Lake Geneva celebrates winter like no other place. Winterfest is a brouhaha of shopping, dining, music, magic, refreshments, and activities including thrilling helicopter rides over the town and lake. It’s capped off, of course, by the amazing designs and creativity of the newly-christened America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational, formerly the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition. Fifteen teams of the most talented snow sculptors and artists from around the country gather to compete for a national title. The entire competition is open to the public, so Winterfest attendees can actually watch the artists at work!
Be here to witness these teams at work during an epic 72-hour competition where their artistry is put to the test in creating remarkable, larger-than-life snow sculptures.
In addition to the snow sculpting competition, you’ll find more wintery fun during Winterfest week, including the 4th annual Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, Bonfires on the Beach, Fire & Ice Bar, a Cocoa Crawl and many more events, activities and specials around Lake Geneva and the surrounding area. It runs Wednesday through Sunday, January 29th through February 2nd, as part of Winterfest. The walk is just steps away from the snow sculpting competition, with dozens of artfully crafted ice sculptures adorning the front faces of shops, restaurants, and other businesses throughout the Downtown district. Ice sculptures will be installed Friday morning, January 31st and remain on display as long as the cold weather permits!
2025 ICE SCULPTURE LOCATIONS
Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar | 835 Wrigley Drive
Bloomingbyrds | 755 W. Main Street
Brick & Mortar Home | 832 Geneva Street
Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor | 222 Center Street
Clearwater Outdoor Sports | 744 W. Main Street
Cornerstone Shop & Gallery | 214 Broad Street
Egg Harbor Café | 827 W Main Street
Evr drygds | 719 W. Main Street
Fancy Fair Mall | 830 W Main Street
Geneva Gifts | 150 Broad Street
Haberdapper | 253 Broad Street
Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva | 300 Wrigley Drive
Interstate Insurance Group | 811 Wrigley Drive (Popeye’s)
Kilwins | 772 Main Street
Lake Geneva Lifestyle/Donna Brongiel | 703 Main Street
Lake Geneva Motel | 201 Wrigley Drive (Visitor Info Center)
Lake Geneva Spice Company | 255 Broad Street
Marigold | 725 W Main Street
Overland Sheepskin Co. | 752 W. Main Street
Queen Bee Artisan Market | 830 W. Main Street
Sopra Bistro | 724 Main Street
The Bottle Shop | 617 W. Main Street
The Candle Mercantile | 870 W. Main Street
The Olive Oil Shops | 221 Broad Street
Thumbs Up | 260 Broad Street
Winterfest activities focus on downtown Lake Geneva, which lies right along Highway 50. U.S. 12 and Highway 120 are close to the east and Highway 67 is a few miles to the west near Delavan. It’s easy to get to – and a total blast!
A horse-drawn carriage ride through Lake Geneva is perfect on a winter day.
Lake Geneva Winterfest & America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva/Riviera Park
201 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4416 Website
Lake Superior Ice Festival is a community-driven festival celebrating the coolest aspects of Superior, Douglas County, and the whole northwestern Wisconsin region. Events include fireworks, ice sculptures, bonfires, family activities, snow slide, snow shoe and fat tire bike demos, Kubb (which you can learn to play), 9-hole Disc Golf, ice racing, and more.
For 2025, the Lake Superior Ice Festival will feature 24 ice sculptures around Superior at various businesses and city landmarks, each resting on a blue base with an accompanying trivia question. Starting Friday, January 24th at 5:00 pm you can go on their website to answer the trivia questions and be entered for a chance to win one of two $250 in Superior Business Improvement District BID Bucks.
Events you can enjoy include:
Friday & Saturday, all day: Orb 365: A Community Collaborative. Ice orbs that will be arranged in the shape of Lake Superior are the heart of this community art project that also encourages good stewardship of the area’s water resources.
Snow Creations at theRichard I. Bong Veterans Historical CenterandFairlawn Mansion. Kids (and adults, too) can craft their own snow creations on the grounds of the Bong Veterans Historical Center (305 Harborview Parkway) or the Fairlawn Mansion (906 E. 2nd Street/U.S. 2/53) and even get spray bottles filled with approved color dye to make their snowy creations brilliant! This is available at the Bong Center from 9am – 5pm Friday or Saturday and at the Fairlawn Mansion on Friday or Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Both venues will also offer half-price tours during this time.
Learn to Play Kubb. The sport of Kubb (pronounced “kooob”) is an old lawn game somewhat like bowling and horseshoes. The object is to knock over wooden blocks (the “kubbs”) with wooden batons you throw at them. Legend has it the Vikings (the ancient explorers, not the Minnesota football team) used to play the game using the skulls and bones of fallen enemies. Today, that’s frowned upon. You can learn how to play and/or watch the tournament!
Disc Golf. On Saturday from 10am to 4pm, the free 9-hole disc golf course will be open for you to play disc golf, see demonstrations, and even get instructions from local pros. It’s presented by the Lake Superior Disc Golf Community.
Midwest Ice Racing Association Races will feature Motorcycles and Quads racing on the ice next to the S.S. Meteor. The action happens Saturday, with gates opening at 7am, practices at 8:30, and racing from 10am – 3:30pm.
Fat Tire Bike Demos will take place Saturday from 10am to 2pm at Barkers Island. You can try out a bike, learn about programs from the College of St. Scholastica’s Outdoor PURSUIT! and Zeitgeist, and help them kick off their Winter Bike Week festivities, which runs through February 5th.
Bonfire Pits at Festival Park from 10am – 5pm Saturday.
The Passport Scavenger Hunt takes place Saturday from 10am to 4pm, where you can win prizes by picking up a passport, participating in activities, and checking them off in the passport.
The Superior Snow Slide offers a place to sled down on a large constructed hill designed specifically for sledding. It’s available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but only staffed with sled rentals available on Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Hay Bale Shuttle on the Island is a free service that will pick you up and drop you off at any of the four stops around the Island: parking area/sledding hill, Festival Park, beach area access and Barker’s Island Inn. Shuttles will be available from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday.
The Lake Superior Ice Festival Canine King & Queen Contest happens Saturday, presented by the Humane Society of Douglas County. All entries will have been done by the weekend, but you can watch the competition and crowning ceremony, which happens at noon!
Ice Carving in Action happens several times on Saturday, with the creations of these artists from Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures from Appleton crafting amazing sculptures before your eyes! They’ll stay up around town for as long as Mother Nature will let them.
Saturday, January 25th, Noon to 4pm: Lake Superior Ice Racing Association Stock Car Races. Full-size stock cars will race on Allouez Bay, with rear-wheel and front-wheel cars and small pickup trucks in a series of races starting at noon on Saturday.
The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights is back for its 23rd year! Once again this lively event is taking place at the EAA Grounds at Wittman Regional Airport, where the EAA AirVenture takes place. That puts it along I-41 between the Highway 26 & 44/91 interchanges for easy access – and it’s just as much fun! This year, it runs from Friday, November 29th through Tuesday, December 31st every evening from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
Peruse a beautiful stretch of illuminated holiday wonder. A 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes, twinkling animated light displays and accompanying holiday music makes this part of Oshkosh magical during the holidays.
Along with walking or driving through , you can enjoy a horse-pulled wagon ride through the grounds on select nights! You can book and pay for a carriage at 920-303-9200; they reserve rides in half-hour increments from 6pm to 8:30pm on the Monday and Wednesday evenings of December 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, and 18th. Reservations are required. Horse-pulled wagon rides hold up to 16 people and run $15 for adults, $10 for kids 4-18, kids under 4 are free provided they sit on a lap. The ticket also includes the drive through the park.
Santa will also be in his Workshop November 29th through December 23rd from 5:30 – 8:30 pm – Christmas Eve he’ll be out with his reindeer delivering presents, of course!
