This weekend brings the final days of the Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee Irish Fest, art and music in Lake Country and Cedarburg, family events in Oak Creek, Racine, and Kenosha County, and several ticketed performances. The 20 picks below were checked against official organizer, venue, festival, government, or authorized ticketing pages on August 13, 2026. Details and availability can change after publication, so use the official link in each listing before you leave.

Festivals and cultural celebrations

1. Wisconsin State Fair — final weekend

The fair closes its 2026 run with agriculture, rides and games, food, shopping, demonstrations, family programming, and free stage entertainment. The Bank Five Nine Amphitheater schedule includes The Gufs Friday, an unofficial Taylor Swift tribute Saturday, and Pat McCurdy Sunday.

Date
Friday, August 14–Sunday, August 16
Time
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–midnight; Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Venue
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Address
640 S 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Price
Gate admission: adults 12+ $20; seniors 60+ and military/veterans with ID $15; youth 6–11 $13; children 5 and under free. Rides, food, parking, and reserved Main Stage concerts cost extra.
Audience
All ages; individual attractions and late-night entertainment may have separate height, age, or content guidance.
Accessibility
Paved routes, accessible restrooms, seating areas, and mobility services are available. Wheelchair and scooter rentals are limited and first come, first served.
Parking
Paid on-site parking is first come, first served and can fill. Transit, rideshare, or remote parking can reduce final-weekend traffic delays.
Tickets / registration
Advance admission is recommended but gate sales remain available. Separate reserved tickets are required for Main Stage concerts.
Capacity / sales status
Fair admission was on sale when checked. Important: the Beach Boys Main Stage concert scheduled for Sunday was canceled; authorized Etix buyers are being refunded. Other Sunday fair programming continues.
Weather
Much of the fair is outdoors; some buildings and exhibits are indoors. Check official alerts for severe weather or schedule changes.
Official details and tickets ↗

2. Milwaukee Irish Fest

More than 100 acts across 17 stages pair Irish and Celtic music with dance, cultural exhibits, family activities, food, shopping, and the Sunday-night Scattering finale.

Date
Friday, August 14–Sunday, August 16
Time
Friday 4–11 p.m.; Saturday noon–11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Venue
Henry W. Maier Festival Park
Address
200 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Price
Single-day general admission is $23–$27 depending on purchase timing; children 12 and under are free. Seniors 60+ may buy $20 gate tickets. Sunday food-donation and veteran offers have specific time and ID rules.
Audience
All ages; children 12 and under must be accompanied. Alcohol service is limited to guests 21+ with ID.
Accessibility
Accessible seating areas and guest services are available. Accessible parking is limited at the Mid Gate and Lot H and requires a valid permit or plate.
Parking
Festival-run parking is not provided. Nearby lots vary in price; The Hop, MCTS, Amtrak, rideshare, and limited-area street parking are alternatives.
Tickets / registration
A ticket is required for guests 13 and older unless a published free-entry offer applies. VIP areas have separate tickets and capacity limits.
Capacity / sales status
General admission was on sale when checked. Stage seating and VIP areas are first come, first served or capacity-limited.
Weather
The lakefront festival is largely outdoors and operates on a mix of paved and lawn areas. Check the official site for weather instructions.
Official details and tickets ↗

3. MELA — Festival of India

This free community festival celebrates Indian culture with classical, folk, and Bollywood-style performances, regional food, a parade, arts and clothing vendors, and children’s activities.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Venue
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
Address
3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield, WI 53045
Price
Free admission; food and vendor purchases cost extra.
Audience
All ages and open to everyone.
Accessibility
The Wilson Center provides accessible entrances, seating, and restrooms. Contact the venue for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Free on-site parking is available, with accessible spaces near the entrance; busy periods may require a longer walk.
Tickets / registration
No visitor registration or admission ticket is listed.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice. Individual food, activity, or seating capacity may be limited.
Weather
Programming uses the Wilson Center campus. The organizer does not publish a detailed rain plan, so check day-of updates for outdoor portions.
Official details and tickets ↗

4. Center Street Daze Festival

Riverwest’s neighborhood street festival fills Center Street with more than 100 vendors, over 30 bands on seven stages, the noon Art Cart Race, a classic car show, and local art activities.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Art Cart Race at noon; classic car show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Venue
Center Street between Holton Street and Humboldt Boulevard
Address
E Center Street from N Holton Street to N Humboldt Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Price
Free admission; food, drinks, and vendor purchases cost extra.
Audience
All ages; some stage or vendor content may be more adult-oriented.
Accessibility
The event is on a closed city street. Curb cuts are available, but crowds, vendor lines, and uneven pavement can affect movement.
Parking
Use surrounding neighborhood streets where allowed, transit, bicycle parking, or rideshare. Do not park inside the event closure.
Tickets / registration
No admission registration is listed.
Capacity / sales status
Open public street festival with no sold-out notice.
Weather
Outdoor event. No detailed rain policy is published; check organizer updates before leaving in severe weather.
Official details and tickets ↗

Art, music and live performance

5. Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts

More than 100 juried artists show work in ceramics, painting, photography, jewelry, fiber, glass, sculpture, wood, and mixed media, with live entertainment, a children’s area, food, and a silent auction.

