Last week, we revealed the full entertainment lineup for Bastille Days, which is scheduled to take over Cathedral Square Park from Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20. The 2025 installment of that four-day festival is happening a few days after the actual Bastille Day (always July 14) due to the holiday falling on a Monday this year and (just guessing here) the now-apparently-annual Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival throwing the Milwaukee summer event ecosystem into disarray by taking place this weekend.
Well, if you’re looking for some additional French-focused fun that’s happening prior to next weekend’s downtown-adjacent fête, there’s another Bastille Day celebration going on in Milwaukee this Friday. Yes, on Friday, July 11, Vliet Street—between 57th and 60th Street—will host Bastille Day West from 4-10 p.m. The event has no connection to the East Town’s Bastille Days aside from its shared “love of Bastille Day and love of community,” but attendees can still enjoy a winning blend block party amenities and activities with a faintly French twist.
There will be live music on two stages courtesy of Milwaukee Hot Club, The Incomparable Hildegarde, Robin Pluer and Co., The Best Westerns, and Troubadours Of Rhythm. There will be an Eiffel Tower Model Contest, a fashion show, live art from painters, a snail-paced “Escargot” bike race, and other family-friendly activities. Food and libations can be procured from Neighborhood Draft, Pete’s Pops, Amorphic Beer, Charles E. Fromage, Biersal Tavern, Wy’East Pizza, Valentine Coffee Roasters, and more. An abundance of area retailers will also be selling their goods on-site.
Bastille Day West is free to attend and looks to be full of fun for the whole family. You can learn more about Friday’s event on the its website or on Facebook.
