Hudson bursts with color in the middle of winter with the balloon-filled Hot Air Affair! Enjoy not only hot air balloons, but a HUGE slew of events throughout the weekend, both indoors and out. The Hot Air Affair balloons, of course, are all outside. Twenty featured balloons will launch Saturday and Sunday morning at 8am. The 2026 theme “Sky Walkers Return to Rock”
Starting Friday at 10am and running all weekend, many of Hudson’s shops, destinations, and restaurants have special offers, promotions, and events. They include the Sippin’ with the Hotties Beverage Crawl and the Torchlight Parade starting at 7pm in downtown Hudson.
Saturday at 7:35am is the first Balloon Launch, with 20 hot air balloons rising from River Crest Elementary School on County F, south of Hudson. Across the area, you can look to the sky and see the balloons dotting the winter sky. A Pancake Breakfast precedes this at 7am at the Hudson Masonic Lodge on Locust Street in town. A Smoosh Board Competition also takes place at River Crest from 1-2:30pm with four people strapped onto two Smooshboards.
A second balloon launch happens Saturday afternoon at 3pm, also from River Crest Elementary. All day long, River Crest also hosts the Marketplace & Craft Fair, running 8am-8pm Saturday.
Back in town, the St. Croix River Dunk goes on from 1-3pm at Lakefront Park Beach; it’s the Hudson Rotary Club’s premiere winter fundraising event and… it sounds cold.
The Sunday Balloon Launch takes place at 7:35am – yes – from River Crest. All balloon inflations and flights are weather-dependent.
Geocaching fans, the Hot Air Affair has plenty of coordinates for you to uncover, with a series of new hidden geocaches.
Saturday from 11am to 4pm, the Octagon House has walking tours and both the house/museum and the carriage house will be open for tours in return for a small, suggested donation. An After the Glow Dance Party caps off Saturday evening at The Empourium on Rodeo Drive in Hudson with live music and plenty of fun.
Sunday continues with geocaching, the Pop Up Ballon Launch at 7:35am again, and continued deals and events at shops and restaurants. At 12pm, you can check out the Hot Air Balloon Fat Bike Race. It takes place at Lakefront Park in Hudson. It’s a 3K technical sprint along the St. Croix River bottoms and through the park, with “punchy hills and twisty turns.” 3pm is the Balloonist Roundtable.
Hudson is right along the gorgeous St. Croix River on the border with Minnesota, where I-94 and U.S. 12 enter the state. Highway 35 runs through the center of town. The beautiful Willow River State Park is nearby. Check out Hudson whenever you can, but if you can make it for Hot Air Affair, it’s definitely going to be a soaring good time!
The Torchlight Parade lights up the night during Hudson’s Hot Air Affair.
Hot Air Affair Address:
Downtown Hudson as well as River Crest Elementary School
535 County Road F
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4011 or (800) 657-6775 Website
Cabin fever? Sick of winter? Shake off the winter blues at the Mount Horeb Area Scandihoovian Winter Festival the first weekend in February. Stroll, shop, eat, and play throughout one of Dane County’s most unique and charming villages and the beautiful areas that surround it. Saturday is the big day, but there will be a whole weekend full of indoor/outdoor events tailored for winter enthusiasts.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival Event Schedule:
ALL DAY EVENTS Friday – Sunday The Driftless Historium‘s Downtown Troll Town Scavenger Hunt Learn More
SATURDAY EVENTS
9-5pmKids’ Craft Activity: Make Your Own Viking Helmet*, at the Mount Horeb Public Library 9am Start Scandi-Fatty Fat Tire Bike Race*, at Tyrol BasinLearn More 10am Start Snow Sculptures*, at Evangelical Lutheran Church 10-12pm Barnespill Kids’ Games*, at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center Learn More 10-4pmScandinavian Baking Demonstrations*, at the Driftless Historium Learn More 10-6pmTelsaan Tea‘s Free Tea & Coloring Learn More 10-3pm Center Ground Studio‘s Paint Your Own Gnome: Make and Take Pottery Kits Learn More 11-12pm Sugar Troll’s Activity: Sukkar’s Scandinavian Story and Craft Learn More 12-5pm Botham Vineyards’ Scandihoovian Hike & Picnic with Wine by the FireLearn More 1-3pmScandihoovian Adult Spelling Bee*, at Martinson Hall at Buck & Honey’s Learn More 3-4pm Brix Cider’s Partner Carry Learn More 4-6pmFrozen Turkey Bowling*, at Garfield Park Ice Rink Learn More 4:30-5:30pmCave of the Mounds‘ Guided Black Light Tour Learn More
SUNDAY EVENTS 9-12:30pmMount Horeb Rotary‘s SUPER BRUNCH Learn More 9-12:30pmOptimist Club‘s Silent Auction Learn More 11-4pm Telsaan Tea’s Free Tea & Coloring Learn More
Mount Horeb’s main drag (Highway 78, historic U.S. 18/151) is not only called Main Street, but also the “Trollway.” The U.S. 18/151 freeway brings you to the area, as well as Highway 92 on top of Highway 78. Activities center in this area but are held all over the area, including the nearby Blue Mounds.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival Address:
Mount Horeb & Blue Mounds Area
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
(608) 437-5914 Website
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 is a great day to Visit Kenosha because the 14th annual Snow Daze Festival in Library Park will celebrate winter with an ice carving demonstration and display of ice sculptures. More than 40 ice sculptures will decorate Library Park and sidewalks throughout downtown Kenosha.
Featuring:
Ice artists from Art Below Zero in Franksville will create a one-of-a-kind ice sculpture beginning at 2 p.m.
Midwest DJ Productions will add fun and music to the event.
Free kits for s’mores at the park beginning at 2 p.m. until supplies run out; sponsored by Zeigler Hyundai. People may use the fire pits set up near the Veterans Memorial fountain at the park to toast marshmallows for the s’mores.
Additional treats are available for purchase from vendors.
Stroll around the park to view ice sculptures sponsored by:
-Align Wellness Collective | Sculpture: Custom
-Blackhawk Community Credit Union | Sculpture: Piggy Bank
-City of Kenosha | Custom Ice Carving Demo
-Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce | Sculpture: American Flag
-Snap-on | Sculpture: Tools
-The Gratzi | Sculpture: Custom
-Visit Kenosha | Sculpture: Custom Logo
Downtown Sturgeon Bay and the Stone Harbor Resort are the epicenter for the annual Fire & Ice Festival Weekend, happening February 13-14, 2026 right along the waters of the bay in Door County. Enjoy the beauty of winter at an event So Cool, it’s Hot!
Here’s the schedule for Fire & Ice events:
Friday, February 13th
5:30pm-7pm – Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe at Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve.
Kick-off Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Fire & Ice Weekend with a candlelight ski or snowshoe at Crossroads at Big Creek. Trails that wind through Crossroads’ 125-acre Big Creek nature preserve will be lit by luminaries to provide a magical, memorable winter experience. (We will offer a candlelight hike if there’s not enough snow to ski.) Bring your own equipment or borrow ours. We have skis, poles, boots and snowshoes in all sizes from tiny tot to large adult. (First come, first serve as inventory allows.) Our volunteers will be on hand to help get you started. Staggered departures and safety protocols will be followed. Please avoid others when on the trails and step off the trails when necessary to avoid contact. This is a family-friendly event offered at no charge. Freewill donations to Crossroads are accepted and appreciated. No reservations necessary.
Saturday, February 14th
9am-2pm – Snow & Ice Carvings around downtown
Stroll around town to witness novice and professional carvers turn blocks of snow and ice into works of art beginning at 9 am. Businesses will have in-store specials as well as outdoor activities. For the second year in a row, don’t forget to create your own snow-friend during the Community Snowman Build (weather permitting) at Martin Park to build your very own snowman. Carrots, scarves, and other snowman making materials will be provided.
9:30am-5:30pm – Winter Bourbon & Wine Tasting
Madison Avenue Market. Bourbon & Wine Samples, Chili & More!
10am-4pm – Bay Shore Outfitters Ice Castles
Ice Castles, in-store specials, and more
11am -1pm – Boys & Girls Club Fire Demonstration
Bay Shore Outfitters. Learn how to build your own Bonfire with the Door County Boys & Girls Club!