Date
Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16
Time
10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days.
Venue
Fowler Park
Address
438 N Oakwood Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Price
Free admission; art, concessions, and auction purchases cost extra.
Audience
All ages and family-friendly.
Accessibility
A handicap-accessible shuttle runs from Shorehaven. Only about five accessible parking spaces are near the park entrance, and the festival recommends the shuttle.
Parking
Parking beside Fowler Park is very limited. Free buses and pontoon shuttles run about every 20 minutes; bike racks are also available.
Tickets / registration
No visitor registration.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice; the park and shuttles can be busiest midday.
Weather
Outdoor festival held rain or shine.
Official details and tickets ↗

6. TRUE Skool Summer Park Jam Weekend

Friday’s CEO Sessions connect Milwaukee creatives with business and media professionals; Saturday moves outdoors for a free hip-hop culture festival with DJ performances, breaking and graffiti battles, a pop-up skate zone, vendors, and a children’s area.

Date
Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15
Time
Friday noon–4 p.m. with arrival required by 1 p.m.; Saturday noon–8 p.m.
Venue
Marcus Performing Arts Center and Peck Pavilion grounds
Address
929 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Price
Free. Friday requires an RSVP; Saturday general admission is free.
Audience
Friday is designed for creative entrepreneurs, artists, media makers, and emerging professionals. Saturday is all ages and family-friendly.
Accessibility
The Marcus Center campus has accessible routes and facilities; request a specific accommodation through TRUE Skool or the Marcus Center.
Parking
Use paid downtown structures, The Hop, MCTS, rideshare, walking, or bicycling. Check the Marcus Center parking guide before arrival.
Tickets / registration
Friday RSVP required and doors close at 1 p.m. Saturday does not list a general visitor RSVP.
Capacity / sales status
Major capacity warning: Friday seating is strictly limited. Saturday is an open outdoor festival, but activity sign-ups and prime viewing areas may fill.
Weather
Friday is indoors. Saturday is outdoors at Peck Pavilion; check organizer updates for weather changes.
Official details and tickets ↗

7. Cedarburg Summer Sounds: Nick Parr with Lakeview

The free Friday concert series closes another summer evening with special guest Lakeview, followed by Nick Parr, plus local food and beverage vendors beside Cedar Creek.

Date
Friday, August 14
Time
Special guest at 6:30 p.m.; main act usually 8 or 8:30 p.m.; concert ends by 10 p.m.
Venue
Cedar Creek Park
Address
W62N590 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012
Price
Free; food and drinks cost extra.
Audience
All ages. Registered service animals are permitted; pets are not.
Accessibility
Park setting with paved approaches and lawn seating. Bring a suitable chair and contact the organizer for a specific mobility accommodation.
Parking
Free street parking; arrive early for closer spaces. Walking from downtown Cedarburg can be easier at peak time.
Tickets / registration
No registration; lawn space is first come, first served. Tents and canopies are not permitted.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice; large crowds are typical.
Weather
Rain or shine. Guests must leave the park if lightning, tornado warnings, or other dangerous conditions develop.
Official details and tickets ↗

8. Cheese Capital Jazz & Blues Crawl for the Arts

Eight bands rotate through the Plymouth Arts Center courtyard and greatroom and nearby downtown restaurants and clubs, with a gallery exhibition, food, cash bars, and a silent auction supporting the arts center.

