Doesn’t it seem like it’s already been a long winter? Believe it or not, there are still 50…yes, FIFTY, days of Wisconsin winter ahead of us. Since the season isn’t even half over and that’s honestly a little tough to come to terms with, we’ve put together a handy daily guide of 50 things to do in (or around) Milwaukee over the course of these next 50 days. Try to embrace what’s left of winter while waiting for warmer and brighter days are ahead. We’ll get through this, Milwaukee!
Monday, January 29
Dive Beer Night @ Lakefront Brewery
Tuesday, January 30
Milwaukee Admirals vs. San Diego Gulls @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
The Admirals are on a heater right now! See if the hottest team in town can push its winning streak to 11 games when they host the San Diego Gulls on “Hockey Is For Everyone Night.”
Wednesday, January 31
Acoustic Open Stage: Andii + Jorge Vallentine @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Thursday, February 1
Midweek Music: Dameron & Brusubardis @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Friday, February 2
D.L. Hughley @ Milwaukee Improv
The Hughley Show namesake, one of the “Original Kings Of Comedy,” and veteran stand-up D.L. Hughley will return to the Milwaukee Improv, where he’s been a frequent visitor since the club opened in 2021, when he performs five shows in Brookfield-based venue February 2-4.
Saturday, February 3
Mitten Fest @ Boone & Crockett
It’s the same great great winter festival, only (temporarily) in a new location. Mitten Fest 2024 will take place outside Boone & Crockett, just a few miles up the road from its regular home outside Burnhearts. Again, the venue change is a temporary one, as Burnhearts owners B.J. and Jess Seidel wanted to take a year away from hosting the ever-growing block party “to re-envision [their] location.” The beer selection and brandy-based drink list, the eclectic blend of local music, and the lineup of area food/retail vendors will be awesome as usual, so bundle up and get to Boone & Crockett on February 3.
Sunday, February 4
MKE Chili Bowl @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
The mighty MKE Chili Bowl is back to tickle tongues, clear sinuses, and bring a wide variety of Milwaukee-area culinary professionals together to compete for The Golden Ladle. Head to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino on Sunday, February 4 to sample traditional, spicy, and vegetarian chili varieties.
Monday, February 5
Poet’s Monday @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Tuesday, February 6
Sin Bad + Chi Chi’s Restaurant, Iron Pizza @ Cactus Club
Celebrate the release of Sin Bad’s “lost” EP, It’s Final, at a Cactus Club show that also features local support from Chi Chi’s Restaurant and Iron Pizza.
Wednesday, February 7
Midweek Music: Roxie Beane @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Thursday, February 8
Willi Carlisle + Golden Shoals @ Cactus Club
Friday, February 9
WMSE’s Art & Music @ The Pritzlaff Building
For six years, WMSE’s Art & Music has combined, well, art and music for a one-of-a-kind event. At the center is an auction of hundreds of album-sized, 12″ x 12″ pieces of original art from local and national artists. Toss in live music and WMSE’s own DJs, and you’ve got—once again—Art & Music! This year’s event will be no different. Set for Friday, February 9 at the Historic Pritzlaff Building, the 7th annual Art & Music will feature works from a wide range of creatives. Enjoy a live performance by the inimitable Nineteen Thirteen as well. The auction went live online on January 29.
Saturday, February 10
Cheap Trick (Milwaukee Admirals Post Game Concert) @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
How often do you get to see a band that’s in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame perform on the ice after an AHL game? Unless Pat McCurdy and Tesla were secretly inducted, we’d guess the opportunity doesn’t come around very often. After the red hot Admirals take on the Texas Stars, all fans in attendance can enjoy a performance by the legendary Cheap Trick. Make it your…goal to be there.
Sunday, February 11
Brick Fest Live @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
Calling all bricklayers! The Brick Fest Live tour will make a stop in West Allis for two days of block-based fun for all ages. There will be “over a million blocks on display and ready for play” at Wisconsin State Fair Park, including life-size models, hands-on attractions, and rare Lego merchandise. Block off your weekend for Brick Fest Live.
