Along the Wisconsin-Illinois border you can go back to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. A plethora of entertainment, great food, performances, and a marketplace filled with crafts, art, musical instruments, clothes, jewelry, and more await. You’ll find plenty of colorful characters in period costumery, performers twirling fire, people mashing their mouths into giant turkey legs, wandering minstrels, swordfights, jousting… the list goes on and on. It’s a great summer weekend activity just west of Kenosha on the Illinois border!
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773 Website
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center celebrates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts July 18-19, 2026. Over 100 juried artists offering original works across ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, fiber, wood, metal, and more. Enjoy a weekend of live music, performances, exhibitions, hands-on art making, demonstrations, local eats, and plenty of fun.
This is touted as one of the finest outdoor arts festivals in Wisconsin! Exhibitors include jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, leather, sculpture, art glass, wearable art, and more.
Fun, hands-on workshops for the whole family include “Concrete Creations: Fantasy Faces,” Clay Play, Marvelous Magificent Mobiles, and face painting for the kids (I think it’s just for kids, heck, doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re a grown-up and want your face painted, too.)
Visit the food court where the Culinary Art Car and other food trucks will recharge your energy reserves with a wrap, cheese curds, bratwurst, gyros, ice cream, or one of many other delicious treats.
Festivalgoers will be treated to “finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’”, free concerts from the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series. The lineup includes the Mark Croft Band and Well-Known Strangers on Saturday. This Big Life, King Solomon, and Big Little Lions are scheduled to take the stage on Sunday.
Click here for all the details on the Midsummer Festival of the Arts, including a schedule of events and all the particulars. Admission is FREE.
Midsummer Festival of the Arts Address:
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
608 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 458-6144
You’ll find the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on New York Avenue just east of 7th Street. It’s right between the heart of the Sheboygan’s downtown and Lake Michigan. Highways 23, 28, and 42 all bring you into town!
While in Sheboygan, check out City Green, which we discuss (along with many other things Sheboygan!) in our State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Experience art in the heart of the city at ArtFest Green Bay! The streets of Downtown Green Bay will come alive with an art fair, musical performances, food, demonstrations, and interactive activities.
Discover works from a wide variety of local, regional, and national artists at the Art Fair, in partnership with NWTC Artisan and Business Center. Artists will showcase their diverse range of mediums and shoppers are sure to find something that captures their imagination. From paintings to sculptures, photography to mixed media, artists will inspire attendees with their creativity and talent.
You can step into the Experience Zone at ArtFest, a vibrant space where creativity comes to life. Engage in interactive art activities, watch live demonstrations, enjoy performances, and connect with arts non-profits. It’s a perfect space for kids and families. Whether you’re an artist or just curious, this is your chance to engage, explore, and create, so feel free to dive in and get your hands dirty in a beautiful way.
Live music Saturday by FBI & The Untouchable Horns, Sunday by Copper Box!
ArtFest activities take place August 22nd & 23rd, 2026 along Cherry and Jefferson Streets in downtown Green Bay, wedged in by Walnut Street (Highway 29) and Pine Street. Parking in the area is FREE!
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Art
July 11, 2026 – September 6, 2026
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 18, 2026 – July 19, 2026
Midsummer Festival of the Arts
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center celebrates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts July 18-19, 2026. Over 100 juried artists offering original works across ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, fiber, wood, metal, and more. Enjoy a weekend of live music, performances, exhibitions, hands-on art making, demonstrations, local eats, and plenty of fun.
Fun, hands-on workshops for the whole family include “Concrete Creations: Fantasy Faces,” Clay Play, Marvelous Magificent Mobiles, and face painting for the kids (I think it’s just for kids, heck, doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re a grown-up and want your face painted, too.)
Visit the food court where the Culinary Art Car and other food trucks will recharge your energy reserves with a wrap, cheese curds, bratwurst, gyros, ice cream, or one of many other delicious treats.
Festivalgoers will be treated to “finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’”, free concerts from the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series. The lineup includes the Mark Croft Band and Well-Known Strangers on Saturday. This Big Life, King Solomon, and Big Little Lions are scheduled to take the stage on Sunday.
Click here for all the details on the Midsummer Festival of the Arts, including a schedule of events and all the particulars. Admission is FREE.
Midsummer Festival of the Arts Address:
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
608 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 458-6144
You’ll find the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on New York Avenue just east of 7th Street. It’s right between the heart of the Sheboygan’s downtown and Lake Michigan. Highways 23, 28, and 42 all bring you into town!
While in Sheboygan, check out City Green, which we discuss (along with many other things Sheboygan!) in our State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 22, 2026 – August 23, 2026
ArtFest, Green Bay
Experience art in the heart of the city at ArtFest Green Bay! The streets of Downtown Green Bay will come alive with an art fair, musical performances, food, demonstrations, and interactive activities.
Discover works from a wide variety of local, regional, and national artists at the Art Fair, in partnership with NWTC Artisan and Business Center. Artists will showcase their diverse range of mediums and shoppers are sure to find something that captures their imagination. From paintings to sculptures, photography to mixed media, artists will inspire attendees with their creativity and talent.
You can step into the Experience Zone at ArtFest, a vibrant space where creativity comes to life. Engage in interactive art activities, watch live demonstrations, enjoy performances, and connect with arts non-profits. It’s a perfect space for kids and families. Whether you’re an artist or just curious, this is your chance to engage, explore, and create, so feel free to dive in and get your hands dirty in a beautiful way.
Live music Saturday by FBI & The Untouchable Horns, Sunday by Copper Box!
ArtFest activities take place August 22nd & 23rd, 2026 along Cherry and Jefferson Streets in downtown Green Bay, wedged in by Walnut Street (Highway 29) and Pine Street. Parking in the area is FREE!
Find out on the ArtFest website here!
Back to StateTrunkTour.com