Summer 2023 brings the opening of festival season to the Milwaukee area with the return of some community festivals that have been on hiatus. The Lakefront Festival of Art on the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds and the Locust Street Festival are both back this year for the first time since 2019. Here’s a full list of fairs, art, music and community festivals from May through Labor Day:
COUNTY FAIRS
July 19-23: Waukesha County Fair, Waukesha County Fairgrounds, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. (262) 544-5922; www.waukeshacountyfair.com
July 26-30: Washington County Fair, Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Highway PV, West Bend. (262) 677-5060; www.wcfairpark.com
July 26-30: Racine County Fair, Racine County Fairgrounds, 19805 Durand Ave., Union Grove. (262) 878-3895; www.racinecountyfair.com
Aug. 2-6: Ozaukee County Fair, Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, W67-N866 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. (262) 375-6185; www.ozaukeecountyfair.com
August 3-13: Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis. (800) 884-3247; www.wistatefair.com
ART, MUSIC & COMMUNITY FESTIVALS
JUNE
St. Thomas Country Fair: Live music, food and beverages, amusement rides and games, 5-11 p.m. June 1; 5 p.m.-midnight June 2; noon-midnight June 3; noon-7 p.m. June 4. St. Thomas Aquinas, 305 S. First St., Waterford.
Jammin’ on Janesville: Live music, vendors, food and beverages, 5-9 p.m. June 2. Along Janesville Road from Bay Lane Drive to Lannon Drive, Muskego.
Festival of the Arts: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 3. Vendors, performing arts, music, street food, and family activities. Franklin Street, Port Washington.
Milwaukee Highland Games: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 3. Bagpipe bands, Scottish food, Highland dancing, and the Parade of Tartans. Croatian Park, 9100 S. 76th St., Franklin.
Art & Farm Market: Local art, farm produce, live music and refreshments, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 3-4. Holy Hill Art Farm, 4958 Highway 167, Hubertus.
St. Robert Fair: Food, drinks games and live music, noon-10 p.m. June 3; noon-7 p.m. June 4. 4019 N. Farwell Ave., Shorewood.
Paint Cedarburg: Plein Air Painting Competition Fresh From Cedarburg art sale, 3-5 p.m. June 4. Cedarburg City Hall lawn, W63 N645 Washington Ave., Cedarburg.
West Allis Ala Carte: Street festival with food vendors, games and live music, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4. On Greenfield Ave. between 70th to 76th St., West Allis.
Paint Cedarburg: Plein Air Painting Competition Public Sale, 5-8 p.m. June 9; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 10. Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62-N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg.
Tosa Greek Fest: June 9-11. Sts. Constantine & Helen, 2160 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa.
St. John Vianney: Parish Festival with live music, dinner specials, rides and games, 5-11 p.m. June 9; noon-11 p.m. June 10; noon-6 p.m. June 11. 1755 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield.
Holy Angels Festival of Angels: Live music, rides and games, food and refreshments, 5-11 p.m. June 9; noon-11 p.m. June 10; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 11. 138 N. 8th Ave., West Bend.
Thiensville-Mequon Lionfest: Carnival rides, games and live music, 5-11:30 p.m. June 9; noon-11:30 p.m. June 10; noon-5 p.m. June 11. Thiensville Village Park, 250 Elm St., Thiensville.
Cedarburg American Legion Post 288: Car Show & Vendor Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 10. Food, beverages, and raffles. Legion Park, W57 N481 Hilbert Ave., Cedarburg.
Arts, Crafts & Drafts: Art festival with live music, refreshments and kids crafts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 10-11. The Corners of Brookfield, 20111 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield.
Buchnerfest: Children’s festival, 10 a.m.-noon June 10. Buchner Park, 231 Oakland Ave., Waukesha.
Stony Hill School: Flag Day Celebration, noon-5 p.m. June 10. Free shuttle from 1 to 5 p.m. between Ozaukee County Pioneer Village at 4880 Highway I, Saukville, and Stony Hill School, W5595 Highway I, Fredonia.
