Even though autumn technically ended less than two weeks ago, it’s finally beginning to set in: winter is actually here. Christmas over and it’s already snowed a bunch. And there’s still, like, 11 more weeks of this ahead! With that in mind, we thought you might appreciate a listing of local festivals, conventions, outdoor block parties, and family-friendly events taking place in and around Milwaukee this winter. Get out there and face cabin fever head-on at some of these events. We’ve got this, Milwaukee!
Thursday, January 1
Cool Fool Kite & Snow Carving Festival @ Veterans Park
“This 39-year Milwaukee tradition will take place in Veterans Park, on Milwaukee’s usually warm and windy lakefront. The kite festival is free to the public and will start at 11 a.m., just prior to the Polar Bear’s jump into Lake Michigan, and will run until we can no longer stand the cold, probably around 5 p.m. Some of his kites are over 100 feet long. Kites and hot food are available for purchase or bring your own. FREE Hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks will be served while it lasts, compliments of Gift of Wings.”
Saturday, January 3
N/A Day @ The Cooperage
On Saturday, January 3, Milwaukee Record will host the fifth annual Milwaukee edition of N/A Day at The Cooperage. The “Dry January Beverage Festival” will give people an opportunity to enjoy unlimited samples of more than 50 products in the wide-ranging, ever-evolving, and rapidly-growing non-alcoholic drink market. Vendors range from local operations to nationally-regarded brands in the N/A space. Whether you’re looking to turn over a new leaf in the new year or you’re just seeking to add some more refreshments to your personal repertoire, N/A Day is sure to be a fun and low-risk way to try some new drinks on for size.
Friday, January 17
Goblin King Masquerade Ball @ Turner Hall
Awkward Nerd Events will once again transform Turner Hall Ballroom into a magical world of fantasy. There will be themed cocktails and mocktails, “captivating performances,” photo ops, and more during this event. Formal attire or cosplay is required.
Saturday, January 24
5th Annual Bluegrass Winter Heater @ The Cooperage
Though it’s happening in the dead of winter, the Bluegrass Winter Heater will make The Cooperage all warm and toasty with tunes from a phenomenal foursome of great Badger State bluegrass bands. The fifth annual affair will feature performances by The MilBillies, Art Stevenson & High Water, Derek Pritzl & The Gamble, and Valley Fox. Jordan Kroeger (of Chicken Wire Empire) will emcee and Ernest Brusubardis IV (also of Chicken Wire Empire) will be on-site as “artists at large.”
Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1
Wisconsin Card Show @ The Baird Center
Lake Country Cards and Swarmm Events are joining forces on what they’re calling “Wisconsin’s Largest Card Show.” The claim seems to be accurate, as the second annual Wisconsin Card Show will bring more than 400 tables worth of collectors and vendors to Baird Center January 30 through February 1. There will also be a ton of Brewers, Packers, Bucks, and Badgers legends signing autographs over the course of the three-day event.
Saturday, January 31
Ice Bear Fest @ Third Space Brewing
Third Space’s Ice Bear Fest returns! The Menomonee Valley brewery will once again be host to “a 1980s après ski dance party” in its beer garden to celebrate its tasty seasonal Baltic porter. In addition to the abundance of Ice Bear on hand, the winter affair will feature an era-specific playlist from Sound By Design until 5 p.m., Mixtape playing live renditions of ’80s covers from 5-7 p.m., food available from Hue and Brew City Snowballs, shotskis, a costume contest at 4 p.m., a vintage ski gear pop-up from Fresh To Death vintage, and various other Third Space brews on-site to help keep you warm. Save the date for a wintry mix of beer, music, food, and ski-centric fun at Third Space on January 31.
Saturday, January 31
Snüzfest @ Anodyne’s Walker’s Point Roastery
Originally founded in Chicago in 2018, the Snüzfest “Pajama Party Benefit” is taking place at Milwaukee’s own Anodyne Coffee Roastery on Saturday, January 31. This year’s edition will feature performances by Something To Do, I Voted For Kodos, Guardrail (the event’s founders), Gold Steps, and Lefty Luci. Proceeds from this early evening show—doors at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m. sharp!—will benefit Pathfinders and Repairers Of The Breach. Put on your favorite pajamas and get to Anodyne on January 31.
