The final full weekend of August is packed with culture, concerts, lakefront celebrations, theatre, art, sports, and family activities. These 20 picks for Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23 were rechecked against organizer, venue, tourism, or authorized ticketing pages on August 21, 2026. Availability and weather plans can still change, so reopen the official link before you leave.
Festivals, food, and culture
1. Mexican Fiesta
Milwaukee’s lakefront celebration of Mexican culture fills the Summerfest grounds with music, dance, food, art, shopping, cultural programming, and family activities.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Noon–midnight daily.
- Venue
- Henry Maier Festival Park
- Address
- 200 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Gate admission is $28 for ages 9+; children 8 and under are free with an adult. Food, drinks, and some activities cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Festival-park accessible routes, restrooms, and seating areas are available; contact the organizer for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Paid festival-park and downtown parking varies by availability. Transit, The Hop, and rideshare are alternatives.
- Tickets / registration
- Admission ticket required for guests 9+ unless a published free-entry offer applies.
- Capacity / sales status
- Gate admission remains available. Friday offers free admission from noon–3 p.m.; other time-limited discounts have eligibility and ID rules.
- Weather
- Largely outdoors; check official alerts for weather or schedule changes.
2. Taste of Egypt
Try Egyptian dishes and desserts while exploring church tours, cooking demonstrations, art, a bazaar, children’s activities, and Coptic culture.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday begins at 11 a.m.; the published weekend program runs through 7 p.m. Sunday. Check the daily schedule for activity times.
- Venue
- St. Mary & St. Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church
- Address
- 1521 W Drexel Avenue, Oak Creek, WI 53154
- Price
- Free admission; food and selected activities cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly.
- Accessibility
- Church and festival grounds are used; contact the organizer for a specific route or accommodation.
- Parking
- Use the church’s event parking and follow volunteer directions during peak meal periods.
- Tickets / registration
- No general-admission ticket is listed; some workshops or activities may have separate sign-ups.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public festival with no sold-out notice; popular food items and activities can reach capacity.
- Weather
- Mix of indoor and outdoor programming; check organizer updates if storms threaten.
3. Lake Geneva Venetian Festival
Lake Geneva’s signature summer festival combines carnival rides, live music, an arts-and-crafts fair, a Sunday water-ski show, a lighted boat parade, and fireworks.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday programming runs into midnight; Saturday and Sunday activities begin in the morning. Sunday’s boat parade begins at dusk, followed by fireworks.
- Venue
- Flat Iron, Library, and Seminary parks
- Address
- Downtown Lake Geneva, WI 53147
- Price
- Grounds admission is free; carnival rides, food, and the 21+ entertainment pavilion cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages across the festival; the beer tent is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Downtown park routes vary between pavement, lawn, and waterfront areas; contact the Jaycees for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Use signed downtown lots and street parking, and expect waterfront spaces to fill early Sunday.
- Tickets / registration
- No grounds ticket; certain activities and carnival wristbands are sold separately.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public festival. Prime waterfront viewing and entertainment-pavilion space are capacity-limited.
- Weather
- Outdoor festival; fireworks, boat parade, and rides are weather dependent.
4. Lakeside Literary Festival
The inaugural book festival features an author fair, signings, a Hannah Morrissey keynote, author conversations, a children’s writing workshop, and the Lakeside Youth Literary Award announcement.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Venue
- Lake Geneva Public Library
- Address
- 918 W Main Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
- Price
- Free; individual free program tickets are limited.
- Audience
- Readers and writers of all ages; the children’s workshop is designed for ages 7–12.
- Accessibility
- Library entrances and public areas are accessible; contact the library for a program-specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Use library and downtown Lake Geneva parking; published ticket information notes paid parking may apply.
- Tickets / registration
- The author fair is open, but free reservations are recommended for talks and workshops.
- Capacity / sales status
- Major capacity warning: the authorized ticket page showed few tickets left when checked.
- Weather
- Indoors.
5. A La Carte at the Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo marks 40 years of A La Carte with food from more than 30 restaurants and entertainment across six stages.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Venue
- Milwaukee County Zoo
- Address
- 10001 W Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226
- Price
- Entertainment is included with zoo admission; parking, food, beverages, attractions, and rides cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly.
- Accessibility
- Paved routes, accessible restrooms, seating areas, and limited mobility rentals are available.
- Parking
- Paid on-site parking; expect the closest spaces and rentals to fill during headliner periods.
- Tickets / registration
- Zoo admission required; musical entertainment is included.
- Capacity / sales status
- Admission and entertainment remain available; stage seating is limited and first come, first served.
- Weather
- Mix of outdoor grounds and indoor animal buildings; check official weather notices.
