Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
It’s not all about the music, however. Enjoy ice cold beverages and tasty food, including BRATS, of course. The Bratteyball Tournament is a “bratty” volleyball tournament with four divisions competing on Saturday. There will be a kids’ zone with plenty of activities to keep the young ones busy – including a “bounce zone” and a petting zoo. There’s Ultrazone Laser Tag, a Sports Zone, even the Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 22nd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 23rd
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713 Website
Marshfield features its 45th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
Dairyfest Info & Schedule of Events:
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 29th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 30th
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
10:00 am – 3:00 pm North Wood County Historical Society Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social Governor W. H. Upham House, 212 West 3rd Street, Marshfield
19th Annual Dairyfest Fling Disc Golf Tournament
11:00am / Dairyfest Downtown Parade, runs from 2nd street and goes South on Central Ave, turns East on 14th Street and ends at the Fairgrounds parking lot.
1:00pm-4:00pm / Family Fun Day at Wenzel Plaza: a UW Madison Marching Band performance, Inflatable fun, plenty of Food Trucks – come hungry! Also enjoy Enoch the Eccentric Magician, DJ Dan Weis of Music Energy, Face painting, and more!
3:00pm-11pm / Annual Outdoor Dairyfest Beer Garden at Nutz Deep II 809 South Central Avenue
*USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournaments
Central WI State Fairgrounds, 513 East 17th Street
Central WI State Fairgrounds
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, May 31st
USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournament
Central WI State Fairgrounds
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449 Website
Elkhorn hosts Wisconsin’s largest BBQ Festival with Ribfest, which take place on the Walworth County Fairgrounds July 15-19, 2026!
Check out FIVE days of unbelievably delicious, mouth-watering barbecue and entertainment on the beautiful Walworth County Fairgrounds. This event features world-renowned professional BBQ champions, great entertainment, backyard grillers, an artisan village, and a ton of great live entertainment. Not only will you experience some of the best grillers and BBQers in the country, but plenty of other fun including beer and live music with plenty of family fun, including carnival rides and other kids’ activities!
FREE Admission and parking! Even free Wi-Fi, courtesy of Edge Broadband.
Music headliners include (the list will be growing, too!):
Wednesday, July 15th:
Cherry Pie
Thursday, July 16th:
Bella Cain
Friday, July 17th:
Madison County
Saturday, July 18th:
Rival 5
Kashmir: The Led Zeppelin Show
Buster Daizy
Sunday, July 19th:
TBA
Ribfest Hours are 3 pm – 11pm Wednesday, 11 am – 11 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 11am – 9pm Sunday.
You’ll find the Walworth County Fairgrounds just east of downtown Elkhorn, the seat of Walworth County. The grounds can be accessed off Court Street (Highway 11) just west of the U.S. 12 freeway and just northwest of the U.S. 12/I-43 interchange. Highway 67 is just to the west.
Elkhorn Ribfest Address:
411 East Court Street (Highway 11)
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 723-3228 Website
All over Kenosha’s beautiful harbor area, you’ll find the Taste of Wisconsin July 24th-26th this year. There’s plenty to eat, drink, and do with over 40 food vendors, four beverage gardens, 75+ musical artists playing across four different stages, and a Kid Zone. The Demonstration Center offers a look at all kinds of foods and products for making awesome culinary delights – or just quick, tasty meals – from a number of chefs and others who show you how to make magic in the kitchen… or on the grill, at the campsite – wherever you want to prepare food.
Admission is FREE for everybody! And while you can enjoy great food, music, and more, you can also explore the HarborPark area, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, the Southport Light Station & Museum, take rides on the Kenosha Trolley, and more! Taste of Wisconsin happens in Kenosha’s HarborPark area on the edge of downtown. You’ll find it just east of Highway 32 between the east ends of Highways 50 and 158. Enjoy!
Taste of Wisconsin covers a lot of ground in Kenosha’s HarborPark area, right downtown. They need a lot of room for all that food and music! Photo courtesy of the Kenosha News.
