counties, helping build homes and strengthen the community. 

 

Country in the Burg 

August 28-29 | Cedarburg

This two-day outdoor concert in Cedarburg brings major star power to Ozaukee County. Headliners Scotty McCreery, Josh Turner and Brantley Gilbert top a lineup that also includes Rodney Atkins, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drake White and more. 

 

Brew City Cigar Festival 

August 29 | Old Heidelberg Park at Bavarian Bierhaus

Brew City Cigar Festival is no ordinary night out. It’s a full-sensory experience packed with premium cigars, top-shelf tastings and live music under the stars. Light up something legendary, sip your way through an endless lineup of spirits, beer and wine, and swap stories with cigar pros and fellow enthusiasts. From bold blends to rare pours, every moment is made to impress. 

 

There's always more to explore in the City of Festivals! Plan your stay and map out your dream Milwaukee getaway today.