6pm – ? Fire & Ice Gala
The weekend fun continues with our Virtual Fire & Ice Gala event! Your ticket and “Gala Gift” includes dinner for two (don’t worry–we sell single tickets, too!) from Scaturo’s Baking Co. & Cafe and a spectacular Fire & Ice created dessert from Stone Harbor Resort.
9pm – Winter on the Water Fireworks Show
Old Train Spur Bridge (at Sonny’s & Bridge Up Brewing Company)
Be sure to take a trolley around to see all of the sculptures!
For more information about the daytime activities, email vacation@sturgeonbay.net or call (920) 743-6246.
Sturgeon Bay is the seat of Door County, right where the peninsula is split by the waters the city is named after. Highways 42 and 57 bring you in, and there’s plenty else to see while you’re there – and of course, beauty and adventure await further up the peninsula!
Sturgeon Bay Fire & Ice Festival Address:
Downtown Sturgeon Bay & Stone Harbor Resort
107 N. 1st Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 746-0700 Website
Fond du Lac hosts the Sturgeon Spectacular and the Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Championships Friday-Sunday February 13-15, 2026 on and along the south shores of Lake Winnebago and down Main Street in the heart of Fond du Lac. The Sturgeon’s evolution dates back over 200 million years, haven’t they earned a multi-day celebration? The city at the “bottom of the lake” celebrates these famed “bottom feeders” with a top-drawer weekend of fun for all.
Whether you join the always popular Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship, the Outdoor Curling Funspiel, Snow Land family activities, or come out to see the awesome snow & ice sculptures and enjoy one of many great restaurants or shops in downtown Fond du Lac, this festival has something for everyone. And it’s easy to get to via I-41, U.S. 45, U.S. 151, or Highway 23 – they all offer quick and easy access to FDL’s vibrant Main Street downtown and Lakeside Park on the shores of Lake Winnebago!
This quirky and fun take on a winter festival features events on the ice and off the ice. Enjoy Spear the Beer Promotions at venues across town, activities indoors, outdoors and throughout the community. Highlights include a kick-off parade, live musical performances including Boogie and the Yo-yo’z, the hottest party band in Wisconsin, ice and snow carving, comedy shows and the hilarious Guys on Ice show. Whether you love outdoor hockey, kids zones, fat tire bike racing, chili crawls or warming up near a toasty bonfire, you and your family will NOT run out of things to do at this year’s Sturgeon Spectacular.
FREE EVENTS ALL WEEKEND LONG!
Sturgeon Spectacular Schedule of Events
Friday, February 13th
ALL Day Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
1:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
4:30 pm – 6:15 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Kids Kickoff @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Kick-off Celebration and Live Music @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Saturday, February 14th
All day: Biggest Sturgeon Contest presented by Fleet Farm @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
All day: Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run presented by SSM Health @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 9:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: High School Snow Sculping Competition @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Winter Fun Event – Fond du Lac Children’s Museum @ Fond du Lac Children’s Museum
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Fond du Lac Sweet Stroll @ Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Downtown Snow Land @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Hammerschlagen Competition @ Fond du Lac Cyclery
10:00 am – 8:00 pm: Spearing and Beering presented by Busch Light @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Chili Crawl presented by Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership @ Various locations in downtown Fond du Lac
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Ice Sculpting Presented by U.S. Bank @ Various Locations, Downtown Fond du Lac
11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Outdoor Winter Fun Activities @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Petting Zoo – Saturday @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sturgeon Mini Games & Activities @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: The Dragon Trainer – Dragon Training Show @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Paint Your Own Sturgeon Ornament @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: BRRRINGO!
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Guys on Ice – Saturday Matinee @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Guys on Ice – Saturday Evening @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Sunday, February 15th
All day: Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Snow Land @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Learn to Curl @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Art of the Bloody Mary! @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Petting Zoo – Sunday @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Finale with Live Music @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Sturgeon Spectacular Address:
Lakeside Park, Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, and locations throughout town
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 923-3010 Website|
Fond du Lac is easily reached via I-41, U.S. 45, U.S. 151, and Highways 23 and 175.
Ashland’s Book Across the Bay is one of the upper Midwest’s most unique winter events, open to over 4,000 skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route!
This is a FREE point-to-point race that, this year, starts in Washburn and ends in Ashland. Please plan your transportation accordingly. They strongly urge you to park your car in Washburn near the finish area at Thompson’s West End Park just off Highway 13, and catch a shuttle to Ashland before the race. Buses will run from Ashland to Washburn 1:00–5:00 pm prior to the race.
The race itself starts in waves, from competitive skiers and snowshoers to recreational, and then walkers who may prefer not to be timed. The start area is at Maslowski Beach, which is located along U.S. Highway 2 at the far west end of Ashland. The finish line is in Washburn, on the bay near Thompson’s West End Park. A heated tent will be set up there for the post-race chili feed, beer and soda, music and awards.
Three Fun Races take place on Lake Superior in front of The Blue Wave:
The Penguin Fun Race starts at 11:00AM for children under 8 years old
The Fox Fun Race starts at 11:15AM for children 8 to 10 years old. Each participant in the Penguin and Fox races will receive an award, hot chocolate and cookies
The Polar Bear Race starts at 11:30AM for children 11 to 14 years of age. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; cookie and hot chocolate
Participate, or just marvel at it. It’s a fun party and the area is beautiful this time of year – as long as you’re bundled up properly!
Also on Sunday, February 15th: Bike Across the Bay!
Bike Across the Bay at 10am, hosted by North Coast Cycling Association. The race will start from the Washburn Shore. Registration will be from 8:30-9:30am at the Harbor View Event Center, 130 Harbor View Dr, Washburn. Get more info at www.northcoastcycling.com.
U.S. 2 and Highway 13 are the main highways to and from Ashland. U.S. 63 guides you there from western Wisconsin, and local Highways 112 and 118 help you navigate the area. More things to do for this event in Ashland are available below.
Book Across the Bay Address:
Maslowski Beach Park
U.S. Highway 2 West
Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-2500 Website
The “Birkie” returns to Hayward, providing year-round, healthy, active lifestyle events for thousands of adventurous spirits of all ages and abilities. Their slogan is SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE! It all began in 1973, when 35 determined skiers gathered on the starting line for the American Birkebeiner. Little did they know…they were about to change everything. Today, the Birkie provides year-round, healthy, active lifestyle events for thousands of adventurous spirits of all ages and abilities. In 2026, it’s back for Birkie Week February 18th through the 22nd!
The official name of this main event is the Slumberland American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Event. It’s North America’s largest and most prestigious X-C ski marathon; 12,000 skiers of all ages, genders and nationalities participate in the 51K Birkebeiner, the 24K Kortelopet, Prince Haakon 13K, the children’s Barnebirkie, Junior Birkie, Elite Sprints, and Family Fun Ski.
The Barkebirkie in Hayward, where people line the streets, big-time.
Other fun events include the Barkie Birkie Skijor and Thursday’s Giant Ski Competition (six people on one pair of skis. What-what?? Find out more here.) The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race, the legendary American Birkebeiner–Title Sponsor, Slumberland Furniture–the Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars.
The Slumberland American Birkebeiner®:
Spans 50 kilometers from Cable to Hayward for Skaters, and 55K for Classic Skiers
North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon
Attracts over 10,000 Birkie/Korte skiers
Part of the Worldloppet circuit of 20 international ski marathons and part of the American Ski Marathon series of 13 races.
American Birkebeiner (the Birkie) Event Address:
10527 Main Street
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-5025 Website
U.S. 63 and Highways 27 and 77 bring you to Hayward! From U.S. 53 at Trego, follow U.S. 63 north about 25 minutes.
Battle on Bago is the Midwest’s largest ice fishing tournament and the family and fishing event of the year! The 19th annual Battle on Bago (winter version, there’s a summer one in June) takes place on Lake Winnebago February 20th-21st, 2026. There’s a Friday Fish Fry on the ice – weather permitting – with live music. Saturday’s Ice Fishing Tournament features over $275,000 in cash and prizes!
The Tournament starts Friday, February 20th at 6:00 am; scales will be open from 4pm to 8pm. On Saturday February 21st, scales will open at 9am; the tournament ends at 2:00pm. Tournament ticket sales END at 6am Friday. You must be in line by 2:00 pm at Menominee Park in Oshkosh.