Taste of Wisconsin Address:
HarborPark
5400 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 496-9400 Website
Sheboygan is the “Bratwurst Capital of the World” so it’s only fitting that Brat Days is one of their biggest celebrations! Taking place the first Saturday of August, Brat Days dates back to 1953. It’s back again for 2026, and this year it’s back to a TWO-DAY festival! Admission is still free and the activities are plentiful.
Check out a wide variety of tasty brats served up in buns, on sticks, in tacos, on pizza, egg rolls, jambalaya, even as a corn dog. Dance or rock out with plenty of live music. The Brat Days Parade kicks off at 9am Saturday and runs through downtown Sheboygan. The famous Brat-Eating Contest, featured on channels like ESPN, takes place Saturday at 1pm. Games are available for adults and kids alike; kids’ activities include a petting zoo and carnival.
Brat Days is held in Kiwanis Park on the west bank of the Sheboygan River. The park is accessible just west of Highway 28 via New Jersey Avenue. You can also reach Kiwanis Park by heading south from the ends of Highways 23 and 42 via 17th Street. It’s all about three miles east of I-43.
For more details on bands, events, activities and more, check out the Brat Days website. Brat Days is sponsored by Johnsonville, which of course has its headquarters just west of town.
While in Sheboygan, check out the downtown area along 8th Street, theJohn Michael Kohler Arts Center, 3 Sheeps Brewing, City Green, South Pier with all of its activities, the World’s Tallest American Flagpole (along I-43 at Acuity Insurance headquarters), nearby Kohler, the marina and lovely lakefront, nearby Kohler-Andrae State Park, and more.
Brat Days Address:
Kiwanis Park
726 N. 17th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 893-8980 Website
With Beef-A-Rama, the smell of beef fills the air and more than 12,000 people fill the streets of downtown Minocqua. For over 60 years now, Beef-a-Rama™ has been a premiere event drawing visitors back year after year to join in on the one-of-a kind fun you can only find in the Northwoods!
Roasters begin cooking their signature beefs before dawn. Herds of creative festival goers dressed in cow-themed costumes start packing downtown early for the 10K and 5K Rump Roast Run and Walk along Lake Minocqua, live music, & Prime Choice Craft Show featuring more than 70 vendors.
Mooo-ve on down to Torpy Park to grab a roast beef sandwich and watch the Beef Eating Contest, Cow Pie Plop, and of course the famous Roaster Parade down main street!
Listen for the top roasters at the Awards Ceremony at 3pm following the Parade. Check for the latest itinerary online.
Minocqua is along “Wisconsin’s Backbone,” U.S. 51, just south of Highways 47 and 70.
Beef-A-Rama Address:
Torpy Park
806 U.S. Highway 51
Minocqua, WI 54548
(715) 356-5266 Website
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Food
May 22, 2026 – May 24, 2026
World’s Largest Brat Fest
Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 22nd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 23rd
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
May 29, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Dairyfest 2026, Marshfield
Marshfield features its 45th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 29th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 30th
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
Governor W. H. Upham House, 212 West 3rd Street, Marshfield
Central WI State Fairgrounds, 513 East 17th Street
Central WI State Fairgrounds
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, May 31st
USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournament
Central WI State Fairgrounds
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 15, 2026 – July 19, 2026
Elkhorn Ribfest
Check out FIVE days of unbelievably delicious, mouth-watering barbecue and entertainment on the beautiful Walworth County Fairgrounds. This event features world-renowned professional BBQ champions, great entertainment, backyard grillers, an artisan village, and a ton of great live entertainment. Not only will you experience some of the best grillers and BBQers in the country, but plenty of other fun including beer and live music with plenty of family fun, including carnival rides and other kids’ activities!
FREE Admission and parking! Even free Wi-Fi, courtesy of Edge Broadband.
Music headliners include (the list will be growing, too!):
Cherry Pie
Thursday, July 16th:
Bella Cain
Friday, July 17th:
Madison County
Saturday, July 18th:
Rival 5
Kashmir: The Led Zeppelin Show
Buster Daizy
Sunday, July 19th:
TBA
Ribfest Hours are 3 pm – 11pm Wednesday, 11 am – 11 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 11am – 9pm Sunday.
