Milwaukee is known as the “City Of Festivals” for good reason. The city and its surrounding suburbs routinely play host to dozens upon dozens of ambitious undertakings that range from festivals, block parties, conventions, ethnic celebrations, recurring music series, and various other events that help make Milwaukee a special place to live, work, and visit.
While the vast majority of happenings that land under the broad “festival” umbrella occur in the summer months, the spring season is far from lacking when it comes to fests and fest-like events. With winter officially ending this week, we’ve already assembled a massive list of standout spring shows. Now we’re following that up with a guide to Milwaukee-area festivals taking place between mid-March and the end of May. Think spring and check out these events!
(Editor’s note: Though we know June 21 is the first day of summer, we’re going to feature all festivals that begin in June in our upcoming Summer Festival Guide, so hold those comments!)
March 22
WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili Fundraiser @ MSOE Kern Center
Rockabilly Chili returns! The 24th installment of the wildly popular and devilishly delicious event will kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Over that four-hour span, attendees will be able to sample chili from dozens of Milwaukee area restaurants, cafes, caterers, and other establishments that will be competing for awards in three categories: Best Meat, Best Veggie, Best Heat, and Most Unique. There will also be hardware handed out for Best Display. Be there!
March 25-29
AdeptiCon @ Baird Center
Last spring, AdeptiCon moved from its home in Schaumburg, Illinois to Milwaukee. Following that great 2025 debut in Wisconsin, it will return to Milwaukee for another edition this spring. Specifically, it will take place the weekend of March 25-29. What began as a small 100-person event celebrating the Warhammer 40,000 miniatures game has grown into one of the most popular wargame miniatures conventions in the country. Many manufacturers now have a presence at the show which features tournaments for Battletech, Shatterpoint, and all sorts of table-sized battlefield games. As the late, great Rob Wieland once said, “Think of it a bit like Fashion Week, except the looks are all stompy power armor and nasty Chaos-infected monsters.”
April 11
Doggy Day @ Deer District
“Doggy Day at Deer District is the spot for Wisconsin dog lovers to gather with their pups, enjoy delicious food and beverages, and shop local businesses while supporting local pups in need at the wonderful Deer District! This fun-filled event is a fundraiser presented by, and benefiting, Winston’s Wishes and directly helps our local pups in need. This event is free for the public to attend and will include over 80 local vendors, local food trucks, beverages, entertainment, prizes, giveaways, and activities for all furry friends and their humans.”
April 16-19
Art In Bloom @ Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum’s annual Art In Bloom offers and opportunity to “discover floral interpretations of favorite artworks in the galleries.” The four-day event is bursting with “flowers, music, refreshments, shopping, art making, and even more special floral programs.”
April 16-30
Milwaukee Film Festival @ various locations
The 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival is set to run April 16-30. It will feature approximately 200 short and feature-length documentary and fiction films from around the world (and Milwaukee, of course). Advance ticket packages and passes are available NOW. The full lineup hasn’t been released quite yet, but based on the festival’s track record and what’s been announced so far, it’s gonna be great.
April 18
Milwaukee Zine Fest @ Milwaukee Central Library
The Bindery’s annual Milwaukee Zine Fest will take to the Milwaukee Central Library on Saturday, April 18. As always, the event—which has been around more than 15 years, making it one of the Midwest’s longest-running zine fests—will celebrate and promote “zine culture, DIY creative literary work, small press publishing, and other independent, self-created wonders in magazine-like format” with more than 100 vendors showcasing and selling their work on site. Milwaukee Zine Fest is free and suitable for folks of all ages to attend.
April 19
High Score: A 4/20 Market @ Falcon Hall
Milwaukee Record is proud to be bringing our High Score event to Falcon Hall. From 12-3 p.m., this “4/20 Market” will feature a wide variety of local, regional, and national vendors who offer botanical, plant-infused products with “added ingredients” that are 100 percent legal to purchase and consume in Wisconsin. The 21+ event is a great opportunity to both sample and stock up on (we repeat: totally legal) items while also learning more about this rapidly growing industry from those in the know.
April 24-26
Midwest Gaming Classic @ Baird Center
In a city absolutely stuffed with events, the annual Midwest Gaming Classic is one of our favorites. Want to relive the 2025 installment? Read our one-day minute-by-minute report HERE. Want to experience all the video games, pinball, tabletop games, panels, music, and more for yourself? Then drop by the downtown Baird Center April 24-26. Yep, MGC is BACK.
