Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
20-Mile Run, 10-Mile Run, 17-Mile Walk, and Lil’ Community Run
Hardanger Fiddle Performances
Norwegian Heritage Center (Livsreise)
Live Norwegian Art Demonstrations
Edvard Grieg Chorus at the Stoughton Opera House
Norse Costume Style Show
Viking Games Strongman Competition
Craft Beer Tent
Traditional Norwegian Delicacies
Food Trucks
Youth Parade (Saturday)
Norwegian Parade (Sunday)
Canoe Race & Portage on the Yahara River
Stoughton Village Players Theater Original Presentation
Arts & Crafts Fair
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912 Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Chorus Public House Live Music
Christ Lutheran Church
Craft Beer Tent Entertainment
Stoughton City Band Concert
Stoughton Opera House
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
Polish Fest is the largest Polish cultural festival in America, and it’s right on Milwaukee’s lakefront! Authentic dancing, food, music, family activities, and plenty of other entertainment (accordions may be involved.)
Some of that extra entertainment includes vodka tastings, the annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition, folk arts and crafts, and plenty of children’s activities.
Polish Fest runs Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th from noon until 11pm; Sunday the 14th from noon to 7pm. A Sunday Mass will also take place at 10am, with free admission. Gates open at 9:30am Sunday for the Mass.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $12 at the Summerfest Gate. Military personnel, both active and retired, are admitted FREE with military ID.
Check out these event highlights:
Sukiennice Marketplace
Filled by over forty different vendors, our Sukiennice Marketplace gives you a chance to buy Polish items, from traditional Polish toys for children to a new piece of pottery. The Sukiennice Marketplace is also your source for massage & acupuncture, home improvement, and genealogy research. Find everything from relaxation to the knowledge of your Polish roots.
Cultural Village
2026 Cultural Village Exhibits will feature folk artists demonstrating traditional Polish crafts, including wycinanki (paper cutting), pisanki (decorated eggs), wianki (floral head wreaths) and more. Polanki’s sales tent featuring handmade Polish pottery (Boleslawiec), Christmas ornaments, recipe books and other folk art are both located in the Cultural Village. The Polish Genealogical Society and the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will again be at Polish Fest in a new location, east of the demonstrator tent.
There’s also the Polish Forum, click here for a schedule of speakers.
Cooking demonstrations will abound, too: check out this schedule of events.
Polish Fest Entertainment Schedule:
Friday, June 12th
Miller Stage
12:00 Copper Box
2:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
6:00 Opening Ceremony
7:30 The First Wave
Non-Stop Polka Stage
12:00 The Mix
3:00 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
3:40 I.P.A. Tribute Band
4:20 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
5:00 I.P.A. Tribute Band
5:40 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
6:20 I.P.A. Tribute Band
7:00 John Gora & Gorale
7:40 Polka Country Musicians
8:20 John Gora & Gorale
9:00 Polka Country Musicians
9:40 John Gora & Gorale
10:20 Polka Country Musicians
Cultural Stage
12:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
1:00 The Britins
2:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
3:00 The Britins
4:30 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
6:00 Cappuchin Walk
7:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
8:00 Stetsin & Lace
Sports Area Polonia soccer club
Saturday, June 13th
Miller Stage 12:00 John Gora & Gorale
1:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
2:30 John Gora & Gorale
3:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
5:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
8:00 Almighty Vinyl
Non-Stop Polka Stage 12:00 Polka Generations
3:00 The Natural Talent
3:40 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
4:20 The Natural Talent
5:00 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
5:40 The Natural Talent
6:20 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
7:00 Polka Family
7:40 Polka Country Musicians
8:20 Polka Family
9:00 Polka Country Musicians
9:40 Polka Family
10:20 Polka Country Musicians
Cultural Stage 12:00 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
12:30 Whispers Center of Artistic Expression
1:30 Wawel Folk Ensemble
2:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
3:00 Wesoły Lud Folk Dance Company of the PRCUA
4:00 Polish Folk Dance Group Lajkonik Chicago
6:00 PFDAA Polish Folk Dance Gala
8:00 Silver Effect
Sports Area Polonia soccer club
Sunday – June 14th
Miller Stage
12:00 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
1:30 John Gora & Gorale
2:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
3:30 John Gora & Gorale
5:00 WhiskeyBelles
Non-Stop Polka Stage
12:00 Polka Family
12:40 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
1:20 Polka Family
2:00 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
2:40 Polka Family
3:20 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
4:00 DynaBrass
Cultural Stage
10:00 Mass
1:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
3:00 Marcus Band
Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as the Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced feer-ball) re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Artists, food, dancing, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer.
