A harvest festival in Cedarburg, a street party in Racine, a book-filled Sunday in Kenosha, and a farmers market morning in West Bend: this weekend offers plenty of reasons to explore beyond your usual neighborhood. These 20 choices span September 18–20, 2026, with indoor performances, outdoor gatherings, family outings, and adult nightlife grouped by type. Choose one anchor event, check its official link, and leave time for parking and the trip between communities.
Read this before making plans
Official organizer, venue, and ticketing information was checked September 17, 2026. All times below are local Central Time. When an organizer publishes only a start time, we say so instead of inventing an ending. Street festivals may occupy several blocks; where there is no single entrance, the listing gives the official district or a clearly identified navigation point.
A buy button is not a promise that every seat or ticket type remains available. Ride on the Wild Side has closed online registration but advertises day-of registration. The Moth does not guarantee a seat, and some MSO seating sections are limited. Freshwater’s admission does not include every tasting. Where the official seller did not expose a verifiable current dollar amount, that limitation is stated rather than replaced with a resale estimate.
Accessibility and parking details are included when the organizer readily provides them. Otherwise, contact the venue about your particular route, seating, restroom, or mobility needs; an absent note does not mean a site is inaccessible. Bombshell Theatre Company’s current listings were also checked: no performance was listed for September 18–20, so none has been added to this weekend’s count.
Festivals & Fairs
1. Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival
Browse artisan stalls and food vendors along Cedarburg’s historic downtown, then build in time for live music. Sunday’s giant-pumpkin regatta adds an especially playful reason to bring the family.
- Date
- Saturday–Sunday, September 19–20, 2026
- Time
- Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (main-stage music until 9 p.m.); Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Pumpkin regatta Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Venue
- Historic downtown Cedarburg
- Address
- Washington Avenue between Bridge Road and Western Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012. Festival-office navigation point: W63N643 Washington Avenue; not a single gated entrance.
- Price
- Free admission; food, drinks, and purchases extra.
- Audience
- All ages; alcohol service restricted to adults 21+.
- Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms at the Community Gym and Cedar Creek Park; not every historic building is accessible.
- Parking
- Expect construction-related rerouting and limited downtown parking; use the organizer’s current parking information.
- Tickets / registration
- No general-admission ticket or gate.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open street festival; individual activities and vendors have their own limits.
- Weather
- Rain or shine, subject to severe-weather decisions.
2. Bay View Bash
Spend an afternoon moving between neighborhood music, food, art, and community booths. The volunteer-run celebration raises money for local projects, making this a neighborhood outing with a practical community purpose.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Venue
- Kinnickinnic Avenue festival district
- Address
- South Kinnickinnic Avenue between Potter and Clement streets, Milwaukee, WI 53207. Organizer’s mapped anchor: Rushmor Records, 2635 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue.
- Price
- The official event page lists no admission charge; food, drinks, and purchases cost extra. Confirm any activity-specific charges.
- Audience
- Community festival; no carry-ins permitted.
- Parking
- Neighborhood street parking; follow posted restrictions.
- Tickets / registration
- No attendee reservation requirement is listed by the organizer.
- Capacity / sales status
- No sold-out notice on the official festival listing; this is not a reserved-seat event.
- Weather
- Outdoor street festival; check organizer updates before departure.
3. Racine Party on the Pavement
Explore downtown Racine through music, food, and street entertainment. BMX demonstrations and afternoon wrestling give families useful scheduled stops between browsing businesses and performance areas.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- Noon–7 p.m.; BMX at 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30 p.m.; wrestling 2–5 p.m.
- Venue
- Downtown Racine street-festival district
- Address
- Main Street from State Street to 7th Street, and 6th Street from Lake Avenue toward City Hall, Racine, WI 53403. Use Main Street and 6th Street as a district navigation point; no single numbered entrance is published.
- Price
- Free admission; vendor purchases extra.
- Audience
- Family-friendly community event.
- Tickets / registration
- No advance general-admission registration listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open street festival; viewing space and individual activities may fill.
- Weather
- Outdoor; confirm weather-related changes with Downtown Racine.
4. Holy Hill Arts & Crafts Fair
Make a day of handmade work and fall scenery in Hubertus. This is a browsing-and-shopping outing rather than a single stage performance, so allow time to explore the exhibitors at your own pace.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Venue
- Holy Hill grounds
- Address
- 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus, WI 53033
- Price
- $6 admission; ages 12 and under free. Purchases and refreshments extra.
- Audience
- All ages.
- Parking
- Organizer advertises free parking and shuttle service.
- Tickets / registration
- Fair admission; confirm payment details with the organizer.
- Capacity / sales status
- No sold-out notice in the official announcement; artisan inventory varies.
- Weather
- Rain or shine.