Date
Friday, August 14
Time
4:30–11 p.m.; individual venue sets run between 4:30 and 11 p.m.; silent-auction bidding closes at 9 p.m.
Venue
Plymouth Arts Center and participating downtown venues
Address
520 E Mill Street, Plymouth, WI 53073
Price
Free admission; a $10 donation is suggested. Food, drinks, and auction purchases cost extra.
Audience
The organizer categorizes the music crawl for adults; the gallery exhibition is all ages. Some partner venues are bars.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by participating venue. The Plymouth Arts Center has street-level entry; contact individual stops for specific needs.
Parking
Use public and signed street parking in walkable downtown Plymouth and expect to move between venues on foot.
Tickets / registration
No music-crawl ticket is required. Online registration is needed to bid in the 32 Auctions fundraiser.
Capacity / sales status
No sold-out notice; seats and indoor space at individual venues are first come, first served.
Weather
Mix of indoor and outdoor programming. Courtyard sets may be affected by weather.
Official details and tickets ↗

Theatre and ticketed headline concerts

9. Disaster! The 70’s Musical — Bombshell Theatre Company

Bombshell’s musical comedy turns a 1979 floating-casino disaster into a fast parody built around familiar 1970s songs, broad characters, and assigned seating in the company’s Brookfield studio theatre.

Date
Friday, August 14–Sunday, August 16
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 disaster parody and comedy content before bringing young children.
Accessibility
Assigned seating. Contact the Bombshell box office at 414-622-0234 before purchase for wheelchair placement or another accommodation.
Parking
Free parking is available in the theatre’s retail-center lot; allow time to locate Suite 6.
Tickets / registration
Ticket required; assigned seats are selected through the official box office.
Capacity / sales status
Major warning: the official box office marks the Saturday 7:30 p.m. performance sold out. Friday, Saturday matinee, and Sunday listings remained selectable when checked.
Weather
Indoors.
Official details and tickets ↗

10. Lindsey Stirling with PVRIS

Electronic violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling brings her touring production to the State Fair Main Stage, with synth-rock band PVRIS opening the reserved-seat Friday show.

Date
Friday, August 14
Time
7:30 p.m.; venue opens at 6:30 p.m.; end time not published.
Venue
Bank Five Nine Main Stage at Wisconsin State Fair Park
Address
640 S 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Price
$56–$81 with all published ticket fees included. A ticket bought before entering the fair includes same-day State Fair admission.
Audience
All ages with a ticket; evening sound levels and production effects may be intense for young or sensory-sensitive guests.
Accessibility
Accessible reserved seating and fairground services are available through the official ticket office; request accessible inventory during purchase.
Parking
Paid fair parking is first come, first served and likely busiest Friday evening; transit or rideshare is recommended.
Tickets / registration
Separate reserved concert ticket required; buy only through the State Fair or its authorized Etix link.
Capacity / sales status
Major capacity warning: the fair previously flagged limited tickets, and the official sales link remained active when checked. Reserved sections can sell out without notice.
Weather
Open-air Main Stage within the fairgrounds; follow official severe-weather alerts.
Official details and tickets ↗

11. AJR with Em Beihold

AJR’s large-scale pop show closes Saturday at the State Fair Main Stage, with singer-songwriter Em Beihold opening and all seating reserved.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
7:30 p.m.; venue opens at 6:30 p.m.; end time not published.
Venue
Bank Five Nine Main Stage at Wisconsin State Fair Park
Address
640 S 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Price
$78–$99 with all published ticket fees included. A ticket bought before entering the fair includes same-day State Fair admission.
Audience
All ages with a ticket; evening sound levels and production effects may be intense for young or sensory-sensitive guests.
Accessibility
Accessible reserved seating and fairground services are available through the official ticket office; request accessible inventory during purchase.
Parking
Paid fair parking is first come, first served; Saturday evening traffic and lot demand are expected to be heavy.
Tickets / registration
Separate reserved concert ticket required; buy only through the State Fair or its authorized Etix link.
Capacity / sales status
The official ticket link remained active when checked. Reserved, premium, and accessible inventory is finite and may sell out.
Weather
Open-air Main Stage within the fairgrounds; follow official severe-weather alerts.
Official details and tickets ↗

12. 90s Banda Tour: Banda El Recodo and guests

Banda El Recodo leads a multi-artist regional Mexican bill with Banda Los Recoditos, Banda Machos, and Cheque Peña Jr. y su Vallarta at the historic Eagles Club.

Date
Friday, August 14
Time
8 p.m.; Rave Plaza opens at 7:30 p.m.; headliner time and end time are not published.
Venue
The Rave / Eagles Club
Address
2401 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Price
Official tickets start at $73; general admission, VIP balcony, and reserved VIP table prices vary, with final charges shown by Etix. Parking is sold separately.
Audience
All ages; alcohol service is 21+ with ID. General admission is standing.
Accessibility
For ADA seating, call 414-342-7283 before purchase or arrival.
Parking
Paid venue parking is available through the official Etix link. The eastbound I-94 exit at 27th Street is closed; use the venue’s current route guidance.
Tickets / registration
Ticket required. Buy only through The Rave, Etix, or another organizer-authorized source.
Capacity / sales status
General admission and VIP ticket links remained active when checked; VIP tables, accessible placement, and preferred parking are limited.
Weather
Indoors and air-conditioned.
Official details and tickets ↗

Family and community outings

13. Bristol Renaissance Faire

A full outdoor village of jousts, stage shows, musicians, artisan demonstrations, games, costumed characters, and food makes this an immersive day trip near the Wisconsin–Illinois line.