Featured activities include a boat regatta, a trolley and historic walking tours through the village, and a chance to explore numerous historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, the popular spot along Highway 42 in Ephraim, has their annual Fyr Ball Firecracker Frenzy Ice Cream Eating Competition, too!
The signature Fyr Bal event is an evening bonfire, which represents the burning of the ‘Winter Witch’ to usher in the long days – and beautiful nights – of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Stay and enjoy the Scandinavian atmosphere and hospitality.
Ephraim is right along Highway 42 on the Green Bay side of the Door County Peninsula, between Fish Creek and Sister Bay on the eastern edge of Eagle Harbor and the gorgeous Peninsula State Park. It’s a beautiful town and this event is literally a blast! The rest of the details can be found here on the Fyr Ball web page.
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2026, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 9th through Sunday, July 12th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Thousands line up for the “Storm the Bastille” 5K Run & Walk at Bastille Days in Milwaukee
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 9- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 10- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 11- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 12- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
Festa Italiana is “your ticket to Italy” once again when it hits Milwaukee’s lakefront July 10th-12th, 2026! Amazing Italian food, great entertainment, and the loudest fireworks around. This year, Festa Italiana celebrates 48 years along Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront.
Check out Flag-Throwers of the Florentine, direct from Italy. For music, check out great acts across six stages, including the Children’s Stage. Headliners include Anthony Crivello, George Busateri’s Spider George and the Web, Louis Vanaria, The Sicilian Tenors featuring Aaron Caruso, Sam Vitale, and Vincent Riccardi, Agne, Tre Bella, Cory Pesaturo, Graziana Maria Lazzaro, and FLEMT – straight from Italy. Longtime favorite Rick D’Amore makes his return, too!
Magic tricks, food demonstrations, comedians Vince Carone and Carmen Vallone, singers from the Florentine Opera, and more are all performing each day. The UW Marching Band will perform on Sunday, and the Children’s Stage will have all kinds of entertainment throughout the day.
You can also enjoy a romantic gondola ride on the cove, play bocce ball, watch the Copa Festa Italiana Futsal tournament, or compete in Italian Idol. Classic Italian fare and wine tastings, Kids Pizza Making Contest and annual Cannoli Eating Contest. There’s also a traditional Sunday Mass at 11am.
The fireworks go off every Festa evening around 10pm, and they’re a blast! (No pun intended. Okay, fine, pun intended.)
Admission tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door; Children 12 and under are admitted free all three days when accompanied by an adult. Festa Italiana is a cashless festival – no cash will be accepted at the box office, ticket windows, or on the grounds.
You can find the grounds under (literally, under) I-794 along Milwaukee’s lakefront. U.S. 18 ends right by the North Gate, and swinging nearby are I-43, I-94, and Highways 32, 38, 57, 59, and 145.
Festa Italiana Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-223-2808 Website
Start:
July 10, 2026 5:00 pm
End:
July 12, 2026 9:00 pm
Venue:
Henry Maier Festival Park
Phone:
414-223-2808
Address:
200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Get Your Deutsch On! Celebrating over 45 years, German Fest returns to Milwaukee’s lakefront the weekend of July 24th-26th. Plenty of great German food and live music, bier (of course) and a lot of fun events. The 19th annual Dachshund Derby runs – literally – at 1pm Saturday.
Dachshunds get competitive in their races.
Check out United for Kids, where you can visit with The MACC Fund, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin and Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th inside of the Sports Area. They’ll have games, prizes, information and fun for the whole family! A portion of Sunday’s ticket sales will benefit these four charities.
You can also check out Carousel Organ Association of America’s providing some of the “happy” instrumentation as you dance to music. Children can participate in the Fairy Tale Parade Sunday at 3:30pm and Dance Showcase at 4pm on the Sprecher Oktoberfest Stage. Fireworks will fill the sky Friday and Saturday night starting around 10:30pm.