Monday, February 12
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets @ Fiserv Forum
Giannis vs. Jokić!
Tuesday, February 13
Matthew Sweet @ Shank Hall
Veteran singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet will swing by Milwaukee the night before Valentine’s Day to play an intimate set at Shank Hall that’s sure to feature material that spans various points of his prolific career.
Wednesday, February 14
Lonely Hearts Honky Tonk @ Cactus Club
The second annual Lonely Hearts Honky Tonk brings some of the city’s best musicians in the folk/Americana/country realms together for one can’t-miss Valentine’s Day showcase. This year’s event includes Long Mama, Jesse Walker’s Hitch, Maximiano, Dandy L. Freling, Kati Ketchever, and Steph Lippert.
Thursday, February 15
Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Friday, February 16
X-Ray Arcade’s 5-Year Anniversary Party @ X-Ray Arcade
It’s tough to remember a time before X-Ray Arcade. Frankly, we don’t want to think about it. Thankfully, the Cudahy arcade and concert venue opened in early 2019 and has hosted some truly unforgettable shows that very likely would’ve otherwise skipped the region altogether. Celebrate five years of X-Ray on February 16 with a blend of bands, DJs, and other surprises. And here’s to many, many more years to come!
Saturday, February 17
Greg Cartwright + Ellie Jackson, Connor LaMue, DJs Heebz N Ceebz @ Cactus Club
Just a few months removed from a Cactus Club doubleheader back in November, the great Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound and The Compulsive Gamblers fame will return to the Bay View venue to—with the help of “The Good Nights” backing band of Milwaukee music all-stars—head up a loaded show that also features loaded support from Ellie Jackson and Connor LaMue. Hell yes.
Sunday, February 18
Night Lovell @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Monday, February 19
Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero @ Fiserv Forum
Tuesday, February 20
Letterkenny Present: A Night Of Stand Up @ Turner Hall
Pitter-patter, let’s get laughter.
Wednesday, February 21
‘Mama Mia!’ @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Thursday, February 22
Margaret Cho @ Pabst Theater
Influential comedian, actor, and anti-racism activist Margaret Cho has amassed an astounding career that’s spanned roughly 35 years. Along the way, her unique perspective and inimitable voice have made the leap from comedy club stages to the realms of film, television, and animation. Cho will make her way to Pabst Theater for a can’t-miss performance.
Friday, February 23
Flat Out Friday @ Fiserv Forum
If you’re somehow unfamiliar, Flat Out Friday features motorcycle racers riding on top of a track that’s slathered in Dr. Pepper syrup and it’s awesome! This event is just one part of the Mama Tried festivities that are slated to happen at various local spots in late February.
Saturday, February 24
Burn Bright MKE @ X-Ray Arcade
Adding to the region’s ever-improving winter festival landscape is a brand new two-day affair called Burn Bright MKE. The first-year fest was created by DIY booking wunderkind JJ Kaiser, who aims to “showcase some of the best up and coming bands in the emo/alternative space” at X-Ray Arcade with two days of performances that feature the likes of Ben Quad, Carly Cosgrove, Charmer, Heart To Gold, Saturdays At Your Place, Equipment, Liquid Mike, TRSH, Arcadia Grey, and more. YES!
Sunday, February 25
Wückfinter @ Ray’s Wine & Spirits
Prepare to wage war on the winter doldrums outside of Ray’s Wine & Spirits in late February. From noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, the event—which is an exclusively outdoor affair—will allow patrons the chance to indulge in tons of 3 Floyds beer (including some rarities TBA) and a one-day-only 3 Floyds boozie slushie. Beyond the beer offerings, Ray’s parking lot and parts of 89th Street and 90th Street will host an impressive cast of food vendors and a DJ-curated playlist. It’s going to be a Wücking awesome day in the Rayborhood.
