Mmmm… Grilled Cheese. Can it get any better?? Dodgeville is “Grilled Cheese Central” on Saturday, April 25, 2026 as the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship takes place at the Leo Pavilion in Harris Park. Amateurs and professionals compete in 4 “heats” to determine the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin and compete for fabulous prizes. Listen to live music, drink some beer and wine, sample outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches. Fun for all ages. Free admission! Get all the details at their website, grilledcheesewisconsin.com.
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsinepisode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200 Website
The annual Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival returns Saturday, April 25th, 2026! Between the Bluffs brings together craft beverages, THC, and non-alcoholic/mocktail drinks, specialty meats, and artisan cheeses from the La Crosse Region, across Wisconsin, and throughout the Midwest. Don’t forget to sign-up for the Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament and play some Hammer-Schlagen.
It all begins Friday evening, April 24th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 25rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
Here’s how it has looked in previous years!
Sunday, April 26th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424 Website
Come and browse over 99 acres of Jefferson County Fair Park for classics, collectibles and parts to find that special piece for your collection. The 46th Annual Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show runs April 24-25, 2026 and features more than 3,100 vendor spaces and hundreds of cars for sale. The Swap Meet and Car Corral is all three days and the car show is Saturday and Sunday only. For the auto enthusiasts this swap meet boasts thousands of car parts and car accessory vendors making it a great place to buy or sell those hard to find car parts. For those looking to buy or sell cars, the Cars for Sale Corral is full of hundreds of cars of all makes and models for sale.
The feature cars are Drag Cars, but all makes and models are welcome at the car show.
Admission is $15 per adult; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by paying adult. Parking is included in the admission price; no pets are allowed. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds are near U.S. 18 and the junction with the Highway 26 bypass, very close to Highway 89. It’s all about 7 miles south of I-94’s Johnson Creek exit via Highway 26. Hours are 8am – 4pm Friday and 6am – 4pm Saturday.
While in Jefferson, head downtown and try a burger at Wedl’s, the smallest burger stand in the country. It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite! Also see what’s developing along the Rock River and along Business Highway 26… Jefferson has a lot developing right now!
Jefferson, the seat of Jefferson County along the Rock River, is easily accessible via U.S. 18 or Highway 26; Highway 89 approaches from the west, I-94 passes to the north by about 6 miles. Jefferson is best accessed from I-94 via Exit 267.
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show Address:
Jefferson County Fair Park
503 N. Jackson Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
(608) 244-8416 Website
The Midwest Gaming Classic is a 350,000+ square foot trade show featuring over 10,000 games on free play, along with over 200 vendors and over 100 industry guests! It’s the largest and longest-running all-encompassing gaming event, and it takes place at Milwaukee’s Baird Center April 24-26, 2026 – and it’s the 25th anniversary!
Celebrate gaming, try new things, learn about the gaming hobby, meet others who share the love of gaming, and have fun doing it! We feature retro and modern home video game consoles, pinball machines, arcade video games, tabletop RPGs, computers, tabletop board games, crane games, collectible card games, air hockey, and much more.
No matter if you have one game or thousands of games in every room of your house, you’ll find something to love!
Enjoy the resurging downtown area of Beloit while you taste a variety of wines at a multitude of venues! General registration includes a commemorative etched wine glass and 2 ounce sips at 10 venues of your choice. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate. It all begins when you check in at the Downtown Beloit Association, 557 E. Grand Avenue. The Spring Wine Walk takes place across several blocks of the downtown area.
VIP registration includes VIP treatment at Grand Slam with appetizers, wine tasting, swag bag, stainless steel wine tumbler, raffle chance to win a $50 Downtown Beloit Gift Card and more! Limited to 50 tickets. Must be 21 years of age or older. Registration will start at 1 pm at Grand Slam with drawings at 1:50 pm.
The Trolley will be available to take you to all of our destinations so watch for it and be ready to hop on board!