Locust Street Festival: 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. June 11. Live music on 6 stages, local vendors, artists, food and the Locust Street Beer Run. Riverwest.
Mukwonago Lions Club Summerfeste: Softball tournaments, parade and car show, June 15-18. Music by Breaking Cadence, 7 p.m. June 15; Big Spoon, 7:30 p.m. June 16; The Now, 7:30 p.m. June 17; Lunchmoney Bullies, 2 p.m. June 18. Field Park, Highways 83 and NN, Mukwonago.
St. Anthony Parish: Festival, 2-10 p.m. June 17; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. June 18. Entertainment, food and beverages, raffles and children’s area. 1711 S. 9th St.
St. John Neumann Parish Festival: Live music, carnival rides, food and beverages, June 16-18. 2400 W. State Road 59, Waukesha.
HartFest presented by Lakefront Brewery: BBQ and Blues with food trucks, live music and car show, 5-10 p.m. June 16; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 17. Music by The Blues Disciples, Koch Marshall Trio, The Incorruptibles, and The Bel-Airs. Hart Park, 7300 W. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa.
Lakefront Festival of Art: Showcase of work by juried artists from across the nation, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 16; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 17-18. Beer garden, food and wine, hands-on art projects and visit current exhibitions. Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive.
Kids Fest: Games and crafts, bounce house and climbing wall, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 17. McCoy Park, 19025 Wilderness Way, Brookfield.
Rods-n-Relics Car Club: Car, Truck, Motorcycle Show, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 17. Lime Kiln Park, 2020 S. Green Bay Road, Grafton.
Richfield Art at the Mill: Art and fine craft fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 17. Richfield Historical Park, 1896 State Road 164, Richfield.
Summer Soulstice Music Festival: Street festival with live music, food, arts & crafts, and activities, noon-midnight June 17. East Side BID, North and Farwell Avenues.
Old Falls Village WWII Days: Military displays and vendors, battle ground skirmishes, food and beer, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 17; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18. Pilgrim Road and Highway Q, Menomonee Falls.
Juneteenth Day: Street Festival on King Drive, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19. Parade steps off at 14th and Atkinson Ave. and ends at King Drive and Locust St.
New Berlin Historical Society: Father’s Day Open House, 1-4 p.m. June 18. Free. Walk the grounds, explore the historic houses, and visit the miniature horses. Food available. Historical Park, 19765 W. National Ave.
Greek Fest: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church event with food, music and dancers, games and rides, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 23-24; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 25. North Parking Lot, State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis.
Holy Apostles Family Festival: Live music, games, rummage and dinner specials, 4-10:30 p.m. June 23; 3-10:30 p.m. June 24; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 25. 16000 W. National Ave., New Berlin.
St. Mary’s Family Fun Festival: Live music, carnival rides, craft beer and wine tent, 5-11 p.m. June 23; 4-11 p.m. June 24; noon-6 p.m. June 25. Music by Whiskey Flats, Bootjack Road, June 23; 11 One Louder, Kings of Radio, Junee 24; The Hit Men, June 25. 225 S. Hartwell Ave., Waukesha.
Pewaukee Kiwainis Beach Party: Lake Country Clean Water Festival, 5-11:30 p.m. June 23; 7 a.m. a.m.-11:30 p.m. June 24. Music by Block Party, 7 p.m. June 23; Pineapple Daddy & the Coconuts, 11:30 a.m. June 24, Montage, 2 p.m. June 24; 33 RPM, 7 p.m. June 24. Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee.
Hartland’s Hometown Celebration: Live music, arts and craft vendors, food and refreshments, June 30-July 2. Fireworks, 9:30 p.m. June 30. Car Show, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. July 1. Parade, 1:30 p.m. July 2. Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland.
Kettle Moraine Days: Carnival rides, car show, craft fair, tractor pull and live music, June 23-25. Music by Cherry Pie, June 23; The Toys, June 24; The Decade, June 25. Parade, noon June 25. Eagle Village Park, Parkview Drive, Eagle.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 24; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 25. Multiple live music stages, marketplace with arts and crafts, food court, strawberry wine and desserts. N70 W6340 Bridge Road, Cedarburg.
