Festivals, arts and more things to do in the Milwaukee area in spring 2024
Use this calendar to find something to do in southeastern Wisconsin this spring. The Milwaukee area will host numerous events throughout the spring, including the Midwest Gaming Classic, Big Thaw Bluegrass Festival, Art in Bloom, and Rock the Green Celebration. The festival will also feature live music by Sawdust Symphon, Heartland Howlers, Pickin’ Up Speed, Barred Owl String Band, and Sugar Bush. Other events include a Spring Market with vendors, live music and food, and an Earth Day Celebration with eco-education and music by Urban Empress, Sarah Fierek & The Wildflowers, and Jonah Danae. The Wisconsin Geological Society will host a Rock Gem and Mineral Show on May 18-19. The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement will host Mother’s Day Weekend events, including a Mother”s Day open house at the New Berlin Historical Society.
Published : 2 months ago by Elaine Rewolinski in Entertainment
Midwest Gaming Classic: April 5-7. Classic pinball and arcade games, console, tabletop games, live entertainment, and meet and greets with pop-culture personalities. Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. midwestgamingclassic.com
Big Thaw Bluegrass Festival: 1-6 p.m. April 6. Music by Sawdust Symphon, Heartland Howlers, Pickin’ Up Speed, Barred Owl String Band, and Sugar Bush. Unitarian Church North, 13800 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon.
Doggy Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 13. Vendors, food trucks and open to the public with well-socialized, leashed dogs. Deer District, 1134 Phillips Ave. deerdistrict.com
Art in Bloom: April 18-21. Floral installations, live music, food and beverages. Floral designers interpret works of art from the Museum’s collection. Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. mam.org/events/bloom
Rock the Green: Milwaukee Riverkeeper presents Earth Day Celebration, noon-3 p.m. April 20. Free event with eco-education and music by Urban Empress, Sarah Fierek & The Wildflowers, and Jonah Danae. Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. www.rockthegreen.com/earth-day
Art in The Green: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 27-28. Local and regional artists. Sale in the greenhouse with entertainment and food vendors. Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. mitchellparkdomes.com
re:Craft and Relic: Spring Market with vendors, live music and food, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 27-28. Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 W. Ryan Road, Franklin. recraftandrelic.com
Old Falls Village Park: Mai Fest Biergarten, May 10-11. Mother’s Day Tea, May 12. N96 W15791 County Line Road, Menomonee Falls. oldfallsvillagepark.com
The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement: Mother’s Day Weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 11; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12. Live music, gift basket drawings, wines, food and product sampling, sales and in-shop specials. N70 W6340 Bridge Road, Cedarburg. (262) 377-8020, cedarcreeksettlement.com
New Berlin Historical Society: Mother’s Day open house, 1-4 p.m. May 12. Self-guided tour of buildings and displays of police, fire, and military history; antique farm machinery; and vignettes of life from the 1930s through the 1980s. Free admission. Historical Park, 19885 W. National Ave., New Berlin. newberlinhistoricalsociety.org
Family Generations Expo: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 18. Indoor fun park, beer and soda garden, home and health resources, educational seminars and exhibitors. Free event for all ages. Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 W. Ryan Road, Franklin. familygenerationsexpo.com
Herb Society WI Unit Herb and Artisan Fair: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18. Tea Room with homemade baked goods, vendors and artisans selling herbal products and plants. Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. herb-society-wisconsin.org
Ozaukee County Pioneer Village: WWII Encampment, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 18. Focus on 80th Anniversary of D-Day, with Holocaust exhibit, vendors and military vehicle parade. 4880 Highway I, Saukville. ochs.co.ozaukee.wi.us
Wisconsin Geological Society: Rock Gem and Mineral Show, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 18-19. Rocks, fossils, gems and jewelry exhibits, with activities for children. Waukesha Expo Center Arena Building, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. wigeo.org
Dan Jansen Family Fest: Festival, 5-11 p.m. May 24; noon-11 p.m. May 25-26. Music by Smart Mouth, Cherry Pie, and Bella Cain. Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield.