General Admission per carload is $20.00 with $5.00 off with a donation of a sealed hygiene item or non-perishable in-date food item. Food pantries across the area – scheduled by United Way – benefit from Celebration of Lights, so you’re helping for the holidays, too! You can also enter the Beck’s Meats $50 gift card weekly drawing.
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights is open every day, 5:30pm – 9:00pm. I-41, U.S. 45, and Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, and 91 all bring you to Oshkosh!
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights Address:
EAA Grounds
1858 Neunteufel Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 303-9200 Website
The Lincoln Park Zoo is a terrific free zoo in the “Coolest Coast” city of Manitowoc. Every holiday season, Lights In Lincoln Park dazzles with a “twinkly bright drive-thru wonder” from November 29th through December 7th on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and then resuming for EVERY evening from December 12th through the 29th, 2024.
Along with beautiful lights on trees, trellises and more, enjoy over 70 wild animal light displays, many with animated characters. Among them is animated elephant, a wood duck, a standing polar bear, an animated wolf, and whispering pine tree… just to give you an idea of what you’ll get to enjoy. This is the 12th annual Lights in Lincoln Park and they manage to add new features every year.
Admission is $5 donation per car and proceeds go to benefit zoo educational programs and enhancements to the Lincoln Park Zoo. You can enter from Waldo/Lincoln Boulevard, right where U.S. 10 and Highway 42 meet. It’s just north of downtown Manitowoc, about five minutes east of I-43, following the U.S. 10 (Waldo Blvd.) exit. It’s just west of Highway 42/Memorial Drive, which is a beautiful drive along the shores of Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Two Rivers.
Lights In Lincoln Park Hours:
November 29th – December 7th: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- Thursday, Friday and Saturday
December 12th – December 29th: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- Every Night You can visit Santa on Cabin 1 on Friday nights: November 29th and December 6th, 13th, and 20th.
Lights in Lincoln Park Family Night Fun Walks are Tuesday, November 26th, Wednesday, December 4th, and Monday, December 30th, 2024 from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm, featuring a fun walk through the Lincoln Park Lights. It’s a great way for the whole family to enjoy the lights and get some steps in! Admission for the Family Night Fun Walk is $5/person or $10/family.
Lights In Lincoln Park Address:
Lincoln Park Zoo
900 Quay Street (just off Highway 42, blocks from U.S. 10)
Manitowoc, WI 54220 Website
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour is a HUGE show that claims over 16 MILLION LIGHTS – so it’s probably visible from space. It runs November 29th, 2024 – January 1st, 2025. Sam’s, located right along the Apple River in Somerset, features a 1/2-mile walk-through light tour, plenty of woods with trees adorned with holiday lights, a 500-foot light tunnel, a 50-foot animated tree, and fun for all ages across 40+ acres of holiday beauty. Sam’s also features a European-style Christmas market with plenty of ideas for holiday gifts, treats, and a lot more.
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour is open seven days a week. On select Mondays and Tuesdays, it’s Drive-Thru only; Wednesdays through Sundays, it’s a walk-through. Hours are 5 pm – 9 pm Sundays through Thursdays, 5 pm – 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets range from $15 for adults for the drive-thru $22 for the walk-thru. Kids ages 4-10 are $19; it’s free for kids 3 and younger. Military IDs get your 50% off admission as well. Parking is $10 cash on walk-through nights. You can also buy multi-day passes and there are special evening promotions on occasion, get more details here.
For even more adventure, Sam’s offers S’more Cabins, which you can book starting at $129 and enjoy the heated cabin, a S’more kit for up to 8 people, a campfire starter kit, firewood, and even a special visit from Santa. They have 21 cabins to choose from, and you can book them on drive-thru nights.
You’ll find Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour just off Highways 35 and 64 in Somerset, Wisconsin, along the Apple River in St. Croix County.
The Janesville Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens is an annual holiday highlight in Janesville, the “City of Parks.” Follow the illuminated garden pathways on an evening stroll through the 20-acre botanical gardens, where the wintry garden paths are brought to life with more than 1.6 MILLION lights, themed light displays and animations, beautifully decorated trees, dangling icicle lights hung from the tallest trees in the Garden and more. Santa makes periodic stops (get the dates HERE), and they have other events like Silly Scarf Night, Holiday Sweater Night, and more.
Back by popular demand are the Selfie Stops & Photo Opps, with fun props and amazing backdrops that offer holiday photo opportunities both indoors and out. Step inside to enjoy a warm beverage as you watch the 200′ electric model train display, hand-sewn quilts, festive local musicians and holiday shopping.
The Holiday Light Show is open from 4:30pm – 9:00pm on the following long weekends:
November 29-December 1, 2024
December 5-8, 2024
December 12-23, 2024
December 26-30, 2024
January 2-4, 2025
Admission is $15 for people age 13 and up, $5 for kids ages 3 to 12, and kids 2 and under are free. You can also purchase the Holiday Lights & Summer Sights Ticket Option, which is $20 for people 13 and up but also provides you a return ticket for use at Rotary Botanical Gardens anytime from April 1 – October 31 in 2025.
It’s recommended this year that you purchase tickets in advance, although you can buy tickets in person at the Gardens between 10am and 3pm Mondays through Saturday. Tickets must be purchased for a specific evening so they can keep proper attendance levels and allow for proper crowd flow.
On-site parking will be available, but you can also take advantage of their FREE shuttle service, beginning at 4:15pm each day of the show. The shuttle picks up visitors at Dawson Field and drops them off at Rotary Botanical Gardens. The shuttle will run throughout the duration of the Holiday Light Show. Dawson Field is located minutes from Rotary Botanical Gardens, at 920 Beloit Ave, Janesville, Wisconsin, 53546.
The Janesville Rotary Gardens are (obviously) in Janesville, where Highways 11, 14, 26, and U.S. 51 all come together, as well as I-39/90.
Janesville Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens Address:
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
(608) 752-3885 Website
Craft beer and bacon lovers, this is for you! Racine Downtown hosts its 5th annual Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 1pm-6pm. Stroll the sidewalks downtown and sample delicious brews paired with bacon-infused bites at twenty downtown locations. Mark your calendars and set your alarms because tickets are expected to sell out fast!
Tickets are $40 and include:
– Admission to event
– 20 3 oz. samples of beer
– 20 bacon-infused bites
– 16oz pint glass
– One 16 oz full-pour of your choice
Who wouldn’t want to pair mouthwatering bacon-infused bites with craft beer?
Some of the bacon-infused bites to be sampled include:
Bacon Mac N Cheese
Bacon-Wrapped Cocktail Weenies in ‘Secrect Stadium Sauce’
Bruschetta With Bacon
Smashers Pork Patties
Bacon Chicken Bombs
Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini
Bacon Crack
Porchetta Bacon
Bacon Cheese Bites
Bacon Potato Skins
Cheesy Bacon Flatbread
Bacon Cheddar Corn bread
Bacon BBQ Meatballs
Candied Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon & Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms
—just a sneak peek of the scrumptious lineup.
Some of the beers to be sampled:
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Lein Creamy Dark
Bells Eclipse Oberon
Bells Double Cream Stout
Great Lake Christmas Ale
Papa Jacks
New Belg Fruit Force
Whole Hog Oatmeal Pie
Heineken Silver
Alaskan Amber
Hacker-Pschorr Oktobfest 4
Hofbrau Octfest
Lake Louie Badger Club
Alaskan Grizz Coffee
Point Limited Cookies
Hungry yet? Thirsty yet? It all happens Saturday afternoon, November 2nd. You can buy them online or get your tickets by calling 262-634-6002.
It’s easy to get to downtown Racine, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Just head east from I-41/94 via Highway 20 (Exit #333), County K (Exit #329), or Highway 11 (Exit #335) approximately 8 miles; or Highway 38 can bring you in from Milwaukee, and Highway 32 brings you to downtown Racine north from Kenosha and Illinois or south from Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s south suburbs. Lots of options, and lots to do and see once you get there!