Date
Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16
Time
10 a.m.–7 p.m. both days.
Venue
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Address
12550 120th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142
Price
Adults $48; children 5–12 $23; children 4 and under free. Senior 62+ and military tickets are $46 at the box office. General or ADA parking $10 cash; preferred $20 cash; VIP $35 online.
Audience
All ages, though some comedy can be bawdy or PG-13; check the daily stage schedule for younger visitors.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms and ADA parking are available. Travel is over mowed grass and outdoor terrain; ask guest services about current mobility assistance.
Parking
Paid on-site lots; general, preferred, and ADA parking are cash only. No public transportation serves the faire.
Tickets / registration
Admission ticket required; advance purchase recommended. Pub crawls, VIP garden access, and some add-ons require separate booking.
Capacity / sales status
General admission was on sale when checked. VIP parking, pub crawls, and popular add-ons can fill.
Weather
Outdoor faire held rain or shine; confirm severe-weather and traffic updates before traveling.
Official details and tickets ↗

14. Oak Creek Kids Night with Jim Gill

Local groups lead hands-on children’s activities around Drexel Town Square while food trucks serve dinner and musician-author Jim Gill invites children, parents, and grandparents to sing, dance, and play together.

Date
Friday, August 14
Time
5–8 p.m.; Jim Gill family concert at 6:30 p.m.
Venue
Drexel Town Square
Address
361 W Town Square Way, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Price
Free; food and drinks cost extra.
Audience
All ages, designed especially for children and families.
Accessibility
Paved town-square routes and accessible public facilities are available. Splash-pad surfaces can be wet; contact the city for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Free municipal street, lot, and garage parking is available around Drexel Town Square; follow posted restrictions.
Tickets / registration
No registration is required for the evening family concert. A separate afternoon professional workshop requires registration and is not part of this listing.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice; activity stations and close concert viewing are first come, first served.
Weather
Outdoor event. Check the City of Oak Creek page for weather changes.
Official details and tickets ↗

15. Community Carnival and Together We SCAN Walk

The optional child-abuse-prevention fundraising walk starts the day, followed by a free carnival with family activities, a bounce house, balloon art, refreshments, and community resources focused on foster care and child safety.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
Walk registration and start at 11:30 a.m.; carnival noon–3 p.m.
Venue
Grace Church
Address
3626 WI-31, Racine, WI 53405
Price
Carnival is free. Walk participation or fundraiser merchandise uses the current donation and ticket options on the official campaign page.
Audience
All ages and family-friendly.
Accessibility
Church grounds and building have accessible routes; contact Grace Church or the organizer for a specific carnival or walk accommodation.
Parking
Free on-site church parking; follow volunteer directions near the walk route.
Tickets / registration
No registration for the carnival. Registration or donation is requested for the optional SCAN walk.
Capacity / sales status
Carnival is open to the public. Walk materials and activity capacity may be limited.
Weather
Carnival and walk use church grounds. Check the organizer’s updates if storms threaten.
Official details and tickets ↗

16. Picnic in the Park

Kenosha County’s largest parks event combines live music, food trucks, inflatables, community vendors, family activities, and fireworks behind the Petrifying Springs Biergarten.

Date
Saturday, August 15; weather rain date Sunday, August 16
Time
Begins 4 p.m.; fireworks at dusk; published event end is 10:30 p.m.
Venue
Petrifying Springs Park, Biergarten area
Address
5555 7th Street, Kenosha, WI 53144
Price
Free; food and beverage purchases cost extra.
Audience
All ages and family-friendly; fireworks and live music can be loud.
Accessibility
Paved park approaches and public restrooms are available; lawn seating may be uneven. Contact Kenosha County Parks for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Free park parking is limited. Extra parking and a complimentary shuttle are available from UW–Parkside.
Tickets / registration
No registration; bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice; closest parking and lawn space will fill first.
Weather
Weather permitting. Rain date is Sunday, August 16; confirm the county calendar before leaving.
Official details and tickets ↗