The Gift of Wings Family Kite Festival: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 25-26. The Fabulous Windjammers precision kite flying team will perform three times each day. Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Art in the Gardens: Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 9. Local vendors and crafters. Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. (414) 525-5653; boernerbotanicalgardens.org
Bel Canto Chorus: The Dream of Gerontius, 3 p.m. May 12. Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 481-8801; belcanto.org
Choral Arts Society: Carmina Burana, 2 p.m. May 18-19. The Rita at UW-Parkside, Main Stage Theatre, 900 Wood Road, Kenosha. choralartsonline.org
Early Music Now: Four Nations Ensemble - Crossing Borders: Italian & French Masterworks, 5 p.m. May 18. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 914 E. Knapp St. (414) 225-3113, earlymusicnow.org
Fine Arts Quartet: Concert with guest pianists Giselle Witkowski and Fabio Witkowski, 3 p.m. April 7. Concert with guests Alon Goldstein, pianist, and Avery Cardoza, double bassist, 7 p.m. April 16. UWM Zelazo Center, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. Free.
First Stage: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, April 6-May 5. Marcus Center Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water St. (414) 273-7206; firststage.org
First Stage: An Enemy of the People, April 19-28. Escape from Peligro Island, May 10-June 2. Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. (414) 267-2961, www.firststage.org
Forte Theatre Company: Hello, Dolly!, 7 p.m. April 13, (through April 21). Saber Center for the Performing Arts, 8222 S. 51st St., Franklin. (414) 366-3634, fortetheatrecompany.org
Frankly Music: String Theory: Music of Richard Strauss and Tchaikovsky, 7 p.m. May 6. Schwan Hall, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave. franklymusic.org
Kettle Moraine Symphony: Movie Music That Moves Us, 7 p.m. May 18. Silver Lining Arts Center, 1305 E. Decorah Road, West Bend. kmsymphony.org
Lake Country Playhouse: The Clockmaker’s Daughter, April 5-21. A Rock Sails By, May 9-24. 221 E. Capitol Drive, Hartland. lakecountryplayhousewi.org
Marcus Performing Arts Center: MOMIX: Alice, 7:30 p.m. April 11. Spamilton: An American Parody, 7:30 p.m. April 18-19; 2 p.m. April 20. TINA - The Tina Turner Musical, April 23-28. One-Man Star Wars Trilogy, 7:30 p.m. May 4. Moulin Rouge! The Musical, May 14-26. 929 N. Water St. (414) 273-7206, marcuscenter.org
Master Singers of Milwaukee: The Song is Mightier Than the Sword, 4 p.m. May 19. Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield. mastersingersofmilwaukee.org
Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Piano Men 2, (through May 19). Nina Simone: Four Women, April 16-May 12. 108 E. Wells St. (414) 224-9490, milwaukeerep.com
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: Sonic Symphony with the MSO, April 6-7. Indigo Girls, April 20. Liszt Piano & Symphonie Fantastique, April 26-28. Movie Music of John Williams, May 3-5. Dvořák’s New World Symphony, May 10-11. Takemitsu & The Sorcerer’s Apprentice featuring Third Coast Percussion, May 17-18. Latin Fire, May 31-June 2. Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 291-7605, mso.org
New Berlin Community Band: Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m. May 10. New Berlin West PAC, 18695 W. Cleveland Ave., New Berlin. newberlinband.com
Oconomowoc Arts Center: Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute, 7 p.m. May 17. 641 E. Forest St., Oconomowoc. (262) 560-3172, theoac.net
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts: Myriam Gendron, April 5. Hollywood Revisited, April 10. The Westerlies – Songbook, April 19. Aaron Diehl – Stride & Ragtime, May 10. 3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield. (262) 781-9520, wilson-center.com
Skylight Music Theatre: From Here to Eternity, April 12-May 5. Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. (414) 291-7800.