Art, lakefront celebrations, and community gatherings
6. Falls Festival of the Arts
More than 100 artists join live music, demonstrations, performing artists, street performers, food trucks, a kids zone, and a community art project.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Venue
- Village Park
- Address
- N87W16749 Garfield Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
- Price
- Free admission; food, drinks, and artwork cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly.
- Accessibility
- Park approaches are paved, while displays and activities may use lawn areas; contact the organizer for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Use signed downtown and park-area parking; arrive early for closer spaces.
- Tickets / registration
- No visitor registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public event with no sold-out notice.
- Weather
- Outdoor festival; check organizer updates for severe weather.
7. LakeFest Kenosha
Two lakefront venues host live music, food, vendors, family water activities, a boat parade, bonfires, and an evening 1980s glow party, connected by a free trolley.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; individual activities have separate times.
- Venue
- Celebration Place at HarborPark and Kenosha Beach House
- Address
- 5501 Ring Road and 5001 Simmons Island Road, Kenosha, WI 53140
- Price
- Free admission; food and beverages cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; evening music and bonfires may be loud or crowded.
- Accessibility
- The trolley connects both sites; lakefront lawn, beach, and sand conditions vary. Contact the sailing center for specific needs.
- Parking
- Free trolley service connects the venues, parking garage, and Kemper Center from 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Tickets / registration
- No general admission registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public event; the free trolley and prime boat-parade viewing are capacity-limited.
- Weather
- Outdoor waterfront event; activities, parade, and bonfires are weather dependent.
8. Kemper Center 50th Anniversary Celebration
The historic lakefront campus celebrates five decades of community stewardship with classic cars, market vendors, free mansion tours, live music, and fireworks.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 9 a.m.–approximately 9 p.m., ending with fireworks.
- Venue
- Kemper Center
- Address
- 6501 Third Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143
- Price
- Free general admission; food and vendor purchases cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly; fireworks can be loud.
- Accessibility
- Historic buildings and outdoor grounds vary; contact Kemper Center before arrival for a specific route or tour accommodation.
- Parking
- Use on-site and nearby lakefront parking; the LakeFest trolley also includes Kemper Center on its route.
- Tickets / registration
- No general-admission ticket is listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public celebration with no sold-out notice; tour groups may fill.
- Weather
- Outdoor portions and fireworks are weather dependent.
9. Afterlight on the Milwaukee RiverWalk
A free citywide celebration transforms the RiverWalk with glowing installations, interactive art, pop-up performances, and a concert at Riverwalk Commons.
- Date
- Friday, August 21
- Time
- Riverwalk Commons music 6:30–9 p.m.; the broader experience continues after sunset.
- Venue
- Milwaukee RiverWalk and Riverwalk Commons
- Address
- RiverWalk from Erie Street to Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Free; food and beverages cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; evening lighting, crowds, and sound vary along the route.
- Accessibility
- The route uses public RiverWalk segments; elevators, ramps, and detours vary by access point. Review the event map before arrival.
- Parking
- Use downtown parking, The Hop, MCTS, walking, or rideshare; Milwaukee Public Market validates its lot for the concert while space lasts.
- Tickets / registration
- No general admission ticket.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public event with no sold-out notice; performance viewing areas are first come, first served.
- Weather
- Outdoors and weather dependent.
10. Waukesha Farmers’ Market
Shop local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, and artisan products in downtown Waukesha’s weekly outdoor market.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 8 a.m.–noon.
- Venue
- Farmers’ Market Area
- Address
- 125 W St. Paul Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53188
- Price
- Free admission; purchases cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages.
- Accessibility
- Street-level paved market area with nearby curb access; crowds can be dense.
- Parking
- Use signed downtown street, lot, or garage parking.
- Tickets / registration
- No visitor registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public market; individual vendors can sell out before noon.
- Weather
- Outdoor market; confirm day-of weather notices.
Theatre and live music
11. Disaster! The ’70s Musical — Bombshell Theatre Company
Bombshell’s musical comedy turns a 1979 floating-casino disaster into a fast parody built around familiar 1970s songs and assigned seating.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.
- Venue
- Bombshell Studio Theatre
- Address
- 19700 W Bluemound Road, Suite 6, Brookfield, WI 53045
- Price
- Standard $40 plus tax and $2.95 processing; senior 65+ or child 12 and under $38 plus tax and processing. Saturday-night tickets are $25 under the posted offer.
- Audience
- Musical-theatre audience; parents should review the parody content for younger children.
- Accessibility
- Assigned seating; contact the box office before purchase for wheelchair placement or another accommodation.
- Parking
- Free parking is available in the theatre’s retail-center lot.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required; assigned seats are selected through the official box office.