Contestants will be allowed to fish Lake Winnebago and the Upper River Lakes: Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne, and Lake Butte des Morts. Ice Fishing Permitted ONLY. You can weigh 1 fish per fishing ticket of any of the following species: Walleye (minimum length 14”), panfish (perch, bluegills, crappies), or whitebass. Any other fish not listed here will not be eligible for registration. Fish may be taken with tip-ups or by rod and reel. There is no age requirement on tournament participation.
Along with fishing, check out the heated tent and enjoy a great fish fry and other food from 5-10pm, plus live music from 7:30pm-11pm Friday night. The Raffle will be held on Saturday at 5pm. FREE Admission to all non-fishing events!
You can get tickets here. Fishing tickets are $40. You can also buy tickets are various locales in the Oshkosh area, as well as Fleet Farm stores statewide. You also need a valid fishing license from the Wisconsin DNR (888-936-7463).
More info on tickets, tournaments, entertainment, and more can be found on their website, BattleonBago.org.
You can get to Menominee Park in Oshkosh by hitting I-41 and heading into town or accessing downtown Oshkosh using Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, 91, or U.S. 45. A lot of roads lead to Oshkosh… by gosh.
Battle on Bago Address:
Menominee Park/Millers Bay
Irving Avenue & Hazel Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 303-9200 Website
Start:
February 20, 2026
End:
February 21, 2026
Venue:
Menominee Park
Phone:
920-303-9200
Address:
East Irving Avenue at Hazel Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54903, United States
Kenosha Restaurant Week is a nine-day celebration of the city’s and area’s delicious and diverse dining scene. It’s a way to show some LOVE to our locally owned, small restaurants, pubs, eateries, and food shops. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore new places to dine, return to a favorite place, try something new at your go-to restaurant, or just show your support to our local restaurants.
It runs Saturday, February 21st through Sunday, March 1st this year. Over 80 restaurants are participating in Kenosha Restaurant Week – the most yet – offering special menus with special pricing for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, even snacks. Here’s a video showcasing it all!
Details on participating restaurants and links to their menus are coming soon!
The annual Cedarburg Winter Festival hits the heart of Cedarburg’s ridiculously beautiful and historic downtown along Washington Avenue (Historic Highway 57) Saturday, February 21st & Sunday, February 22nd, 2026. It’s a weekend full of fun across this beautiful city!
Activities run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, followed by a Saturday Night “Luau” that runs 6pm-9pm, and then 8:30am to 4pm on Sunday. The popular Ice Carving Contest, which runs from 8:30am – 2pm on Saturday, sets the stage along the city’s main street. Multiple 300-pound blocks of ice will be transformed into glistening pieces of Superhero-inspired art by talented ice carvers.
Explore the Vendor Market from 10am to 4pm inside the Community Gym or the Foxtown BBQ during that same time. Enjoy food trucks, parked up and down next to the gym from 10am to 5pm.
A tractor-drawn hay wagon provides a great view, but fest-goers who opt to stroll along Washington Avenue and prefer being outside can test their endurance by enjoying camel rides, egg hunts, sledding, ice skating or watching an old-fashioned dog pull. Bed Races take place Saturday afternoon at 1:30, too!
Sunday will dawn with the popular Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center from 8:30am to 11:00am. There’s a Soup Contest from Noon – 3pm too, if you want things to be… soupier.
On Sunday from 10:00am – 4:00pm, top dogs will compete in the Dog Weight Pull Competition sponsored by the Alaskan Malamute Club of Wisconsin and Fromm Foods.
Check out Granny Impersonator Bingo at the Community Gym Sunday from Noon – 2pm, and the Scavenger Hunt continues on Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
The 3rd annual Balloon Adventure is BACK at Pier 290 in Williams Bay, Thursday, March 19th through Sunday, March 29th, 2026!
This amazing display and show features over 100,000 balloons from 14 balloon artists who craft dazzling displays that are literally “full of hot air.” This years theme is “Bug Out!”
The Boat Showroom at PIER 290 in Williams Bay transforms into a magical marine adventure for the 2026 Balloon Adventure. The “Bug Out!” theme lets you get ready to shrink down and bug out in a balloon-filled world where butterflies, beetles, and bumblebees take over. From dazzling balloon artistry to interactive experiences, photo ops, themed nights, and family fun—this whimsical event is for all ages! It’s all in support of the 531 Fund’s charitable mission.
In addition, a variety of special events take place on select days. They include the Glow Waves Adventure, Rave Under the Wave, the Deep Sea Shuffle, Tales of the Sea (a family movie night), and more. Get the full list here.
Tickets for Balloon Adventure
General Admission tickets are available online here as well as at the door during the event. In advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. Kids 2 and under are free. Special events have separate pricing.
The Balloon Adventure is a unique and fun stop while in the Lake Geneva area. Check it out at Pier 290 when you’re road tripping on Highway 67! You’ll find Williams Bay just south of Highway 50 and northeast of U.S. 14, just minutes off I-43.
Afterwards – or before if you prefer – check out the nearby Yerkes Observatory. It’s the birthplace of astrophysics, after all. They offer tours on occasion, too! Meanwhile, more adventures and fun await in Lake Geneva, just a few minutes once you head east on Highway 50.
The Balloon Adventure Address:
The Boat Showroom at PIER 290
1 Liechty Drive
Williams Bay, WI 53191 Website
The 21st annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) runs from March 20th – 29th, 2026! Run in conjunction with Beloit College, the BIFF draws thousands upon thousands of film lovers, and writers and directors from around the world for viewing, workshops, and more. The “International” in the title isn’t just for show, after all.
The Beloit International Film Festival celebrates the power of independent film from around the globe. Local residents and visitors from across the nation fill venues ranging in size from 40 to 400 seats to view more than 150 films and meet scores of filmmakers who come from throughout the U.S. and around the world. This unique festival continues to grow and has caught national attention with the New York Times calling BIFF, “a festival with a unique goal of returning the spirit of film festivals’ golden era, when guests talked film all night with directors and writers who were on hand and available for questions.” The New York Times also listed the festival as a unique alternative to other big international film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca.
BIFF celebrates filmmakers in all genres—features, documentaries, shorts— who enjoy the Beloit setting as much as the attendees do. BIFF promises crowds of interested viewers filling venues, questioning them at the films, and stopping them on the street to talk about their shared passions and projects in independent filmmaking.
Getting to Beloit is easy! Just follow I-43 from Milwaukee, I-90 from Madison or Janesville, or Highway 81 from Monroe and points west. Highway 213 also brings you in from points northwest. Then just follow the roads to the Rock River and the downtown area. Guide signs will help you find the way downtown. And be sure to check out all the amazing new developments in downtown Beloit and throughout the area!
Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) Address:
Various locations in Beloit, mostly downtown
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 312-4256 Website
The 18th Annual Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival returns to the legendary Brat Stop in Kenosha on Saturday, April 18th! This fun-filled event features a variety of Wisconsin cheeses, some of the most sought after beers from Wisconsin and beyond and awesome live music!. This is a “don’t miss event” for anybody who likes beer, cheese and music!
The festival typically draws over 900 attendees and features over 100 different styles of beer, a home brew competition, and local breweries with unlimited beer and cheese samples. Additionally, live music plays all afternoon with the Empty Bottle Boys and One Shot Jane performing. They play in the Parkway Chateau, adjacent to the Brat Stop.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Tickets
The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival has a rather extensive VIP ticket package. For $80 in advance or $85 at the door, VIP fest goers receive a lunch buffet courtesy of Festival Foods, specialty cheese and beers, a VIP beer stein and an extra hour of festing! The food buffet is available for the duration of the fest from noon until 5 p.m.
General admission ticketsare $55 in advance and $60 at the door. All tickets include a commemorative glass, live music and four hours of unlimited beer and cheese samples. Designated driver tickets are $15. This is a 21+ only event.
Last time we checked over 50 different brewers will be there. They include large brewers like Miller and Coors to small craft brewers including Lakefront, Bell’s, Toppling Goliath, Bare Bones, Alaskan, and more. Local home brew societies also represent at the festival. All will be pouring samples and providing info about their beers and brewing processes. Also, great food – including brats – will be part of the sustenance as the bands serenade your eating, drinking, talking, and enjoying.
Enjoy some Friday night fun during First Fridays Racine, taking place along Main Street in Downtown Racine from May – December from 4-9pm! It happens throughout the downtown area, centered on Monument Square where Highways 20 and 38 cap the ends of a main thoroughfare that is Highway 32.