TICKETS for German Fest are only $3 Friday! General Admission Saturday & Sunday run tickets run $12 in advance and $15 at the gate; children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Find out more admission specials here.
German Fest takes place on the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee – also known as Henry Maier Festival Park. The grounds are in close proximity to U.S. 18, I-43/94, and Highways 32, 38, 57, 59, 145, and 190.
Prosit!
Milwaukee German Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Grounds
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 464-9444 Website
Start:
July 24, 2026 3:00 pm
End:
July 26, 2026 11:00 pm
Venue:
Henry Maier Festival Park
Phone:
414-464-9444
Address:
200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Ethnic
May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Syttende Mai Festival, Stoughton
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912
Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
June 12, 2026 – June 14, 2026
Polish Fest
Polish Fest is the largest Polish cultural festival in America, and it’s right on Milwaukee’s lakefront! Authentic dancing, food, music, family activities, and plenty of other entertainment (accordions may be involved.)
Some of that extra entertainment includes vodka tastings, the annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition, folk arts and crafts, and plenty of children’s activities.
Polish Fest runs Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th from noon until 11pm; Sunday the 14th from noon to 7pm. A Sunday Mass will also take place at 10am, with free admission. Gates open at 9:30am Sunday for the Mass.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $12 at the Summerfest Gate. Military personnel, both active and retired, are admitted FREE with military ID.
Check out these event highlights:
Sukiennice Marketplace
Filled by over forty different vendors, our Sukiennice Marketplace gives you a chance to buy Polish items, from traditional Polish toys for children to a new piece of pottery. The Sukiennice Marketplace is also your source for massage & acupuncture, home improvement, and genealogy research. Find everything from relaxation to the knowledge of your Polish roots.
Cultural Village
2026 Cultural Village Exhibits will feature folk artists demonstrating traditional Polish crafts, including wycinanki (paper cutting), pisanki (decorated eggs), wianki (floral head wreaths) and more. Polanki’s sales tent featuring handmade Polish pottery (Boleslawiec), Christmas ornaments, recipe books and other folk art are both located in the Cultural Village. The Polish Genealogical Society and the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will again be at Polish Fest in a new location, east of the demonstrator tent.
There’s also the Polish Forum, click here for a schedule of speakers.
Cooking demonstrations will abound, too: check out this schedule of events.
Polish Fest Entertainment Schedule:
Friday, June 12th
Miller Stage
12:00 Copper Box
2:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
6:00 Opening Ceremony
7:30 The First Wave
Non-Stop Polka Stage
12:00 The Mix
3:00 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
3:40 I.P.A. Tribute Band
4:20 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
5:00 I.P.A. Tribute Band
5:40 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
6:20 I.P.A. Tribute Band
7:00 John Gora & Gorale
7:40 Polka Country Musicians
8:20 John Gora & Gorale
9:00 Polka Country Musicians
9:40 John Gora & Gorale
10:20 Polka Country Musicians
Cultural Stage
12:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
1:00 The Britins
2:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
3:00 The Britins
4:30 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
6:00 Cappuchin Walk
7:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
8:00 Stetsin & Lace
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Saturday, June 13th
Miller Stage
12:00 John Gora & Gorale
1:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
2:30 John Gora & Gorale
3:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
5:00 Larry Lynne LTD Show
8:00 Almighty Vinyl
Non-Stop Polka Stage
12:00 Polka Generations
3:00 The Natural Talent
3:40 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
4:20 The Natural Talent
5:00 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
5:40 The Natural Talent
6:20 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
7:00 Polka Family
7:40 Polka Country Musicians
8:20 Polka Family
9:00 Polka Country Musicians
9:40 Polka Family
10:20 Polka Country Musicians
Cultural Stage
12:00 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
12:30 Whispers Center of Artistic Expression
1:30 Wawel Folk Ensemble
2:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
3:00 Wesoły Lud Folk Dance Company of the PRCUA
4:00 Polish Folk Dance Group Lajkonik Chicago
6:00 PFDAA Polish Folk Dance Gala
8:00 Silver Effect
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Sunday – June 14th
Miller Stage
12:00 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
1:30 John Gora & Gorale
2:30 Mollie B with Ted Lange & SqueezeBox
3:30 John Gora & Gorale
5:00 WhiskeyBelles
Non-Stop Polka Stage
12:00 Polka Family
12:40 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
1:20 Polka Family
2:00 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
2:40 Polka Family
3:20 Frankie Liszka & Blue Magic
4:00 DynaBrass
Cultural Stage
10:00 Mass
1:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Łowicz Dance Ensemble of Edmonton
3:00 Marcus Band
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Get more info and complete schedules at PolishFest.org!