Monday, February 26
An Evening With Marbin @ Cactus Club
Tuesday, February 27
Richard Marx @ Pabst Theater
Wednesday, February 28
Milwaukee Record presents ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ @ Avalon Theater
Based on the Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, this 2010 Edgar Wright-directed vehicle features the film’s slacker namesake (played by peak Michael Cera) doing battle with the “Seven Evil Exes” of his new girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The comic-inspired, video game-tinged, and all-around innovative comedy has it all: laughs, action, legitimately good music, and a star-studded young cast that all comes together to forge a truly unique cinematic experience.
Thursday, February 29
The Price Is Right – Live @ Riverside Theater
Friday, March 1
Diet Lite + Motel Breakfast, Ladybird @ Vivarium
Mere days after officially opening, Pabst Theater Group’s latest venue, Vivarium, will host three excellent Milwaukee acts on its brand new stage. Check out the new digs and catch Diet Lite, Motel Breakfast, and Ladybird in the process.
Saturday, March 2
Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Alberta Hall Concert @ Pabst Theater
Sunday, March 3
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Monday, March 4
Aimee Mann + Jonathan Coulton @ Turner Hall
You know her. You love her. She’s Aimee Mann and she’s coming back to Milwaukee (the city that inspired her and Ted Leo to start The Both). It’s going to be great.
Tuesday, March 5
Sky High Night @ Cactus Club
Wednesday, March 6
Cowboy Killers: A Comedy Show @ Cactus Club
Thursday, March 7
The Dollyrots + Gymshorts @ X-Ray Arcade
During the band’s 20-plus-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Just shy of a year after playing at X-Ray Arcade, the veteran pop-punkers will come back to Cudahy for a stop on their “Spring Fling 2024 Tour” with special guests Gymshorts.
Friday, March 8
Milwaukee Record Re-Porter Beer Release @ Company Brewing
We have our own beer! It’s delicious and it’s coming back for another year. Come to Company Brewing to stock up on Re-Porter and enjoy live music from a local lineup the brewery is putting together for the event. Every cent of the portion Milwaukee Record makes from beer sales will be donated to Milwaukee Women’s Center later in the year.
Saturday, March 9
The Prince Experience @ Pabst Theater
Sunday, March 10
Anime Milwaukee @ Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel
What started as a college anime club meeting has blossomed into a massive three-day convention that annually brings hundreds of folks to the Hilton in Downtown Milwaukee to celebrate “anime, manga, Asian culture, music and gaming.”Anime Milwaukee will make its in-person return March 8-10.
Monday, March 11
Service Industry Night @ Indeed Brewing Company
Tuesday, March 12
‘Clue’ @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Wednesday, March 13
Midweek Music: Next Paperback Hero @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Thursday, March 14
Rap J & Riz @ Anodyne Coffee’s Walker’s Point Roastery
Friday, March 15
Myq Kaplan @ The Laughing Tap
Saturday, March 16
Olivia Rodrigo + Chappell Roan @ Fiserv Forum
What’s there to say about Olivia Rodrigo that hasn’t already been said about thousands upon thousands of entertainment outlets and millions upon millions of fans around the planet? On the off chance this is the first you’re hearing about this show, allow us to let you know the worldwide music/cultural sensation is coming to Fiserv Forum on March 16 as part of her GUTS tour. Make sure to show up on time because opener Chappell Roan is pretty great, too.
Sunday, March 17
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns @ Fiserv Forum
Monday, March 18
Probably A Podcast With Shannon Ford @ Vivarium
Bonus (because spring technically starts at like 10 p.m. on March 19)
Tuesday, March 19
Scott Stapp @ Turner Hall
Winter officially ends at 10:06 p.m. on March 19. If all goes as planned, former Creed singer Scott Stapp will be on stage at Turner Hall as spring begins. And if you’re lucky, he’ll be performing this song when the seasons change.