Milwaukee Festivals & Shows

Milwaukee plays host to the Wisconsin State Fair and the largest musical festival in the world. This city has truly earned its nickname of "The City of Festivals" due to the large amount of celebrations held throughout the year. Summer is an especially popular time for cultural festivals, the majority of which are held at the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront. Here are just a few of the most popular festivals in the city.

Music lovers must make it out to the annual Summerfest, an eleven-day mega festival filled with music, shows and food. Eleven stages fill the Henry Maier Festival Park and feature more than 700 bands, including some of the biggest names in the music world. The largest music festival in the world, drawing in over one million people annually, concludes with an enormous fireworks demonstration.

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 273-2680
Web: www.summerfest.com

Continue the long tradition of the Wisconsin State Fair by joining in on the eleven-day festivities in West Allis, right outside of the Milwaukee city limits. Since 1851, this fair has drawn in vendors and citizens from all across the state. Yearly venues include regional and national bands, carnival rides, specialty vendors, agricultural exhibits and a variety of food and drink, including the popular cream puffs.

Address: 640 South 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214 - MAP
Phone: (414) 266-7000
Web: www.wistatefair.com

Celebrate North America's largest outdoor French themed festival in downtown Milwaukee! Bastille Days is held annually in July and features impromptu street performances, roaming minstrels, a variety of musical entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica. Runners and walkers kick off the festival with the "Storming of the Bastille," a 5-K run and two mile walk.

Address: 770 N Jefferson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 271-1416
Web: www.easttown.com

Not all Milwaukee festivals occur during the summer. Party for four weekends after Labor Day at the Bavarian Inn's annual Oktoberfest, the oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest in the Midwest. Enjoy delicious food and local brews, as well as music, dancing and live performances.

Address: 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI 53217 - MAP
Phone: (414) 964-0300
Web: www.bavarianinnmilw.com

Hobbyists and families alike will enjoy the annual Trainfest, held in the West Allis suburb. America's largest operating model railroad show features more than 50 superbly detailed and highly creative model train scenes spread over 200,000 square feet. Vendors sell the latest model train products and offer great deals to fair goers.

Address: 8200 West Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee (West Allis), WI 53214 - MAP
Web: www.trainfest.com

Wrap up your summer with the Indian Summer Festival in September. This festival is the largest Native American celebration of its kind in the country, and features nationally known American Indian performers and entertainers, as well as art and food. Learn about and celebrate America's most ancient culture!

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 774-7119
Web: www.indiansummer.org

Since its creation in 1982, the African World Festival has strove to promote and share the culture and heritage of all people of African descent with the global community. Enjoy the music and dance performances, explore the cultural village, shop at the Marketplace, sample a variety of ethnic food and let the children have fun at their own little Children's Village.

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 291-7959
Web: www.africanworldfestival.homestead.com

From June until August, come out and celebrate the local artists at River Rhythms. This free outdoor music concert in downtown takes place on Wednesdays and showcases a wide variety of musical entertainment. Bring a picnic and blanket for a day filled with music.

Address: 900 N Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 276-6696
Web: www.westown.org

Also...

Irish Fest

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 476-3378
Web: www.irishfest.com

Mexican Fiesta

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 383-7066
Web: www.mexicanfiesta.org

PrideFest

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 272-3378
Web: www.pridefest.com

Polish Fest

Address: 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 - MAP
Phone: (414) 529-2140
Web: www.polishfest.org

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Milwaukee Festivals & Shows

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