Xavieran Mission Festival: Live music, dinner specials, rummage and bake sale, 3-11 p.m. June 24; noon-7 p.m. June 25. 4500 Xavier Drive, Franklin.
Pommerntag Festival: Pomeranian food and drink, live music, and cultural displays, noon-5:30 p.m. June 25. Rotary Park, 4100 W. Highland Road, Mequon.
Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration: 1-4 p.m. June 25. Swedish music and folk dancing, with activities for children. Heidelberg Park at Bavarian Bierhaus, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale.
Greendale Lions Family 4th Fest: Amusement rides, food and beverage tents and live music, 3-11 p.m. June 30-July 3; 8:30 a.m.-noon July 4. Music by Vintage Groove, Bobby Friss Band, June 30; Smart Mouth, Cherry Pie, July 1; Bobby Way and the Fabulous Wayouts, Bella Cain, July 2; Breaking Cadence, Mount Olive, July 3. Broad St., Greendale.
JULY
St. Mary Parish: Festival, July 7-9. 9520 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners.
Bristol Renaissance Faire: Saturday-Sunday July 8-Sept. 4. 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha.
Lake Country Art Festival: Juried artists, live music, food trucks, beer and wine, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 8. Naga-waukee Park, 651 Highway 83, Delafield.
HomeGrown Music Festival: Outdoor music festival featuring Wisconsin bands, July 9. Regner Park, 800 N. Main St., West Bend.
Ozaukee County Historical Society: Fire Up the Forge, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9. Blacksmithing event, brat fry and bluegrass jam. Ozaukee County Pioneer Village, 4880 County Hwy I, Saukville.
Elkhorn Ribfest: BBQ vendors, live music, flat track racing, artisan village and carnival rides, 3-11 p.m. July 12; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. July 13-15; 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. July 16. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
Delafield Block Party: Food & Music Festival, 5-9 p.m. July 13; 5 p.m.-midnight, July 14-15. Music by Cherry Pie, Myles Wangerin Band, Bella Cain, Kings and The Now. Downtown Delafield.
Dominic Days: Church festival with special dinners, rides, live music and car show, 5-11 p.m. July 13; 5-11 p.m. July 14; 1-11 p.m. July 15; noon-5:30 p.m. July 16. Music by Almighty Vinyl, July 13; Lunchmonry Buddies, 33 RPM, July 14; The Stangs, Swing-o-matics / Temperaments, Bobby Friss Band, July 15; J Ryan Trio, Doo Wop Daddies, July 16. St. Dominic Catholic Church, 18255 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield.
Sussex Lions Daze: Carnival rides, tractor pulls, live music, food and refreshments, 5 p.m.-midnight July 14; noon-midnight July 15; noon-6 p.m. July 16. Music by The Kingfish Band, Smart Mouth, July 14; Giggsaw, Almighty Vinyl, Cherry Pie, July 15; Dirty Boogie, July 16. Parade on Main St., 10:30 a.m. July 16. Sussex Village Park, W244 N6125 Weaver Drive, Sussex.
Rumble By The River: Truck and tractor pull, beer tent, and music by Almighty Vinyl and Bella Cain, 4 p.m.-midnight July 14-15. Big Bend Village Park, Big Bend.
Croatian Fest: Music, cultural programs, food and beverages, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 15. Croatian Park, 9100 S. 76th St., Franklin.
Gathering on the Green: Ann Wilson of Heart, with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, July 15. Cain, July 16. Rotary Park, 4100 W. Highland Road, Mequon.
Old Falls Village Civil War Encampment: Weapon drills and displays, battle reenactments, food and beer garden, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 15; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 16. Pilgrim Road and Highway Q, Menomonee Falls.
New Berlin Historical Society: Ice Cream Social, 1-4 p.m. July 16. Make homemade ice cream, tour historic houses, and kids ride a barrel train. Lunch and desserts available. Free admission. Historical Park, 19765 W. National Ave.