Friday, February 6
WMSE’s Art & Music @ The Pritzlaff Building
For the ninth year, Art & Music—an art auction fundraiser for WMSE 91.7FM—will take place at The Pritzlaff Building and showcase art and music as a means of generating support for the public radio station. This event is billed as multisensory and immersive, touting “art, music, food, and entertainment” for the whole family. At the center is an auction of hundreds of album-sized, 12″ x 12″ pieces of original art from local and national artists.
Saturday, February 7
Mitten Fest @ Burnhearts
Over its 12-year run, Mitten Fest has earned the undisputed distinction of being Milwaukee’s favorite wintertime celebration. The sprawling block party will be coming back to Burnhearts for another installment. From noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, Mitten Fest will heat up the neighborhood with live music, craft beer and cocktails, tasty treats from area food vendors, and philanthropy (as a means of collecting donations for Hunger Task Force). Stay tuned for the full music, beer, and vendor lineup next week.
Saturday, February 7
Great Lakes Pet Expo @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
While there are a bunch of expos, tournaments, and trade shows scheduled to take place at Wisconsin State Fair Park this winter, the Great Lakes Pet Expo is the best of the bunch. (No offense, Milwaukee Boat Show!) The 21st installment will bring thousands of animal lovers to Wisconsin State Fair Park to explore 143,000 square feet worth of “pet loving shopping and services, entertainment, educational experiences, and some of Wisconsin’s cutest adoptables.” Get out of the house, bring the whole family, and support Wisconsin’s homeless companion animals.
Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22
Flat Out Friday @ Fiserv Forum and Mama Tried @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
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 mid-February. The Mama Tried Motorcycle Show itself will take place at The Rave February 21-22.
Saturday, February 21
Food & Froth @ Milwaukee Public Museum
Experience Milwaukee Public Museum as you never have before at the 26th annual Food & Froth. This after-hours event—and museum fundraiser—allows attendees the rare opportunity to explore the exhibit floors while enjoying locally-sourced food and beer from more than 60 area vendors. There’s also live music on the first floor.
Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22
Burn Bright MKE 2026 @ X-Ray Arcade
In early 2024, a new festival called Burn Bright MKE added to the ever-improving winter festival landscape in metro Milwaukee. The two-day affair was created by DIY booking wunderkind JJ Kaiser, who aspired to “showcase some of the best up and coming bands in the emo/alternative space” at X-Ray Arcade in nearby Cudahy with a sold-out weekend that featured performances by the likes of Ben Quad, Carly Cosgrove, Equipment, Liquid Mike, and more. Burn Bright returned with two more nights of up-and-coming emo and alternative-leaning music in early 2025, including headliners Harrison Gordon and Sincere Engineer. February 21-22, 2026, the third annual Burn Bright will bring Heart Attack Man, Camping In Alaska, Charmer, and more to X-Ray.
Sunday, March 1
Bacon Fest MKE @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
On Sunday, March 1, The Hog and Potawatomi Hotel & Casino will host another installment of Bacon Fest MKE. The 14th annual celebration of pork products will feature an abundance of vendors serving up their finest swine to a hungry horde of bacon aficionados. Come to Potawatomi and pig out.
Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8
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 and Baird Center to celebrate “anime, manga, Asian culture, music and gaming.”Anime Milwaukee will make its return March 6-8.
Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15
Milwaukee Horror Con @ Four Points By Sheraton
Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, Milwaukee Horror Con will slash its way into the Four Points By Sheraton Milwaukee Convention Center. The three-day event, which calls itself “Wisconsin’s only horror convention,” will bring special celebrity guests, panels, an abundance of horror-centric vendors, and a chance to screen a bunch of indie horror films.