Early registration will be available Thursday, April 16th through Friday, April 17th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Downtown Beloit Association office, 557 E. Grand Avenue. U.S. 51, Highway 81, and Highway 213 all bring you to the downtown area, which is minutes away from I-39/90 and I-43.
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk Address:
557 E. Grand Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150 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.
Wisconsin Dells’ own Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips embraces spring in a NEW location!
This year, Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips takes place on Saturday, April 18th, and it moves to Newport Park, right on the Lower Dells overlooking the Wisconsin River. They offer samples from many of Wisconsin’s craft beer producers, including Al Ringling, Hillsboro, Moosejaw, Pals, Lombardi, New Glarus, Titletown, Untitled Art and Vintage. You can also enjoy live entertainment, cornhole games, and food for sale.
General admission tickets are $50 and include a tasting mug. They can be purchased online HERE. Parking for the event will be at nearby Kaminski Park and shuttle services are available to the event site.
This is on top of all the things there are to throughout the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas, from water parks to fun shops, museums, and even the World’s Largest Wooden Trojan Horse along Wisconsin Dells Parkway! Hit I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
You’ll find the festivities in Wisconsin Dells (of course), an easy ride off I-90/94 (Exits 85-92), U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
Wisconsin Dells On Tap Address:
70 County Road A
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557 Event Website
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week gives you an opportunity to sample unique dishes and often nice deals at over 45 venues across the area from April 18th to April 26th, 2026!
It’s a culinary adventure, showcasing the best dining experiences in the area. Participating Lake Geneva restaurants will serve up special menus, exclusive deals, and creative dishes that highlight local flavors. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites while enjoying the beauty of the area.
Restaurants will create exclusive menus at special pricing available only during the nine days of Restaurant Week. Featured restaurants range from casual cafes and bistros to elegant fine dining and fabulous lake views – a vibe for every palate! These restaurants are one-of-a-kind, locally owned establishments where owners and chefs part of the dining experience in Lake Geneva,
bringing not only their culinary talents but also their personality and experiences which resonate with guests.
Sips & Snacks:Go “Beyond the Plate” as local sweet shops, cheese shops, breweries, and wineries will also get in the foodie game by featuring special Sips & Snacks offers during Restaurant Week. Think beer and cheese or desserts and wine pairings, sweet treats, and late-night snacks.
Dining for a Cause – Lake Geneva Restaurant Week isn’t just about great food, it’s also about great causes. The Charity Check Ballot is a tradition created to raise awareness for the many non-profit organizations doing important work in the community. During Restaurant Week, diners receive a Charity Check Ballot each time they dine at a participating Restaurant Week location. They use the ballot to vote for one of the Charity Check nominees. (The more you dine, the more you can vote!) The top four charities with
the most votes will each receive a $2,500 donation courtesy of the 2025 Charity Check Sponsor, none other than Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
Beyond wonderful places to eat and drink, the Lake Geneva area offers one-of-a-kind attractions, activities, and adventures, both indoors and out. Plus great shopping, world-class entertainment, and a bevy of options for lodging from cozy B&Bs to sprawling resorts offering every activity imaginable. VisitLakeGeneva.com has your guide to it all!
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with locally-owned boutique shops along with national stores like Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing orBroken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, Indian cuisine, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Marketdraws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
For well over 50 years now, Stevens Point has held what has become the World’s Largest Trivia Contest. Some 12,000 trivia buffs come to Stevens Point each year to compete with question-and-answer marathon; they must answer eight questions every hour for 54 hours! This year, the contest runs Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th and the theme is “Trivia 56: The Love Contest.”
Trivia kicks off with a parade held Friday night at 4:00 pm, taking participants around the UW-Stevens Point campus to get pumped for a full weekend ahead. Then, the contest hits the airwaves at 6pm. Over the next 54 hours, more than 400 questions are read, in which players typically have two song lengths to answer. Apart from regular questions, which are read on the air, there are two running questions, three music questions (with eight songs each), and the Trivia Stone. The Trivia Stone, which is a part scavenger hunt and part riddle, takes teams throughout the town with a series of clues.