Theatre, Stories & Dance
5. The World Goes ’Round
Hear Kander and Ebb’s Broadway songs in the close-up setting of the Stackner Cabaret. A matinee can anchor an afternoon downtown; evening patrons can separately plan pre-show dining.
- Date
- Friday–Sunday, September 18–20, 2026
- Time
- Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 and 7 p.m. End times not published on the ticket listing.
- Venue
- Milwaukee Rep’s Stackner Cabaret
- Address
- 108 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Friday’s displayed seat-price legend: $25–$62, plus $2.25 ticket fee, $3 facility fee, and applicable tax. Other performances and seats differ; dining is separate.
- Audience
- Musical-theatre audiences; consult the Rep for age guidance.
- Accessibility
- The Level 2 venue can be reached by parking-garage elevators; arrange accessible seating with the Rep.
- Tickets / registration
- Performance-specific reserved tickets required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Small cabaret with limited seating; check the chosen performance’s live seat map.
- Weather
- Indoor performance.
6. Moon Over Buffalo
Waukesha Civic Theatre’s backstage farce follows performers hoping for a Hollywood break while misunderstandings threaten their plans. Choose an afternoon or evening performance and pair it with a downtown Waukesha visit.
- Date
- Friday–Sunday, September 18–20, 2026
- Time
- Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. End times not listed.
- Venue
- Waukesha Civic Theatre
- Address
- 264 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186
- Price
- Adults $36; seniors 60+ and military $33; under 18 $27. Confirm any checkout fees.
- Audience
- Comedy audiences; ask the theatre about content suitability.
- Tickets / registration
- Select and purchase tickets for a specific performance.
- Capacity / sales status
- Ticket links active; remaining seats vary by showtime.
- Weather
- Indoor performance.
7. The Moth StorySLAM: Nine to Five
Listen to short, true stories built around working life—or prepare one of your own for the open-mic format. The appeal is the unexpected perspective, not a scripted play or polished keynote.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 8–10 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
- Venue
- Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Walker’s Point
- Address
- 224 W. Bruce Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
- Price
- $15 ticket plus $3 processing fee: $18 displayed total.
- Audience
- Storytelling content varies; not specifically presented as children’s programming.
- Tickets / registration
- Advance ticket recommended; seller limits purchases to four per order.
- Capacity / sales status
- Seating is first-come and not guaranteed. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the show; late admission is not guaranteed. A small door allocation may be offered, not promised.
- Weather
- Indoor event.
8. Rock This Way! An Aerosmith Experience
Water Street Dance Milwaukee combines contemporary dance with live music drawn from Aerosmith’s catalog. This is a dance-and-music production, not a concert by Aerosmith itself.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 7:30 p.m.; the ticket page does not publish an end time.
- Venue
- Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
- Address
- W68N611 Evergreen Boulevard, Cedarburg, WI 53012
- Price
- $37.70 per ticket displayed, including the listed online ticketing charges.
- Audience
- Every attendee needs a ticket; no lap children.
- Accessibility
- Contact the venue before ordering wheelchair-accessible seating.
- Tickets / registration
- Reserved-seat ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Seat-selection page active; specific seats subject to availability.
- Weather
- Indoor performance.
Live Music & Nightlife
9. Milwaukee Symphony: Season Opening Fanfare
The current program pairs Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man with Barber’s Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Michael Sanderling conducts, with violinist Hyun Jae Lim; arrive early for the pre-concert talk.
- Date
- Friday–Saturday, September 18–19, 2026
- Time
- 7:30 p.m. both nights; pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Official concert page does not state an end time.
- Venue
- Bradley Symphony Center, Allen-Bradley Hall
- Address
- 212 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Price
- Paid reserved seats; a current dollar range was not exposed in the official listing. MSO says its displayed checkout prices include $4 preservation and $7 processing fees; optional mailing costs $5.
- Audience
- Orchestral-music audiences; ask MSO about age and accommodation policies.
- Tickets / registration
- Choose the performance and seat through MSO’s ticket selector.
- Capacity / sales status
- Friday’s selector shows several available sections, some limited sections, and very limited box seating—not a blanket sellout.
- Weather
- Indoor concert.
10. Steve Aoki: Dim Mak 30
An electronic-music night at The Rave gives the weekend a very different tempo. Check the precise ticket type before ordering: the current promotion is sold as a pair, not as two separate full-price tickets.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 8 p.m.; outdoor plaza opens at 7:30 p.m. if weather permits. End time not published.
- Venue
- The Rave / Eagles Club
- Address
- 2401 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
- Price
- Current online buy-one-get-one offer: $45.50 per pair for general-admission floor, or $55.50 per VIP-balcony pair. Confirm final charges and offer availability before payment.
- Audience
- All ages; 21+ to drink.
- Accessibility
- Call 414-342-7283 about accessibility arrangements.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required; the pair promotion is online only.