Armenian Fest: Community festival celebrating Armenian culture, food and music, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 16. St. John the Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church, 7825 W. Layton Ave.
Mukwonago Croatian Day: Cultural celebration, music and food, 10 a.m. July 22. Field Park, Highway 83 and NN, Mukwonago.
MKE Food Truck Fest: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. July 22. Mid Gate, Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show: July 22-23. Military air performers featuring the Navy Blue Angels flight squadron, civilian air performers, ground displays and water shows. Event grounds are located along Lincoln Memorial Drive, at McKinley Park, between Bradford and McKinley Beaches.
Hartland Street Dance: Family games, entertainment, food and beverages, 3-11 p.m. July 22. Music by The LoveMonkeys at 7:30 p.m. Downtown Hartland.
South Milwaukee Lionsfest: 4 p.m.-11 p.m. July 28; noon-11 p.m. July 29; noon-5 p.m. July 30. Car Show, 4-10 p.m. July 28. Music by Doo-Wop Daddies, Mt. Olive, July 28; Sweet Shieks, Smart Mouth, Almighty Vinyl, July 29; Group Therapy, July 30. Fish, rib or brisket, and chicken dinners, roasted corn, grilled foods, games and rides. 16th Ave. and Rawson Ave., South Milwaukee.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Funfest: Parish Festival, July 28-30. 12700 W. Howard Ave., New Berlin.
St. John the Evangelist: Family Festival, July 28-30. 8500 W. Coldspring Road, Greenfield.
Milwaukee Brewfest: Beer sampling, music and exhibits, 3-6:30 p.m. July 29. Gates open 2 p.m. for VIP ticket. McKinley Park, 1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Antique & Flea Market: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. July 29. St. Mary of the Hill Parish, 1515 Carmel Road, Hubertus.
Elkhorn Truck & Shuck: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. July 29. Food trucks, live music, craft and commercial vendors. Veterans Park, 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn.
Williams Bay Fine Art & Craft Fest: Juried fine art show, July 29-30. Edgewater Park, Geneva St., Williams Bay.
Lakeside at MAM: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 29-30; Aug. 12-13; 19-20. Musicians, yoga and dance classes, refreshments from the Museum Café, and art making with the Kohl’s Art Studio. Milwaukee Art Museum, East Lawn, 700 N. Art Museum Drive.
Slovak-American Day: July 30. Croatian Park, 9100 S. 76th St., Franklin.
AUGUST
DAS Fest USA: Celebrating German-history and culture, with dance, music, and marketplace, 3-10:30 p.m. Aug. 4; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Aug. 5; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 6. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
Sprecher Root Beer Bash: Root Beer Float Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5. Free rootbeer float, music by 5 Card Studs, petting zoo, and kids dance party. The Yard at Bayshore, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale.
Firefly Art Fair: Art show in the gardens, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 5-6. Juried art fair features local and national artists. Kneeland-Walker House, 7406 Hillcrest Drive, Wauwatosa.
Jewish Food Festival: The Peltz Center for Jewish Life celebrates culture, music and ethnic foods with the community, noon-7 p.m. Aug. 6-7. Rotary Park, 4100 Highland Road, Mequon.
Starving Artist Fair: Racine Art Guild juried art show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 6. DeKoven Center, Wisconsin Ave. and 21st St., Racine.
Milwaukee Black Theater Festival: Aug. 9-27. Event features free and ticketed events at multiple venues.
Greendale Village Days: Amusement rides, live music, food & beer tents, 3-11 p.m. Aug. 10-11; 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 12. Music by Blues’s Addiction, Ivy Ford Band, Boney Fingers, Milwaukee’s Addiction, Elephant Gun, Katie Mack and the Moan, and The Dweebs. Gazebo Park, Greendale.
Watertown Riverfest: Music, craft fair and family entertainment, Aug. 10-13. Riverside Park, 850 Labaree St., Watertown.