April 25
Michelada Fest @ Zócalo
“After selling out last year, this fan favorite event is back and bigger than ever. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and watch top bars and restaurants compete for the title of Best Michelada in Milwaukee. Do not miss one of the city’s most exciting spring traditions.”
April 26
Turner Hall Tiki Takedown @ Turner Hall
Following five successful installments, Turner Hall Tiki Takedown will once again be bringing warm vibes and cool cocktails to the eponymous downtown ballroom this spring. Yes, you can take your taste buds on an early spring trip to the islands when the cocktail competition and rum-fueled celebration officially returns. From 1-4 p.m., Turner Hall will host mixologists from a variety of local bars and restaurants, each of whom will be serving up their own unique tiki cocktail creations using TIKI LOVERS spirits as they compete for votes from those in attendance so they might claim the coveted Tiki Takedown Trophy and Tiki Master title.
May 16
Bravery In Bloom: A Queer Arts Festival
“Bravery in Bloom: A Queer Arts Festival is a vibrant, community-driven celebration hosted by Courage+ that transforms Milwaukee’s South Side into a living canvas of creativity, expression, and belonging. An outdoor street festival set along 21st Street and Pierce, the festival uplifts emerging LGBTQ+ artists, performers, and makers by giving them a platform to share and sell their work while connecting with the broader community. From live performances and an amateur drag showcase to art vendors, interactive experiences, and local nonprofit partners, the day is designed to be joyful, inclusive, and deeply affirming.”
May 23
Morgan Park Picnic @ Morgan Park
Join Milwaukee Record and Busby’s at Morgan Park on Saturday, May 23. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., the second annual Morgan Park Picnic will offer a winning mix of live music, punk rock yoga, local food and drink vendors, area retailers, community support, and more. Though we’re not quite ready to release the full entertainment and vendor lineups, stay tuned for that info. In the meantime, make plans to join us at the second annual Morgan Park Picnic. We’d love to see you there!
May 29
Bay View Gallery Night @ various locations
Since 2011, Bay View Gallery Night has organized “Milwaukee’s largest annual celebration of art, local business, music, and community.” The massive neighborhood-wide event brings together talented area artists and musicians, along with an eclectic mix of Milwaukee bars, restaurants and retailers for a large-scale happening that has quickly become a part of the Bay View tradition. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s locally-focused. What more can you ask for? We’re pleased to report Bay View Gallery Night will return for a 15th spring installment on Friday, May 29.
May 29
Country Rising Festival @ Franklin Field (Franklin)
From the folks who brought you Tacos & Tequila Festival (more on that later), comes the Country Rising Festival. This new undertaking will bring BigXThaPlug, Redferrin, Dylan Marlowe, Austin Snell, and Atlus to Franklin Field.
May 29-31
Milwaukee Tattoo Festival 2026 @ Baird Center
Milwaukee Tattoo Festival is a celebration of all things needles and ink that will offer “a selection of over 200 of the best artists from all over the world right here in Milwaukee for three days of tattooing, art making, merch selling, and much more” May 29-31.
May 30
Tacos & Tequila Festival @ Franklin Field (Franklin)
Do you like tacos, tequila, and world-renowned rappers and R&B talents who really popped off in the early 2000s? If you answered yes to even one of those questions, we have some good news for you. And if you enjoy all three of those things (and don’t mind driving to Franklin, Wisconsin to experience them), then you might be in for one of the best days of your life. On Saturday, May 30, Milwaukee Tacos And Tequila Festival is returning to Franklin Field for a day of tacos, tequila, and “throwbacks.” This year, the suburban fest will field the likes of Shaggy, Rick Ross, Ginuwine, Soulja Boy, and more.
May 30
Smoke On The Water @ Henry Maier Festival Park
“Kick off festival season lakeside as top BBQ vendors take over the lakefront, serving up slow-cooked favorites and mouth-watering bites. Smoke On The Water food vendors will offer tasting sized portions of their signature menu items starting at just $5, along with full-size favorites, providing an opportunity for fans to try a wide variety of BBQ.”
May 31
Locust Street Festival @ Locust Street
Returning for its 47th (!) year on Sunday, May 31, the annual Locust Street Festival of Music & Art is one of the city’s best street fests, celebrating all that is good, right, and drum circle-y in Riverwest. The ever-popular 1.8-mile Beer Run will kick things off at 11:30 a.m., followed by eight hours of music, food, drinks, crafts, and stellar people-watching.