- Capacity / sales status
- Limited-time offer; no promise that it will remain available through showtime.
- Weather
- Indoor concert; outdoor plaza is weather-dependent.
11. Mondo Lucha
Turner Hall’s adult variety spectacle mixes professional wrestling, burlesque, music, and comedy. Choose this for an energetic late-evening outing rather than a conventional seated concert or family wrestling program.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 8 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m. End time not published.
- Venue
- Turner Hall Ballroom
- Address
- 1040 N. Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Price
- Paid tickets through the venue’s AXS link. The official landing page does not publish a current dollar price; verify the total with AXS or the box office before committing.
- Audience
- Ages 18+.
- Accessibility
- Elevator access on the north side; contact ada@ptglive.com for accommodations.
- Tickets / registration
- Ticket required; VIP tables require a four-ticket purchase.
- Capacity / sales status
- Venue lists tickets on sale; checkout inventory could not be independently confirmed. Do not assume door availability.
- Weather
- Indoor show.
12. Franklin Saber Marching Invitational
Watch marching bands turn a football field into a moving musical performance. The host’s detailed schedule is the one to follow: gates open well before the first competitive performance.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- Gates 4 p.m.; anthem 4:45 p.m.; bands 5–8:15 p.m.; awards 8:30 p.m. Final departure time not stated.
- Venue
- Sullivan Stadium, Franklin High School
- Address
- 8222 S. 51st Street, Franklin, WI 53132
- Price
- Adults $15; students and seniors 65+ $12; ages 5 and under free. Card payments carry a 3% fee.
- Audience
- All ages.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating available; general seating is first-come.
- Parking
- Use northern campus lots and follow event directions around construction.
- Tickets / registration
- Admission tickets through the organizer’s linked seller or event arrangements.
- Capacity / sales status
- No assigned general seats; arrive early for your preferred viewing area.
- Weather
- Outdoor stadium; monitor host updates for weather changes.
Markets & Wisconsin Flavors
13. Freshwater Food & Wine Festival
Explore cooking presentations, food, wine, and music at the lakefront. Budget for what you want to sample: general admission gets you into the festival, but food, wine, and tastings are purchased separately.
- Date
- Saturday–Sunday, September 19–20, 2026
- Time
- Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Venue
- Henry Maier Festival Park
- Address
- 200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Single-day admission $35 plus $3 order transaction fee; ages 12 and under free. Food, wine, and tastings are à la carte.
- Audience
- All ages; under 18 with adult supervision; alcohol for 21+.
- Accessibility
- Complimentary wheelchair and stroller use with ID, subject to availability, at the information booth.
- Tickets / registration
- Admission ticket required for paid age groups; confirm day validity at checkout.
- Capacity / sales status
- General seating is unreserved; commemorative glasses are available only while supplies last.
- Weather
- Outdoor lakefront grounds; check organizer weather updates.
14. West Bend Farmers’ Market
Start Saturday with produce, flowers, food, and handmade goods before the afternoon festival crowds. This is an early-morning option, so it pairs well with a later outing elsewhere in Washington County.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- 7:30–11 a.m.
- Venue
- Downtown West Bend Main Street market
- Address
- Main Street between Washington Street and Hickory Street, West Bend, WI 53095. Market-office navigation point: 120 N. Main Street, Suite 120; the market occupies the street, not that office.
- Price
- Free to browse; food and other purchases extra.
- Audience
- All ages.
- Parking
- Organizer identifies river lots and downtown street parking.
- Tickets / registration
- No shopper reservation required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Walk-up market; individual vendors can run out of products.
- Weather
- Rain or shine.
15. Great Lakes Harvest Fest Block Party
Welcome the season with food trucks, makers, and live music outside Great Lakes Distillery. The pumpkin-spirit release is part of the gathering, but you can enjoy the music without making a bottle purchase.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 6–10 p.m.; bottle sales end at 9 p.m.
- Venue
- Great Lakes Distillery and adjacent block
- Address
- 616 W. Virginia Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
- Price
- Free admission; food, drinks, and merchandise extra.
- Audience
- Alcohol service and purchases for adults 21+; confirm any other age policies with the distillery.
- Parking
- Street closure affects Virginia Street west of 6th Street; plan for nearby legal street or lot parking.
- Tickets / registration
- No general-admission reservation listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Walk-up block party; special-release products may run out.
- Weather
- Outdoor components; check the distillery’s updates.
16. Walker’s Point Makers Market & Bar Hop
Turn local shopping into a neighborhood walk, with makers spread among breweries, a coffee roastery, a dairy, and a food park. Plan your route before starting rather than expecting one large market hall.
- Date
- Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Time
- Noon–5 p.m.