Markets, sports and local traditions

17. Rev & Rumble II

The second outdoor boxing night at Davidson Park features amateur matchups, local food, event merchandise, face painting, and retro Punch-Out!! games in a free community setting.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
Official Harley-Davidson page lists 4–8 p.m.; Eventbrite’s RSVP page lists 4–7 p.m. Arrive near 4 p.m. and check the live schedule.
Venue
Davidson Park
Address
3725 W Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Price
Free; food, drinks, and merchandise cost extra.
Audience
All ages and family-friendly; live boxing includes contact-sport action and a loud crowd.
Accessibility
Paved approaches and accessible park routes are available; outdoor viewing may include lawn or standing areas. Contact Davidson Park for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Use nearby street parking where permitted, rideshare, transit, or bicycle access; event-adjacent spaces are limited.
Tickets / registration
Free Eventbrite RSVP is recommended even though admission is free.
Capacity / sales status
RSVP sales were active and marked as ending soon when checked; free-event space remains subject to park capacity.
Weather
Outdoor event. Check Davidson Park or Harley-Davidson updates for weather changes.
Official details and tickets ↗

18. Oak Creek Night Market

Local makers, food vendors, live music, drinks, and shopping fill Drexel Town Square for a relaxed Saturday market after sunset.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
5–9 p.m.
Venue
Drexel Town Square
Address
361 W Town Square Way, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Price
Free admission; food, drinks, and vendor purchases cost extra.
Audience
Open to all; the city markets this as an adult evening or date-night atmosphere. Alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
Accessibility
Paved town-square routes and accessible public facilities are available. Contact the city for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Free municipal street, lot, and garage parking is available around Drexel Town Square; follow posted restrictions.
Tickets / registration
No visitor registration.
Capacity / sales status
Open public market with no sold-out notice; popular vendors can sell out of individual items.
Weather
Outdoor market. Check the City of Oak Creek page for weather changes.
Official details and tickets ↗

19. Light Up Lac La Belle

The Oconomowoc American Legion Band plays at City Beach before illuminated boats line up on Lac La Belle and fireworks close the evening over the lake.

Date
Saturday, August 15
Time
Band concert 7:30 p.m.; boat parade lineup 8 p.m.; parade and fireworks at dusk/dark; tourism calendar lists the event through about 10 p.m.
Venue
Oconomowoc City Beach
Address
324 W Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Price
Free; donations support the fireworks.
Audience
All ages; fireworks can be loud and may be uncomfortable for young children, pets, or sensory-sensitive guests.
Accessibility
City Beach has paved approaches and accessible parking, but lakefront lawn and sand areas vary. Arrive early for the most accessible viewing location.
Parking
Use downtown Oconomowoc public parking and walk to City Beach; nearby spaces are limited during festival weekend.
Tickets / registration
No registration for shore viewing. Boat-parade entries use the organizer’s separate participation instructions.
Capacity / sales status
Open public event with no sold-out notice; prime shoreline viewing fills early.
Weather
Outdoor lakefront event. The organizer does not publish a detailed postponement plan; confirm day-of conditions.
Official details and tickets ↗

20. Milwaukee Makers Market: Celebrate Summer

A curated group of Wisconsin makers and small businesses brings art, apparel, jewelry, home goods, food products, and other locally made work to Discovery World’s lakefront pavilion.

Date
Sunday, August 16
Time
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Venue
Discovery World Pavilion
Address
500 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Price
Free market admission; purchases cost extra. Discovery World museum admission is separate if you also visit the exhibits.
Audience
All ages and family-friendly.
Accessibility
Discovery World provides accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms. Contact the market or museum for a specific accommodation.
Parking
Paid Discovery World parking and nearby lakefront garages are available; The Hop’s Lakefront stop is a short walk away.
Tickets / registration
No visitor registration.
Capacity / sales status
Open public market with no sold-out notice; individual maker inventory is limited.
Weather
Market is in the Discovery World Pavilion and is scheduled rain or shine.
Official details and tickets ↗

Before you go

Ticket inventory, free-entry offers, weather plans, road construction, and parking availability can change quickly. Reopen the official event link on the day you plan to attend, confirm the start time and admission status, and buy only from the organizer or its authorized ticketing partner.

For accessibility, the most useful step is to contact the organizer before arrival when you need a specific seating location, mobility route, interpreter, sensory support, service-animal accommodation, or parking arrangement. A general accessibility note cannot account for every event space or individual need.

Educational information: This guide is general educational and informational content, not a guarantee of admission, accessibility, parking, weather, safety, price, schedule, age suitability, or ticket availability. Event organizers can change, postpone, cancel, sell out, or restrict programs after publication. Confirm the current official event page, ticket terms, weather plan, venue policies, and any accommodation directly with the organizer before traveling or purchasing.