Want to listen along or participate in the World’s Largest Trivia Contest?
You can listen along on WWSP-FM 89.9 as you drive in the area, or stream them online via TuneIn. The event itself is held at the UW-Stevens Point Communications Building; Highway 66 and Business U.S. 51 intersect nearby. The mainlines of I-39/U.S. 51 and U.S. 10 bring you close in Stevens Point, too.
The East Troy Bunny Train provides Easter weekend family fun on Saturday and Sunday, April 4th and 5th. The ride is a ten-mile round trip starting at the East Troy Depot. Board the heated train where kids can participate in Easter themed activities during the ride to the Elegant Farmer. Enjoy bunny displays by local 4-H Students and treats at the Elegant Farmer. Every Child with a ticket will receive an Easter gift! Boarding is only done at the East Troy Depot and advance reservations are required. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, all ticket sales are final. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone & leave a message. A volunteer will return your call, and they appreciate your interest and support!
More details and advance ticket purchases can be made on their website.
You can get to the East Troy Depot via Highway 20 or Highway 120, just north I-43. It’s also known as Church Street just north of the town square.
East Troy Bunny Train Address:
East Troy Railroad Depot
2002 Church Street
East Troy, WI 53120 Website
Within the pristine white walls of a contemporary art museum that overlooks Lake Michigan, the Racine Art Museum presents a rather non-traditional exhibition showcasing fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallow PEEPS®. Over the years, many entrants have been become experts in marshmallow candy as a material, using methods like carving, painting, hole punching, gluing, and melting to manipulate PEEPS into incredible shapes. For this show, Richard W. Marklin, Jr. melted a flock of PEEPS to make Raul the Rooster, a realistic barnyard bird; while April Harris and Autumn Kyle assembled the holiday treats into a bust of Black Panther Peeper.
This year, the RAM 17th Annual International PEEPS Art Exhibition takes place now through April 18th; awards will be handed out after. Previous shows have drawn over 4,000 visitors to the museum during its three-week run, setting daily spring attendance records along the way. Previous pieces included Peep Swift: The Marshmallow Era (yes, channeling Taylor); the It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere parrot-looking PEEP with the Jimmy Buffett vibe; Funky Peepcock fashioned in sparkling glass beads and feathers; Pop Art Peeps crafted in glazed stoneware; and Sweet Meets Wild, an inlaid box made of different hardwoods. Inspired by inventive puns, pop culture, sports, and famous artists, many of the PEEPS art entries are by local artists, families, and organizations but quite a few artists from out-of-state also participate.
Vote for Your Favorite PEEPS
Stop by the museum to vote for your favorite PEEPS creation. You will decide who wins the coveted PEEPles Choice Award, announced at the end of the show.
You’ll find the Racine Art Museum along Main Street/Highway 32 in downtown Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan. Highways 20 and 38 also bring you downtown, and Highway 11 is just to the south. It’s a little over a 10-minute drive east of I-41/94, depending on traffic and how you lit the lights. There is plenty else to see and do there, from picking up a fresh kringle at one of Racine’s famous Danish bakeries to exploring the city’s heritage at the Racine Historical Museum, enjoying the beautiful harbor and waterfront, shopping the stores of 6th Street and Main Street, or even exploring Hotel Verdant, the new boutique hotel downtown. These are all within walking distance of the Racine Art Museum!
International PEEPS Art Exhibition Address:
Racine Art Museum
441 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 638-8300 Website
PEEPS Exhibit called “Mt. PEEPmore” by Elizabeth Peterson. Yes, it’s a mountain of PEEPs. Photo credit: Christina Lieffring, Racine Journal-Times.
The 21st annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) runs from March 25th – 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 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
Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world. More than 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season, make Canoecopia a “must go” place for gear! Over 100 seminars and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can learn about the perfect gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover some of the many places to paddle, both near and far.