South Milwaukee PAC: Ian Maksin: Songs of the Vagabond Cello, 7:30 p.m. April 5. Trailblazing Women of Country, 7:30 p.m. April 6. Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Giselle, 7 p.m. April 8. Gregorian, 8 p.m. May 19. 901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee. (414) 766-5049, southmilwaukeepac.org
Sunset Playhouse: Jesus Christ Superstar, April 18-May 5. Love Me Do: Lennon & McCartney, April 22-23. Hitmakers and Heartbreakers, May 9-12. 700 Wall St., Elm Grove. (262) 782-4430, sunsetplayhouse.com
US Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants: 3 p.m. April 14 at Badger High School, 220 E. South St., Lake Geneva; and 7 p.m. April 15 at Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Wisconsin Philharmonic: Songs of the Prairie, 7:30 p.m. May 9. Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest St., Oconomowoc. wisphil.org
Boswell Books: Mindy McGinnis “Under This Red Rock,” 6:30 p.m. April 3. Daniel Kraus “Whalefall,” 6:30 p.m. April 8. Rowan Beaird “The Divorcées,” 6:30 p.m. April 9. Jeannette Walls “Hang the Moon,” 6:30 p.m. April 10. Emma and Susan Straub “Gaga Mistake Day,” 5:30 p.m. April 11. Benjamin Herold “Disillusioned,” 6:30 p.m. April 12. Leif Enger “I Cheerfully Refuse,” 6:30 p.m. April 15. Pete Hill “River Profiles,” 6:30 p.m. April 17. Sergio M González “Strangers No Longer,” 6:30 p.m. April 18. Lindsay Starck “Monsters We Have Made,” 6:30 p.m. April 19. Sara Paretsky “Pay Dirt,” 4 p.m. April 21. AH Kim “Relative Strangers,” 6:30 p.m. April 24. Paul Yamazaki “Reading the Room,” 2 p.m. April 26. Prasanta Verma “Beyond Ethnic Loneliness,” 6:30 p.m. April 26. Suzanne Scanlon “Committed,” 6:30 p.m. April 30. Jon M Sweeney “My Life in Seventeen Books,” 6:30 p.m. May 7. Jim Higgins “Sweet, Wild and Vicious: Listening to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground,” 6:30 p.m. May 9. Tracy Ullman “The Serial Killer's Apprentice,” 6:30 p.m. May 10. Baptiste Paul “Dear You, Dream Big!,” 6:30 p.m. May 14. Rachel Khong “Real Americans,” 6:30 p.m. May 15. 2559 N. Downer Ave. Register at boswellbooks.com
MPL Foundation: Spring Literary Luncheon, noon April 25. Douglas Brunt, presents new title “The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel.” The Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave. supportmpl.org/spring-literary-luncheon
New Berlin Historical Society: Membership meeting and “The Great Chicago Fire” presentation, 6:30 p.m. April 8. New Berlin Public Library Community Room, 15105 W. Library Lane, New Berlin. newberlinhistoricalsociety.org
North Point Lighthouse Museum Lecture Series: Lectures begin at 7 p.m. $10 admission; discounts available for seniors, students and Lighthouse members. 2650 N. Wahl Ave. (414) 332-6754,northpointlighthouse.org
Ozaukee County Historical Society: Roland De Wolk “American Disruptor: The Scandalous Life of Leland Stanford,” 6:30 p.m. May 6. Historic courthouse, 109 W. Main St., Port Washington.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center: Jessica Stremer “Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds,” 10 a.m. April 27. 1111 E. Brown Deer Road. boswellbooks.com
Wade House Taproom Talks: Speaker series features special presentation, a Q&A and book signings. $7 per adult and teens; $5 for seniors and children. Visitor Center, W7965 Highway 23, Greenbush. wadehouse.org
Ebert's Greenhouse Village: Flowering Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden with Melinda Myers, 1 p.m. April 28. W1795 Fox Road, Ixonia. More information at melindamyers.com
Fresh Coast Native Plant Sale: Pre-order until April 4 with plant pickup on June 15. Minimum order of $45 required. freshcoastguardians.com
Lynden Sculpture Garden: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, (closed Thursdays). Experience art in nature with sculptures sited across 40 acres of park, lake and woodland. 2145 W. Brown Deer Road. (414) 446-8794, lyndensculpturegarden.org
Mitchell Park Domes: The Horticultural Conservatory is open Wednesday-Monday year-round, with permanent collections in the tropical and desert domes, and temporary themed displays in the Floral Show Dome. 524 S. Layton Blvd. mitchellparkdomes.com
The Bartolotta Restaurants: For menus and reservations visit bartolottas.com/events
Capuchin Franciscans: Questors Club Dinner, 6 p.m. April 26. $125. Wisconsin supper club dining experience, with open bar and live/silent auctions. St. Francis Capuchin Center, 1937 Vel R. Phillips Ave. Tickets online at questorsclub.org
Ozaukee County Historical Society: Pasta Dinner, 4:30-8:30 p.m. May 2. Portion of proceeds benefit 1940 Milwaukee Road Rib-Side Caboose Restoration Project. Event held at The Pasta Shoppe, 323 N. Franklin St., Port Washington. ochs.co.ozaukee.wi.us
Polish Center of Wisconsin: Sobieski Vodka Pairing Dinner, 5-9 p.m. April 20. $90 per person/ $75 PHA member. Five-course meal with cocktail pairing. 6941 S. 68th St., Franklin. Reservations: (414) 529-2140.