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk Address:
425 Main Street (Highway 20, between Highways 32 & 38)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-6002 Website
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a weeklong celebration of science all across the state, with major events in Madison, Wausau, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, and more!
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration with activities for people throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more. The Wisconsin Science Festival welcomes all disciplines utilizing science, technology, or art to explore and nurture curiosity. Each year, we spotlight a specific topic to emphasize its significance and value to the state and its people.
The official festival feature this year is AGRICULTURE! In 2024, the focus aims to showcase its profound impact on our world. Their mission is to illustrate the interconnectedness of agriculture within our state’s economy, society, well-being, and the overall future of humanity through the lens of science, art, and technology.
Wisconsin Science Festival features:
Explore the Fab Lab by taking a Fab Lab Tour Thursday or Friday in Madison.
Learn about the Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee at the Grohmann Museum in downtown Milwaukee (did you even KNOW the typewriter was invented in Milwaukee??) from the QWERTY keyboard to thermostats to motorcycles to outboard motors, Milwaukee’s inventive history with machines is nothing short of amazing. Check out exhibits Thursday-Sunday!
Meet a Wisconsin wooly mammoth, find out how to survive the Ice Age, touch real dinosaur bones and more at the Colossal Fossils Downtown Museum in Wausau Thursday-Saturday!
There are more than just events happening that are tied to the Wisconsin Science Festival! Check out their websitefor full schedules and details. It’s definitely a fun learning experience in locales across Wisconsin – road trip to a bunch of them!
Twice a year, the Door County Lighthouse Festival gives you a closer look at the beautiful lighthouses that mark the shores of the Door Peninsula. The spring edition this year is the weekend of June 7th – 9th; the fall will be October 4th-6th.
These fundraising Festival weekends include air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 neighbors to the south in Kewaunee and Brown Counties. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Sister Bay, Gills Rock and Baileys Harbor. A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket helps fund the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
These are the Participating Locations, with their open hours during Spring and Fall Lighthouse Festivals. *Please note: If you are planning a self-guided experience, there may be an admission fee or requested donation.
*Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay: 9am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
*Death’s Door Maritime Museum, Gills Rock: 10am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
*Cana Island Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor: 10am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Sturgeon Bay: 10am-4pm, Saturday/Sunday (S/F)
Warrens is “Wisconsin’s Cranberry Capital,” so it’s only fitting they host the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival! Held annually since 1973 (with, of course, the exception of 2020), the Warrens Cranberry Festival welcomes over 110,000 visitors each year from places all over the world. Seriously, when we went we met people from Australia and other countries throughout Europe and South America!
Taking place the last full weekend of every September, activities a’plenty abound. Enjoy a guided bus tours of cranberry marshes (brilliant red colors mean you should have your camera ready!) and bogs that show you the harvesting of these tasty, nutritious, UTI-fighting berries.
In town – and the festival truly takes over the whole town – enjoy block after block of vendors, food stands, and beverage stops. Over 1,300 booths of arts & crafts, antique & flea markets, and farm market items can be explored and enjoyed. Plenty of fall produce is available with of course plenty of cranberry-based items including Cranberry Cream Puffs, barbecue sauces with cranberry, cranberry-inspired hot sauces, and more. On Sunday, September 24th at noon the largest band parade in Wisconsin will be featured.
Warrens Cranberry Festival includes contests such as “Crazy for Cranfest”, where guests can win special prizes for crazy or creative costumes. They also have prizes for the Biggest Berry Contest, a Button Design Contest, a Cranberry Chiffon Pie-Eating Contest, a Flower Contest, Marsh Medallion Hunt, a Photography Contest, Quilt & Needlework Contest, Scarecrow Contest, and more.
Getting to Warrens Cranberry Festival (aka Cranfest):
Warrens is a small, pleasant town north of Tomah in Monroe County. To access Warrens, follow I-94 to Exit 135 (County EW) by the Three Bears Resort. U.S. 12, which runs basically parallel to I-94 in this area, also comes close to Warrens. Highways 21 and 173 are just a few miles away, closer to Tomah but they still bring you close. Follow County O or EW into town – there will be plenty of signs!
Get the latest updates from their website, CranFest.com!
Harvest Fair at Wisconsin State Fair Park features tons of fall-focused events, activities, live entertainment, competitions, scarecrow making and the much anticipated Pumpkin Bowling. It runs September 27-29, 2024 and has FREE admission.
Over 30 vendors will be there, selling everything from tasty food to cool crafts. Since it’s fall, imbibe in a pumpkin spice cream puff; enjoy pies from the Elegant Farmer; grab a cup of Kozie’s Harvest Stew; explore a multitude of Wisconsin cheeses; and The Micro will be offering over 60 varieties of craft beers. Prefer wine? No problem, Wineberry will be serving up red wines, white wines, even wine slushies.
Check out the Antique Tractors Display, the Backyard Circus, Camel and Pony Rides, a Farmers’ Market, Free Live Music, Giant Cookie Decorating, Hay Rides, a Kiddie Tractor Maze, “Make Your Own Caramel Apple” fun (they provide a lot of toppings), even a chance for kids to slide down the “World’s Largest Piggy Bank.” Free, lively entertainment is rocking stages all weekend long, including performances by the 5 Card Studs, Too Hype Crew, Rhythm Kings, The Toys and more will be on the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater with nightly entertainment presented by Bud Light. Plus, multiple Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, presented by WaterStone Bank, are also on deck.
A major feature of Harvest Fair is the massive pumpkin patch, big enough to impress Linus from Peanuts (yes, we’re going old school here.)
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. I-94 and Highways 59 and 181 border the park; I-41, I-894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, and Highway 100 all get you close.
Harvest Fair / Maker Faire Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highways 181 & 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(800) 884-3247 Website
Welcome the transition from summer to fall in historic Cedarburg with the annual Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival! It happens Saturday, September 21st from 10-6 pm & Sunday, September 22nd from 10-5 pm. Both the abundance of Wisconsin’s homegrown produce and artisan food products plus the award-winning wines of Cedar Creek Winery are what initiated this free, family-oriented arts and crafts event.
The Festival Food Court offers plenty of options for a quick meal and the Farmer’s Market offers foodstuffs such as honey, syrup, cheese, sausage and jellies are available in each Marketplace located at Turner Street, Mill Street and Cleveland Street. Also, the three Marketplaces offers shopping for find unique handbags, hats, skin care products and more.
Cedarburg Wine & Festival fans can kick back and listen to live music all over town including Top Forty, Folk and Rock & Roll bands. The Gruber Law Offices Main Stage is open until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
“Art on the Avenue” also features over 250 juried artist booths presented by the Cedarburg Garden Club, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg Art Museum, and Ozaukee Art Center along Washington Avenue. Drop in at both the Cedarburg Cultural Center for the Cedarburg Artists Guild’s annual juried Fall Show and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts for special exhibits. Take a free haywagon shuttle to their location.
On Saturday from 11am-4pm, check out the third Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, with some weighing in at well over 1,000 pounds. You can also see oversize watermelons, tomatoes, and gourds – last year somebody brought a 2,145-pound pumpkin!
The annual Giant Pumpkin Charity Regatta will take place on Sunday. Previous regattas are YouTube favorites featuring gigantic, decorated, hollowed-out, floatable pumpkins, piloted by intrepid paddlers’ attempting to race across Cedar Creek to win cash for their favorite charity.
Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival also features Ashley’s Candyland for Kids with a variety of activities and entertainment geared for children including Popcorn the Clown, a bouncer, coloring tables, spin art, and Paint a Pumpkin. Pumpkin Carver extraordinaire Steve Dahlke will be turning large pumpkins into grotesque faces at the City Hall Lawn on Saturday.
Cedar Creek Settlement will feature a Courtyard Grill with specialty beers and grilled foods with live music each day. At Cedar Creek Winery, you’ll find wine by the glass or bottle, with tours available. Also at the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement, the Winery’s Grape Stomp offers stomping fun for both adults and kids each day.