If you’re interested in experiencing life on the water, Canoecopia is the best place to spend the weekend! Learn about gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover many wonderful places to paddle, both near and far. The hard part may be deciding which to see.
“Meet the folks who make the boats!” Kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season. See what’s new in paddlesports and outdoor equipment, chat with experts about destinations in the Midwest and beyond, discover what’s newest, best and coolest! Admission is $17 for one day, $35 for a three-day pass. Children 17 and under are free. No credit cards; cash or check only at admission. Parking is $8/day, you can save on multiple days here.
You can reach the Alliant Energy Center easily from the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) via John Nolen Drive from the south, from John Nolen Drive from downtown (U.S. 151) or Park Street & Olin Avenues. Of course, U.S. 14, U.S. 151, and Highways 30 and 113 also bring you to Madison, where there’s plenty else to check out!
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
The next Waukesha Art Crawl on Saturday, March 7th with a theme to be announced. This crawl takes place throughout downtown Waukesha from 2pm – 8pm.
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
Waukesha Art Crawl Address:
Downtown Waukesha
337 W. Main Street
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 542-1522 Website
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 6-8 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, where State Trunk Tour Highways 59 and 181 meet just south of I-94 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Hundreds of vendors, displays, showcases, special events, and more are available for the outdoor sports lovers across the entire family!
Start:
March 6, 2026 12:00 pm
End:
March 8, 2026 6:00 pm
Venue:
Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center
Phone:
888-488-4286
Address:
640 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI, 53214, United States
The Vintage Shop Hop combines two great activities – shopping and road trips! Explore over 400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies’ boutiques, consignment shops, and barn sales across a big swath of central and southern Wisconsin and even into northern Illinois (yes, we’ll go out of state for this one.)
The Vintage Shop Hop is a two-day, self-guided road trip of vintage & boutique shopping held twice a year. We gather 300 to 400+ vintage & antique shops, along with barn sales, women’s boutiques & home decor shops in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin who roll out the red carpet for you on March 6 & 7, 2026. You just have to grab your friends, hit the road, and shop hard!
Each participating shop offers up an “in-store” promotion–fun things like discounts, demonstrations, artists on-site, prize drawings, treats, entertainment, food trucks, swag bags, punch cards, parking lot sales, and more…whatever they want to offer to customers to make your visit special. All shops will be open from at least 10am to 5pm and some earlier or later! Be sure to check our list and map over the next several weeks for each shop’s times…the list grows every day!
This could be the BEST. ROAD TRIP. EVER. Small businesses welcome you inside their doors. You can travel a wide combination of roads and highways, exploring cities and towns, learning about history, sampling at craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and just enjoying spring-like weather the whole time as you bop from shop to shop.
The spring 2026 Vintage Shop Hop takes place Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th. The fall 2026 version will happen October 2nd and 3rd.
The Wisconsin Fishing Expo arrives at Exhibition Hall in Madison’s Alliant Energy Center February 27 – March 1, 2026 and continues to offer more than 125,000 square feet of exhibits!
You can still expect mom-and-pop fishing vendors with gear that anglers can’t find at box stores. There will also be a tremendous presence from some of the leading national brands in the fishing industry, including Clam, Berkley, Beaver Dam, ACME, Fenwick, Okuma, Gamakatsu, Ray Marine, Garmin, St. Croix, Fishing Hot Spots, Stren, and many, many more. Check out and meet
For boats, over 20 brands will be ready to sell from top bets like Crestliner, Alumacraft, Bass Cat, Yar Craft, Tracker, Ranger, Triton, Smoker Craft, Bennington, and others.
Plenty of Youth Activities will be available, bigger and better than ever. Check it out!
Kids mock Fishing Pond (brown bags .50 a try)
Free Face Painting
Free Balloon Animals
Free Rods, Reels and Gear at Youth Fishing Seminars (limited supply!)
Free Bow Fishing (Shoot at Fish Targets)
Minnow Races
Trout Pond with Tagged Fish for EXTRA PRIZES!