Friday, May 1st is next for First Fridays Racine
The first First Fridays in 2026 will take place Friday (of course), May 1st from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Creative Crawl!
The Creative Crawl will be a citywide celebration of art, creativity, and community. Enjoy hands-on activities, artist demos, local author readings, pop-up exhibits, and more throughout Downtown Racine. More details to come!
As always, Downtown Racine’s merchants, restaurants, and bars are rolling out the red carpet with shopping and dining deals that are too good to pass up. Live music will fill the air at hotspots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt, keeping the party going all night long.
Parking is conveniently available at the Lake Avenue Ramp (300 Lake Avenue), Civic Centre Ramp (501 Lake Avenue), and the McMynn Ramp (120 7th Street) or Shoop (Main & State) for an all-day rate of only $4.00.
In addition to First Fridays, check out the rest of downtown Racine. Right along the shores of Lake Michigan you can explore Reefpoint Marina, North Beach, the Racine Zoo, the new boutique Hotel Verdant, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and SC Johnson sites.
Take the drive to where Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 come together in downtown Racine. Enjoy happy people taking in the best of what downtown Racine has to offer! Check out the First Fridays Racine website for more details.
First Fridays Racine Address:
Monument Square
100 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-4287 Website
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182 Website
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
20-Mile Run, 10-Mile Run, 17-Mile Walk, and Lil’ Community Run
Hardanger Fiddle Performances
Norwegian Heritage Center (Livsreise)
Live Norwegian Art Demonstrations
Edvard Grieg Chorus at the Stoughton Opera House
Norse Costume Style Show
Viking Games Strongman Competition
Craft Beer Tent
Traditional Norwegian Delicacies
Food Trucks
Youth Parade (Saturday)
Norwegian Parade (Sunday)
Canoe Race & Portage on the Yahara River
Stoughton Village Players Theater Original Presentation
Arts & Crafts Fair
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912 Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Chorus Public House Live Music
Christ Lutheran Church
Craft Beer Tent Entertainment
Stoughton City Band Concert
Stoughton Opera House
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend at Road America, May 15-17, celebrates automotive racing’s glorious past. This vintage racing event brings the past back to life with the sights, sounds and smells from motorsport’s pioneering age both on and off the track.
The SVRA (SportsCar Vintage Racing Association) weekend at Road America includes a packed vintage race car schedule featuring classic race cars covering several decades. Many of the entries have previously competed at classic events like Le Mans and the Indy 500. SVRA is one of the oldest organizations in vintage racing, and the only one with a national presence, committed to presenting the best possible experience for competitors and fans. From 200 MPH INDY and Formula 1 cars to classic Jaguars and Porsches, SVRA races provide a rolling history of motorsport where the cars are the stars at legendary tracks across the country.
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend lineup includes race groups for all twelve SVRA classes including Formula 5000, Formula Ford, sports racing, and production sports cars. The classes feature the best classic sportscars from prestigious marques such as Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche and Corvette with models from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) series, Mazda Miata Heritage Cup Series, OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car championship and the Hagerty Cars & Caffeine vintage car rally will bolster the SVRA schedule for the weekend.
New this season is the opportunity to upgrade admission tickets to include access to the Finish Line Tower suites. The Finish Line Tower is located right at the Start/Finish line on the front straight across from the Main Paddock. Suites are furnished, climate-controlled, staffed with an attendant, and have restrooms conveniently located on the same floor. Two high-definition screens feature timing and scoring and a live feed of the races.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67, just north of Plymouth and Highway 23 and a few miles west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County, right by the beautiful resort town of Elkhart Lake.
Road America Address for Spring Vintage Weekend:
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223 Website
Copperfest celebrates Wisconsin’s “Copper Country” in Oconto with tons of fun activities, history, food, a big lineup of live music, and more. Come join the fun on June 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2026. It’s easy access off U.S. 41 and Highway 22! This year’s theme is “Disney.”
Enjoy tons of live music , the Artist Village all days, the Grand Parade Saturday morning at 10am, and the Car Show Saturday from 10am-2pm featuring makes and models from a wide variety of eras.
Most events will take place at the American Legion Post 74 Park, 709 Madison Street in Oconto.
Entertainers include David Malmberg and Casaday’s Critters. Saturday and Sunday kids and grown-up alike can enjoy the Trout Pond, racing pigs and ducks, the pie and ice cream social, the crafters and vendors, bounce houses (alright, that’s for kids only), face painting, caricatures, and much more!!
UTL Wrestling will also be on display Sunday afternoon!
Hours for the Artist Village are Friday 5PM-9PM, Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-3PM. Explore over 120 artists and crafters from all over the state!
U.S. 41 and Highway 22 bring you there! You’ll find Oconto at the eastern end of Highway 22, right at U.S. 41. It’s about eight miles east of U.S. 141 and 10 miles south of Highway 64. Copperfest is in town, and just east past downtown is the shores of Green Bay, with lakeside parks and piers and a view across the bay to Door County. It’s only about half an hour from the city of Green Bay and twenty minutes from Marinette.
Oconto Copperfest Address:
American Legion Post 74 Park
709 Madison Street
Oconto, WI 54153
(920) 604-3636 Website
Summerfest 2026 brings the “World’s Largest Music Festival” back to Milwaukee’s lakefront in the middle of summer! We’re talking 9 days across three long weekends packed with concerts and fun with over half a million of your closest friends. Choose from over 600 acts across 12 stages on the 75-acre Maier Festival Park grounds. The dates this year, all Thursdays – Saturdays, are June 18-20, June 25-27, and July 2-4, 2026.
Summerfest dates back to 1968 and has since become a key venue for the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites to create unforgettable live music experiences in a world-class festival setting. Running along Milwaukee’s lakefront nestled within downtown, the Historic Third Ward, Discovery World, I-794, and Lake Michigan, Summerfest offers not only music but over 45 food and beverage vendors, four marketplaces offering crafts and wares from all over the world, interactive exhibits, and just cool general fun. Northwestern Mutual Community Park includes a Children’s Stage and play area that offers a fun experience for the kids. Regular shows involving magic, singalongs, and other activities are complemented with plenty of equipment kids can run, swing, climb, and play on. During the day, Summerfest is designed to be very family-friendly. Many of the food and beverage vendors are classic and popular restaurants and bars from around the Milwaukee area, and selections range widely from ethnic food options to a wide variety of craft and classic beers. Several stands also have a full bar with wine and spirits. Check out the latest music and stage lineups below!
Announced Summerfest 2026 lineups by Date, Stage & Time:
Tuesday, June 16th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater 7:30pm – Garth Brooks
Wednesday, June 17th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater 7:30pm – Garth Brooks
Thursday, June 18th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater 7:00pm – Megan Moroney
Watch for new announcements, see Summerfest.com/lineup for more lineups the timeliest way possible!
Summerfest Tickets
Single Day General Admission Ticketsrun $30 per day, you can print them at home or put them on your mobile. These tickets are good for the entire grounds and any show with the exception of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows. Seniors 62 and over and Children 3-10 can get discount tickets at the gate. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Multi-Day Ticket options include:
A US Cellular Power Pass, which runs $125 and gets you in ALL 9 DAYS of the festival, with the exception of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows.
A 6-Day Pass, which gets you in for 6 of 9 days of Summerfest – you choose your 6 days. It runs $105.
A US Cellular 3-Day Pass, which for $60 gets you in to 3 of 9 days of Summerfest, you choose which three.
Parking lots are available just to the west of the grounds and throughout downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. The Milwaukee County Transit System also offers “freeway flyer” express buses to and from the grounds from numerous Park & Ride lots in the metro area. The Summerfest Grounds can be accessed directly via I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32. I-43/94 and Highways 38, 59, and 145 also bring you within a mile of it – which is how far away some people park! Either way, it’s one of the greatest music festivals on the planet and a definite State Trunk Tour recommendation.
Summerfest 2026 Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park 200 N. Harbor Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 273-2680 Website
Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as the Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced feer-ball) re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Artists, food, dancing, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer.
Featured activities include a boat regatta, a trolley and historic walking tours through the village, and a chance to explore numerous historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, the popular spot along Highway 42 in Ephraim, has their annual Fyr Ball Firecracker Frenzy Ice Cream Eating Competition, too!
The signature Fyr Bal event is an evening bonfire, which represents the burning of the ‘Winter Witch’ to usher in the long days – and beautiful nights – of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Stay and enjoy the Scandinavian atmosphere and hospitality.