- Capacity / sales status
- Major warning: Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. are sold out. Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. remained selectable when checked.
- Weather
- Indoors.
12. Fresh Coast Jazz Festival
The seventh annual festival brings contemporary jazz, soul, and R&B to downtown Milwaukee, including Spyro Gyra, Jonathan Butler, Kandace Springs, Jarrod Lawson, and Milwaukee’s Hometown All-Stars.
- Date
- Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
- Time
- Friday performances begin at 6 p.m.; Saturday’s main Pabst Theater program begins at 5 p.m., with separately scheduled festival extras.
- Venue
- The Pabst Theater
- Address
- 144 E Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Ticket prices vary by package and performance.
- Audience
- All ages unless a specific late-night venue posts a restriction.
- Accessibility
- Accessible reserved seating and venue assistance are available through the Pabst Theater Group.
- Parking
- Use paid downtown structures, The Hop, MCTS, or rideshare.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required for main performances and ticketed extras.
- Capacity / sales status
- Authorized ticket links remained active; reserved seats and cruise capacity are finite.
- Weather
- Main performances are indoors; cruise programming has separate weather terms.
13. Emmitt James Big Band BBQ
Milwaukee artist Emmitt James combines hip-hop and jazz with The Lemon Pepper Steppers, a 20-piece band, while supporting the TBEY Arts Center.
- Date
- Friday, August 21
- Time
- Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m.
- Venue
- Turner Hall Ballroom
- Address
- 1040 N Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Price
- $10 general admission; limited $50 VIP tickets include early entry, reserved seating, one food voucher, and one shirt.
- Audience
- All ages under the venue’s standard entry policy; alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Contact the Pabst Theater Group for accessible entry or seating arrangements.
- Parking
- Use paid downtown structures, street parking where permitted, transit, or rideshare.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- General admission was on sale; VIP inventory is explicitly limited.
- Weather
- Indoors.
14. Outlaw Music Festival
Willie Nelson & Family headline an outdoor roots-music bill with The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was Band, and Particle Kid.
- Date
- Friday, August 21
- Time
- Doors 2:30 p.m.; music 3:30–11:20 p.m. under the published set-time schedule.
- Venue
- Alpine Valley Music Theatre
- Address
- 2699 County Road D, East Troy, WI 53120
- Price
- Ticket, parking, and upgrade prices vary by location and inventory.
- Audience
- All ages with a ticket; concert sound levels can be intense.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating and parking should be arranged through the authorized ticket or venue service.
- Parking
- Review the venue’s parking rules and arrival guidance before traveling.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required; buy through the official tour or venue link.
- Capacity / sales status
- Tickets remained on sale; preferred sections, parking, and upgrades are capacity-limited.
- Weather
- Outdoor amphitheatre; follow official severe-weather instructions.
15. Tim McGraw: Pawn Shop Guitar Tour
Tim McGraw brings more than three decades of country hits to Alpine Valley, with 49 Winchester opening.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- 7 p.m.
- Venue
- Alpine Valley Music Theatre
- Address
- 2699 County Road D, East Troy, WI 53120
- Price
- Ticket, parking, and optional upgrade prices vary by inventory.
- Audience
- All ages with a ticket; concert sound levels can be intense.
- Accessibility
- Accessible tickets, parking, and venue assistance are available through Live Nation.
- Parking
- Review the official venue parking and traffic guidance before leaving.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required; parking and upgrades do not include admission unless clearly stated.
- Capacity / sales status
- Authorized tickets remained available; reserved, lawn, parking, and upgrade inventory can sell out.
- Weather
- Outdoor amphitheatre; follow official weather and safety alerts.
Sports, races, and family outings
16. Jeep AVCA First Serve
Top NCAA Division I women’s volleyball programs open the season with doubleheaders featuring Wisconsin, Kentucky, Louisville, Texas, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, SMU, and Arizona State.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday 5 and 8 p.m.; Saturday 3 and 6 p.m.; Sunday noon and 3 p.m. Pre-event Deer District block parties begin earlier each day.
- Venue
- Fiserv Forum
- Address
- 1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Price
- Ticket prices vary by session and seat.
- Audience
- All ages; arena security and mobile-ticket policies apply.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating, entrances, restrooms, and guest assistance are available through Fiserv Forum.
- Parking
- Use official arena parking, nearby structures, The Hop, MCTS, or rideshare.
- Tickets / registration
- A session ticket is required for matches; the outdoor block party is separate.
- Capacity / sales status
- Tickets remained on sale; courtside and preferred sections are capacity-limited.
- Weather
- Matches are indoors; Deer District activities are outdoors.
17. Milwaukee Milkmen vs. Cleburne Railroaders
The Milkmen close a three-game homestand with Friday fireworks, Saturday Margaritaville programming and a limited shirt giveaway, and Sunday Fan Appreciation Day.