Kids Casting Competition
The Alliant Energy Center is easily accessed via Madison’s Beltline (U.S. 12/18) off John Nolen Drive (Exit 263) or Rimrock Road (Exit 262). U.S. 14 & 151 are close by. You can also come through downtown via U.S. 151 and follow John Nolen Drive down the causeway. There’s so much else to see and do in Madison, too!
Show Hours:
Friday – 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Sunday – 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Admission:
$12.00 for Adults, $10.00 for Military & First Responders, Kids 12 and under are FREE.
A parking fee is charged per car by Dane County. (fee subject to change by Dane County, it’s usually $7 cash.)
Here’s a previous ad for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo:
Wisconsin Fishing Expo Address:
Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53703
(262) 305-1907 Website
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.
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
April 25, 2026
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsin episode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
Between the Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Festival
The annual Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival returns Saturday, April 25th, 2026! Between the Bluffs brings together craft beverages, THC, and non-alcoholic/mocktail drinks, specialty meats, and artisan cheeses from the La Crosse Region, across Wisconsin, and throughout the Midwest. Don’t forget to sign-up for the Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament and play some Hammer-Schlagen.
It all begins Friday evening, April 24th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 25rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
Here’s how it has looked in previous years!
Sunday, April 26th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424
Website
Between the Bluffs Ticket ($65-70) Details:
General Admission Tickets include:
VIP Tickets ($110) Include:
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April 24, 2026 – April 25, 2026
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show
The Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show is the largest swap meet in the Midwest!
Come and browse over 99 acres of Jefferson County Fair Park for classics, collectibles and parts to find that special piece for your collection. The 46th Annual Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show runs April 24-25, 2026 and features more than 3,100 vendor spaces and hundreds of cars for sale. The Swap Meet and Car Corral is all three days and the car show is Saturday and Sunday only. For the auto enthusiasts this swap meet boasts thousands of car parts and car accessory vendors making it a great place to buy or sell those hard to find car parts. For those looking to buy or sell cars, the Cars for Sale Corral is full of hundreds of cars of all makes and models for sale.
The feature cars are Drag Cars, but all makes and models are welcome at the car show.
Admission is $15 per adult; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by paying adult. Parking is included in the admission price; no pets are allowed. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds are near U.S. 18 and the junction with the Highway 26 bypass, very close to Highway 89. It’s all about 7 miles south of I-94’s Johnson Creek exit via Highway 26. Hours are 8am – 4pm Friday and 6am – 4pm Saturday.
While in Jefferson, head downtown and try a burger at Wedl’s, the smallest burger stand in the country. It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite! Also see what’s developing along the Rock River and along Business Highway 26… Jefferson has a lot developing right now!
Jefferson, the seat of Jefferson County along the Rock River, is easily accessible via U.S. 18 or Highway 26; Highway 89 approaches from the west, I-94 passes to the north by about 6 miles. Jefferson is best accessed from I-94 via Exit 267.
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show Address:
Jefferson County Fair Park
503 N. Jackson Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
(608) 244-8416
Website
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April 24, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Midwest Gaming Classic
The Midwest Gaming Classic is a 350,000+ square foot trade show featuring over 10,000 games on free play, along with over 200 vendors and over 100 industry guests! It’s the largest and longest-running all-encompassing gaming event, and it takes place at Milwaukee’s Baird Center April 24-26, 2026 – and it’s the 25th anniversary!
Celebrate gaming, try new things, learn about the gaming hobby, meet others who share the love of gaming, and have fun doing it! We feature retro and modern home video game consoles, pinball machines, arcade video games, tabletop RPGs, computers, tabletop board games, crane games, collectible card games, air hockey, and much more.
No matter if you have one game or thousands of games in every room of your house, you’ll find something to love!
Midwest Gaming Classic Hours:
Friday preview runs 6pm – Midnight
Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Buy Tickets & Get More Info HERE!