Polish Fest Milwaukee Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
June 20, 2026
Fyr Ball Festival
Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as the Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced feer-ball) re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Artists, food, dancing, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer.
Featured activities include a boat regatta, a trolley and historic walking tours through the village, and a chance to explore numerous historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, the popular spot along Highway 42 in Ephraim, has their annual Fyr Ball Firecracker Frenzy Ice Cream Eating Competition, too!
The signature Fyr Bal event is an evening bonfire, which represents the burning of the ‘Winter Witch’ to usher in the long days – and beautiful nights – of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Stay and enjoy the Scandinavian atmosphere and hospitality.
Ephraim is right along Highway 42 on the Green Bay side of the Door County Peninsula, between Fish Creek and Sister Bay on the eastern edge of Eagle Harbor and the gorgeous Peninsula State Park. It’s a beautiful town and this event is literally a blast! The rest of the details can be found here on the Fyr Ball web page.
Fyr Ball Festival Address:
Eagle Harbor (Highway 42)
Ephraim, WI 54211
(920) 854-4989
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 9, 2026 – July 12, 2026
Bastille Days
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2026, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 9th through Sunday, July 12th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 9- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 10- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 11- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 12- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 10, 2026 – July 12, 2026
Festa Italiana
Check out Flag-Throwers of the Florentine, direct from Italy. For music, check out great acts across six stages, including the Children’s Stage. Headliners include Anthony Crivello, George Busateri’s Spider George and the Web, Louis Vanaria, The Sicilian Tenors featuring Aaron Caruso, Sam Vitale, and Vincent Riccardi, Agne, Tre Bella, Cory Pesaturo, Graziana Maria Lazzaro, and FLEMT – straight from Italy. Longtime favorite Rick D’Amore makes his return, too!
Magic tricks, food demonstrations, comedians Vince Carone and Carmen Vallone, singers from the Florentine Opera, and more are all performing each day. The UW Marching Band will perform on Sunday, and the Children’s Stage will have all kinds of entertainment throughout the day.
You can also enjoy a romantic gondola ride on the cove, play bocce ball, watch the Copa Festa Italiana Futsal tournament, or compete in Italian Idol. Classic Italian fare and wine tastings, Kids Pizza Making Contest and annual Cannoli Eating Contest. There’s also a traditional Sunday Mass at 11am.
The fireworks go off every Festa evening around 10pm, and they’re a blast! (No pun intended. Okay, fine, pun intended.)
Admission tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door; Children 12 and under are admitted free all three days when accompanied by an adult. Festa Italiana is a cashless festival – no cash will be accepted at the box office, ticket windows, or on the grounds.
You can find the grounds under (literally, under) I-794 along Milwaukee’s lakefront. U.S. 18 ends right by the North Gate, and swinging nearby are I-43, I-94, and Highways 32, 38, 57, 59, and 145.
Festa Italiana Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-223-2808
Website
July 24, 2026 – July 26, 2026
German Fest
Check out United for Kids, where you can visit with The MACC Fund, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin and Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th inside of the Sports Area. They’ll have games, prizes, information and fun for the whole family! A portion of Sunday’s ticket sales will benefit these four charities.
You can also check out Carousel Organ Association of America’s providing some of the “happy” instrumentation as you dance to music. Children can participate in the Fairy Tale Parade Sunday at 3:30pm and Dance Showcase at 4pm on the Sprecher Oktoberfest Stage. Fireworks will fill the sky Friday and Saturday night starting around 10:30pm.
TICKETS for German Fest are only $3 Friday! General Admission Saturday & Sunday run tickets run $12 in advance and $15 at the gate; children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Find out more admission specials here.
German Fest takes place on the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee – also known as Henry Maier Festival Park. The grounds are in close proximity to U.S. 18, I-43/94, and Highways 32, 38, 57, 59, 145, and 190.
Prosit!
Milwaukee German Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Grounds
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 464-9444
Website