Ephraim is right along Highway 42 on the Green Bay side of the Door County Peninsula, between Fish Creek and Sister Bay on the eastern edge of Eagle Harbor and the gorgeous Peninsula State Park. It’s a beautiful town and this event is literally a blast! The rest of the details can be found here on the Fyr Ball web page.
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Festival
February 6, 2026 – February 8, 2026
Hudson Hot Air Affair
Hudson bursts with color in the middle of winter with the balloon-filled Hot Air Affair! Enjoy not only hot air balloons, but a HUGE slew of events throughout the weekend, both indoors and out. The Hot Air Affair balloons, of course, are all outside. Twenty featured balloons will launch Saturday and Sunday morning at 8am. The 2026 theme “Sky Walkers Return to Rock”
Saturday at 7:35am is the first Balloon Launch, with 20 hot air balloons rising from River Crest Elementary School on County F, south of Hudson. Across the area, you can look to the sky and see the balloons dotting the winter sky. A Pancake Breakfast precedes this at 7am at the Hudson Masonic Lodge on Locust Street in town. A Smoosh Board Competition also takes place at River Crest from 1-2:30pm with four people strapped onto two Smooshboards.
A second balloon launch happens Saturday afternoon at 3pm, also from River Crest Elementary. All day long, River Crest also hosts the Marketplace & Craft Fair, running 8am-8pm Saturday.
Back in town, the St. Croix River Dunk goes on from 1-3pm at Lakefront Park Beach; it’s the Hudson Rotary Club’s premiere winter fundraising event and… it sounds cold.
The Sunday Balloon Launch takes place at 7:35am – yes – from River Crest. All balloon inflations and flights are weather-dependent.
Geocaching fans, the Hot Air Affair has plenty of coordinates for you to uncover, with a series of new hidden geocaches.
Saturday from 11am to 4pm, the Octagon House has walking tours and both the house/museum and the carriage house will be open for tours in return for a small, suggested donation. An After the Glow Dance Party caps off Saturday evening at The Empourium on Rodeo Drive in Hudson with live music and plenty of fun.
Sunday continues with geocaching, the Pop Up Ballon Launch at 7:35am again, and continued deals and events at shops and restaurants. At 12pm, you can check out the Hot Air Balloon Fat Bike Race. It takes place at Lakefront Park in Hudson. It’s a 3K technical sprint along the St. Croix River bottoms and through the park, with “punchy hills and twisty turns.” 3pm is the Balloonist Roundtable.
Hudson is right along the gorgeous St. Croix River on the border with Minnesota, where I-94 and U.S. 12 enter the state. Highway 35 runs through the center of town. The beautiful Willow River State Park is nearby. Check out Hudson whenever you can, but if you can make it for Hot Air Affair, it’s definitely going to be a soaring good time!
Hot Air Affair Address:
Downtown Hudson as well as River Crest Elementary School
535 County Road F
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4011 or (800) 657-6775
Website
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February 6, 2026 – February 8, 2026
Scandihoovian Winter Festival
Cabin fever? Sick of winter? Shake off the winter blues at the Mount Horeb Area Scandihoovian Winter Festival the first weekend in February. Stroll, shop, eat, and play throughout one of Dane County’s most unique and charming villages and the beautiful areas that surround it. Saturday is the big day, but there will be a whole weekend full of indoor/outdoor events tailored for winter enthusiasts.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival Event Schedule:
ALL DAY EVENTS
Friday – Sunday The Driftless Historium‘s Downtown Troll Town Scavenger Hunt Learn More
SATURDAY EVENTS
9-5pm Kids’ Craft Activity: Make Your Own Viking Helmet*, at the Mount Horeb Public Library
9am Start Scandi-Fatty Fat Tire Bike Race*, at Tyrol Basin Learn More
10am Start Snow Sculptures*, at Evangelical Lutheran Church
10-12pm Barnespill Kids’ Games*, at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center Learn More
10-4pm Scandinavian Baking Demonstrations*, at the Driftless Historium Learn More
10-6pm Telsaan Tea‘s Free Tea & Coloring Learn More
10-3pm Center Ground Studio‘s Paint Your Own Gnome: Make and Take Pottery Kits Learn More
11-12pm Sugar Troll’s Activity: Sukkar’s Scandinavian Story and Craft Learn More
12-5pm Botham Vineyards’ Scandihoovian Hike & Picnic with Wine by the Fire Learn More
1-3pm Scandihoovian Adult Spelling Bee*, at Martinson Hall at Buck & Honey’s Learn More
3-4pm Brix Cider’s Partner Carry Learn More
4-6pm Frozen Turkey Bowling*, at Garfield Park Ice Rink Learn More
4:30-5:30pm Cave of the Mounds‘ Guided Black Light Tour Learn More
SUNDAY EVENTS
9-12:30pm Mount Horeb Rotary‘s SUPER BRUNCH Learn More
9-12:30pm Optimist Club‘s Silent Auction Learn More
11-4pm Telsaan Tea’s Free Tea & Coloring Learn More
Mount Horeb’s main drag (Highway 78, historic U.S. 18/151) is not only called Main Street, but also the “Trollway.” The U.S. 18/151 freeway brings you to the area, as well as Highway 92 on top of Highway 78. Activities center in this area but are held all over the area, including the nearby Blue Mounds.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival Address:
Mount Horeb & Blue Mounds Area
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
(608) 437-5914
Website
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February 7, 2026
Snow Daze, Kenosha
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 is a great day to Visit Kenosha because the 14th annual Snow Daze Festival in Library Park will celebrate winter with an ice carving demonstration and display of ice sculptures. More than 40 ice sculptures will decorate Library Park and sidewalks throughout downtown Kenosha.
Ice artists from Art Below Zero in Franksville will create a one-of-a-kind ice sculpture beginning at 2 p.m.
Midwest DJ Productions will add fun and music to the event.
-Align Wellness Collective | Sculpture: Custom
-Blackhawk Community Credit Union | Sculpture: Piggy Bank
-City of Kenosha | Custom Ice Carving Demo
-Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce | Sculpture: American Flag
-Snap-on | Sculpture: Tools
-The Gratzi | Sculpture: Custom
-Visit Kenosha | Sculpture: Custom Logo
Get updates and more details on the Snow Daze website!
You can access downtown Kenosha via Highways 32, 50, or 158. I-41/94 and Highway 31 also get you close.
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February 13, 2026 – February 14, 2026
Fire & Ice Festival, Sturgeon Bay
Here’s the schedule for Fire & Ice events:
Friday, February 13th
5:30pm-7pm – Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe at Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve.
Kick-off Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Fire & Ice Weekend with a candlelight ski or snowshoe at Crossroads at Big Creek. Trails that wind through Crossroads’ 125-acre Big Creek nature preserve will be lit by luminaries to provide a magical, memorable winter experience. (We will offer a candlelight hike if there’s not enough snow to ski.) Bring your own equipment or borrow ours. We have skis, poles, boots and snowshoes in all sizes from tiny tot to large adult. (First come, first serve as inventory allows.) Our volunteers will be on hand to help get you started. Staggered departures and safety protocols will be followed. Please avoid others when on the trails and step off the trails when necessary to avoid contact. This is a family-friendly event offered at no charge. Freewill donations to Crossroads are accepted and appreciated. No reservations necessary.
Saturday, February 14th
9am-2pm – Snow & Ice Carvings around downtown
Stroll around town to witness novice and professional carvers turn blocks of snow and ice into works of art beginning at 9 am. Businesses will have in-store specials as well as outdoor activities. For the second year in a row, don’t forget to create your own snow-friend during the Community Snowman Build (weather permitting) at Martin Park to build your very own snowman. Carrots, scarves, and other snowman making materials will be provided.
9:30am-5:30pm – Winter Bourbon & Wine Tasting
Madison Avenue Market. Bourbon & Wine Samples, Chili & More!
10am-4pm – Bay Shore Outfitters Ice Castles
Ice Castles, in-store specials, and more
11am -1pm – Boys & Girls Club Fire Demonstration
Bay Shore Outfitters. Learn how to build your own Bonfire with the Door County Boys & Girls Club!
6pm – ? Fire & Ice Gala
The weekend fun continues with our Virtual Fire & Ice Gala event! Your ticket and “Gala Gift” includes dinner for two (don’t worry–we sell single tickets, too!) from Scaturo’s Baking Co. & Cafe and a spectacular Fire & Ice created dessert from Stone Harbor Resort.