Midwest Gaming Classic Address:
Baird Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Website
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April 18, 2026
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk
VIP registration includes VIP treatment at Grand Slam with appetizers, wine tasting, swag bag, stainless steel wine tumbler, raffle chance to win a $50 Downtown Beloit Gift Card and more! Limited to 50 tickets. Must be 21 years of age or older. Registration will start at 1 pm at Grand Slam with drawings at 1:50 pm.
The Trolley will be available to take you to all of our destinations so watch for it and be ready to hop on board!
Early registration will be available Thursday, April 16th through Friday, April 17th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Downtown Beloit Association office, 557 E. Grand Avenue. U.S. 51, Highway 81, and Highway 213 all bring you to the downtown area, which is minutes away from I-39/90 and I-43.
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk Address:
557 E. Grand Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150
Website
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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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Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips
Wisconsin Dells’ own Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips embraces spring in a NEW location!
This year, Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips takes place on Saturday, April 18th, and it moves to Newport Park, right on the Lower Dells overlooking the Wisconsin River. They offer samples from many of Wisconsin’s craft beer producers, including Al Ringling, Hillsboro, Moosejaw, Pals, Lombardi, New Glarus, Titletown, Untitled Art and Vintage. You can also enjoy live entertainment, cornhole games, and food for sale.
General admission tickets are $50 and include a tasting mug. They can be purchased online HERE. Parking for the event will be at nearby Kaminski Park and shuttle services are available to the event site.
This is on top of all the things there are to throughout the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas, from water parks to fun shops, museums, and even the World’s Largest Wooden Trojan Horse along Wisconsin Dells Parkway! Hit I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
You’ll find the festivities in Wisconsin Dells (of course), an easy ride off I-90/94 (Exits 85-92), U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
Wisconsin Dells On Tap Address:
70 County Road A
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557
Event Website
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April 18, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week gives you an opportunity to sample unique dishes and often nice deals at over 45 venues across the area from April 18th to April 26th, 2026!
It’s a culinary adventure, showcasing the best dining experiences in the area. Participating Lake Geneva restaurants will serve up special menus, exclusive deals, and creative dishes that highlight local flavors. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites while enjoying the beauty of the area.
Restaurants will create exclusive menus at special pricing available only during the nine days of Restaurant Week. Featured restaurants range from casual cafes and bistros to elegant fine dining and fabulous lake views – a vibe for every palate! These restaurants are one-of-a-kind, locally owned establishments where owners and chefs part of the dining experience in Lake Geneva,
bringing not only their culinary talents but also their personality and experiences which resonate with guests.
Find Participating Restaurants here
Download a PDF of the Full Menu Guide here
Sips & Snacks: Go “Beyond the Plate” as local sweet shops, cheese shops, breweries, and wineries will also get in the foodie game by featuring special Sips & Snacks offers during Restaurant Week. Think beer and cheese or desserts and wine pairings, sweet treats, and late-night snacks.
Dining for a Cause – Lake Geneva Restaurant Week isn’t just about great food, it’s also about great causes. The Charity Check Ballot is a tradition created to raise awareness for the many non-profit organizations doing important work in the community. During Restaurant Week, diners receive a Charity Check Ballot each time they dine at a participating Restaurant Week location. They use the ballot to vote for one of the Charity Check nominees. (The more you dine, the more you can vote!) The top four charities with
the most votes will each receive a $2,500 donation courtesy of the 2025 Charity Check Sponsor, none other than Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
Beyond wonderful places to eat and drink, the Lake Geneva area offers one-of-a-kind attractions, activities, and adventures, both indoors and out. Plus great shopping, world-class entertainment, and a bevy of options for lodging from cozy B&Bs to sprawling resorts offering every activity imaginable. VisitLakeGeneva.com has your guide to it all!
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week Website
The Lake Geneva area is easily accessible via the U.S. 12 freeway, Highway 36, Highway 50, Highway 67, and Highway 120.