You’ll find the Walworth County Fairgrounds just east of downtown Elkhorn, the seat of Walworth County. The grounds can be accessed off Court Street (Highway 11) just west of the U.S. 12 freeway and just northwest of the U.S. 12/I-43 interchange. Highway 67 is just to the west.
411 East Court Street (Highway 11)
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 723-3228
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 24, 2026 – July 26, 2026
Taste of Wisconsin
Admission is FREE for everybody! And while you can enjoy great food, music, and more, you can also explore the HarborPark area, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, the Southport Light Station & Museum, take rides on the Kenosha Trolley, and more! Taste of Wisconsin happens in Kenosha’s HarborPark area on the edge of downtown. You’ll find it just east of Highway 32 between the east ends of Highways 50 and 158. Enjoy!
Taste of Wisconsin Address:
HarborPark
5400 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 496-9400
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 31, 2026 – August 1, 2026
Johnsonville Brat Days
Sheboygan is the “Bratwurst Capital of the World” so it’s only fitting that Brat Days is one of their biggest celebrations! Taking place the first Saturday of August, Brat Days dates back to 1953. It’s back again for 2026, and this year it’s back to a TWO-DAY festival! Admission is still free and the activities are plentiful.
Check out a wide variety of tasty brats served up in buns, on sticks, in tacos, on pizza, egg rolls, jambalaya, even as a corn dog. Dance or rock out with plenty of live music. The Brat Days Parade kicks off at 9am Saturday and runs through downtown Sheboygan. The famous Brat-Eating Contest, featured on channels like ESPN, takes place Saturday at 1pm. Games are available for adults and kids alike; kids’ activities include a petting zoo and carnival.
Bands this year include:
Friday, July 31st
TBA
Saturday, August 1st
Johnsonville Main Stage:
11:00am – 1:00 pm TBA
1:30pm – 4:00pm TBA
4:30pm – 5:45 pm TBA
6:15pm – 7:30pm TBA
8:00pm – 9:15pm TBA
9:45pm – 11:00 pm TBA
The Brat Eating Contest is at 1pm!
Entertainment stages are free!
Brat Days is held in Kiwanis Park on the west bank of the Sheboygan River. The park is accessible just west of Highway 28 via New Jersey Avenue. You can also reach Kiwanis Park by heading south from the ends of Highways 23 and 42 via 17th Street. It’s all about three miles east of I-43.
For more details on bands, events, activities and more, check out the Brat Days website. Brat Days is sponsored by Johnsonville, which of course has its headquarters just west of town.
While in Sheboygan, check out the downtown area along 8th Street, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 3 Sheeps Brewing, City Green, South Pier with all of its activities, the World’s Tallest American Flagpole (along I-43 at Acuity Insurance headquarters), nearby Kohler, the marina and lovely lakefront, nearby Kohler-Andrae State Park, and more.
Brat Days Address:
Kiwanis Park
726 N. 17th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 893-8980
Website
And check out our State Trunk Tour Podcast about Sheboygan!
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
September 26, 2026 – September 27, 2026
Beef-A-Rama
With Beef-A-Rama, the smell of beef fills the air and more than 12,000 people fill the streets of downtown Minocqua. For over 60 years now, Beef-a-Rama™ has been a premiere event drawing visitors back year after year to join in on the one-of-a kind fun you can only find in the Northwoods!
Roasters begin cooking their signature beefs before dawn. Herds of creative festival goers dressed in cow-themed costumes start packing downtown early for the 10K and 5K Rump Roast Run and Walk along Lake Minocqua, live music, & Prime Choice Craft Show featuring more than 70 vendors.
Mooo-ve on down to Torpy Park to grab a roast beef sandwich and watch the Beef Eating Contest, Cow Pie Plop, and of course the famous Roaster Parade down main street!
Listen for the top roasters at the Awards Ceremony at 3pm following the Parade. Check for the latest itinerary online.
Minocqua is along “Wisconsin’s Backbone,” U.S. 51, just south of Highways 47 and 70.
Beef-A-Rama Address:
Torpy Park
806 U.S. Highway 51
Minocqua, WI 54548
(715) 356-5266
Website
Check out the Schedule of Events coming soon!
Beef-A-Rama Schedule of Events:
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