For specific times and a complete list of Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival events, a map/schedule will be available at two information booths as well as at most retailers throughout town. Click here for a downloadable version. The information booths are on Washington Avenue at Bridge Road and at Mill Street.
Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival Location
Check out some great fall fun in historic Cedarburg, along Historic Highway 57 (Washington Avenue) just north of Highway 167 and south of Highway 60. Highway 181 is just to the west. It’s only about 10-12 minutes off I-43/Highway 32, and it’s a great little town!
Fromm Petfest is a free family event on Milwaukee’s lakefront (yep, the Summerfest grounds!) will host a variety of fun pet-focused attractions and activities. Check out the Bier Garden & Dog Park, the Lure Course, Agility Course, Dock Diving, Doggie Dash, nutritional seminars, grooming competitions, the pet-themed marketplace, contests, live music, food, even a Kids’ Zone. And yes, parking is free too!
By the way, the Bier Garden & Dog Park allows you to enjoy a frosty beverage at their two-level Bier Garden and you can bring your dog over for some supervised off leash play at one of two fully fenced in play areas!
You can explore Adoption Avenue, where some pretty amazing dogs and cats could find their forever homes. Visit with dozens of rescues and non-profits that work tirelessly to better the lives of dogs and cats. Many will have adoptable pets on hand for people to meet along with information on adoption.
Fromm Petfest Music Schedule:
9:30 AM – Chris Esenberg – Chris is a singer/songwriter and Wisconsin native who specializes in pop covers and original songs. Playing everything from Chris Stapleton to David Bowie, Chris plays with a signature style that has made him a local mainstay.
11:30 AM – Kaleb Woods
Hailing from Sauk County, Wisconsin, Kaleb is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter specializing in bringing a fun, upbeat vibe for all to enjoy. Having performed at numerous venues and events throughout the Midwest including The Rave, Crystal Grand Theatre, Pabst Theater, Majestic Theatre, and Summerfest, and sharing his platform with notable artists such as John King, Chris Janson, and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, it’s no surprise that Kaleb was Southeastern Wisconsin’s top streamed musician via Reverbnation, a 2022 Best of Madison finalist, and March 2022’s featured new artist for 99.9 WJVL.
1:30 PM – Mookie Terremoto
Good old fashioned rock and roll from a Riverwest trio! Who is Mookie Terremoto? Find out for yourself.
3:30 PM – Front Porch Rockers
Since 2010 the Front Porch Rockers have been performing acoustic covers of your favorite songs from the 1950s through today. You may have heard them at Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair, or various area festivals and beer gardens. The Front Porch Rockers play upbeat music for good times.
Fromm Petfest Main Stage Schedule:
11:00 – 11:45am − MPD K9 Presentation
12:00 – 12:45pm − Noodles the Wonder Dog, a mixed-breed, former shelter dog who has won trick and talents contests across North America, including Good Morning America’s National “Dog vs. Dog” contest.
1:00 – 1:45pm − EmE MaGiC
Prepare to be amazed and entertained by the interactive magic and illusion of EmE MaGiC. The Milwaukee-local magician will bring magic, mentalism and comedy to the Main Stage and will roam the grounds to oohh and aww all two and four-legged guests.
2:00 – 2:45pm − Sailor the Poodle
This amazing canine performer, under the guidance of his trainer Alex “Popeye” Rothacker, jumps rope, walks a tightrope and balances a ball while walking, to name a few of his fun tricks.
3:30 – 4:30pm − Costume Contest and Owner/Pet Look-a-like Contest with Riggs from 103.7 Kiss FM and special guest judges!
Back by popular demand, come to watch or click to enter the Fromm Petfest Pet/Owner Look-a-Like contest or the fan favorite costume contest. Grand prizes include a six-month supply of Fromm pet food and more!
Fromm Petfest Address:
The event is happening right where Summerfest takes place along Milwaukee’s lakefront near downtown and the Historic Third Ward. You can access the grounds via I-794, I-43/94, U.S. 18, and Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145.
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Fromm Petfest Website
Manitowoc celebrates Sputnik Fest due to an out-of-this-world experience on September 5, 1962 when a piece of the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV crashed to earth, just north of downtown right in the middle of 8th Street/U.S. 10/Highway 42. It was still glowing from the heat of re-entry when it landed! A brass ring in the street notes the exact spot of impact. The city celebrates Sputnik Fest to commemorate the glowing visitor’s anniversary, where you’ll see some interesting costumes and space-related activities. Basically at Sputnik Fest, science fiction rules the day – even though Sputnik itself was very real. See 5 Things about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc (and why you should go) for more on that.
Circle marks the spot where a piece of Sputnik landed. It’s the whole reason for Sputnik Fest.
The landing site of that piece of Sputnikfest – which inspired this whole thing – is right in front of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which hosts the event and holds a cast from the original piece of the spacecraft – the original was returned to the Russians – that is available for viewing all year.
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
Kites Over Lake Michigan is one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest and attracts kite fliers from all over. Check out giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams flying dual- and quad-line kites, spectacular and colorful ground displays, running of the bols, and games for kids! Learn how to fly two and quad line stunt kites from the experts.
Kites Over Lake Michigan continues at Two Rivers High School with other activities taking place along Lake Michigan nearby. It will take place Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. This includes a night fly on Saturday night, conditions permitting.
Since the High School serves as the festival grounds, Walsh Field (on 22nd Street just before the turn into Neshotah Beach) will serve as the overflow parking area. A shuttle bus service will run between Walsh Field and the high school both days from 11 am to 5 pm. Please note that the bus will be limited to 23 people per trip to allow for social distancing, more if family members living together are present. All those using the shuttle will have to be masked. Also, pets are not allowed anywhere on school property.
Good news: Free kite making for kids will continue, taking place Sunday 9/2/24 at 9.00 am.
Great News: The Fireworks Show WILL take place, and it will happen Saturday evening at 8 pm. Fireworks will be shot off behind the Coast Guard Station, allowing people to spread out over a wide area and still have optimum viewing from various places along the waterfront.
Highway 42 is the road to both Neshotah Beach and Two Rivers High School; Highway 147 brings you to Two Rivers from the north, and Highway 310 provides quick access to and from I-43. Check out this colorful fest (which we need in 2020) September 5th and 6th!
Kites Over Lake Michigan Event Address:
Two Rivers High School
4519 Lincoln Avenue (Highway 42)
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-9599 Website
It happens over Labor Day weekend every year, and it’s a lot of tasty fun! Taste of Madison features over 80 local restaurants, 20 beverage stands and three entertainment stages. The participating restaurants sell a vast variety of both unique and traditional dishes to the estimated 225,000 attendees over the two-day period – you should be one of them. Most food items are in the $2 to $5 range! Best of all, admission – which includes hours and hours of live entertainment – is free and open to the public.
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food and food trucks, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416 Website
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690 Website
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
Saturday, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Family
January 29, 2025 – February 2, 2025
Lake Geneva Winterfest & America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational
L
ake Geneva celebrates winter like no other place. Winterfest is a brouhaha of shopping, dining, music, magic, refreshments, and activities including thrilling helicopter rides over the town and lake. It’s capped off, of course, by the amazing designs and creativity of the newly-christened America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational, formerly the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition. Fifteen teams of the most talented snow sculptors and artists from around the country gather to compete for a national title. The entire competition is open to the public, so Winterfest attendees can actually watch the artists at work!
Be here to witness these teams at work during an epic 72-hour competition where their artistry is put to the test in creating remarkable, larger-than-life snow sculptures.
