Some Milwaukee things come and go while some become icons. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: savoring the last days of summer!

By the time you read this, summer will be over.

Well, unless you’re reading this today (September 19), tomorrow (September 20), or Sunday (September 21). It’ll still be Summer 2025 then, but after that, summer will be gone, baby, gone. Say hello to Fall 2025 on Monday, September 22. Another season follows that, apparently, but we’re not going to think about that right now.

Summer 2025 was pretty good, eh? Summerfest attendance was up, the Wisconsin State Fair flood was wild, and all the other festivals and fairs and music series were terrific. What’s left? How about a final summer weekend crammed with a ridiculous number of events! Stuffing a bunch of summer stuff into the last three days of summer is truly Mandatory Milwaukee.

So here’s a quick rundown/reminder of the big events lined up for this weekend. (Find even more stuff HERE.) And don’t worry, because there are 8,000 events coming this fall, too.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Harvest Fest Block Party & Pumpkin Spirit Release @ Great Lakes Distillery
“New year, same party! Our annual Harvest Fest Block Party & Pumpkin Spirit Release, sponsored byLakefront Brewery, is back for another rockin’ time. There will be live music from The Last Bees, with Jack Tell kicking things off. Food will be provided by Fox Den, Chucho’s Red Tacos, and The Iron Pig. Specialty cocktails, featuring our Pumpkin Seasonal Spirit, distilled with Lakefront Brewery’s Pumpkin Lager, will be pouring at our outdoor bar. We’ll even have a mini makers market! This event is FREE to attend.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Bay View Bash @ Kinnickinnic Avenue, between Potter and Clement
While many of Milwaukee’s summer festivals, block parties, and other large scale happenings have already come and gone, one of the city’s best fests of the season is still on the books. Bay View Bash returns to Kinnickinnic Avenue on Saturday and will fill the eponymous neighborhood with 11 hours worth of live entertainment, family fun, retail vendors, food, drinks, and more. On our very own Milwaukee Record Stage, we’ll have music from Diet Lite, BLAX, Higher Education Records, Body Futures, and Max & The Fellow Travelers. Oh, and the Bay View Babes Drag Show and Punk Rock Yoga! Find the full entertainment lineup, vendor list, and everything else you need to know HERE.

Opetoberfest @ Ope! Brewing Co.
“Get your steins and stretchy pants ready—Opetoberfest is taking over the taproom! We’re going full polka with The Val Sigal Polka Band (two sets!), plus stein hoisting comps to separate the lightweights from the legends. Dust off your lederhosen, grab an Opetoberfest Märzen, and get loud. Ope-style Oktoberfest: No rules, just beer, brats, and bad decisions.”

Paw Fest At The Lakefront @ Henry Maier Festival Park
“There’s a brand-new pet event coming to Henry W. Maier Festival Park this year! From the organization behind Doggy Day at Deer District, Winston’s Wishes is excited to announce a brand-new celebration of pets, people and paws: Paw Fest at the Lakefront presented by Yutka Fence on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This FREE, pet-friendly fest is all about wagging tails, tasty treats, and good fun. Well-socialized, leashed dogs are invited to bring their humans (and vice versa!) for a full day of pet-centered play, shopping, music, and more.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Bean Plant Block Party @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
As a means of celebrating its 26th year in business, Anodyne is hosting its fourth annual Bean Plant Block Party on Sunday, September 21. From 12-5 p.m., the Walker’s Point location and a portion of Bruce Street outside the cafe will feature an abundance of offerings. There will be food available from the Cafe Corazon food truck. On top of Anodyne’s everyday caffeinated specialties, Indeed Brewing and Station 1846 will handle beer and other beverages. A range of local retail vendors will be selling their goods on-site. Cream City Skatepark ramps/obstacles will bring outdoor activity to the event. Skaters of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Speaking of skating, a portion of all beer sales will be donated to National DIY Skatepark. Oh, and there will be music. The tunes—provided by local acts that feature Anodyne employees in its ranks—will include performances by Cherry Clerk, Muzzle, Soma, Matty Timmons, and So Zuppy.

Puerto Rican Festival Of Wisconsin @ Henry Maier Festival Park
“Join us for the 12th Annual Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin! A day full of live music, cultural performances, many vendors, family fun and come try some delicious food! Take a one-day trip to Puerto Rico! $15 parking, or free on the street. Children under 10 only $5.”

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