- Venue
- Seven participating Walker’s Point businesses
- Address
- One verified stop: Great Lakes Distillery, 616 W. Virginia Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204; another is Anodyne, 224 W. Bruce Street. Also includes Indeed, Hill Valley Dairy, Station 1846, Zócalo, and MobCraft; use the organizer’s route map.
- Price
- Free to attend; pay for purchases and drinks.
- Audience
- Family-friendly market; alcohol is present and restricted to adults 21+.
- Accessibility
- Routes and entrances differ by participating business; check the stops relevant to your needs.
- Tickets / registration
- No shopper ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Individual rooms and vendor inventories have limits; admission to every stop is not reserved.
- Weather
- Indoor venues with outdoor travel between stops; dress for the forecast.
Arts, Family & Outdoors
17. Kenosha Book Festival: Chapter Six
Meet independent authors, browse books, and make room for children’s storytelling at Studio Moonfall. It is an easy Sunday choice for readers who prefer conversations and discoveries to a tightly scheduled performance.
- Date
- Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Time
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; storytime blocks 10 a.m.–noon and noon–2 p.m.
- Venue
- Studio Moonfall
- Address
- 5031 7th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140
- Price
- Free admission; books, food, and other purchases extra.
- Audience
- Families and readers of all ages.
- Tickets / registration
- Drop-in festival; no general-admission reservation listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Books and vendor products are subject to available stock.
- Weather
- Check Studio Moonfall for any changes affecting outdoor portions.
18. Occasional Artists Show & Sale
Visit North Point Lighthouse for an evening of work by local artists. The sale supports the lighthouse museum, offering a compact cultural outing with a setting that is worth slowing down to appreciate.
- Date
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time
- 5–8 p.m.
- Venue
- North Point Lighthouse Museum
- Address
- 2650 N. Wahl Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211
- Price
- $10 at the door; artwork and cash/credit-bar purchases extra.
- Audience
- Art and museum audiences; alcohol purchases for adults 21+.
- Tickets / registration
- Pay-at-door admission advertised.
- Capacity / sales status
- Artworks are individual inventory; no advance reservation or sold-out notice is listed.
- Weather
- Museum event; check the organizer if weather may affect access or grounds.
19. Ride on the Wild Side
Choose a short zoo loop or a longer cycling route, then enjoy the event’s zoo-day activities. The important planning change is registration: the online window has closed, but the organizer advertises day-of sign-up.
- Date
- Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Time
- 7 a.m.–1 p.m.; follow the organizer’s route-specific instructions.
- Venue
- Milwaukee County Zoo
- Address
- 10001 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226
- Price
- Day-of Zoo Pass member rates: adult 14+ $60, child 3–13 $30; nonmembers $70 and $40. Includes parking, zoo admission, breakfast, snacks, lunch, and kids’ activities.
- Audience
- Families and cyclists; select a route suited to your ability. Options include a 1.5-mile zoo loop and 13-, 20-, or 30-mile routes.
- Parking
- Included with event registration.
- Tickets / registration
- Online registration closed; day-of registration advertised at the zoo.
- Capacity / sales status
- Do not rely on an online purchase. T-shirts are available only while supplies last; confirm any walk-up capacity limits before traveling.
- Weather
- Rain or shine; monitor organizer safety updates.
20. Golden Harvest Half Marathon, 5K & 10K
Take your Saturday outdoors with a distance choice at Grant Park. Families can consider the kids’ dash, while runners should check packet pickup, current pricing, and what remains available in their registration category.
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time
- Packet pickup 7:30–8:45 a.m.; kids’ dash 8:55 a.m.; main races 9 a.m. Finish times vary; no single event end time is published.
- Venue
- Grant Park
- Address
- 501 Lake Drive, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
- Price
- Published options span $17–$82 before processing fees. 5K/10K: $42 through September 17, rising to $46 September 18. Kids’ dash is $17 with swag or free without it.
- Audience
- Runners and families; check each distance’s age and participation rules.
- Tickets / registration
- Register for the specific distance; Friday packet pickup is also offered, 5–7 p.m.
- Capacity / sales status
- The guaranteed-shirt deadline has passed. Verify current size availability and registration capacity.
- Weather
- Rain or shine; severe weather may trigger the organizer’s virtual-event policy.
A simple way to choose your weekend
For a low-cost day, start with the West Bend market or one of the free-admission festivals and set a separate food-and-shopping budget. For an indoor plan, secure a theatre, storytelling, dance, or concert ticket before arranging dinner. Families considering Sunday’s zoo ride should confirm day-of registration first; readers can choose the more flexible Kenosha book festival instead.
Avoid treating the entire list as an itinerary. Cedarburg, Hubertus, Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee-area neighborhoods each deserve travel time. Reopen the direct official link on the day you go, especially for outdoor programming, changing ticket offers, limited seating, and special-release products.