Luxembourg Fest: Parade and festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12; Mass & Pageantry, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 13. Belgium Community Park, 106 Beech St. Belgium.
Waukesha Rotary BluesFest: Music and art festival presented by the Waukesha Rotary Club, 1-10 p.m. Aug. 11-12. Musical headliners are Southern Avenue, Aug. 11; Maria Muldaur, Aug. 12. Naga-Waukee Park, 651 Highway 83, Delafield.
Morning Glory Art Fair: Juried fine art and craft show and sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 12-13. On the Fiserv Forum Plaza, 1111 Phillips Ave.
Lake Geneva Art in the Park: Juried fine art and craft fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 12; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 13. Flat Iron Park, Wrigley Drive and Center St., Lake Geneva.
Waukesha Old Car Club: Car Show, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 13. Picnic in the Park with music, food and refreshments from noon-3:30 p.m. Frame Park, Waukesha.
Bluegrass at the Village: Food, beverages and auction, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 13. Music by The Piper Road String Band, Pickin’ Up Speed, Fox Crossing String Band and the Stillhouse Junkies. Ozaukee County Pioneer Village, 4880 Highway I, Saukville.
A la Carte at the Zoo: Local restaurant foods and entertainment, zoo animal attractions and activities, 9:30 a.m..-9 p.m. Aug. 17-19; 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 20. Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Road.
Milwaukee Fringe Festival: Theater, music, art and dance festival, Aug. 18-19. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St.
HarborPark Jazz Rhythm & Blues: Lakefront music festival, Aug. 19. HarborPark Celebration Place, 5501 Ring Road, Kenosha.
Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts: Juried fine art, children’s area, musical entertainment, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 19-20. Fowler Lake Park, 438 N. Oakwood Ave., Oconomowoc.
St. Louis Parish Festival: Aug. 19-20. Local bands, kids activities, tractor parade, raffles and auction, farmer’s market and plant sale, craft booth area and food court. 13207 County Road G, Caledonia.
GERMANfest: Entertainment, cultural history, food and beverages, Aug. 24-27. Regner Park, West Bend.
St. Matthias Parish: Festival, Aug. 25-27. 9306 W. Beloit Road.
DandiLion Daze: Community festival with live music, carnival and midway rides, 5-11:30 p.m. Aug. 25; 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Aug. 26; noon-6 p.m. Aug. 27. Music by Stetsin and Lace, Aug. 25; The Now, Aug. 26. Parade, 11 a.m. Aug. 27. Veterans Memorial Park, W182 S8200 Racine Ave., Muskego.
St. James Parish: Festival with car show, fireworks, local bands, games and rides, food court and bakery booth, 4-11:30 p.m. Aug. 25; 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Aug. 26; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 27. Music by The Now, Aug. 25; Depot Express, Bella Cain, Aug. 26; Reverend Raven, Aug. 27. 830 E. Veterans Way, Mukwonago.
Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair: Juried fine arts and crafts, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 26. Wales Community Park, 500 S. Brandybrook Road, Wales.
Art in the Park: Members of the Art Guild of Menomonee Falls, Aug. 27. Village Park, Appleton Ave. and Garfield Drive, Menomonee Falls.
LABOR DAY & BEYOND
Saint Francis Days: Sept. 1-3. Milton Vretenar Memorial Park, 4230 S. Kirkwood Ave., St. Francis.
Wisconsin Highland Games: Sept. 1-3. Celebrate the culture of the British Isles. Waukesha Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha.
Third Ward Art Festival: Sept. 2-3. Fine art and craft show. 345 N. Broadway.
St. Luke Fall Festival: 4-10:30 p.m. Sept. 8. 18000 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield.
Silver City International Festival: Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 9. Live music, food and art vendors, children’s art activities. On National Ave. between 33rd and 35th St.
TosaFest: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 9; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 10. Three music stages, beer gardens, kidsfest, food court and vendor market. Wauwatosa Village.
Trimborn Farm: Harvest of Art & Crafts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 9-10. 8881 W. Grange Ave., Greendale.