9pm – Winter on the Water Fireworks Show
Old Train Spur Bridge (at Sonny’s & Bridge Up Brewing Company)
Be sure to take a trolley around to see all of the sculptures!
For more information about the daytime activities, email vacation@sturgeonbay.net or call (920) 743-6246.
Sturgeon Bay is the seat of Door County, right where the peninsula is split by the waters the city is named after. Highways 42 and 57 bring you in, and there’s plenty else to see while you’re there – and of course, beauty and adventure await further up the peninsula!
Sturgeon Bay Fire & Ice Festival Address:
Downtown Sturgeon Bay & Stone Harbor Resort
107 N. 1st Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 746-0700
Website
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February 13, 2026 – February 15, 2026
Sturgeon Spectacular
Fond du Lac hosts the Sturgeon Spectacular and the Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Championships Friday-Sunday February 13-15, 2026 on and along the south shores of Lake Winnebago and down Main Street in the heart of Fond du Lac. The Sturgeon’s evolution dates back over 200 million years, haven’t they earned a multi-day celebration? The city at the “bottom of the lake” celebrates these famed “bottom feeders” with a top-drawer weekend of fun for all.
Whether you join the always popular Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship, the Outdoor Curling Funspiel, Snow Land family activities, or come out to see the awesome snow & ice sculptures and enjoy one of many great restaurants or shops in downtown Fond du Lac, this festival has something for everyone. And it’s easy to get to via I-41, U.S. 45, U.S. 151, or Highway 23 – they all offer quick and easy access to FDL’s vibrant Main Street downtown and Lakeside Park on the shores of Lake Winnebago!
This quirky and fun take on a winter festival features events on the ice and off the ice. Enjoy Spear the Beer Promotions at venues across town, activities indoors, outdoors and throughout the community. Highlights include a kick-off parade, live musical performances including Boogie and the Yo-yo’z, the hottest party band in Wisconsin, ice and snow carving, comedy shows and the hilarious Guys on Ice show. Whether you love outdoor hockey, kids zones, fat tire bike racing, chili crawls or warming up near a toasty bonfire, you and your family will NOT run out of things to do at this year’s Sturgeon Spectacular.
FREE EVENTS ALL WEEKEND LONG!
Sturgeon Spectacular Schedule of Events
Friday, February 13th
ALL Day Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
1:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
4:30 pm – 6:15 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Kids Kickoff @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Kick-off Celebration and Live Music @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Saturday, February 14th
All day: Biggest Sturgeon Contest presented by Fleet Farm @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
All day: Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run presented by SSM Health @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 9:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: High School Snow Sculping Competition @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Winter Fun Event – Fond du Lac Children’s Museum @ Fond du Lac Children’s Museum
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Fond du Lac Sweet Stroll @ Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Downtown Snow Land @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Hammerschlagen Competition @ Fond du Lac Cyclery
10:00 am – 8:00 pm: Spearing and Beering presented by Busch Light @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Chili Crawl presented by Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership @ Various locations in downtown Fond du Lac
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Ice Sculpting Presented by U.S. Bank @ Various Locations, Downtown Fond du Lac
11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Outdoor Winter Fun Activities @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Petting Zoo – Saturday @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sturgeon Mini Games & Activities @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: The Dragon Trainer – Dragon Training Show @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Paint Your Own Sturgeon Ornament @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: BRRRINGO!
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Guys on Ice – Saturday Matinee @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Guys on Ice – Saturday Evening @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Sunday, February 15th
All day: Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship presented by Grande Cheese @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Downtown Snow Land @ Downtown Fond du Lac
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Learn to Curl @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Art of the Bloody Mary! @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Petting Zoo – Sunday @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Sturgeon Spectacular Finale with Live Music @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Sturgeon Spectacular Address:
Lakeside Park, Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, and locations throughout town
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 923-3010
Website|
Fond du Lac is easily reached via I-41, U.S. 45, U.S. 151, and Highways 23 and 175.
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February 14, 2026
Ashland Book Across the Bay
Ashland’s Book Across the Bay is one of the upper Midwest’s most unique winter events, open to over 4,000 skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route!
This is a FREE point-to-point race that, this year, starts in Washburn and ends in Ashland. Please plan your transportation accordingly. They strongly urge you to park your car in Washburn near the finish area at Thompson’s West End Park just off Highway 13, and catch a shuttle to Ashland before the race. Buses will run from Ashland to Washburn 1:00–5:00 pm prior to the race.
The race itself starts in waves, from competitive skiers and snowshoers to recreational, and then walkers who may prefer not to be timed. The start area is at Maslowski Beach, which is located along U.S. Highway 2 at the far west end of Ashland. The finish line is in Washburn, on the bay near Thompson’s West End Park. A heated tent will be set up there for the post-race chili feed, beer and soda, music and awards.
Three Fun Races take place on Lake Superior in front of The Blue Wave:
Participate, or just marvel at it. It’s a fun party and the area is beautiful this time of year – as long as you’re bundled up properly!
Also on Sunday, February 15th: Bike Across the Bay!
Bike Across the Bay at 10am, hosted by North Coast Cycling Association. The race will start from the Washburn Shore. Registration will be from 8:30-9:30am at the Harbor View Event Center, 130 Harbor View Dr, Washburn. Get more info at www.northcoastcycling.com.
U.S. 2 and Highway 13 are the main highways to and from Ashland. U.S. 63 guides you there from western Wisconsin, and local Highways 112 and 118 help you navigate the area. More things to do for this event in Ashland are available below.
Book Across the Bay Address:
Maslowski Beach Park
U.S. Highway 2 West
Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-2500
Website
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February 18, 2026 – February 22, 2026
Slumberland American Birkebeiner
The “Birkie” returns to Hayward, providing year-round, healthy, active lifestyle events for thousands of adventurous spirits of all ages and abilities. Their slogan is SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE! It all began in 1973, when 35 determined skiers gathered on the starting line for the American Birkebeiner. Little did they know…they were about to change everything. Today, the Birkie provides year-round, healthy, active lifestyle events for thousands of adventurous spirits of all ages and abilities. In 2026, it’s back for Birkie Week February 18th through the 22nd!
The official name of this main event is the Slumberland American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Event. It’s North America’s largest and most prestigious X-C ski marathon; 12,000 skiers of all ages, genders and nationalities participate in the 51K Birkebeiner, the 24K Kortelopet, Prince Haakon 13K, the children’s Barnebirkie, Junior Birkie, Elite Sprints, and Family Fun Ski.
Other fun events include the Barkie Birkie Skijor and Thursday’s Giant Ski Competition (six people on one pair of skis. What-what?? Find out more here.) The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race, the legendary American Birkebeiner–Title Sponsor, Slumberland Furniture–the Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars.
The Slumberland American Birkebeiner®:
American Birkebeiner (the Birkie) Event Address:
10527 Main Street
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-5025
Website
U.S. 63 and Highways 27 and 77 bring you to Hayward! From U.S. 53 at Trego, follow U.S. 63 north about 25 minutes.
Check out a recent recap here!
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February 20, 2026 – February 21, 2026
Battle on Bago
The Tournament starts Friday, February 20th at 6:00 am; scales will be open from 4pm to 8pm. On Saturday February 21st, scales will open at 9am; the tournament ends at 2:00pm. Tournament ticket sales END at 6am Friday. You must be in line by 2:00 pm at Menominee Park in Oshkosh.
Contestants will be allowed to fish Lake Winnebago and the Upper River Lakes: Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne, and Lake Butte des Morts. Ice Fishing Permitted ONLY. You can weigh 1 fish per fishing ticket of any of the following species: Walleye (minimum length 14”), panfish (perch, bluegills, crappies), or whitebass. Any other fish not listed here will not be eligible for registration. Fish may be taken with tip-ups or by rod and reel. There is no age requirement on tournament participation.
Along with fishing, check out the heated tent and enjoy a great fish fry and other food from 5-10pm, plus live music from 7:30pm-11pm Friday night. The Raffle will be held on Saturday at 5pm. FREE Admission to all non-fishing events!
You can get tickets here. Fishing tickets are $40. You can also buy tickets are various locales in the Oshkosh area, as well as Fleet Farm stores statewide. You also need a valid fishing license from the Wisconsin DNR (888-936-7463).