2025 TEAMS
• Block #1: Team Minnesota 2: House of Thune
• Block #2: Team Illinois: The Band of Misfit Boys
• Block #3: Team Florida: Flozen
• Block #4: Team Vermont 1
• Block #5: Team Wisconsin 1: Snowblind
• Block #6: Team Washington: WA Awesome
• Block #7: Team Wisconsin 3: Sculptora Borealis
• Block #8: Team Vermont 2: The Pour Saps
• Block #9: Team Colorado: The Enchanted Forest
• Block #10: Team Minnesota 1: The KWE
• Block #11: Team New Hampshire: Granite State Snow Carvers
• Block #12: Team North Dakota: North Dakota Sculpting Team
• Block #13: Team Alaska: AK Department of Snow
• Block #14: Team Wisconsin 2: Team USA
• Block #15: Team Michigan: The Three Amigos
In addition to the snow sculpting competition, you’ll find more wintery fun during Winterfest week, including the 4th annual Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, Bonfires on the Beach, Fire & Ice Bar, a Cocoa Crawl and many more events, activities and specials around Lake Geneva and the surrounding area. It runs Wednesday through Sunday, January 29th through February 2nd, as part of Winterfest. The walk is just steps away from the snow sculpting competition, with dozens of artfully crafted ice sculptures adorning the front faces of shops, restaurants, and other businesses throughout the Downtown district. Ice sculptures will be installed Friday morning, January 31st and remain on display as long as the cold weather permits!
Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar | 835 Wrigley Drive
Bloomingbyrds | 755 W. Main Street
Brick & Mortar Home | 832 Geneva Street
Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor | 222 Center Street
Clearwater Outdoor Sports | 744 W. Main Street
Cornerstone Shop & Gallery | 214 Broad Street
Egg Harbor Café | 827 W Main Street
Evr drygds | 719 W. Main Street
Fancy Fair Mall | 830 W Main Street
Geneva Gifts | 150 Broad Street
Haberdapper | 253 Broad Street
Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva | 300 Wrigley Drive
Interstate Insurance Group | 811 Wrigley Drive (Popeye’s)
Kilwins | 772 Main Street
Lake Geneva Lifestyle/Donna Brongiel | 703 Main Street
Lake Geneva Motel | 201 Wrigley Drive (Visitor Info Center)
Lake Geneva Spice Company | 255 Broad Street
Marigold | 725 W Main Street
Overland Sheepskin Co. | 752 W. Main Street
Queen Bee Artisan Market | 830 W. Main Street
Sopra Bistro | 724 Main Street
The Bottle Shop | 617 W. Main Street
The Candle Mercantile | 870 W. Main Street
The Olive Oil Shops | 221 Broad Street
Thumbs Up | 260 Broad Street
Winterfest activities focus on downtown Lake Geneva, which lies right along Highway 50. U.S. 12 and Highway 120 are close to the east and Highway 67 is a few miles to the west near Delavan. It’s easy to get to – and a total blast!
Lake Geneva Winterfest & America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva/Riviera Park
201 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4416
Website
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January 24, 2025 – January 25, 2025
Lake Superior Ice Festival
For 2025, the Lake Superior Ice Festival will feature 24 ice sculptures around Superior at various businesses and city landmarks, each resting on a blue base with an accompanying trivia question. Starting Friday, January 24th at 5:00 pm you can go on their website to answer the trivia questions and be entered for a chance to win one of two $250 in Superior Business Improvement District BID Bucks.
Events you can enjoy include:
Friday & Saturday, all day: Orb 365: A Community Collaborative. Ice orbs that will be arranged in the shape of Lake Superior are the heart of this community art project that also encourages good stewardship of the area’s water resources.
Snow Creations at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and Fairlawn Mansion. Kids (and adults, too) can craft their own snow creations on the grounds of the Bong Veterans Historical Center (305 Harborview Parkway) or the Fairlawn Mansion (906 E. 2nd Street/U.S. 2/53) and even get spray bottles filled with approved color dye to make their snowy creations brilliant! This is available at the Bong Center from 9am – 5pm Friday or Saturday and at the Fairlawn Mansion on Friday or Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Both venues will also offer half-price tours during this time.
Learn to Play Kubb. The sport of Kubb (pronounced “kooob”) is an old lawn game somewhat like bowling and horseshoes. The object is to knock over wooden blocks (the “kubbs”) with wooden batons you throw at them. Legend has it the Vikings (the ancient explorers, not the Minnesota football team) used to play the game using the skulls and bones of fallen enemies. Today, that’s frowned upon. You can learn how to play and/or watch the tournament!
Disc Golf. On Saturday from 10am to 4pm, the free 9-hole disc golf course will be open for you to play disc golf, see demonstrations, and even get instructions from local pros. It’s presented by the Lake Superior Disc Golf Community.
Midwest Ice Ra
Fat Tire Bike Demos will take place Saturday from 10am to 2pm at Barkers Island. You can try out a bike, learn about programs from the College of St. Scholastica’s Outdoor PURSUIT! and Zeitgeist, and help them kick off their Winter Bike Week festivities, which runs through February 5th.
Bonfire Pits at Festival Park from 10am – 5pm Saturday.
The Passport Scavenger Hunt takes place Saturday from 10am to 4pm, where you can win prizes by picking up a passport, participating in activities, and checking them off in the passport.
The Superior Snow Slide offers a place to sled down on a large constructed hill designed specifically for sledding. It’s available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but only staffed with sled rentals available on Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Hay Bale Shuttle on the Island is a free service that will pick you up and drop you off at any of the four stops around the Island: parking area/sledding hill, Festival Park, beach area access and Barker’s Island Inn. Shuttles will be available from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday.
The Lake Superior Ice Festival Canine King & Queen Contest happens Saturday, presented by the Humane Society of Douglas County. All entries will have been done by the weekend, but you can watch the competition and crowning ceremony, which happens at noon!
Ice Carving in Action happens several times on Saturday, with the creations of these artists from Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures from Appleton crafting amazing sculptures before your eyes! They’ll stay up around town for as long as Mother Nature will let them.
Saturday, January 25th, Noon to 4pm: Lake Superior Ice Racing Association Stock Car Races. Full-size stock cars will race on Allouez Bay, with rear-wheel and front-wheel cars and small pickup trucks in a series of races starting at noon on Saturday.
Snowshoeing at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve is available on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, where the staff has a trail and obstacle course you can try out with your snowshoes. Timed races at 2:30!
Sterling Silver Fire Twirlers will perform Saturday from 3 to 4pm. They’re a local group performing in Superior since 1991. They’ll light the Fire & Ice Sculpture at the end of their performance!
Enjoy Fireworks Saturday at 6:15pm to celebrate the entire festival.
Lake Superior Ice Festival Sculpture Locations:
The grounds for the festival are located on the shores of Lake Superior, right off U.S. 2/53, just north of Highway 13 and east of Highway 35.
Lake Superior Ice Festival Address:
14 Marina Drive
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-7270
Website
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November 29, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights
The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights is back for its 23rd year! Once again this lively event is taking place at the EAA Grounds at Wittman Regional Airport, where the EAA AirVenture takes place. That puts it along I-41 between the Highway 26 & 44/91 interchanges for easy access – and it’s just as much fun! This year, it runs from Friday, November 29th through Tuesday, December 31st every evening from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
Peruse a beautiful stretch of illuminated holiday wonder. A 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes, twinkling animated light displays and accompanying holiday music makes this part of Oshkosh magical during the holidays.
Along with walking or driving through , you can enjoy a horse-pulled wagon ride through the grounds on select nights! You can book and pay for a carriage at 920-303-9200; they reserve rides in half-hour increments from 6pm to 8:30pm on the Monday and Wednesday evenings of December 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, and 18th. Reservations are required. Horse-pulled wagon rides hold up to 16 people and run $15 for adults, $10 for kids 4-18, kids under 4 are free provided they sit on a lap. The ticket also includes the drive through the park.
General Admission per carload is $20.00 with $5.00 off with a donation of a sealed hygiene item or non-perishable in-date food item. Food pantries across the area – scheduled by United Way – benefit from Celebration of Lights, so you’re helping for the holidays, too! You can also enter the Beck’s Meats $50 gift card weekly drawing.