- Date
- Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
- Time
- Friday 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.
- Venue
- Franklin Field
- Address
- 7035 S Ballpark Drive, Franklin, WI 53132
- Price
- Ticket prices vary by seat; parking is free.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly; Friday fireworks can be loud.
- Accessibility
- Contact Franklin Field for accessible seating and entry assistance.
- Parking
- Free on-site parking.
- Tickets / registration
- Game ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Tickets remained on sale. Saturday’s Hawaiian shirt is limited to the first 750 fans age 21+; Sunday’s bobblehead is limited to the first 1,000 fans.
- Weather
- Outdoor baseball; follow official delay or postponement notices.
18. Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves
The Brewers host Atlanta for Friday’s Black Culture Fest and Saturday’s Hank Aaron replica-jersey promotion. Sunday’s series finale is the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, not a Milwaukee-attendance event.
- Date
- Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 in Milwaukee
- Time
- Friday 3:10 p.m.; Saturday 1:10 p.m. Sunday’s televised Williamsport game begins at 6:10 p.m. CT.
- Venue
- American Family Field
- Address
- 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214
- Price
- Ticket and parking prices vary by game and inventory.
- Audience
- All ages; stadium security and bag rules apply.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating, parking, restrooms, elevators, sensory resources, and guest assistance are detailed in the Brewers Access Guide.
- Parking
- Prepaid stadium parking is recommended; transit and rideshare are alternatives.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required for Friday or Saturday at American Family Field.
- Capacity / sales status
- Official ticket links remained active. Saturday’s jersey is a limited in-ballpark giveaway; Sunday is not open to general Milwaukee attendance.
- Weather
- American Family Field has a retractable roof; check game-day operations.
19. Summer Sizzler — Milwaukee
Choose a one-mile, 5K, 10K, or 15K race, plus a children’s dash, with chip timing, medals, and post-finish activities.
- Date
- Saturday, August 22
- Time
- Kids dash 6:55 a.m.; timed races begin 7 a.m.
- Venue
- Milwaukee County Sports Complex
- Address
- 6000 W Ryan Road, Franklin, WI 53132
- Price
- Published registration range is $17–$45 depending on event and age.
- Audience
- Walkers and runners of varied paces; children 10 and under may enter the kids dash.
- Accessibility
- Review course maps and contact the race director before registering for a mobility accommodation.
- Parking
- Use Sports Complex parking and arrive before packet pickup closes at 6:45 a.m.
- Tickets / registration
- Paid registration required for timed distances; the no-swag kids dash may be entered free under organizer rules.
- Capacity / sales status
- Online registration remained open; shirt sizes and race inventory are limited.
- Weather
- Outdoor race. The organizer may convert the event to virtual if cancellation becomes necessary.
20. Wheels & Water at Discovery World
Children can get close to large machinery and the emergency, utility, transportation, and water-focused vehicles that keep the region moving.
- Date
- Sunday, August 23
- Time
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Venue
- Discovery World outdoor grounds
- Address
- 500 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- The outdoor event is free; museum admission and parking are separate.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly; horns, sirens, and machinery may be loud.
- Accessibility
- Discovery World offers accessible entrances, restrooms, and guest services; outdoor vehicle spacing may vary.
- Parking
- Paid Discovery World garage and nearby lakefront parking; The Hop’s Lakefront stop is a short walk away.
- Tickets / registration
- No outdoor-event ticket is listed; museum entry requires separate admission.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public outdoor event with no sold-out notice; vehicle access areas may be capacity-controlled.
- Weather
- Outdoor event and weather dependent.
Before you go
Major availability notes: Bombshell Theatre’s Friday and Saturday evening performances are sold out, while the weekend matinees remained selectable when checked. The Lakeside Literary Festival’s authorized ticket page showed few free program tickets left. Fresh Coast Jazz, Alpine Valley concerts, AVCA volleyball, baseball, and race registration all use finite ticket or entry inventory.
Event details, ticket inventory, parking plans, promotions, and weather policies can change after publication. Reopen the official event link on the day you plan to attend, confirm the start time and admission status, and purchase only from the organizer or its authorized seller.
For a specific accessibility need, contact the organizer before arrival. A general listing cannot confirm every seating location, route, interpreter, sensory support, service-animal accommodation, or parking arrangement.
Educational information: This guide is general community information, not a guarantee of admission, accessibility, parking, weather, safety, price, schedule, age suitability, or ticket availability. The Goodland Collection is not affiliated with these events or responsible for organizer changes. Events can sell out, change, postpone, or cancel after publication; confirm current details and buy only through the organizer or its authorized ticketing partner.