Along the Wisconsin-Illinois border you can go back to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. A plethora of entertainment, great food, performances, and a marketplace filled with crafts, art, musical instruments, clothes, jewelry, and more await. You’ll find plenty of colorful characters in period costumery, performers twirling fire, people mashing their mouths into giant turkey legs, wandering minstrels, swordfights, jousting… the list goes on and on. It’s a great summer weekend activity just west of Kenosha on the Illinois border!
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773 Website
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 11 takes place July 30 – August 2, 2026.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 200 artists and acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Brett Newski performs at Mile of Music in Appleton.
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 13’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
Kenosha welcomes the Peacetree Music Festival to Pennoyer Park Friday and Saturday, July 31st-August 1st, 2026. Located on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan, this fest is a gathering of peace, love, and music embracing life and community. While soaking in the summer rays, find yourself surrounded by great people, good vibes and the enticing sounds of an eclectic lineup. With emphasis on family friendly, this is a celebration for everyone.
The festival runs 2pm-10pm on Friday and Noon-10pm on Saturday. Kids under the age of 15 are free and must be accompanied by an adult, and all beverage sales support the Kenosha Achievement Center.
Peacetree Music Festival Lineup:
2026 Lineup:
Friday – July 31st
2:30-3:20 Avah Rumph
3:30-4:20 Raven
4:30-5:40 Mikii and the Fungiis
5:50-7:00 Ifdakar
7:10-8:20 Peacetree Allstars
8:30-10:00 The People Brothers Band
Saturday – August 1st
12:00-12:50 Rusty Horse
1:00-1:50 Gold Label
2:00-3:00 Box Band
3:10-4:20 Mountains on the Moon
4:30-5:40 Empty Bottle Boys & One Shot Jane
5:50-7:00 The Sean McKee Band
7:10-8:20 Spare Change Trio
8:30-10:00 Joe Marcinek Band
You’ll find Pennoyer Park and the Bandshell just off Highway 32 north of downtown Kenosha. Highway 158 comes in from the south and provides easy access from I-41 & I-94.
Peacetree Music Festival Address:
Pennoyer Park
3601 7th Avenue off Highway 32
Kenosha, WI 53140 Website
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Music
July 11, 2026 – September 6, 2026
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 30, 2026 – August 2, 2026
Mile of Music
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 11 takes place July 30 – August 2, 2026.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 200 artists and acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 13’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
They even have their own radio station, Mile of Music Radio. Listen to it here!
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 31, 2026 – August 1, 2026
Peacetree Music Festival
Kenosha welcomes the Peacetree Music Festival to Pennoyer Park Friday and Saturday, July 31st-August 1st, 2026. Located on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan, this fest is a gathering of peace, love, and music embracing life and community. While soaking in the summer rays, find yourself surrounded by great people, good vibes and the enticing sounds of an eclectic lineup. With emphasis on family friendly, this is a celebration for everyone.
The festival runs 2pm-10pm on Friday and Noon-10pm on Saturday. Kids under the age of 15 are free and must be accompanied by an adult, and all beverage sales support the Kenosha Achievement Center.
Peacetree Music Festival Lineup:
2026 Lineup:
Friday – July 31st
2:30-3:20 Avah Rumph
3:30-4:20 Raven
4:30-5:40 Mikii and the Fungiis
5:50-7:00 Ifdakar
7:10-8:20 Peacetree Allstars
8:30-10:00 The People Brothers Band
Saturday – August 1st
12:00-12:50 Rusty Horse
1:00-1:50 Gold Label
2:00-3:00 Box Band
3:10-4:20 Mountains on the Moon
4:30-5:40 Empty Bottle Boys & One Shot Jane
5:50-7:00 The Sean McKee Band
7:10-8:20 Spare Change Trio
8:30-10:00 Joe Marcinek Band
You’ll find Pennoyer Park and the Bandshell just off Highway 32 north of downtown Kenosha. Highway 158 comes in from the south and provides easy access from I-41 & I-94.
Peacetree Music Festival Address:
Pennoyer Park
3601 7th Avenue off Highway 32
Kenosha, WI 53140
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com