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights is open every day, 5:30pm – 9:00pm. I-41, U.S. 45, and Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, and 91 all bring you to Oshkosh!
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights Address:
EAA Grounds
1858 Neunteufel Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 303-9200
Website
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November 29, 2024 – December 29, 2024
Lights in Lincoln Park, Manitowoc
The Lincoln Park Zoo is a terrific free zoo in the “Coolest Coast” city of Manitowoc. Every holiday season, Lights In Lincoln Park dazzles with a “twinkly bright drive-thru wonder” from November 29th through December 7th on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and then resuming for EVERY evening from December 12th through the 29th, 2024.
Along with beautiful lights on trees, trellises and more, enjoy over 70 wild animal light displays, many with animated characters. Among them is animated elephant, a wood duck, a standing polar bear, an animated wolf, and whispering pine tree… just to give you an idea of what you’ll get to enjoy. This is the 12th annual Lights in Lincoln Park and they manage to add new features every year.
Admission is $5 donation per car and proceeds go to benefit zoo educational programs and enhancements to the Lincoln Park Zoo. You can enter from Waldo/Lincoln Boulevard, right where U.S. 10 and Highway 42 meet. It’s just north of downtown Manitowoc, about five minutes east of I-43, following the U.S. 10 (Waldo Blvd.) exit. It’s just west of Highway 42/Memorial Drive, which is a beautiful drive along the shores of Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Two Rivers.
Lights In Lincoln Park Hours:
November 29th – December 7th: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- Thursday, Friday and Saturday
December 12th – December 29th: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- Every Night
You can visit Santa on Cabin 1 on Friday nights: November 29th and December 6th, 13th, and 20th.
Lights in Lincoln Park Family Night Fun Walks are Tuesday, November 26th, Wednesday, December 4th, and Monday, December 30th, 2024 from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm, featuring a fun walk through the Lincoln Park Lights. It’s a great way for the whole family to enjoy the lights and get some steps in! Admission for the Family Night Fun Walk is $5/person or $10/family.
Lights In Lincoln Park Address:
Lincoln Park Zoo
900 Quay Street (just off Highway 42, blocks from U.S. 10)
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour, Somerset
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour is a HUGE show that claims over 16 MILLION LIGHTS – so it’s probably visible from space. It runs November 29th, 2024 – January 1st, 2025. Sam’s, located right along the Apple River in Somerset, features a 1/2-mile walk-through light tour, plenty of woods with trees adorned with holiday lights, a 500-foot light tunnel, a 50-foot animated tree, and fun for all ages across 40+ acres of holiday beauty. Sam’s also features a European-style Christmas market with plenty of ideas for holiday gifts, treats, and a lot more.
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour is open seven days a week. On select Mondays and Tuesdays, it’s Drive-Thru only; Wednesdays through Sundays, it’s a walk-through. Hours are 5 pm – 9 pm Sundays through Thursdays, 5 pm – 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets range from $15 for adults for the drive-thru $22 for the walk-thru. Kids ages 4-10 are $19; it’s free for kids 3 and younger. Military IDs get your 50% off admission as well. Parking is $10 cash on walk-through nights. You can also buy multi-day passes and there are special evening promotions on occasion, get more details here.
For even more adventure, Sam’s offers S’more Cabins, which you can book starting at $129 and enjoy the heated cabin, a S’more kit for up to 8 people, a campfire starter kit, firewood, and even a special visit from Santa. They have 21 cabins to choose from, and you can book them on drive-thru nights.
You’ll find Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour just off Highways 35 and 64 in Somerset, Wisconsin, along the Apple River in St. Croix County.
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour Address:
710 Spring Street
Somerset, WI 54025
(715) 247-5099
Website
Instagram Page
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November 29, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Janesville Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens
The Janesville Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens is an annual holiday highlight in Janesville, the “City of Parks.” Follow the illuminated garden pathways on an evening stroll through the 20-acre botanical gardens, where the wintry garden paths are brought to life with more than 1.6 MILLION lights, themed light displays and animations, beautifully decorated trees, dangling icicle lights hung from the tallest trees in the Garden and more. Santa makes periodic stops (get the dates HERE), and they have other events like Silly Scarf Night, Holiday Sweater Night, and more.
Back by popular demand are the Selfie Stops & Photo Opps, with fun props and amazing backdrops that offer holiday photo opportunities both indoors and out. Step inside to enjoy a warm beverage as you watch the 200′ electric model train display, hand-sewn quilts, festive local musicians and holiday shopping.
The Holiday Light Show is open from 4:30pm – 9:00pm on the following long weekends:
November 29-December 1, 2024
December 5-8, 2024
December 12-23, 2024
December 26-30, 2024
January 2-4, 2025
Admission is $15 for people age 13 and up, $5 for kids ages 3 to 12, and kids 2 and under are free. You can also purchase the Holiday Lights & Summer Sights Ticket Option, which is $20 for people 13 and up but also provides you a return ticket for use at Rotary Botanical Gardens anytime from April 1 – October 31 in 2025.
It’s recommended this year that you purchase tickets in advance, although you can buy tickets in person at the Gardens between 10am and 3pm Mondays through Saturday. Tickets must be purchased for a specific evening so they can keep proper attendance levels and allow for proper crowd flow.
On-site parking will be available, but you can also take advantage of their FREE shuttle service, beginning at 4:15pm each day of the show. The shuttle picks up visitors at Dawson Field and drops them off at Rotary Botanical Gardens. The shuttle will run throughout the duration of the Holiday Light Show. Dawson Field is located minutes from Rotary Botanical Gardens, at 920 Beloit Ave, Janesville, Wisconsin, 53546.
The Janesville Rotary Gardens are (obviously) in Janesville, where Highways 11, 14, 26, and U.S. 51 all come together, as well as I-39/90.
Janesville Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens Address:
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
(608) 752-3885
Website
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November 2, 2024
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk
Craft beer and bacon lovers, this is for you! Racine Downtown hosts its 5th annual Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 1pm-6pm. Stroll the sidewalks downtown and sample delicious brews paired with bacon-infused bites at twenty downtown locations. Mark your calendars and set your alarms because tickets are expected to sell out fast!
Tickets are $40 and include:
– Admission to event
– 20 3 oz. samples of beer
– 20 bacon-infused bites
– 16oz pint glass
– One 16 oz full-pour of your choice
Who wouldn’t want to pair mouthwatering bacon-infused bites with craft beer?
Some of the bacon-infused bites to be sampled include:
—just a sneak peek of the scrumptious lineup.
Some of the beers to be sampled:
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Lein Creamy Dark
Bells Eclipse Oberon
Bells Double Cream Stout
Great Lake Christmas Ale
Papa Jacks
New Belg Fruit Force
Whole Hog Oatmeal Pie
Heineken Silver
Alaskan Amber
Hacker-Pschorr Oktobfest 4
Hofbrau Octfest
Lake Louie Badger Club
Alaskan Grizz Coffee
Point Limited Cookies
Hungry yet? Thirsty yet? It all happens Saturday afternoon, November 2nd. You can buy them online or get your tickets by calling 262-634-6002.
It’s easy to get to downtown Racine, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Just head east from I-41/94 via Highway 20 (Exit #333), County K (Exit #329), or Highway 11 (Exit #335) approximately 8 miles; or Highway 38 can bring you in from Milwaukee, and Highway 32 brings you to downtown Racine north from Kenosha and Illinois or south from Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s south suburbs. Lots of options, and lots to do and see once you get there!
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk Address:
425 Main Street (Highway 20, between Highways 32 & 38)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-6002
Website
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October 14, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Wisconsin Science Festival
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration with activities for people throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more. The Wisconsin Science Festival welcomes all disciplines utilizing science, technology, or art to explore and nurture curiosity. Each year, we spotlight a specific topic to emphasize its significance and value to the state and its people.
The official festival feature this year is AGRICULTURE! In 2024, the focus aims to showcase its profound impact on our world. Their mission is to illustrate the interconnectedness of agriculture within our state’s economy, society, well-being, and the overall future of humanity through the lens of science, art, and technology.