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April 17, 2026 – April 18, 2026
Gallery Night & Day, Milwaukee
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with locally-owned boutique shops along with national stores like Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing or Broken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, Indian cuisine, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Market draws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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April 17, 2026 – April 19, 2026
World’s Largest Trivia Contest
For well over 50 years now, Stevens Point has held what has become the World’s Largest Trivia Contest. Some 12,000 trivia buffs come to Stevens Point each year to compete with question-and-answer marathon; they must answer eight questions every hour for 54 hours! This year, the contest runs Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th and the theme is “Trivia 56: The Love Contest.”
Trivia kicks off with a parade held Friday night at 4:00 pm, taking participants around the UW-Stevens Point campus to get pumped for a full weekend ahead. Then, the contest hits the airwaves at 6pm. Over the next 54 hours, more than 400 questions are read, in which players typically have two song lengths to answer. Apart from regular questions, which are read on the air, there are two running questions, three music questions (with eight songs each), and the Trivia Stone. The Trivia Stone, which is a part scavenger hunt and part riddle, takes teams throughout the town with a series of clues.
Want to listen along or participate in the World’s Largest Trivia Contest?
You can listen along on WWSP-FM 89.9 as you drive in the area, or stream them online via TuneIn. The event itself is held at the UW-Stevens Point Communications Building; Highway 66 and Business U.S. 51 intersect nearby. The mainlines of I-39/U.S. 51 and U.S. 10 bring you close in Stevens Point, too.
Want details on how you can attend, observe, or just play along? Check their website! The Stevens Point Area CVB has details, and a blog that gives you the inside scoop!
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April 4, 2026 – April 5, 2026
East Troy Bunny Train
The East Troy Bunny Train provides Easter weekend family fun on Saturday and Sunday, April 4th and 5th. The ride is a ten-mile round trip starting at the East Troy Depot. Board the heated train where kids can participate in Easter themed activities during the ride to the Elegant Farmer. Enjoy bunny displays by local 4-H Students and treats at the Elegant Farmer. Every Child with a ticket will receive an Easter gift! Boarding is only done at the East Troy Depot and advance reservations are required. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, all ticket sales are final. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone & leave a message. A volunteer will return your call, and they appreciate your interest and support!
More details and advance ticket purchases can be made on their website.
You can get to the East Troy Depot via Highway 20 or Highway 120, just north I-43. It’s also known as Church Street just north of the town square.
East Troy Bunny Train Address:
East Troy Railroad Depot
2002 Church Street
East Troy, WI 53120
Website
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April 1, 2026 – April 18, 2026
International PEEPS Art Exhibition at the Racine Art Museum
Within the pristine white walls of a contemporary art museum that overlooks Lake Michigan, the Racine Art Museum presents a rather non-traditional exhibition showcasing fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallow PEEPS®. Over the years, many entrants have been become experts in marshmallow candy as a material, using methods like carving, painting, hole punching, gluing, and melting to manipulate PEEPS into incredible shapes. For this show, Richard W. Marklin, Jr. melted a flock of PEEPS to make Raul the Rooster, a realistic barnyard bird; while April Harris and Autumn Kyle assembled the holiday treats into a bust of Black Panther Peeper.
Vote for Your Favorite PEEPS
Stop by the museum to vote for your favorite PEEPS creation. You will decide who wins the coveted PEEPles Choice Award, announced at the end of the show.
You’ll find the Racine Art Museum along Main Street/Highway 32 in downtown Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan. Highways 20 and 38 also bring you downtown, and Highway 11 is just to the south. It’s a little over a 10-minute drive east of I-41/94, depending on traffic and how you lit the lights. There is plenty else to see and do there, from picking up a fresh kringle at one of Racine’s famous Danish bakeries to exploring the city’s heritage at the Racine Historical Museum, enjoying the beautiful harbor and waterfront, shopping the stores of 6th Street and Main Street, or even exploring Hotel Verdant, the new boutique hotel downtown. These are all within walking distance of the Racine Art Museum!
International PEEPS Art Exhibition Address:
Racine Art Museum
441 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 638-8300
Website
PEEPS Exhibit called “Mt. PEEPmore” by Elizabeth Peterson. Yes, it’s a mountain of PEEPs. Photo credit: Christina Lieffring, Racine Journal-Times.