More info on tickets, tournaments, entertainment, and more can be found on their website, BattleonBago.org.
You can get to Menominee Park in Oshkosh by hitting I-41 and heading into town or accessing downtown Oshkosh using Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, 91, or U.S. 45. A lot of roads lead to Oshkosh… by gosh.
Battle on Bago Address:
Menominee Park/Millers Bay
Irving Avenue & Hazel Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 303-9200
Website
February 21, 2026 – March 1, 2026
Kenosha Restaurant Week
Kenosha Restaurant Week is a nine-day celebration of the city’s and area’s delicious and diverse dining scene. It’s a way to show some LOVE to our locally owned, small restaurants, pubs, eateries, and food shops. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore new places to dine, return to a favorite place, try something new at your go-to restaurant, or just show your support to our local restaurants.
It runs Saturday, February 21st through Sunday, March 1st this year. Over 80 restaurants are participating in Kenosha Restaurant Week – the most yet – offering special menus with special pricing for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, even snacks. Here’s a video showcasing it all!
Details on participating restaurants and links to their menus are coming soon!
Kenosha Restaurant Week Locations (latest list here)
Kenosha Restaurant Week Website
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February 21, 2026 – February 22, 2026
Cedarburg Winter Festival
Activities run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, followed by a Saturday Night “Luau” that runs 6pm-9pm, and then 8:30am to 4pm on Sunday. The popular Ice Carving Contest, which runs from 8:30am – 2pm on Saturday, sets the stage along the city’s main street. Multiple 300-pound blocks of ice will be transformed into glistening pieces of Superhero-inspired art by talented ice carvers.
Explore the Vendor Market from 10am to 4pm inside the Community Gym or the Foxtown BBQ during that same time. Enjoy food trucks, parked up and down next to the gym from 10am to 5pm.
A tractor-drawn hay wagon provides a great view, but fest-goers who opt to stroll along Washington Avenue and prefer being outside can test their endurance by enjoying camel rides, egg hunts, sledding, ice skating or watching an old-fashioned dog pull. Bed Races take place Saturday afternoon at 1:30, too!
Sunday will dawn with the popular Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center from 8:30am to 11:00am. There’s a Soup Contest from Noon – 3pm too, if you want things to be… soupier.
On Sunday from 10:00am – 4:00pm, top dogs will compete in the Dog Weight Pull Competition sponsored by the Alaskan Malamute Club of Wisconsin and Fromm Foods.
Check out Granny Impersonator Bingo at the Community Gym Sunday from Noon – 2pm, and the Scavenger Hunt continues on Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
Plenty more events are happening at the Cedarburg Winter Festival, check their site for the full lineup!
Cedarburg Winter Festival Address:
Downtown Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-9620
Website
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March 19, 2026 – March 29, 2026
The Balloon Adventure
The 3rd annual Balloon Adventure is BACK at Pier 290 in Williams Bay, Thursday, March 19th through Sunday, March 29th, 2026!
The Boat Showroom at PIER 290 in Williams Bay transforms into a magical marine adventure for the 2026 Balloon Adventure. The “Bug Out!” theme lets you get ready to shrink down and bug out in a balloon-filled world where butterflies, beetles, and bumblebees take over. From dazzling balloon artistry to interactive experiences, photo ops, themed nights, and family fun—this whimsical event is for all ages! It’s all in support of the 531 Fund’s charitable mission.
In addition, a variety of special events take place on select days. They include the Glow Waves Adventure, Rave Under the Wave, the Deep Sea Shuffle, Tales of the Sea (a family movie night), and more. Get the full list here.
Tickets for Balloon Adventure
General Admission tickets are available online here as well as at the door during the event. In advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. Kids 2 and under are free. Special events have separate pricing.
The Balloon Adventure is a unique and fun stop while in the Lake Geneva area. Check it out at Pier 290 when you’re road tripping on Highway 67! You’ll find Williams Bay just south of Highway 50 and northeast of U.S. 14, just minutes off I-43.
Afterwards – or before if you prefer – check out the nearby Yerkes Observatory. It’s the birthplace of astrophysics, after all. They offer tours on occasion, too! Meanwhile, more adventures and fun await in Lake Geneva, just a few minutes once you head east on Highway 50.
The Balloon Adventure Address:
The Boat Showroom at PIER 290
1 Liechty Drive
Williams Bay, WI 53191
Website
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March 20, 2026 – March 29, 2026
Beloit International Film Festival
The 21st annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) runs from March 20th – 29th, 2026! Run in conjunction with Beloit College, the BIFF draws thousands upon thousands of film lovers, and writers and directors from around the world for viewing, workshops, and more. The “International” in the title isn’t just for show, after all.
The Beloit International Film Festival celebrates the power of independent film from around the globe. Local residents and visitors from across the nation fill venues ranging in size from 40 to 400 seats to view more than 150 films and meet scores of filmmakers who come from throughout the U.S. and around the world. This unique festival continues to grow and has caught national attention with the New York Times calling BIFF, “a festival with a unique goal of returning the spirit of film festivals’ golden era, when guests talked film all night with directors and writers who were on hand and available for questions.” The New York Times also listed the festival as a unique alternative to other big international film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca.
BIFF celebrates filmmakers in all genres—features, documentaries, shorts— who enjoy the Beloit setting as much as the attendees do. BIFF promises crowds of interested viewers filling venues, questioning them at the films, and stopping them on the street to talk about their shared passions and projects in independent filmmaking.
Get the Beloit International Film Festival Film Lineup here
Getting to Beloit is easy! Just follow I-43 from Milwaukee, I-90 from Madison or Janesville, or Highway 81 from Monroe and points west. Highway 213 also brings you in from points northwest. Then just follow the roads to the Rock River and the downtown area. Guide signs will help you find the way downtown. And be sure to check out all the amazing new developments in downtown Beloit and throughout the area!
Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) Address:
Various locations in Beloit, mostly downtown
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 312-4256
Website
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April 18, 2026
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival
The festival typically draws over 900 attendees and features over 100 different styles of beer, a home brew competition, and local breweries with unlimited beer and cheese samples. Additionally, live music plays all afternoon with the Empty Bottle Boys and One Shot Jane performing. They play in the Parkway Chateau, adjacent to the Brat Stop.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Tickets
General admission tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. All tickets include a commemorative glass, live music and four hours of unlimited beer and cheese samples. Designated driver tickets are $15. This is a 21+ only event.
Last time we checked over 50 different brewers will be there. They include large brewers like Miller and Coors to small craft brewers including Lakefront, Bell’s, Toppling Goliath, Bare Bones, Alaskan, and more. Local home brew societies also represent at the festival. All will be pouring samples and providing info about their beers and brewing processes. Also, great food – including brats – will be part of the sustenance as the bands serenade your eating, drinking, talking, and enjoying.
Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Kenosha. Check the Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Website for tickets, continued updates, and other details!
You’ll find the Brat Stop right along Highway 50, just west of the I-41/94 interchange. It’s a Wisconsin staple, after all.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Address:
The Brat Stop
12304 75th Street (Highway 50)
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-7304
Website
Buy Tickets Here
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May 1, 2026
First Fridays Racine
Enjoy some Friday night fun during First Fridays Racine, taking place along Main Street in Downtown Racine from May – December from 4-9pm! It happens throughout the downtown area, centered on Monument Square where Highways 20 and 38 cap the ends of a main thoroughfare that is Highway 32.
Friday, May 1st is next for First Fridays Racine
The first First Fridays in 2026 will take place Friday (of course), May 1st from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Creative Crawl!
The Creative Crawl will be a citywide celebration of art, creativity, and community. Enjoy hands-on activities, artist demos, local author readings, pop-up exhibits, and more throughout Downtown Racine. More details to come!
As always, Downtown Racine’s merchants, restaurants, and bars are rolling out the red carpet with shopping and dining deals that are too good to pass up. Live music will fill the air at hotspots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt, keeping the party going all night long.
Parking is conveniently available at the Lake Avenue Ramp (300 Lake Avenue), Civic Centre Ramp (501 Lake Avenue), and the McMynn Ramp (120 7th Street) or Shoop (Main & State) for an all-day rate of only $4.00.
In addition to First Fridays, check out the rest of downtown Racine. Right along the shores of Lake Michigan you can explore Reefpoint Marina, North Beach, the Racine Zoo, the new boutique Hotel Verdant, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and SC Johnson sites.