Wisconsin Science Festival features:
There are more than just events happening that are tied to the Wisconsin Science Festival! Check out their website for full schedules and details. It’s definitely a fun learning experience in locales across Wisconsin – road trip to a bunch of them!
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October 4, 2024 – October 6, 2024
Door County Lighthouse Festival
Twice a year, the Door County Lighthouse Festival gives you a closer look at the beautiful lighthouses that mark the shores of the Door Peninsula. The spring edition this year is the weekend of June 7th – 9th; the fall will be October 4th-6th.
These fundraising Festival weekends include air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 neighbors to the south in Kewaunee and Brown Counties. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Sister Bay, Gills Rock and Baileys Harbor. A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket helps fund the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
These are the Participating Locations, with their open hours during Spring and Fall Lighthouse Festivals. *Please note: If you are planning a self-guided experience, there may be an admission fee or requested donation.
Learn details and prices of the tours, and purchase tour tickets at: DoorCountyTickets.com
Door County Lighthouse Festival Website
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September 27, 2024 – September 29, 2024
Warrens Cranberry Festival
Warrens is “Wisconsin’s Cranberry Capital,” so it’s only fitting they host the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival! Held annually since 1973 (with, of course, the exception of 2020), the Warrens Cranberry Festival welcomes over 110,000 visitors each year from places all over the world. Seriously, when we went we met people from Australia and other countries throughout Europe and South America!
Taking place the last full weekend of every September, activities a’plenty abound. Enjoy a guided bus tours of cranberry marshes (brilliant red colors mean you should have your camera ready!) and bogs that show you the harvesting of these tasty, nutritious, UTI-fighting berries.
Warrens Cranberry Festival includes contests such as “Crazy for Cranfest”, where guests can win special prizes for crazy or creative costumes. They also have prizes for the Biggest Berry Contest, a Button Design Contest, a Cranberry Chiffon Pie-Eating Contest, a Flower Contest, Marsh Medallion Hunt, a Photography Contest, Quilt & Needlework Contest, Scarecrow Contest, and more.
Getting to Warrens Cranberry Festival (aka Cranfest):
Warrens is a small, pleasant town north of Tomah in Monroe County. To access Warrens, follow I-94 to Exit 135 (County EW) by the Three Bears Resort. U.S. 12, which runs basically parallel to I-94 in this area, also comes close to Warrens. Highways 21 and 173 are just a few miles away, closer to Tomah but they still bring you close. Follow County O or EW into town – there will be plenty of signs!
Get the latest updates from their website, CranFest.com!
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September 27, 2024 – September 29, 2024
Harvest Fair
Harvest Fair at Wisconsin State Fair Park features tons of fall-focused events, activities, live entertainment, competitions, scarecrow making and the much anticipated Pumpkin Bowling. It runs September 27-29, 2024 and has FREE admission.
Over 30 vendors will be there, selling everything from tasty food to cool crafts. Since it’s fall, imbibe in a pumpkin spice cream puff; enjoy pies from the Elegant Farmer; grab a cup of Kozie’s Harvest Stew; explore a multitude of Wisconsin cheeses; and The Micro will be offering over 60 varieties of craft beers. Prefer wine? No problem, Wineberry will be serving up red wines, white wines, even wine slushies.
Check out the Antique Tractors Display, the Backyard Circus, Camel and Pony Rides, a Farmers’ Market, Free Live Music, Giant Cookie Decorating, Hay Rides, a Kiddie Tractor Maze, “Make Your Own Caramel Apple” fun (they provide a lot of toppings), even a chance for kids to slide down the “World’s Largest Piggy Bank.” Free, lively entertainment is rocking stages all weekend long, including performances by the 5 Card Studs, Too Hype Crew, Rhythm Kings, The Toys and more will be on the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater with nightly entertainment presented by Bud Light. Plus, multiple Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, presented by WaterStone Bank, are also on deck.
A major feature of Harvest Fair is the massive pumpkin patch, big enough to impress Linus from Peanuts (yes, we’re going old school here.)
And, a lot more! Check their website for full schedules and details.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. I-94 and Highways 59 and 181 border the park; I-41, I-894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, and Highway 100 all get you close.
Harvest Fair / Maker Faire Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highways 181 & 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(800) 884-3247
Website
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September 21, 2024 – September 22, 2024
Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Fest
Welcome the transition from summer to fall in historic Cedarburg with the annual Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival! It happens Saturday, September 21st from 10-6 pm & Sunday, September 22nd from 10-5 pm. Both the abundance of Wisconsin’s homegrown produce and artisan food products plus the award-winning wines of Cedar Creek Winery are what initiated this free, family-oriented arts and crafts event.
The Festival Food Court offers plenty of options for a quick meal and the Farmer’s Market offers foodstuffs such as honey, syrup, cheese, sausage and jellies are available in each Marketplace located at Turner Street, Mill Street and Cleveland Street. Also, the three Marketplaces offers shopping for find unique handbags, hats, skin care products and more.
Cedarburg Wine & Festival fans can kick back and listen to live music all over town including Top Forty, Folk and Rock & Roll bands. The Gruber Law Offices Main Stage is open until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
On Saturday from 11am-4pm, check out the third Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, with some weighing in at well over 1,000 pounds. You can also see oversize watermelons, tomatoes, and gourds – last year somebody brought a 2,145-pound pumpkin!
The annual Giant Pumpkin Charity Regatta will take place on Sunday. Previous regattas are YouTube favorites featuring gigantic, decorated, hollowed-out, floatable pumpkins, piloted by intrepid paddlers’ attempting to race across Cedar Creek to win cash for their favorite charity.
Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival also features Ashley’s Candyland for Kids with a variety of activities and entertainment geared for children including Popcorn the Clown, a bouncer, coloring tables, spin art, and Paint a Pumpkin. Pumpkin Carver extraordinaire Steve Dahlke will be turning large pumpkins into grotesque faces at the City Hall Lawn on Saturday.
Cedar Creek Settlement will feature a Courtyard Grill with specialty beers and grilled foods with live music each day. At Cedar Creek Winery, you’ll find wine by the glass or bottle, with tours available. Also at the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement, the Winery’s Grape Stomp offers stomping fun for both adults and kids each day.
For specific times and a complete list of Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival events, a map/schedule will be available at two information booths as well as at most retailers throughout town. Click here for a downloadable version. The information booths are on Washington Avenue at Bridge Road and at Mill Street.
Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival Location
Check out some great fall fun in historic Cedarburg, along Historic Highway 57 (Washington Avenue) just north of Highway 167 and south of Highway 60. Highway 181 is just to the west. It’s only about 10-12 minutes off I-43/Highway 32, and it’s a great little town!
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Fromm Petfest
Fromm Petfest is a free family event on Milwaukee’s lakefront (yep, the Summerfest grounds!) will host a variety of fun pet-focused attractions and activities. Check out the Bier Garden & Dog Park, the Lure Course, Agility Course, Dock Diving, Doggie Dash, nutritional seminars, grooming competitions, the pet-themed marketplace, contests, live music, food, even a Kids’ Zone. And yes, parking is free too!
By the way, the Bier Garden & Dog Park allows you to enjoy a frosty beverage at their two-level Bier Garden and you can bring your dog over for some supervised off leash play at one of two fully fenced in play areas!
You can explore Adoption Avenue, where some pretty amazing dogs and cats could find their forever homes. Visit with dozens of rescues and non-profits that work tirelessly to better the lives of dogs and cats. Many will have adoptable pets on hand for people to meet along with information on adoption.
Fromm Petfest Music Schedule:
9:30 AM – Chris Esenberg – Chris is a singer/songwriter and Wisconsin native who specializes in pop covers and original songs. Playing everything from Chris Stapleton to David Bowie, Chris plays with a signature style that has made him a local mainstay.