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March 25, 2026 – March 29, 2026
Beloit International Film Festival
The 21st annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) runs from March 25th – 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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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 13, 2026 – March 15, 2026
Canoecopia
Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world. More than 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season, make Canoecopia a “must go” place for gear! Over 100 seminars and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can learn about the perfect gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover some of the many places to paddle, both near and far.
If you’re interested in experiencing life on the water, Canoecopia is the best place to spend the weekend! Learn about gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover many wonderful places to paddle, both near and far. The hard part may be deciding which to see.
“Meet the folks who make the boats!” Kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season. See what’s new in paddlesports and outdoor equipment, chat with experts about destinations in the Midwest and beyond, discover what’s newest, best and coolest! Admission is $17 for one day, $35 for a three-day pass. Children 17 and under are free. No credit cards; cash or check only at admission. Parking is $8/day, you can save on multiple days here.
You can reach the Alliant Energy Center easily from the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) via John Nolen Drive from the south, from John Nolen Drive from downtown (U.S. 151) or Park Street & Olin Avenues. Of course, U.S. 14, U.S. 151, and Highways 30 and 113 also bring you to Madison, where there’s plenty else to check out!
Canoecopia Hours:
Friday: 4pm – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Canoecopia Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 267-3976
Website
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March 7, 2026
Waukesha Art Crawl
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
The next Waukesha Art Crawl on Saturday, March 7th with a theme to be announced. This crawl takes place throughout downtown Waukesha from 2pm – 8pm.
Check out WaukeshaArt.com for all the updates and details!
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
Waukesha Art Crawl Address:
Downtown Waukesha
337 W. Main Street
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 542-1522
Website
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March 6, 2026 – March 8, 2026
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 6-8 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, where State Trunk Tour Highways 59 and 181 meet just south of I-94 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Hundreds of vendors, displays, showcases, special events, and more are available for the outdoor sports lovers across the entire family!
March 6, 2026 – March 7, 2026
Vintage Shop Hop
The Vintage Shop Hop combines two great activities – shopping and road trips! Explore over 400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies’ boutiques, consignment shops, and barn sales across a big swath of central and southern Wisconsin and even into northern Illinois (yes, we’ll go out of state for this one.)
The spring 2026 Vintage Shop Hop takes place Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th. The fall 2026 version will happen October 2nd and 3rd.
Vintage Shop Hop Master List of Places
Shop Hop Facebook Page
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February 27, 2026 – March 1, 2026
Wisconsin Fishing Expo
You can still expect mom-and-pop fishing vendors with gear that anglers can’t find at box stores. There will also be a tremendous presence from some of the leading national brands in the fishing industry, including Clam, Berkley, Beaver Dam, ACME, Fenwick, Okuma, Gamakatsu, Ray Marine, Garmin, St. Croix, Fishing Hot Spots, Stren, and many, many more. Check out and meet
For boats, over 20 brands will be ready to sell from top bets like Crestliner, Alumacraft, Bass Cat, Yar Craft, Tracker, Ranger, Triton, Smoker Craft, Bennington, and others.
Plenty of Youth Activities will be available, bigger and better than ever. Check it out!
The Alliant Energy Center is easily accessed via Madison’s Beltline (U.S. 12/18) off John Nolen Drive (Exit 263) or Rimrock Road (Exit 262). U.S. 14 & 151 are close by. You can also come through downtown via U.S. 151 and follow John Nolen Drive down the causeway. There’s so much else to see and do in Madison, too!
Show Hours:
Friday – 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Sunday – 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Admission:
$12.00 for Adults, $10.00 for Military & First Responders, Kids 12 and under are FREE.
A parking fee is charged per car by Dane County. (fee subject to change by Dane County, it’s usually $7 cash.)
Here’s a previous ad for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo:
Wisconsin Fishing Expo Address:
Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53703
(262) 305-1907
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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