The 82nd annual Holiday Folk Fair International is “America’s Premier Cultural Festival,” exploring the customs and traditions of the world’s diverse cultures. They all come together at the Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Check out regional cuisine, enjoy lively music and dance and purchase beautifully handcrafted goods. Experience the sights sounds and tastes of the world during this 3-day event from Friday, November 21st through Sunday the 23rd!
The 2025 Folk Fair theme – “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Music” – highlights the melodies, lyrics, and instruments used to tell stories of the people within the world’s cultures. It is vital in preserving cultural identity, celebrating life’s moments, and educating others.
Check out their All Nations Theater, which features traditional music and dance from around the world. Enjoy traditional dishes at the World Cafe. Talented world musicians play at the Coffee House, where you can enjoy a beverage while listening to these different genres. Explore Heritage Lane, filled with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits. Shop the International Bazaar, where cultural artifacts are on display and on sale. And the Chef Stage features local chefs preparing traditional cuisines from around the world right before your eyes.
See their website for the full lineup on food, music, and more. Watch for additional specials, too!
You can easily get to the Expo Center at State Fair Park (the Zoo Interchange construction is getting closer to done!) via I-94 and Highways 59 and 181, with U.S. 18/Bluemound Road, Highway 100, and I-41/U.S. 45 close by. To reach State Fair Park from I-94 eastbound – the 84th Street/Highway 181 exit is now right in the midst of the newly reconstructed Zoo Interchange, just follow the signs. Easy peasy.
Holiday Folk Fair Hours:
Friday, November 21st: 2pm – 9pm
Saturday, November 22nd: 10am – 9pm
Sunday, November 23rd: 10am – 6pm
Holiday Folk Fair Admission:
$13 in advance, $16 at the gate for people ages 8-61
Children 7 and under are admitted FREE
Senior Citizens (62+): $14 at the gate
Military Personnel with a Military ID card get FREE admission
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
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Ethnic
November 21, 2025 – November 23, 2025
Holiday Folk Fair International
The 82nd annual Holiday Folk Fair International is “America’s Premier Cultural Festival,” exploring the customs and traditions of the world’s diverse cultures. They all come together at the Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Check out regional cuisine, enjoy lively music and dance and purchase beautifully handcrafted goods. Experience the sights sounds and tastes of the world during this 3-day event from Friday, November 21st through Sunday the 23rd!
The 2025 Folk Fair theme – “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Music” – highlights the melodies, lyrics, and instruments used to tell stories of the people within the world’s cultures. It is vital in preserving cultural identity, celebrating life’s moments, and educating others.
See their website for the full lineup on food, music, and more. Watch for additional specials, too!
You can easily get to the Expo Center at State Fair Park (the Zoo Interchange construction is getting closer to done!) via I-94 and Highways 59 and 181, with U.S. 18/Bluemound Road, Highway 100, and I-41/U.S. 45 close by. To reach State Fair Park from I-94 eastbound – the 84th Street/Highway 181 exit is now right in the midst of the newly reconstructed Zoo Interchange, just follow the signs. Easy peasy.
Holiday Folk Fair Hours:
Friday, November 21st: 2pm – 9pm
Saturday, November 22nd: 10am – 9pm
Sunday, November 23rd: 10am – 6pm
Holiday Folk Fair Admission:
$13 in advance, $16 at the gate for people ages 8-61
Children 7 and under are admitted FREE
Senior Citizens (62+): $14 at the gate
Military Personnel with a Military ID card get FREE admission
You can buy tickets online here.
Holiday Folk Fair International Address:
8200 W. Greenfield Avenue (Highway 59 at Highway 181)
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 225-6225
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