11:30 AM – Kaleb Woods
Hailing from Sauk County, Wisconsin, Kaleb is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter specializing in bringing a fun, upbeat vibe for all to enjoy. Having performed at numerous venues and events throughout the Midwest including The Rave, Crystal Grand Theatre, Pabst Theater, Majestic Theatre, and Summerfest, and sharing his platform with notable artists such as John King, Chris Janson, and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, it’s no surprise that Kaleb was Southeastern Wisconsin’s top streamed musician via Reverbnation, a 2022 Best of Madison finalist, and March 2022’s featured new artist for 99.9 WJVL.
1:30 PM – Mookie Terremoto
Good old fashioned rock and roll from a Riverwest trio! Who is Mookie Terremoto? Find out for yourself.
3:30 PM – Front Porch Rockers
Since 2010 the Front Porch Rockers have been performing acoustic covers of your favorite songs from the 1950s through today. You may have heard them at Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair, or various area festivals and beer gardens. The Front Porch Rockers play upbeat music for good times.
Fromm Petfest Main Stage Schedule:
11:00 – 11:45am − MPD K9 Presentation
12:00 – 12:45pm − Noodles the Wonder Dog, a mixed-breed, former shelter dog who has won trick and talents contests across North America, including Good Morning America’s National “Dog vs. Dog” contest.
1:00 – 1:45pm − EmE MaGiC
Prepare to be amazed and entertained by the interactive magic and illusion of EmE MaGiC. The Milwaukee-local magician will bring magic, mentalism and comedy to the Main Stage and will roam the grounds to oohh and aww all two and four-legged guests.
2:00 – 2:45pm − Sailor the Poodle
This amazing canine performer, under the guidance of his trainer Alex “Popeye” Rothacker, jumps rope, walks a tightrope and balances a ball while walking, to name a few of his fun tricks.
3:30 – 4:30pm − Costume Contest and Owner/Pet Look-a-like Contest with Riggs from 103.7 Kiss FM and special guest judges!
Back by popular demand, come to watch or click to enter the Fromm Petfest Pet/Owner Look-a-Like contest or the fan favorite costume contest. Grand prizes include a six-month supply of Fromm pet food and more!
Fromm Petfest Address:
The event is happening right where Summerfest takes place along Milwaukee’s lakefront near downtown and the Historic Third Ward. You can access the grounds via I-794, I-43/94, U.S. 18, and Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145.
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Fromm Petfest Website
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September 7, 2024
Sputnik Fest
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
Get more details here.
Sputnikfest Address:
Rahr-West Art Museum
610 N. 8th Street (8th & Park, U.S. 10 & Business 42)
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Kites Over Lake Michigan
Kites Over Lake Michigan is one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest and attracts kite fliers from all over. Check out giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams flying dual- and quad-line kites, spectacular and colorful ground displays, running of the bols, and games for kids! Learn how to fly two and quad line stunt kites from the experts.
Kites Over Lake Michigan continues at Two Rivers High School with other activities taking place along Lake Michigan nearby. It will take place Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. This includes a night fly on Saturday night, conditions permitting.
Since the High School serves as the festival grounds, Walsh Field (on 22nd Street just before the turn into Neshotah Beach) will serve as the overflow parking area. A shuttle bus service will run between Walsh Field and the high school both days from 11 am to 5 pm. Please note that the bus will be limited to 23 people per trip to allow for social distancing, more if family members living together are present. All those using the shuttle will have to be masked. Also, pets are not allowed anywhere on school property.
Good news: Free kite making for kids will continue, taking place Sunday 9/2/24 at 9.00 am.
Great News: The Fireworks Show WILL take place, and it will happen Saturday evening at 8 pm. Fireworks will be shot off behind the Coast Guard Station, allowing people to spread out over a wide area and still have optimum viewing from various places along the waterfront.
Highway 42 is the road to both Neshotah Beach and Two Rivers High School; Highway 147 brings you to Two Rivers from the north, and Highway 310 provides quick access to and from I-43. Check out this colorful fest (which we need in 2020) September 5th and 6th!
Kites Over Lake Michigan Event Address:
Two Rivers High School
4519 Lincoln Avenue (Highway 42)
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-9599
Website
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Taste of Madison
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
All Star Catering
Arod’s Tex-Mex
Banzo
Bel-Air Cantina
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Bob’s BBQ Emporium
Buraka East African Cuisine
Cafe Costa Rica – Mango Man Cooks
Caracas Arepas/Caracas Empenadas
Chez Moi
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company
Common Pasta
Cooper’s Hawk
Culinarynirvana
Curd Girl
Daddy Rocks
David’s Jamaican Cuisine
DonutNV
Draper Brothers Chophouse
El Gran Taco Gato
El Sabor de Puebla
Ernie’s Kettle Korn
Famous Dave’s
Fresh Mart
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Glazed
Gyros Express
Hibachi Hut
Hong Kong Cafe
Jakarta Cafe
JDs Taste of Chicago
Just Veggiez
KC Taste Asian Cuisine
Kerol’s Kitchen
Keur Fatou Catering
Kona Ice of Madison
La Pollera Columbiana
La Taguara
Lao Laan-Xang
Les Delices de Awa
Little Orbits Mini Donuts
Little Tibet Madison
Lombardino’s Restaurant
Melting Pot
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-833-5676
Milano Ice
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-572-5543
Mirch Masala
449 State St., Madison
608-665-3667
Monona Bakery & Eatery
4544 Monona Drive, Madison
608-720-1133
Native Food Network – Mobile Farmers Market
7 N. Pickney, Suite 235, Madison
608-280-1267
Natural Juice
7 N. Pinckney, Suite 235, Madison
608-628-9280
North & South Seafood & Smokehouse
6604 Mineral Point Rd., Madison
608-829-0093
The Old Fashioned
23 N. Pinckney, Madison
608-310-4545
Pagoda Smoothie Food Cart
People’s Bakery
2810 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-245-0404
The Post
24 S. Carroll St., Madison
608-327-1101
Poke Poke
600 Williamson St., Madison
608-665-3306
RibMasters WI
Food Truck, Madison
608-669-0955
The Rigby Pub and Grill
119 E Main St, Madison
608-442-1112
The Rodeo Wagon
Food Cart
Roll Play
The Roman Candle
1054 Williamson St., Madison
608-258-2000
Sabor Queretano
4512 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-209-0643
Savi Cafe & Catering
215 S. Hamilton, Madison
608-283-4903
Schultz’s Sugar River Kettle Corn
N9560 Hwy. 92, Belleville
608-217-9137
Smokin’ Cantina
Madison Food Cart
608-438-9643
Smokin’ Dragons
Soho Gourmet Cuisines
2990 Cahill Main #106, Madison
608-960-4011
Steak Escape
212 East Towne Mall, Madison
608-333-1103
Surco Peruvian
515 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison
608-957-1716
Tavernakaya
27 E. Main St., Madison
608-286-1548
Teriyaki Samurai
Food Cart, Madison
608-338-5660
The Globe
309 N. Henry St., Madison
608-640-4435
TnT’s Coffee & Cafe
729 N High Point Rd, Madison
608-831-2298
Toast
728 State Street, Madison
608-692-4549
Toppers
1368 Regent St., Madison
Ugly Apple
Food Cart
608-352-8459
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August 23, 2024 – August 24, 2024
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food and food trucks, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
Get the full guide here!
You’ll find the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior just off U.S. 2/53 (2nd Street) close to Highways 13, 35, and I-535.
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Address:
Barker’s Island
300 Marina Drive
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-6169
Website
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August 23, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416
Website
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August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
West Bend GERMANFest
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690
Website
2024 West Bend GERMANfest Music Lineup
Thursday, August 22nd
Liquid Crush 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Rebel Grace 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
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August 17, 2024 – August 18, 2024
Art & Chalk Fest, West Bend
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
Live Entertainment Schedule:
Saturday, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639
Website
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