Take the drive to where Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 come together in downtown Racine. Enjoy happy people taking in the best of what downtown Racine has to offer! Check out the First Fridays Racine website for more details.
Monument Square
100 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-4287
Website
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May 15, 2026 – May 16, 2026
Morel Mushroom Festival
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182
Website
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May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Syttende Mai Festival, Stoughton
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912
Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
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May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
SVRA Spring Vintage Weekend at Road America
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend at Road America, May 15-17, celebrates automotive racing’s glorious past. This vintage racing event brings the past back to life with the sights, sounds and smells from motorsport’s pioneering age both on and off the track.
The SVRA (SportsCar Vintage Racing Association) weekend at Road America includes a packed vintage race car schedule featuring classic race cars covering several decades. Many of the entries have previously competed at classic events like Le Mans and the Indy 500. SVRA is one of the oldest organizations in vintage racing, and the only one with a national presence, committed to presenting the best possible experience for competitors and fans. From 200 MPH INDY and Formula 1 cars to classic Jaguars and Porsches, SVRA races provide a rolling history of motorsport where the cars are the stars at legendary tracks across the country.
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend lineup includes race groups for all twelve SVRA classes including Formula 5000, Formula Ford, sports racing, and production sports cars. The classes feature the best classic sportscars from prestigious marques such as Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche and Corvette with models from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) series, Mazda Miata Heritage Cup Series, OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car championship and the Hagerty Cars & Caffeine vintage car rally will bolster the SVRA schedule for the weekend.
New this season is the opportunity to upgrade admission tickets to include access to the Finish Line Tower suites. The Finish Line Tower is located right at the Start/Finish line on the front straight across from the Main Paddock. Suites are furnished, climate-controlled, staffed with an attendant, and have restrooms conveniently located on the same floor. Two high-definition screens feature timing and scoring and a live feed of the races.
Check their website for ticket and event details.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67, just north of Plymouth and Highway 23 and a few miles west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County, right by the beautiful resort town of Elkhart Lake.
Road America Address for Spring Vintage Weekend:
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223
Website
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June 5, 2026 – June 7, 2026
Copperfest
Copperfest is back, June 5-7, 2026!
Copperfest celebrates Wisconsin’s “Copper Country” in Oconto with tons of fun activities, history, food, a big lineup of live music, and more. Come join the fun on June 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2026. It’s easy access off U.S. 41 and Highway 22! This year’s theme is “Disney.”
Enjoy tons of live music , the Artist Village all days, the Grand Parade Saturday morning at 10am, and the Car Show Saturday from 10am-2pm featuring makes and models from a wide variety of eras.
Most events will take place at the American Legion Post 74 Park, 709 Madison Street in Oconto.
Copperfest Live Music Lineup
FRIDAY:
5:00-6:30pm TBA
7:00-11:00pm TBA
SATURDAY
11:30am-2:30pm TBA
3:30pm-6:30pm TBA
7:30pm-11:00pm TBA
SUNDAY
11:30am-2:15pm TBA
UTL Wrestling will also be on display Sunday afternoon!
Hours for the Artist Village are Friday 5PM-9PM, Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-3PM. Explore over 120 artists and crafters from all over the state!
For all the latest, check their Facebook page.
U.S. 41 and Highway 22 bring you there! You’ll find Oconto at the eastern end of Highway 22, right at U.S. 41. It’s about eight miles east of U.S. 141 and 10 miles south of Highway 64. Copperfest is in town, and just east past downtown is the shores of Green Bay, with lakeside parks and piers and a view across the bay to Door County. It’s only about half an hour from the city of Green Bay and twenty minutes from Marinette.
Oconto Copperfest Address:
American Legion Post 74 Park
709 Madison Street
Oconto, WI 54153
(920) 604-3636
Website
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June 18, 2026 – July 4, 2026
Summerfest 2026
Summerfest 2026 brings the “World’s Largest Music Festival” back to Milwaukee’s lakefront in the middle of summer! We’re talking 9 days across three long weekends packed with concerts and fun with over half a million of your closest friends. Choose from over 600 acts across 12 stages on the 75-acre Maier Festival Park grounds. The dates this year, all Thursdays – Saturdays, are June 18-20, June 25-27, and July 2-4, 2026.
Summerfest dates back to 1968 and has since become a key venue for the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites to create unforgettable live music experiences in a world-class festival setting. Running along Milwaukee’s lakefront nestled within downtown, the Historic Third Ward, Discovery World, I-794, and Lake Michigan, Summerfest offers not only music but over 45 food and beverage vendors, four marketplaces offering crafts and wares from all over the world, interactive exhibits, and just cool general fun. Northwestern Mutual Community Park includes a Children’s Stage and play area that offers a fun experience for the kids. Regular shows involving magic, singalongs, and other activities are complemented with plenty of equipment kids can run, swing, climb, and play on. During the day, Summerfest is designed to be very family-friendly. Many of the food and beverage vendors are classic and popular restaurants and bars from around the Milwaukee area, and selections range widely from ethnic food options to a wide variety of craft and classic beers. Several stands also have a full bar with wine and spirits. Check out the latest music and stage lineups below!
Announced Summerfest 2026 lineups by Date, Stage & Time:
Tuesday, June 16th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30pm – Garth Brooks
Wednesday, June 17th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30pm – Garth Brooks
Thursday, June 18th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:00pm – Megan Moroney
BMO Pavilion
TBA
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Friday, June 19th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30pm –
BMO Pavilion
9:00pm STYX
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Saturday, June 20th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:00pm
BMO Pavilion
TBA
7:00pm David Lee Roth
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Thursday, June 25th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30pm – Ed Sheeran
BMO Pavilion
TBA
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Friday, June 26th
American Family Insurance Amphitheather
7:30 pm
BMO Pavilion
7:00pm Louis Tomlinson
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Saturday, June 27th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30 p.m. – Post Malone with special guest Carter Faith
BMO Pavilion
7:00pm Russell Dickerson
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Thursday, July 2nd
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:00 p.m. – Muse
BMO Pavilion
TBA
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Friday, July 3rd
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30pm – Alex Warren
BMO Pavilion
TBA
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Saturday, July 4th
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
5:00 p.m. – Jelly Roll with special guest Tyler Hubbard
BMO Pavilion
TBA
Miller Lite Oasis
TBA
Generac Power Stage
TBA
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
TBA
US Cellular Connection Stage
TBA
Uline Warehouse
TBA
Aurora Pavilion
TBA
Gruber Law Offices Sportzone and Northwestern Mutual Community Park will have a variety of shows and performers too, to be announced soon.
Watch for new announcements, see Summerfest.com/lineup for more lineups the timeliest way possible!
Summerfest Tickets
Single Day General Admission Tickets run $30 per day, you can print them at home or put them on your mobile. These tickets are good for the entire grounds and any show with the exception of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater shows. Seniors 62 and over and Children 3-10 can get discount tickets at the gate. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Multi-Day Ticket options include:
Parking lots are available just to the west of the grounds and throughout downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. The Milwaukee County Transit System also offers “freeway flyer” express buses to and from the grounds from numerous Park & Ride lots in the metro area. The Summerfest Grounds can be accessed directly via I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32. I-43/94 and Highways 38, 59, and 145 also bring you within a mile of it – which is how far away some people park! Either way, it’s one of the greatest music festivals on the planet and a definite State Trunk Tour recommendation.
Summerfest 2026 Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-2680
Website
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June 20, 2026
Fyr Ball Festival
Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as the Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced feer-ball) re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Artists, food, dancing, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer.
Featured activities include a boat regatta, a trolley and historic walking tours through the village, and a chance to explore numerous historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, the popular spot along Highway 42 in Ephraim, has their annual Fyr Ball Firecracker Frenzy Ice Cream Eating Competition, too!
The signature Fyr Bal event is an evening bonfire, which represents the burning of the ‘Winter Witch’ to usher in the long days – and beautiful nights – of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Stay and enjoy the Scandinavian atmosphere and hospitality.
Ephraim is right along Highway 42 on the Green Bay side of the Door County Peninsula, between Fish Creek and Sister Bay on the eastern edge of Eagle Harbor and the gorgeous Peninsula State Park. It’s a beautiful town and this event is literally a blast! The rest of the details can be found here on the Fyr Ball web page.
Fyr Ball Festival Address:
Eagle Harbor (Highway 42)
Ephraim, WI 54211
(920) 854-4989
Website
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