St. Francis Children’s Center: Pours for a Purpose benefit, 6-8 p.m. May 4. Tasting event features fine wines, local craft beers, gourmet chocolates, spirits and liqueurs, ciders, and alternative beverages. 6700 N. Port Washington Road. sfcckids.org/events/wine-beer-chocolate-2024
The Village Cheese Shop: Store and cafe, with classes and virtual events. 1430 Underwood Ave., Wauwatosa. (414) 488-2099, villagecheesetosa.com
WMSE Rockabilly Chili: 11 a.m. April 7. ticket includes 4 chili samples. $20. Choose from a variety of chilis created by local restaurants, cafes and caterers. MSOE Kern Center, 1245 N. Broadway. wmse.org
Glendale Sheepshead Tournament: Recreational five-handed tournament, April 6. $25. Every registrant plays 3 rounds of 15 hands. Door open 10 a.m.; food and beverages available. Cafeteria, Nicolet High School, 6701 N. Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale. Registration required. Call (414) 351-7566.
Pettit National Ice Center: Ice Storm Drone Racing Competition, 1-10 p.m. April 26; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. April 27; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 28. Drone pilots compete in high-speed races, with intricate courses at indoor competition. 500 S. 84th St. icestormdroneracing.com
Second Hand Purrs: Spring vendor/craft fair and bake sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20. Knights of Columbus, 732 Badger Ave., South Milwaukee.
Tory Lowe Community Clean Up: 8 a.m.-noon April 13. Volunteers pick up litter at three separate locations in Milwaukee. goodkarmabrands.com/event/tory-lowe-community-clean-up
Gallery Night MKE: 5-9 p.m. April 19; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20. Discover local galleries, art and artists during free, two-day event in downtown Milwaukee and surrounding neighborhoods. gallerynightmke.com
The Alice Wilds: Gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, or by appointment. 900 S. 5th St. (414) 635-0887.
The Almont Gallery: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 342 W. Main St., Waukesha. almontgallery.org
• Through May 10: Made By Hand - Fine Crafts: Jennifer Alexander, Lynn Gaffey, and David Goecke
Charles Allis Art Museum: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Tudor-style mansion houses the Allises’ international art collection with works spanning from antiquity to the twentieth century. 1801 N. Prospect Ave. (414) 278-8295; charlesallis.org
• Through July 21: Screen Time: Video Art and Photography in the Internet Age
Grohmann Museum at MSOE: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work. 1000 N. Broadway. (414) 277-2300, msoe.edu/grohmann-museum
• Through April 28: Patterns of Meaning: The Art of Industry by Cory Bonnet
• Through May 12: Dynamic Range: Photographs by Bill Tennessen
Harley-Davidson Museum: Collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and memorabilia on a 20-acre campus, with guided tours and special events. 400 W. Canal St. (877) 436-8738, harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum.html
• May 18: Support the Troops Ride and Ceremony
• April 13-June 1: Homage: Honoring Those Who Have Come Before
• Through May-19: The Book Smugglers: Partisans, Poets, and the Race to Save Jewish Treasures from the Nazis
Milwaukee Art Museum: Open Tuesday-Sunday. Milwaukee’s first art gallery, founded in 1888 by Frederick Layton. 700 N. Art Museum Drive. mam.org
North Point Lighthouse: Open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The original Keepers Quarters serves as the museum gallery with several exhibits and artifacts that depict the life of a keeper and maritime history on the Great Lakes. 2650 N. Wahl Ave. (414) 332-6754, northpointlighthouse.org
Old World Wisconsin: Spring hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday May 4-June 9. Explore working farmsteads and gardens, meet heritage animal breeds, and experience historic crafts and skills. W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle. (262) 594-6301, oldworldwisconsin.org
Ozaukee County Art Show: Exhibit and sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (through April 21). Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. cedarburgculturalcenter.org
• Through Aug. 31: In Between: Dennis Lee Mitchell
• Through April 13: Cathy Martin - Wisconsin: In All its Glory
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Events, classes, exhibitions and workshops. N50 W5050 Portland Road, Cedarburg. (262) 546-0300; wiquiltmuseum.com
If you have an event you would like others to know about, send an email to [email protected], with “Attention Entertainment calendar” in the subject line.